Read Online Arms of a Stranger by Danice Allen - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Danice Allen
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danger.”
“It will change, mon ami . You will help to bring the changes—slow and sure, like the Mississippi swelling in the spring to overflow the banks. Once they build in power, in momentum, nothing will stop the changes. But until that time comes, you must still keep the secret, you must still wear the mask, you must still play the masquerade.”
Lucien sighed and turned away, staring into the dark night.
“It’s lovely, Anne, but it’s not white.” Reggie peered critically through his spectacles at Anne’s midnight-blue gown.
“You didn’t really expect me to bedeck myself in white like some debutante straight out of the schoolroom, did you, Uncle Reggie? Goodness, I’m twenty-three years old!”
“I only thought it might be more traditional if you first presented yourself to New Orleans society in a coming-out color. I understand all the young ladies make their first social appearance at the opening night of the opera. There will be a veritable sea of white, and probably one little dab of midnight-blue.”
“Good,” said Anne, fastening a gold bracelet over the long white glove that came to the middle of her upper arms. “I shouldn’t wish to be just another fleck of foam in a sea of white. I like being different. And if there are going to be so many young women there, it’s best I wear something that makes me stand out in a crowd. An old spinster like myself must use every possible trick!”
“What nincompoopery!” Katherine’s voice preceded her as she entered the drawing room. “You will always stand out in a crowd, my dear, no matter what you wear. You’re beautiful. You take after my side of the family.”
“You look splendid, Aunt Katherine,” said Anne, eyeing her aunt appreciatively. “You look absolutely regal in purple.”
“It’s the height and the bosom, I suppose,” agreed Katherine, patting her upswept hair, simply styled as usual to match the austere elegance of her town and opera cape.
“Ahem,” said Reggie, pinkening.
“What is it, Reginald?” said Katherine, turning to observe him as he stood uncomfortably by the mantel, tugging on his mustache. “Oh, yes, of course. You look very nice, too. All men look best in black.”
“Good God, you don’t imagine I was fishing for a compliment, do you?” He shifted from foot to foot, obviously flustered.
“Well, if you weren’t wishing to be noticed and flattered, why were you clearing your throat in that odious manner?”
“If you must be told, I was discreetly objecting to your use of the word bosom in so casual and coarse a fashion, and in mixed company!”
“Lord, you’re a prude, Reginald. Did you think Anne had never heard the word before? Sheltered though you are, you can’t be objecting for your sake, I hope. If you’ve never heard the word bosom spoken in the company of females at your advanced age, Reginald, I pity you.”
“Save your pity, madame,” he said stiffly, thrusting up his nose in a pose of offended dignity. “I cherish and honor the purity of my past no matter how dull you might deem it to be in comparison to your own. Now, shall we go the opera? I trust I won’t be humiliated by your conduct in so public and revered a place as the opera house, will I, ladies?”
Reggie slid a meaningful glance at Anne. He obviously felt he had no influence with Katherine, and, besides, her behavior was probably tolerated by a society who knew her well after twenty years of exposure. But he cared what they thought of Anne, and he believed her debut tonight could determine her acceptance into the more preferable circles.
Anne wasn’t sure just how much she and Reggie agreed on who and what were “preferable,” but she had no desire to cause him undue distress by debating the point as they were about to leave for an evening on the town. She smiled sweetly and answered just as she ought. “I will be as good as an angel, Uncle.”
Relieved, Reggie smiled and offered his arm to Anne. “Shall
“It will change, mon ami . You will help to bring the changes—slow and sure, like the Mississippi swelling in the spring to overflow the banks. Once they build in power, in momentum, nothing will stop the changes. But until that time comes, you must still keep the secret, you must still wear the mask, you must still play the masquerade.”
Lucien sighed and turned away, staring into the dark night.
“It’s lovely, Anne, but it’s not white.” Reggie peered critically through his spectacles at Anne’s midnight-blue gown.
“You didn’t really expect me to bedeck myself in white like some debutante straight out of the schoolroom, did you, Uncle Reggie? Goodness, I’m twenty-three years old!”
“I only thought it might be more traditional if you first presented yourself to New Orleans society in a coming-out color. I understand all the young ladies make their first social appearance at the opening night of the opera. There will be a veritable sea of white, and probably one little dab of midnight-blue.”
“Good,” said Anne, fastening a gold bracelet over the long white glove that came to the middle of her upper arms. “I shouldn’t wish to be just another fleck of foam in a sea of white. I like being different. And if there are going to be so many young women there, it’s best I wear something that makes me stand out in a crowd. An old spinster like myself must use every possible trick!”
“What nincompoopery!” Katherine’s voice preceded her as she entered the drawing room. “You will always stand out in a crowd, my dear, no matter what you wear. You’re beautiful. You take after my side of the family.”
“You look splendid, Aunt Katherine,” said Anne, eyeing her aunt appreciatively. “You look absolutely regal in purple.”
“It’s the height and the bosom, I suppose,” agreed Katherine, patting her upswept hair, simply styled as usual to match the austere elegance of her town and opera cape.
“Ahem,” said Reggie, pinkening.
“What is it, Reginald?” said Katherine, turning to observe him as he stood uncomfortably by the mantel, tugging on his mustache. “Oh, yes, of course. You look very nice, too. All men look best in black.”
“Good God, you don’t imagine I was fishing for a compliment, do you?” He shifted from foot to foot, obviously flustered.
“Well, if you weren’t wishing to be noticed and flattered, why were you clearing your throat in that odious manner?”
“If you must be told, I was discreetly objecting to your use of the word bosom in so casual and coarse a fashion, and in mixed company!”
“Lord, you’re a prude, Reginald. Did you think Anne had never heard the word before? Sheltered though you are, you can’t be objecting for your sake, I hope. If you’ve never heard the word bosom spoken in the company of females at your advanced age, Reginald, I pity you.”
“Save your pity, madame,” he said stiffly, thrusting up his nose in a pose of offended dignity. “I cherish and honor the purity of my past no matter how dull you might deem it to be in comparison to your own. Now, shall we go the opera? I trust I won’t be humiliated by your conduct in so public and revered a place as the opera house, will I, ladies?”
Reggie slid a meaningful glance at Anne. He obviously felt he had no influence with Katherine, and, besides, her behavior was probably tolerated by a society who knew her well after twenty years of exposure. But he cared what they thought of Anne, and he believed her debut tonight could determine her acceptance into the more preferable circles.
Anne wasn’t sure just how much she and Reggie agreed on who and what were “preferable,” but she had no desire to cause him undue distress by debating the point as they were about to leave for an evening on the town. She smiled sweetly and answered just as she ought. “I will be as good as an angel, Uncle.”
Relieved, Reggie smiled and offered his arm to Anne. “Shall
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