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Authors: The Regency Rakes Trilogy
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another customer who had changed her mind at the last moment. With the most minor adjustments, the gown fit Emily perfectly, so that she was able to take it with her. To Emily's amazement, the dowager informed her that this new wardrobe would take her through perhaps their first week in Town, and that many more dresses would be required for the remainder of the Season. The dowager intended to make a visit to Madame Cécile's soon after their arrival in Town.
Lady Bradleigh then tugged Emily along Milsom Street to shop for slippers and half-boots to match the new dresses, as well as gloves, stockings, bonnets, reticules, and undergarments. Emily was self-conscious about the expense but kept her own counsel. When the carriage at last deposited the two ladies back at Laura Place, two footmen were required to carry in the band boxes and packages.
It was a typical at-home afternoon at Laura Place, with the drawing room crowded with friends and admirers come to pay court to Lady Bradleigh, who was something of an institution in Bath Society. Sir Percy Whittaker was among the callers and did his best to pluck Emily from the background. She was staunch, however, in maintaining her position against the wall, and Sir Percy was forced to join her there in order to have conversation with her. Most other callers simply nodded to Emily in polite acknowledgment while she maintained her place and made no move to join in the general conversation.
After the last caller had departed, the dowager, Lord Bradleigh, and Emily remained in the drawing room, drinking fresh tea and reviewing the day. The fast banter between the dowager and her grandson, as they discussed each of the departed guests with wicked amusement, had Emily in tears of laughter. She had never seen anyone match wits so well with her sharp-tongued employer. And she had never seen the dowager so enjoy herself. It was clear that the two had a very close, very special relationship.
When the discussion reached Sir Percy Whittaker, Robert began teasing Emily about her conquest. "It is clear the man is besotted with you, Miss Townsend. When are you going to put him out of his misery?" he asked, grinning at Emily.
"Sir Percy is merely a good friend, my lord," she replied shyly, "nothing more. Our conversations generally go no further than a discussion of his latest novel."
"You can forget about Whittaker, Robert," the dowager interjected. "We can do better than that. We have spent the morning with Madame Dubois, preparing a new wardrobe for Emily. I have no doubt that her new look will have gentlemen falling at her feet. More interesting specimens than Sir Percy, you can be sure."
Emily stared at the dowager in astonishment.
Robert flashed her a roguish grin. "Yes, I can think of several gentlemen of my acquaintance who might be willing to oblige."
Emily suddenly sat up even straighter than usual, and she felt her jaw tighten as she tried to hang on to her composure. She studied her two smiling companions with narrowed eyes. "Excuse me," she said very quietly, "but if I am correct in sensing there is matchmaking afoot, I beg you to leave me out of it." She turned stiffly to face the dowager. "My lady, I very reluctantly accepted your generous offer of a new wardrobe because I thought—"
"Yes, yes, my girl," the dowager interrupted, "the new wardrobe's purpose was exactly as I stated it to you. I simply required that you appear more fashionable when you accompany me to Town. However," she continued as she flicked a nonexistent piece of lint from her sleeve, "if it also results in drawing eligible admirers to your notice, then I will be doubly pleased."
"Oh, dear," Emily said, her voice cracking in her distress. She could no longer look either of her companions in the eye. Anger and fear immobilized her. These people had lived in the highest echelons of wealth and privilege their whole lives. They could have no idea what it meant to be dependent upon others for one's very
Lady Bradleigh then tugged Emily along Milsom Street to shop for slippers and half-boots to match the new dresses, as well as gloves, stockings, bonnets, reticules, and undergarments. Emily was self-conscious about the expense but kept her own counsel. When the carriage at last deposited the two ladies back at Laura Place, two footmen were required to carry in the band boxes and packages.
It was a typical at-home afternoon at Laura Place, with the drawing room crowded with friends and admirers come to pay court to Lady Bradleigh, who was something of an institution in Bath Society. Sir Percy Whittaker was among the callers and did his best to pluck Emily from the background. She was staunch, however, in maintaining her position against the wall, and Sir Percy was forced to join her there in order to have conversation with her. Most other callers simply nodded to Emily in polite acknowledgment while she maintained her place and made no move to join in the general conversation.
After the last caller had departed, the dowager, Lord Bradleigh, and Emily remained in the drawing room, drinking fresh tea and reviewing the day. The fast banter between the dowager and her grandson, as they discussed each of the departed guests with wicked amusement, had Emily in tears of laughter. She had never seen anyone match wits so well with her sharp-tongued employer. And she had never seen the dowager so enjoy herself. It was clear that the two had a very close, very special relationship.
When the discussion reached Sir Percy Whittaker, Robert began teasing Emily about her conquest. "It is clear the man is besotted with you, Miss Townsend. When are you going to put him out of his misery?" he asked, grinning at Emily.
"Sir Percy is merely a good friend, my lord," she replied shyly, "nothing more. Our conversations generally go no further than a discussion of his latest novel."
"You can forget about Whittaker, Robert," the dowager interjected. "We can do better than that. We have spent the morning with Madame Dubois, preparing a new wardrobe for Emily. I have no doubt that her new look will have gentlemen falling at her feet. More interesting specimens than Sir Percy, you can be sure."
Emily stared at the dowager in astonishment.
Robert flashed her a roguish grin. "Yes, I can think of several gentlemen of my acquaintance who might be willing to oblige."
Emily suddenly sat up even straighter than usual, and she felt her jaw tighten as she tried to hang on to her composure. She studied her two smiling companions with narrowed eyes. "Excuse me," she said very quietly, "but if I am correct in sensing there is matchmaking afoot, I beg you to leave me out of it." She turned stiffly to face the dowager. "My lady, I very reluctantly accepted your generous offer of a new wardrobe because I thought—"
"Yes, yes, my girl," the dowager interrupted, "the new wardrobe's purpose was exactly as I stated it to you. I simply required that you appear more fashionable when you accompany me to Town. However," she continued as she flicked a nonexistent piece of lint from her sleeve, "if it also results in drawing eligible admirers to your notice, then I will be doubly pleased."
"Oh, dear," Emily said, her voice cracking in her distress. She could no longer look either of her companions in the eye. Anger and fear immobilized her. These people had lived in the highest echelons of wealth and privilege their whole lives. They could have no idea what it meant to be dependent upon others for one's very
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