Read Online Kate: A Universal Truth (A Wish for Love Series Book 1) by Mia Shales - Free Book Online Page B

not begin to compare to the elegant attire of the other women at the affair.  But she had no choice.  Aside from the dress she had worn to the commencement party she had no dressy clothes and certainly none that were suitable for a late afternoon private concert.
    Margaret pirouetted.  Kate lay the dress she held on the back of the chair near the dressing table and scrutinized Margaret carefully.
    “It's lovely, Margaret.  Really.  Jorge Andrade will fall off his chair when he catches sight of you.”
    “Thank you, dear.  I spent a lot of effort in my choice of clothes for today.”  She approached her dressing table and took a jewelry box out of one of the drawers.  “This is a pearl choker my parents gave me a long time ago.  It should go with the outfit.”
    As she struggled with the lock on the box her elbow struck the coffee cup and the contents splashed straight on to Kate's dress, an ugly stain spreading over the top half. 
    Margaret stared in horror. “What a shame,” she wailed in anguish, “I've ruined your dress." 
    Kate regained her poise.  “Nothing happened.  I'll rinse out the stain in a little soap and water and in a few minutes it will be as good as new.”
    “No, this dress goes straight to the cleaners. Take one of mine.”
    “Really, Margaret, there's no need for all this fuss.”
    “Please.  I feel terrible.  Your figure may be far more curvaceous than mine, but we're both very slim and about the same height.  I'm sure you'll find something that suits you.  Come on, I'll help you pick one.  We have less than half an hour before we have to leave.”
    The Axbridge's residence was a Georgian mansion at the city's southern edge and Margaret and Kate arrived there in a cab.
    “I don't feel like driving,” Margaret explained.  “Maybe Jorge will decide to join us for dinner and drinks and my conscience will rest easier.  I never drive when I drink.”
    Kate prayed her friend's schemes would work out as planned and Mr. Andrade would not disappoint her.
    They entered an immense hall.  The compass pattern of the colorful floor tiles evoked the nearby Greenwich meridian while above, attached to the high ceiling, was an enormous gilt bronze and crystal chandelier.  Antique white marble sculptures flanked the entrance.
    “Margaret has told me so much about you,” said Lady Axbridge graciously to Kate.  “I’m a great fan of Jane Austen and I'm looking forward to the publication of your book.”
    Other guests approached the baroness and Kate followed Margaret as she greeted several people she knew.
    Jorge Andrade arrived alone and after saluting his hosts he, to Margaret's great delight, walked straight up to her.  Margaret introduced Kate who took the opportunity to express her profound admiration for his literary works.  A few minutes later she excused herself on the pretext of wishing to examine the paintings hanging about the walls.  A waiter approached, a variety of drinks on his tray, and Kate happily accepted a glass of white wine.
    She stood, gazing out the immense window, when a curious sensation washed over her. Her heartbeats quickened.  She drew herself even taller and refused to turn her head.  Someone was ruffling her composure.  An intense current surged through her, electrifying her, giving rise to pinpricks of excitement throughout her body.
    Matthew Camedon saw the woman by the window.  I'm beginning to see Fata Morgana.  She can't possibly be here, it's a vision.  But the woman who stood with her profile towards him resembled her so much.  He stared, waiting for her to turn around.  She was tall and slim and the expensive dress clung softly to her superb figure.  It can't be Kate, he decided, but the unique silken sheen of her brown hair could belong to no one else.  She wore her hair loose and it fell in a glorious mane to her shoulders and back.  Her long legs with their delicate curves were exposed till above the knee and the high-heeled shoes