Read Online Miss Delacourt Has Her Day by Heidi Ashworth - Free Book Online
Authors: Heidi Ashworth
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Grandaunt, she felt defeated. When he ignored Lady Derby’s unnerving proximity and whispered into Ginny’s ear, “It doesn’t matter-all will be well,” she felt miserable. When he turned to give her one last glance before finding his hostess and begging her pardon for departing so soon, she felt completely abandoned. He had done everything an attentive and loving future husband should. So why did she feel so betrayed?
Numb with the prospect of impending doom, Ginny allowed herself to be wrapped up in her cloak, prodded down the stairs, out the door, and into the carriage without a word passing her lips. There was nothing to say, nothing to think of but her inapprehensible plight. For the first time in her life, she wished she had a mask to hide behind, a mask that hid her less-than-admirable thoughts and actions, one that prompted her to always say and do what was proper. It was ironic that she, who had never cared for the shallow ways of Society, should be teeming with desire to be admitted into their ranks. How laughably implausible! Had she allowed herself to occupy so untenable a position that she actually feared being ruined in the eyes of Society?
“Oh, Grandaunt Regina!” she said, daring to lay her head on the duchess’ shoulder in the confines of the ink-dark carriage. “What a woman won’t do for love!”
“Yes, my dear,” said the duchess with an uncharacteristic pat to Ginny’s cheek. “Indeed!”
Everything always looks better in the morning.” Those had been Grandaunt’s last words to Ginny after seeing her tucked snugly into bed and blowing out the candles with her very own regal lips. Now, in the morning light, its rays reflected in the silky counterpane spread across her bed, Ginny thought perhaps Grandaunt was right. Surely the situation was not as bad as she’d feared last night. In fact, now that their engagement had been made somewhat public, perhaps Anthony would be willing to choose a date for their wedding.
Remembering he had promised to arrive early to discuss their impending marriage, she pushed aside her niggling doubts about the duke’s disapproval and hurried through her morning ablutions in hopes Anthony planned to join her and Grandaunt in time for breakfast. Looking around, she noticed it was earlier than she supposed; Nan had not appeared to help her dress, and the maid hadn’t yet been in to light the fires.
Shivering, she pulled her warmest dress from the clothespress, a linsey-woolsey in soft gray she hadn’t worn since winter. It was a favorite, as it was a bit too long, leaving plenty of skirt in which to wrap her bare feet when she curled up by the fire with a book. She had forgotten the hem was both a bit stretched out and falling down as a result of the abuse she had given it, but since it was the easiest of her gowns to don herself, she decided it was her quickest option. The quicker the better. She had waited long enough to learn exactly what it was the duke had had to say about Anthony’s attachment to her, and there were the events of last night to mull over, as well. Mostly she wanted to sit by his side and merely look at him, hear his voice, breathe his scent, and wait for the kiss he always managed to arrange even while under Grandaunt’s watchful eye.
Sighing, she began to hunt for shoes. Her dancing slippers were the closest to hand, but she rejected them for the blue kid ones she wore about the house. After donning them, there was nothing left to do but tie a ribbon around her unruly curls. It was a green one that clashed with everything but her eyes, but no matter; she knew Anthony would not think it too loud against the more demure coloring of her gown.
Finally she was dressed and with not a moment to lose. She could hear the opening and closing of the front door and the murmur of voices raised in greeting as she hurried down the hall. Taking the stairs at a brisk pace, she caught her toe in the damaged hem of her skirt and tumbled nearly
Numb with the prospect of impending doom, Ginny allowed herself to be wrapped up in her cloak, prodded down the stairs, out the door, and into the carriage without a word passing her lips. There was nothing to say, nothing to think of but her inapprehensible plight. For the first time in her life, she wished she had a mask to hide behind, a mask that hid her less-than-admirable thoughts and actions, one that prompted her to always say and do what was proper. It was ironic that she, who had never cared for the shallow ways of Society, should be teeming with desire to be admitted into their ranks. How laughably implausible! Had she allowed herself to occupy so untenable a position that she actually feared being ruined in the eyes of Society?
“Oh, Grandaunt Regina!” she said, daring to lay her head on the duchess’ shoulder in the confines of the ink-dark carriage. “What a woman won’t do for love!”
“Yes, my dear,” said the duchess with an uncharacteristic pat to Ginny’s cheek. “Indeed!”
Everything always looks better in the morning.” Those had been Grandaunt’s last words to Ginny after seeing her tucked snugly into bed and blowing out the candles with her very own regal lips. Now, in the morning light, its rays reflected in the silky counterpane spread across her bed, Ginny thought perhaps Grandaunt was right. Surely the situation was not as bad as she’d feared last night. In fact, now that their engagement had been made somewhat public, perhaps Anthony would be willing to choose a date for their wedding.
Remembering he had promised to arrive early to discuss their impending marriage, she pushed aside her niggling doubts about the duke’s disapproval and hurried through her morning ablutions in hopes Anthony planned to join her and Grandaunt in time for breakfast. Looking around, she noticed it was earlier than she supposed; Nan had not appeared to help her dress, and the maid hadn’t yet been in to light the fires.
Shivering, she pulled her warmest dress from the clothespress, a linsey-woolsey in soft gray she hadn’t worn since winter. It was a favorite, as it was a bit too long, leaving plenty of skirt in which to wrap her bare feet when she curled up by the fire with a book. She had forgotten the hem was both a bit stretched out and falling down as a result of the abuse she had given it, but since it was the easiest of her gowns to don herself, she decided it was her quickest option. The quicker the better. She had waited long enough to learn exactly what it was the duke had had to say about Anthony’s attachment to her, and there were the events of last night to mull over, as well. Mostly she wanted to sit by his side and merely look at him, hear his voice, breathe his scent, and wait for the kiss he always managed to arrange even while under Grandaunt’s watchful eye.
Sighing, she began to hunt for shoes. Her dancing slippers were the closest to hand, but she rejected them for the blue kid ones she wore about the house. After donning them, there was nothing left to do but tie a ribbon around her unruly curls. It was a green one that clashed with everything but her eyes, but no matter; she knew Anthony would not think it too loud against the more demure coloring of her gown.
Finally she was dressed and with not a moment to lose. She could hear the opening and closing of the front door and the murmur of voices raised in greeting as she hurried down the hall. Taking the stairs at a brisk pace, she caught her toe in the damaged hem of her skirt and tumbled nearly