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Authors: Cheryl Ann Smith
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Above an amber-colored eye a brow cocked at the news of Gabriel’s marriage.
Sarah managed a brief curtsy. “Lady Noelle.”
“I cannot believe Gabriel is home and with a wife in hand,” cousin Lady Noelle said by way of greeting. She openly stared at Sarah like she was a curiosity at a fair. “I expected him to meet his demise at the end of a pistol wielded by an outraged husband. I am pleased to see he has curbed his wild ways and finally settled his life.”
Sarah was not certain what to say about the comment. She did not know her husband well enough to form an opinion about his character, nor did she know how, or if, she should defend him to his cousin. The Harrington family was still a confusing puzzle.
“Thank you. I think.” Sarah stared back. Lady Noelle was pretty and lively, impeccably clad in blue from her feathered hat to her lacy hem.
A touch of envy welled inside her as she touched her borrowed gown with her gloved hand.
Noelle took her arm. “Let us go inside away from prying eyes and you can tell me all about yourself, Mrs. Harrington. I am truly dying to know how you managed to snag Gabriel. I never thought he’d fall into the marriage trap.”
Sarah glanced at Lady Seymour, who shrugged.
Within an hour, Sarah had made her first friend in London. Noelle was charming and funny, and she had a way about her that set Sarah at ease. She knew fashion, as no one else could, and had an eye for color. Soon Sarah was weighted down with packages filled with pretty undergarments and silky nightdresses. Added to the purchases were one green gown and a plum day dress. And they were still at the first shop.
“I should not spend so much,” Sarah said, overwhelmed by the cost of each gown. “Gabriel will be displeased.”
“Posh,” Lady Seymour said and reached for a pair of lacy black gloves. “My son has an allowance and investments that will more than cover a new wardrobe.”
Noelle stepped forward. “Do not take this as an insult, but if anyone needs new clothing, it is you, Sarah. From what I understand, your gowns are nearly worn through. You are one curtsy away from splitting a seam.”
“You have been talking to Gabriel.” He’d used the same words last evening when he came to her room to say a brief goodnight. She grinned. “I did marry him in a mourning gown. Perhaps I
should
spend some of his allowance.”
“You married Gabriel in black?” Noelle asked and her lips parted. She and Lady Seymour gaped.
“I did, after he’d altered it with his knife.” She laughed lightly and told the story. “You should have seen his face when he saw me in that gown. I thought he’d drop from apoplexy to the floor.”
The three women laughed.
“I wasn’t entirely certain at first that you and Gabe were a match,” Noelle admitted and crossed her arms. “He is quite bold. However, a woman who can get him to agree to wed her in a mourning gown is capable of bringing him to heel. But it will take work. Are you up to the task?”
“I hope so,” Sarah said. At Noelle’s frown, she nodded and stood a bit straighter. “I am.”
Despite her attempt at confidence, and her hope to entice her husband with her charms, she did not truly think she could ever lead Gabriel on a merry chase. Her sheltered life had taken a toll. She knew nothing about men. Nothing. And there was so much to learn.
As if reading her face, Noelle casually drew her away from Lady Seymour under the guise of looking at stockings.
“You look so glum, Sarah.” Sarah looked at her toes. Noelle lifted her chin. “Is there something wrong? Something you’d like to share?”
Sarah shook her head, unwilling to unburden herself to her new friend. Noelle peered into her eyes. “Has Gabriel been unkind? If he has, I will flog him myself.”
“No, Gabriel has been kind. He is more than I ever dreamed in a husband. It’s just that—” She stopped; the shame of her situation warmed her cheeks.
“Tell me,” Noelle said
Sarah managed a brief curtsy. “Lady Noelle.”
“I cannot believe Gabriel is home and with a wife in hand,” cousin Lady Noelle said by way of greeting. She openly stared at Sarah like she was a curiosity at a fair. “I expected him to meet his demise at the end of a pistol wielded by an outraged husband. I am pleased to see he has curbed his wild ways and finally settled his life.”
Sarah was not certain what to say about the comment. She did not know her husband well enough to form an opinion about his character, nor did she know how, or if, she should defend him to his cousin. The Harrington family was still a confusing puzzle.
“Thank you. I think.” Sarah stared back. Lady Noelle was pretty and lively, impeccably clad in blue from her feathered hat to her lacy hem.
A touch of envy welled inside her as she touched her borrowed gown with her gloved hand.
Noelle took her arm. “Let us go inside away from prying eyes and you can tell me all about yourself, Mrs. Harrington. I am truly dying to know how you managed to snag Gabriel. I never thought he’d fall into the marriage trap.”
Sarah glanced at Lady Seymour, who shrugged.
Within an hour, Sarah had made her first friend in London. Noelle was charming and funny, and she had a way about her that set Sarah at ease. She knew fashion, as no one else could, and had an eye for color. Soon Sarah was weighted down with packages filled with pretty undergarments and silky nightdresses. Added to the purchases were one green gown and a plum day dress. And they were still at the first shop.
“I should not spend so much,” Sarah said, overwhelmed by the cost of each gown. “Gabriel will be displeased.”
“Posh,” Lady Seymour said and reached for a pair of lacy black gloves. “My son has an allowance and investments that will more than cover a new wardrobe.”
Noelle stepped forward. “Do not take this as an insult, but if anyone needs new clothing, it is you, Sarah. From what I understand, your gowns are nearly worn through. You are one curtsy away from splitting a seam.”
“You have been talking to Gabriel.” He’d used the same words last evening when he came to her room to say a brief goodnight. She grinned. “I did marry him in a mourning gown. Perhaps I
should
spend some of his allowance.”
“You married Gabriel in black?” Noelle asked and her lips parted. She and Lady Seymour gaped.
“I did, after he’d altered it with his knife.” She laughed lightly and told the story. “You should have seen his face when he saw me in that gown. I thought he’d drop from apoplexy to the floor.”
The three women laughed.
“I wasn’t entirely certain at first that you and Gabe were a match,” Noelle admitted and crossed her arms. “He is quite bold. However, a woman who can get him to agree to wed her in a mourning gown is capable of bringing him to heel. But it will take work. Are you up to the task?”
“I hope so,” Sarah said. At Noelle’s frown, she nodded and stood a bit straighter. “I am.”
Despite her attempt at confidence, and her hope to entice her husband with her charms, she did not truly think she could ever lead Gabriel on a merry chase. Her sheltered life had taken a toll. She knew nothing about men. Nothing. And there was so much to learn.
As if reading her face, Noelle casually drew her away from Lady Seymour under the guise of looking at stockings.
“You look so glum, Sarah.” Sarah looked at her toes. Noelle lifted her chin. “Is there something wrong? Something you’d like to share?”
Sarah shook her head, unwilling to unburden herself to her new friend. Noelle peered into her eyes. “Has Gabriel been unkind? If he has, I will flog him myself.”
“No, Gabriel has been kind. He is more than I ever dreamed in a husband. It’s just that—” She stopped; the shame of her situation warmed her cheeks.
“Tell me,” Noelle said
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