Chapter Fifteen
“I cannot believe hekissedyou. On the lips. Just like that. In public. Whereanyonecould see…” Kitty was still shocked to her core.
Unperturbed, Letitia fastened a pin in her hair. “Why ever not? There was nobody of importance there. We were in a very quiet area…it was a casual gesture, no more than that.”
It was a façade, of course. A full fifteen minutes had passed until Letitia’s breathing returned to normal, and by that time the girls had exclaimed and questioned and discussed it all in minute detail.
“But has he declared himself then? He seemed most familiar, to me,” Kitty frowned.
“Of course not. We’re friends. We always have been.” Letitia kept her countenance.
After his improper embrace, James had smiled at her, helped her into the carriage and closed the door. “I’ll see you all at the Seton-Mowbray do tonight.”
He’d vanished into London’s busy streets without further ado, leaving Letitia with lips that burned and a fire in her loins that had nothing to do with her book.
She’d struggled to control her responses, relying on her excitement about her contract to cover the shakiness that swept her when she tasted him, a lingering memory of the quick dart of his tongue into her mouth.
Now, many hours later, she’d regained that control and was able to prepare for her first ball with only the normal nerves experienced by ladies upon such a memorable occasion.
Kitty considered herself an old hand at this, of course, and took a great deal of pleasure in bossing her sisters around mercilessly.
“Do stop, Kitty. You’re driving me to Bedlam with your incessant prattle.” Hecate scowled at her. “I know what I like and what I don’t like. I don’t like all those curls and fiddly bits around my face. Nor do I like anything other than the gown I have. It was my choice and I am most content with it.”
Surveying her youngest sister, Letitia came to the conclusion that Hecate should always be allowed to dress herself.
The lemon yellow silk turned her hair into soft gold, and brought out the colour of her eyes, which seemed to vary—tonight they were teal blue, but at other times could be the pure blue of a summer sky. She was a striking young woman, made even more so by the simplicity of her gown. She’d refused any ornamentation other than a trim of matching yellow lace at the hem, the edge of the puffed sleeves and the neckline. A band of the fabric circled beneath her breasts and ended in a large bow with trailing ends. It was sleek, elegant, and in Letitia’s opinion, utterly stunning.
Kitty sniffed. “Well it’s not in the current mode, you know.”
Hecate picked up a small pair of silver earrings. “Neither am I, dear, so don’t distress yourself.”
Fluffing the pastel blue of her silk skirts and slipping a bracelet over her long white gloves, Kitty shrugged. “As you will. ’Twas always your way to be different.”
“I don’t do it to be annoying, Kitty. Truly…” Hecate sounded apologetic. “It’s just that I know what I like. Shouldn’t we all know what we like?”
Kitty surrendered and laughed. “Indeed, my sweet Hecate. You are going to be trouble, I know.”
“In what way?” Now Hecate definitely looked nervous.
“Why with the gentlemen, dear. They’ll take one look at you and it will be a veritable stampede, I vow.”
Letitia sighed. “Hecate, ignore Kitty. She will, as always, be the centre of attention. We, on the other hand, will have the advantage of going in to dinner before everyone else. Thus assuring ourselves of the very tastiest morsels they have to offer.”
Hecate laughed. “Oh lovely. Yes, I agree.”
Kitty shook her head. “Just wait and see.” She scurried toward the door. “Don’t delay. We have to leave shortly.”
Hecate took a breath. “Will I do, Letitia? Honestly?” She picked up her shawl and gloves. “Be truthful, dear.”
“You are beautiful, Hecate. Your beauty has nothing to do with the mode, the Ton, or anything ordinary people may deem to be the pinnacle of perfection. You are unique. And knowing it makes it even better.” She gave her sister a careful hug. “Now go and be extraordinary.”
Hecate’s wide smile was thanks enough, as she left to join Kitty.
Left alone for a few moments, Letitia took the time to study her own image. The gown she’d chosen was green, the deep green of winter fir trees.
It slid from a high waist in a column of colour down to a hem embroidered with pearls and small sparkling beads; a pattern based on the designs of the ancient Greeks, whose styles were rapidly becoming popular. She liked the simplicity of the trim, and had asked that it be repeated on the matching shawl.
Her skin glowed against the shining fabric, her décolletage on full display thanks to the daringly low cut of the bodice. She was no young miss making her debut. It might be her first ball, but she was long past the age of being considered an eligible bride for any of the young men eager to begin the next generation of their prestigious line. Or, to be more accurate, she would not be considered by theirmothers, for they usually did most of the selecting, leaving only the final choice to their offspring.
