“Thank you,” Elizabeth said with a smile and then looked at her friend.“You are simply beautiful.You haven’t changed one bit.”
“Oh, haven’t I?”Tiffany patted her stomach, and Elizabeth realized that her friend was in the early months of pregnancy.
“Well, maybe a little,” Elizabeth admitted as she took a seat.“We have so much catching-up to do.Who did you marry?”
“Marquess Gray DeGray,” Tiffany said proudly.“And who did you marry?No wait I remember.You were going to grow up first and then marry Jonathan Hird.”
Elizabeth frowned.“What a good memory.”
Mrs.Hepplewhite chose that moment to return, followed by two assistants carrying bolts of brightly colored material.They spread the cloth out in front of Elizabeth.
“I should leave since I’ve finished,” Tiffany said as she stood.
Elizabeth caught Tiffany’s arm.“Stay and help me pick out my gowns, if you have the time.Besides, we have so much to talk about.”
Tiffany nodded and sat back down.They chatted happily as Elizabeth chose several fabrics to make the ball gowns.
When they were left alone, Elizabeth confided everything that had happened to her friend.It was as if she had been storing everything up inside her, and it finally poured out.Tiffany didn’t condemn or pass judgment.She just listened patiently.
“You poor dear.”Tiffany’s eyes had grown misty.“I can tell you still love him.”
Elizabeth fought hard against the tears she refused to let fall.“Yes, I do.”
“Well, we will simply have to undo a wrong.We’re going to get you that earl, if it’s the last thing we do.”
“I don’t know.”Elizabeth swallowed hard, barely managing a feeble answer.“It may be too late.”
Tiffany thought for a moment.‘‘Rubbish.Listen, my husband is going to be gone for the next month or so, and you’ll need a female chaperone in public.What if I move into Trent House so we’ll be together?Then we can plan our next move.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
Tiffany reached over and took Elizabeth’s hand.“Listen, these rakes are a tough lot.They don’t want to give up their freedom although they know they must, so they play the charade.Gray was the worst.I thought I would never convince him he couldn’t live without me.”She chuckled.“So you see, my dear, I have experience.”
Elizabeth grinned.“I’m so glad I bumped into you.You make me feel as if I might have a chance.”
Tiffany stood to leave.Evidently, Elizabeth hadn’t looked in a mirror lately, Tiffany thought.
Elizabeth was very beautiful.Men would be flocking all around her.“My dear, Jonathan Hird has met his match.
“Two scheming females against one unsuspecting gentleman...he doesn’t stand a chance.”
Chapter 13
Hours later, Elizabeth was absolutely beaming when she met Jonathan at the front of the dress shop.She’d been talking to a group of ladies when he first entered and was actually laughing.That wasn’t the mood he’d left her in.
Jonathan eyed her warily.A spark, like flint striking a stone, flickered in the back of her eyes and told him that she was definitely up to something.He arched an eyebrow.“It appears you enjoyed yourself, madam.”
“Indeed,” Elizabeth said as she breezed by him.“I saw my old friend who is now Tiffany DeGray.We had a lovely visit remembering times gone by.”
And plotting something new, Jonathan would wager.He fell into step beside Elizabeth.“I recall her,” he said, pausing to open the shop door.“She was a skinny thing the last time I saw her.”
“She has changed,” Elizabeth said, taking Jonathan’s hand as she stepped up into the waiting carriage.She waited while he took the seat across from her.“Her husband is abroad for the next month, so she’s agreed to be my chaperone while I am here in the city.”
Jonathan gave Elizabeth a queer look.“Chaperone?That’s my job.”
“But someone needs to protect me from you,” Elizabeth told him with a hint of amusement in her voice.
Elizabeth laughed at the sour look on his face and thought,if only you knew!“Every proper lady must have a female companion.Granted, I’m a bit older than most, but at least I’ll be proper.”
