Chapter Thirty-one
Samantha tilted her head as she studied herself in the mirror. The dress was one of Liliah’s, taken from London in the haste of all their packing in their efforts to escape. A sea green, it highlighted the color of her eyes, and the lighter colors of her tea-colored hair. It was sheer silk over muslin, with delicate lace trim along the décolleté. She and Liliah sported with the idea of wearing the dress they’d ordered for the masquerade ball, but in the end, they chose to keep that a secret. Her body tingled with the energy of anticipation, and she thought of how so much had changed since their escape from home.
She wasn’t the girl who left London.
Her earlier musings sang to her,something more.
This, she glanced at her reflection, was most certainly,more.
A lot more.
And it was glorious, if not entirely conventional.
A soft knock sounded at the door, and she twisted her head and called, “Come in.”
Maye was draping the dress and tugging on the hem as Liliah walked into the room. Her hand flew to her mouth, covering it in a universal gesture of emotion. Her eyes sparkled with glistening tears as her gaze traced from the top of Samantha’s head to her hidden, slippered feet.
“So lovely,” Liliah choked out, coming fully into the room and closing the door behind her. “All is in order. The question, however, is whether you are ready.” Liliah took a deep breath, as if trying to be strong.
Samantha smiled at her sister, amused by the slight reversal of roles. Shouldn’tshebe the one overly emotional? Yet she found herself wanting to comfort her older sister. But that was the way of family; you were ever shifting and changing to assist the other. That was love, was it not?
“The viscount is going to be speechless. You’re stunning, love.” Liliah gave a knowing smile that Samantha saw reflected in the mirror. She studied herself once more, feeling beautiful down to her toes. Was it too much to hope for a grand reaction from her soon-to-be husband?
“Is everything in order?” Liliah asked, running a delicate hand down the skirt of Samantha’s dress.
“I believe so.” Maye had twisted her hair into a delicate chignon at the base of her neck. Loose curls framed her face, softening the look and giving her a fairylike appearance. She’d applied a bit of kohl to her eyes, as well as some rouge to her cheeks, tapping her finger along her lips to heighten the color there as well.
“Any second thoughts?” Liliah asked unexpectedly, and Samantha’s gaze darted from the study of her reflection to Liliah’s inquiring gaze.
“No. Why do you ask?” A shiver of fear traced up her spine as she waited for her sister’s reply.
“Breathe, dear. I have no reason to inquire other than to confirm that you are sure of your choice. Forgive me, I’m just being protective. I don’t doubt the regard the viscount holds for you, nor your affection for him, but you haven’t even had a Season—”
“Isn’t the entire goal of a Season to find a husband?” Samantha arched a brow, knowing her point was valid.
Liliah twisted her lips. “It is, but there’s so much more. I just . . . I don’t want you to miss anything. And I want you to have a choice in life, to—”
“I think you’re the one with second thoughts,” Samantha replied, giving her sister a tender smile.
Liliah sighed. “I’m being overly cautious, aren’t I?”
“It’s surprising, in truth. Never once have I thought of you as cautious.”
“There are other adjectives that are better suited for me,” Liliah agreed.
“Impetuous, curious, daring—”
“I understand. But a worrier I am not. Till now, it seems. I just want you to be happy.” Liliah gave a bemused smile to her sister.
“I am,” Samantha answered simply. “And that is all that matters, is it not?”
“It is,” Liliah agreed.
“Then shall we?” Samantha turned toward the door, then glanced back to her sister, raising an inquiring brow.
“We shall,” Liliah agreed, her smile serene yet slightly wistful. “I can scarcely believe it. After being concerned for your future for so long, it’s about to be established.”
Samantha opened the door and stepped back, letting her sister pass. “It is.” She giggled. “I was just thinking it was not exactly conventional.”
