“About that. I was thinking I’d make myself scarce in my chamber—”
“Are you ill?” Chase asked, brows raised. “Because if you are not, we would appreciate your participation to keep the numbers even.” Her brother moved farther into the room and then dropped onto a high-back chair, draping one leg over the other in the lazy manner that only aristocrats and scholars got away with.
“Since when have you cared about even numbers?” But Collette was already resigned. Because, truly, there was nothing she wouldn’t do for her brother.
“Since my wife cares about such things.”
“I’m sorry, Collette.” Bethany had also become one of those people for whom Collette would do anything. And come next summer, there’d be yet another one—one who weighed less than a stone and would have the softest of skin and downy fine hair. She couldn’t help but grin when Bethany met her eyes.
“As it’s only one evening and since the two of you are in suchdireneed—” Collette dramatically raised the back of her hand to her forehead “—I will join you and your guests for dinner.” She dropped her hand and grinned. “It’s not as though I have nothing to wear.”
No doubt, one of their guests would be an impoverished, not-quite-repulsive baron or baronet who just happened to be in search of a wife. Collette didn’t even want to know the price her brother had put on her head.
Or dowry, rather.
Not that Chase would ever be called upon to pay it.
But if Bethany wished Collette to attend her dinner party, Collette would make her very best effort to be pleasant. It was the least she could do for the woman who was going to make her an aunt sometime late next spring.
Besides, it was only a dinner party.
* * *
As Collette bathedand then dressed for the evening, she changed her mind, and then changed her mind back at least a dozen times regarding the teaching position in Scotland.
Staring into the mirror as Bethany’s lady’s maid inserted a jeweled pin into her hair, she wondered at the ironies in life. Her brother could provide her with everything most ladies wanted—security, fineries, family—and yet one mean-spirited woman had been capable of crushing her dream. It wasn’t fair that simple spite from someone like Mrs. Metcalf could upend Collette’s life so completely.
“You look stunning in blue—especially this shade.” Polly smoothed the sleeve of Collette’s gown and then added one last pin to secure her coiffure. “All my life I wished I had hair like yours—so light, like the sunshine.”
“My youngest sister once told me it reminded her of the morning sun on her face.” Collette had almost forgotten about that. Sarah had said Collette’s hair was softer, finer, and Diana’s, which was thicker and heavier, reminded her of night.
“From what her ladyship has told me, Miss Sarah is doing well with her new teacher.” Polly stepped back approvingly. “And such a relief to have Miss Diana married off. The rest of the staff and I were beyond pleased at such a happy occasion—to be certain.”
Collette agreed that Diana’s wedding had been a happy occasion but…a relief?The maid’s comment seemed odd. “The servants were concerned?”
Polly pulled out a pin and swirled a strand of Collette’s blondish hair in a different direction. “Even as a baron, his lordship was taking a risk by claiming… I mean, by bringing the two of you out…” The maid fell silent, seemingly reconsidering her words.
But Collette spun around, confused. “What do you mean?” She’d been under the impression that the only reason he’d not claimed them publicly before had been because of his mother’s sensibilities.
“My apologies, Miss, I’m speaking out of turn.” Polly finished Collette’s coiffure and went about fussing with some jewelry on the other side of the room. “Now where did those slippers go?”
Bethany’s guests were due to arrive shortly and although Collette would have liked to question the maid further, she hurriedly slipped on the shoes purchased to match her gown, took one last glance in the looking glass, and brushed at her skirts.
Unsettled by the idea that Chase had risked more than his mother’s peace, which had been considerable indeed, Collette entered the withdrawing room at the precise moment the knocker sounded from the front foyer. She would ask Bethany about it later.
“By God, Collette, you look stunning. What have you done with yourself?” Chase crossed to a side table. “Sherry?”
“Yes, please.” What had he risked for them? He’d never said a word. Had he had to pay to bring them into society, much as he’d paid in order for Miss Primm to hire her?
“Isn’t Cerulean a bold color for a debutante?” Chase handed her the glass with a wink. “It’s a shame we couldn’t invent a dead husband for you. I rather think you could make quite a splash as a widow, holding salons, poetry readings, and whatnot. Everyone in London would be smarter for knowing you. Don’t you agree, my love?” He addressed the last to his wife.
“I know of a few octogenarian bachelors.” Bethany leveled a thoughtful gaze in her direction, giving Collette pause to wonder if her sister-in-law was only half-joking.
“With my luck, he’d end up a centurion,” Collette muttered just as Chase’s attention focused on the doorway behind her.
“Hawthorne, good to see you. And you, My Lady. Welcome!” Her brother’s voice spurred Collette to turn around to share in welcoming the first guests to arrive. She’d met the high-ranking couple on a few occasions last spring and found the countess to be friendly and engaging, and her earl to be quiet, but with a kind look in his eyes. By the time Chase was pouring them drinks, a second couple arrived. The Marquess and Marchioness of Rockingham. Bethany had explained that the Marchioness, a very proper and distinguished lady, was involved in the funding of London’s largest foundling hospital. The woman was a few years older than Collette and Bethany and had an almost intimidating quality about her.
As more guests arrived, Collette edged toward the back of the room while Bethany made introductions, smiling and being the perfect hostess.
