She was glad he was gone. Was he kidding her with that playful smile? Maybe she couldn’t handle him either.
Before she had too much time to think it all through, Edith returned to her carrying an armful of skirts, Beth, one ofthe servants, followed behind her with bodices and corsets filling her arms, and Helen–who turned out to be very pretty, and married– carried her new shoes.
Three women dressed her in amantua,a dress draped and looped over beautiful yellow floral silk petticoats and a stomacher. The laces were tied so tightly her shoulder blades almost touched. When she complained about it, Edith told her that it and the high bustle in the back were to enhance her silhouette.
Fable didn’t care about her silhouette. She shifted and tugged at the dress even while her hair was brushed. She didn’t complain while fingers pulled and pinned her copper locks to the back of her head and secured it with a thin ribbon. Tiny yellow flowers were woven through her ponytail and through the long, coiled strands falling over her shoulder.
“Oh my,” Edith said, stepping back to admire her when all was done. “You look splendid indeed.”
Fable felt like a fool in a puffy dress. At least she didn’t have to wear a wig. She covered her flushed cheek with her palm and smiled at her. “Thank you, Edith.”
“I checked his whereabouts this time,” the older woman confessed with the hint of a smile. “He hasn’t moved from outside your door.”
Fable closed her eyes, unable to believe this was her life right now, dressing like some princess for the ball–with the handsome prince waiting to escort her. Her heart pounded in her chest. Lord Benjamin West was too dangerous to her head, her heart, and her body.
She had to tell him the truth about how she survived on her own for so long without giving up her body. How she hustled and robbed people of their money in cards, and games like chess. He knew she was poor and he didn’t seem to care, unlike hissister. But his father cared…even from the grave. She closed her eyes to stop the burning and bit her bottom lip.
“What is it, Miss?” Edith asked her softly. “Don’t you see how his eyes warm on you alone? Why, in three years I’ve never seen the man smile or worry over anything. But he does those things where you are concerned. And only you. Since the Lady Charlotte incident, no one can stop talking about the mysterious woman living here and how His Grace protects her like an angry lion.”
Fable’s eyes widened, and then her smile grew with it. Edith grinned right along with her and nodded, encouraging her to be brave.
Fable sniffed. Was Edith her first friend? Her mother didn’t let her play with other kids for fear they would tell their parents about her. She just grew used to being alone so that even after her mother died, she didn’t make any friends.
She walked to the bedroom door and opened it. He was there in the sitting room waiting for her.
When he saw her, he rose from the settee. No one in her life had ever looked at her the way he was looking at her now. As if she were all that mattered. First, even before battle.
Chapter Eight
She was here, swaying him! How could he keep his heart steadfast to his cause, which he’d boasted was bigger than love and devotion when she made him think of everythingbutfighting?
“Fable,” he said moving closer to her, “you look very pleasing in your boots and short pants, but you were born to be dressed in finery.”
When she blushed and looked away, he moved closer, using caution, lest he startle her and she run away.
“Are you ready, Miss Ramsey?” he asked, offering his elbow to her.
She nodded, and without a moment of hesitation, she took his arm, held up her chin, and faced the outer door.
He wanted to smile beside her. He feared he’d be smiling all night. He wanted to flick his coat lapel, suck in his bottom lip, and smile like a boastful prince who’d just snatched the damsel from the mouth of the dragon. In fact, he’d sent his men out in every direction and tripled his efforts to find the traveler. He had no doubt he would be found any day now.
“If your feet hurt at any time, let me know and I’ll carry you.”
She looked up at him and laughed softly. “I’ll stay on my own two feet if I have to wear them down to the bone rather than have you carry me in front of those women.”
“You’re stubborn and strong-willed.”
“Too much for you, Duke?” she teased.
“No. I like it.”
When she laughed softly again, he wondered by what miracle did she find him so humorous? He didn’t really care how. He liked it. He liked making her smile and laugh. It made it easier for him to do the same.
“Are you hungry?” he asked. He also liked eating with her. She enjoyed her food, even sometimes speaking while she ate.The noble ladies he knew wouldn’t be caught doing anything but nibbling at their food. And never speaking at the same time. Men knew not to even ask questions to ladies while they ate.
But Fable appreciated every morsel of food she put in her mouth. And Ben enjoyed watching her.
Now, he led her to the ballroom, stepping with her through the open doors and into a myriad of pastel-colored gowns and the sweet sounds of violins and guitars, cellos, and harpsichords. He felt the eyes of every guest on him…on Miss Ramsey. He turned to look at her on his arm. She appeared like a graceful flame, a daughter of royalty. She was delicate, strong, and confident when her cerulean gaze met his and the hint of a smile hovered around her lips.
