Intrigued she followed her parent and was quite overwhelmed by what she was shown. 'How could you possibly know I would be requiring feminine apparel? When did you sew these gowns for me?'
'I thought at once how it would be with you and Perry so have been working on them for an hour or two every day. Which one will you wear tonight?'
'Where did you get this lovely material?' She ran the fine green cotton through her fingers. 'This will complement my eyes to perfection. I must hope he will not notice my lack of stockings.'
'Don Pablo gave me a box filled with cottons, silks and satins. I have been also preparing my own trousseau from these items. I have made you the necessary undergarments, but you are right, you will have bare feet in your slippers.'
'That is a mere bagatelle, as long as I am looking like the future wife of a lord I shall be content.'
Night had fallen when they left the house to cross the small square. As always the sound of laughing voices travelled through the darkness as families gathered in their courtyards to chat and drink before eating.
'Mama, I had forgotten how inconvenient it is to have skirts to trip over,' Sofia said as she held hers up in front of her.
'You look every inch a lady, my dear daughter, and Perry will be suitably impressed at your transformation I can assure you.'
'His house is ablaze with candlelight – that in itself is strange. Do you think he has invited anyone else to dine with him?'
'I have no more idea than you. We shall both find out in a moment.'
The front door was wide open, there was no need to knock. From the amount of voices drifting out from the veranda at the rear of the building they were not the only guests.
She dropped her skirt, shook it vigorously to ensure it had no creases, and walked in ahead of her mother. She had half-expected the dog to be the first to greet her but this was not the case.
'My darling, you lookravissante. If I thought you would obey me, I would insist that you never wear men's attire again.' Perry took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Then he tucked it through his and turned to nod politely to her mother.
'Welcome, ma'am, as no doubt you can hear there is to be a celebration of more than just family.'
He led her into the main room where there were half a dozen people milling about, all dressed in their best. She and Mama were the only ladies present who did not have their hair dressed with combs and black lace. The gentlemen were in black, but there the resemblance to English evening dress ceased. Their evening jackets were short-waisted and their trousers tight. They wore high-collared white shirts beneath the jacket, and no neckcloth.
Her beloved had from somewhere purchased a dark blue topcoat and a new, startlingly white shirt with lace cuffs that emerged from sleeves and almost covered his hands. His neckcloth was tied elaborately, but he was still wearing his everyday breeches and riding boots – although these had been spruced up.
Don Pablo bowed to Mama and guided her to the far side of the room where they could converse privately.
Perry squeezed her hand. 'You have nothing to worry about, sweetheart, important people in this small town have decided to ignore our indiscretion, to pretend it didn't happen, and this is the announcement of our betrothal. The fact that I am an aristocrat was enough for them to forgive us.'
'Are you quite sure? I haven't dared to look directly at any of the guests.'
'You may do so with impunity, darling girl, all you will receive in return are benevolent smiles.'
Juan appeared with a tray of champagne and she took a glass. Perry stiffened beside her. She glanced up and smiled sweetly. 'Unlike most young ladies of your acquaintance, my love, I have a head for alcohol. I rarely get the opportunity to drink champagne and do not intend to miss out.'
He winked at her which made her giggle. 'There is nothing about you that is similar to any girl I've ever come in contact with. You are unique and you are mine.' He almost growled this last phrase and heat pooled in a most unexpected place.
'Behave yourself, my lord, or I shall not be answerable for the consequences.' She had deliberately parroted his words and his expression showed his appreciation of her wit.
He took her up onto the veranda and then turned to face the dozen people assembled in front of him. 'I should like to thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate my extraordinary good fortune. Not only have I regained my identity and my sight today, I have also become betrothed to Miss Sofia Appleby.' He looked down at her and his eyes blazed. 'I would forego both of the former and happily settled for the latter if I was forced to make a choice.'
He raised his glass. 'I give you the future Lady Peregrine Sheldon.'
Everyone repeated his words and drank the toast. Then Don Pablo toasted both of them and they drank again.
Delicious smells were wafting in from the kitchen and her mouth watered. 'Perry, I have not eaten since breakfast, I hope dinner will not be long.'
'We have tapas for the first remove, then a selection of local dishes and we shall finish with fruit and nuts.'
'Please talk of this no more, but lead me to the table. My stomach will rumble so loudly everyone present will hear it if I do not eat immediately.'
