“A gown? What on earth is he planning?”
The maid giggled. “I do not know, Your Grace. But all of it sounds quite romantic.”
Romantic.She bit her lip, feeling her own excitement rise. Could Evan really be taking her out on a date?
That afternoon, her maid came in with a new gown, straight from the seamstress. It was dark blue, looking like the ocean on a stormy day, and it was the finest gown she had ever worn, even finer than her wedding dress.
“I hope he is not taking me to any place with food,” she remarked as the maid helped her into the dress. “I would hate to spill anything on a gown as fine as this one.”
“I am sure you will have a lovely time, no matter where you go, Your Grace. And you look beautiful.” Now that Marina was fully dressed, the maid angled the mirror to show her. The silkskirt flowed around her legs like water, and the diamond jewelry made her look almost ethereal.
“I cannot look like that,” Marina said. “Not really. Not when everything is so comfortable.”
The maid giggled. “I assure you, this is not a trick mirror, Your Grace.”
Marina had always preferred practical dresses that were not really fit to be worn out of the house. Whenever she attended balls before, the dresses had always felt too tight. Sometimes the fabric would be too itchy or feel strangely suffocating, and her mother would tell her to stop complaining—that was just how ball gowns were supposed to feel.
But the corset was not laced too tightly, and the silk felt smooth and cool. The shoes were low heels that did not pinch at her skin, as so many formal shoes did. And yet, she looked every bit like an elegant duchess.I could dance the night away in a gown like this and not be tired.
The maid was beaming at her. “I believe His Grace is waiting for you downstairs. I am sure he will be most pleased to see you.”
Marina made her way downstairs to find the duke standing next to the front entrance, dressed in a formal suit. He was talking with Carlson, but when Marina entered, he stopped and stared at her, as if he was drinking in the sight of her.
Marina blushed under the intensity of his gaze, but it also filled her with a happy, warm glow to know that he looked at her with such admiration.
“You look beautiful, duchess,” he said, his voice sounding low and husky. He held out his arm. “Shall we?”
“You look quite handsome yourself,” she said as she accepted his arm.
Carlson grinned as he opened the door for them to reveal an overcast day, on the verge of rain. “I hope you two have fun,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “Do not get into trouble.”
“Leaving the manor is already getting into trouble,” Evan said, but his light tone undermined any complaint in his words.
“I admit, all of this is a surprise,” Marina said.
“The surprise part was Carlson’s idea,” Evan said. “He said it would be a good surprise. I did not know there was such a thing. I hope you are not dismayed by the surprise.” Concern colored his voice.
Marina smiled and impulsively leaned her cheek on his shoulder as they approached the carriage waiting for him. “I am not dismayed at all,” she said. “This is a wonderful surprise. Where are we going?”
“To London,” he said, smiling. The carriage driver opened the door for them, and Evan helped Marina into the carriage before getting in after her and sitting next to her. “The Sherwoods are hosting a ball. In a fit of insanity, I accepted the invitation.”
She giggled, feeling her cheeks flush from sitting so close to him. Their shoulders were practically touching. “I never would have thought to have seen the day.” Then her smile faded. “What about Lilly? Will she be all right? We’ve never both been gone from the manor at the same time.”
He smiled fondly at her. “Now look who is getting overprotective.”
She blushed and looked down. “I suppose you are right.”
“Actually, Lilly has a social obligation of her own. I arranged for her and your parents to go to Heeway Manor. Lord Heeway’s seven-year-old niece is visiting him for a month. I thought it would be a good opportunity for Lilly to spend time with a child her own age, while also helping to improve relations with Lord Heeway and your family.”
Marina smiled. “Two birds with one stone,” she said. She felt an almost overwhelming impulse to kiss this man, but she held back, not wanting to ruin the mood.
He smiled. “Precisely.”
“I’m surprised you let Lilly go with just my parents for supervision.” Mrs. Miller had found new employment and had left Pemberton Manor the previous day. Marina had barely begun the search for a new nanny.
“Lord Heeway is a neighbor, so Carlson can get there in a moment in case of an emergency. And his niece will have her own nanny, who is hopefully able to watch both of them, even if your parents prove to be negligent.” He shrugged. “This was necessary. Even though it was not my intention, my dog indirectly led to the end of your sister’s engagement to Lord Heeway. I hope this visit will mend fences so Lord Heeway can give her a second chance.”
Marina smiled. “Do not fret. Amelia was never in love with the lord. She accepted his proposal because one of us needed to marry well to help secure the future of the others. That’s not necessary now that I’m a duchess. The Shirleys only needed one sacrificial lamb, and now Amelia can marry for love. Bethany can too, when she’s ready to settle down.”
