“Nonsense!” Minetta scolded her. “Clyde would never have given it to you if he had not wanted you to have it, and he must have a wife who has pretty clothes and a proper wedding dress. Our poor seamstresses—there will have to be more than one now—will be working their fingers to the bone!”
Cora laughed, but deceiving her friend did not sit well with her.
The next day, the dressmaker arrived and began the work of pinning, trimming, and re-stitching the dress until, a few hours later, it fitted Cora like a glove.
She was delighted, and said so. “You are indeed an artist, Mistress Sinclair.”
“Thank ye, mistress. May I suggest a velvet cloak tae go wi’ it?” The woman’s dark brown eyes gleamed as she made the suggestion. It was always good to make a friend like the future Lady Munro.
“Yes!” Minetta cried. “What a good idea!”
“But it will cost more,” Cora objected, frowning.
“How many times have I told you to forget the cost?” Minetta took her friend by the shoulders and shook her. “You must have one dress for every day of the week, and two in case of accidents. Then, you must have a riding habit and a—”
Cora clamped a hand over Minetta’s mouth.
“Stop!” she cried. Cora knew that her friend would run on for hours if she let her. “Let us worry about all that later.”
“You are right,” Minetta agreed. “But as soon as this ceilidh is over, I am in charge!” She raised her eyebrows inquiringly.
Cora sighed and nodded, while Mistress Sinclair gave a small, sly smile. This would keep her in business for months!
8
Clyde’s mouth dropped open as he saw Cora standing before him in the dress that his mother had worn to her best friend’s wedding. The garment held so many memories for him that it almost brought tears to his eyes when he saw Cora wearing it. It had fitted his mother perfectly, but she had not had Cora’s tiny waist or generous breasts, which had been uplifted slightly by the low bodice. Now that the gown had been altered, it looked as though it had been made for Cora herself.
“My God, Cora,” he breathed, “you look magnificent.”
“Thank you.” She smiled and curtsied. “But it was all your doing.”
“No.” He shook his head. “There are many women who would wear this dress and make it look ordinary, but not you, Cora. It looks as though it was made for you.”
Cora was blushing furiously as she saw something in his eyes that she had not seen before. She was inexperienced, but she knew that look. It was desire, raw and powerful.
The last time Clyde had felt this lustful pull towards a woman was the first time he had seen Loraine. Now he felt his heartbeat speed up, and a stab of desire shot straight to his loins. It was a primal feeling; he had seen it happen with stallions and mares, and bulls and cows in season. However, he was not a bull or a stallion, but a rampant male animal. And for, a moment, he was afraid of what he was feeling; it could overpower him so easily. Loraine had allowed him an outlet for these feelings, but he would never take advantage of an innocent like Cora.
“I will be proud to escort you tonight,” he said happily, smiling even though he had to turn away from her for a moment. His arousal was so strong that it was causing him embarrassment, and he went behind a chair to the drinks cabinet and poured them both a glass of wine to hide it.
“And I will be proud to be seen with you,” she answered, smiling. If she noticed anything different about him, she said nothing. Gradually, his discomfort dissipated. “I hope we can be convincing.” She looked up at him, and her dark blue eyes were anxious as they met his.
“Have no fear.” He smiled. “I will have no trouble pretending to be your betrothed, Cora, even if we are only pretending.”
“Thank you,” she murmured. “You are so kind to me.”
“Do not forget our purpose, though,” he reminded her. “To return my fiancée, then find you a husband and recapture your home, Milady Cora. However, between us, I think we can do it.”
“I hope you are right,” Cora sighed, sipping her wine.
“Milady Cora,” Clyde said, grinning, “have faith in me. I amalwaysright!”
“You are also very, very modest!” Cora chuckled.
They were laughing as they climbed into their carriage, and Minetta, who was already inside, felt a glow of happiness spread through her. This was a better outcome than she could have hoped for in her wildest dreams.
Everyone turned to look at them as they entered the great hall of Dunwell Castle and made their way through the throng of guests to greet their host and hostess. Usually, Clyde attracted much attention because of his looks and his charisma, but tonight it was because of something else. It was widely known that Clyde’s betrothed had cast him off for the baron, but no one yet knew of his engagement to Cora. The invitation from Andrew Sutherland had been an act of spite on his part to show how happy his former betrothed was with her new fiancé. Everyone knew that Cora was a refugee in Clyde and Minetta’s castle, but no one could have guessed that they had become betrothed.
Presently, they reached the baron and Loraine.
