The neckline was especially daring. It was high, almost to her collarbones, but the curve of the neckline only skimmed the tips of her shoulders, forming tiny, frilly sleeves. Of course, with the long silk gloves she was required to wear, only a few inches of her arm would be exposed, but still.
She remembered how her mama had been dubious about the gown, but Paisley had insisted. The ball had been a huge success, and Paisley had been thrilled to see a lot of other young ladies – even other debutantes – wearing gowns whose necklines only skimmed the tips of their shoulders, just like hers.
It was the first and only time she'd started a fashion trend, and it was thrilling.
"I felt so beautiful in this dress when I wore it." Paisley remarked, smoothing out the beaded skirts. "I loved it. It was such a pity I couldn't wear it again."
Ava, lounging on the bed with a tattered book in her hands, snorted.
"Why could ye not wear it again?"
Paisley sighed, shrugging. "A coming-out dress is a special thing, almost like a wedding dress. There aresomeoccasions where itwould be permissible to wear it again, but not many. There'd be a lot of talk if you turned up to a regular ball or party wearing it."
"So what? Let them talk."
Paisley smiled wryly. "It doesn't work like that. Talk is powerful. Talk can make or break somebody, especially a lady. Our reputations are made of spun glass."
"It's ridiculous." Ava muttered. "It's unfair. What would they do if all of ye ladies collectively decided that it was all nonsense, and that ye worth wasn't decided by other people? What then?"
Paisley paused, considering. "Honestly, I don't know. it's never happened before, and I'm starting to think that it never will."
"It will," Ava said absently, turning a page in her book. "One day, I can guarantee it."
Hoofbeats sounded on the cobbles outside, and a skitter of nerves pattered in her chest.
"He's here," she said, suddenly breathless. "I'd better go down."
Ava smiled to herself. "Aye, don't keep him waiting. Have fun. Daenae dae anything I wouldnae dae! Or rather, daenae dae anything Iwould."
Paisley shot her a look and didn't bother to reply.
She hurried down the stairs and out of the foyer, ignoring the stares she received as she went. Outside it was cold and icy, with a hint of sleet in the air. Paisley wished, not for the first time, that she'd taken the long gloves and shawl to match the dress.
A carriage was waiting for her outside. It was all black, highly polished, drawn by glossy black horses. A lantern bobbed on the side of the carriage, lighting up the dark, and through the pulled shutters in the carriage window, she could see a beam of light from inside, too.
The carriage driver didn't bother to get down and open the door for her, so Paisley pulled open the door herself, climbing in quickly to get out of the cold.
Dominic was sprawled inside, his long legs taking up most of the space inside. He was wearing a fine linen shirt, a kilt in a tartan that she assumed was MacLennan tartan, and a plaid wrapped around himself.
He stared at her, mouth slightly open, eyes huge before turning hungry.
Paisley pulled the door closed and arranged herself on the seat opposite, primly shaking out her skirts.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," she said. Suddenly, her daring neckline seemed far too exposed, and her bare skin broke into goosebumps. She was aware that with her hair pinned up on top of her head the way it was, the curve of her neck and shoulders was very much on show.
Was it too much? Would she be thrown out of the Ceilidh for immodesty, shaming Dominic and making an absolute fool of herself?
I didn't even feel this self-conscious of my gown when I wore it in front of all of London,Paisley thought wryly, lifting a hand to rub at the back of her neck.
"Is it too much?" she burst out. "I do have other dresses, although this is by far the nicest one I..."
"Nay," Dominic interrupted. "Nay, that's a beautiful dress. Ye look... well, it makes ye look... uh, very nice. It suits ye."
Was this the infamous Dominic Sutherland,stuttering? Paisley shifted uncomfortably on her seat, trying not to meet his eyes. His gaze was burning into her, hungry and intent, just like the previous evening.
Desire sparked in Paisley's gut, more powerful than before. If she'd thought that the things they'd done last night would cool off her desire, she was quite wrong about that. If anything, it had made them worse.
Then Dominic looked away, clearing his throat, and broke the tense moment between them. Lifting his fist, he banged on the roof of the carriage, and the vehicle lurched forward.
