Page 21 of Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love 1)

Devon dropped the brush and bounded from the bed. “No,” he croaked.

She raised her eyebrows.

“I mean, I will find someone to help you.” He hurried from the room as if his pants were on fire.

She giggled. Perhaps they were.

A few minutes later a slight knock on the door drew her attention. “Come in.”

A young girl in a maid’s uniform entered. “My lady, I have been asked to assist you since your lady’s maid is feeling poorly.”

“Thank you so much. What is your name?”

“Mary, my lady.” The young girl offered a curtsy.

Eugenia opened the wardrobe door and removed one of her new gowns. This one was a dark rose muslin, cut lower in the front than any gown she’d ever owned. A cream bow underneath her

breasts drew the eyes to the bosom. Eugenia’s heart thudded at the thought of wearing it. It had seemed such a good idea when she’d had it made, and the modiste had waxed eloquently on how exquisite it looked on her.

She hesitated for only a moment before she turned to the maid. “This one, Mary.”

“That is most comely, my lady. It will look wonderful with your hair.” She moved behind Eugenia and tightened her stays, bringing her breasts up farther.

Sometime later Eugenia studied herself in the mirror. Oh, my. The gown was stunning—there was no other word for it. The fabric floated around her body as she walked, shimmering in the candlelight. But could she really walk out of the room dressed like this? To her own eyes she looked wonderful, and the neckline was no lower than other gowns she’d seen hundreds of times before.

But never on her.

Steeling herself, she tugged on her elbow-length gloves, picked up her fan, and took a deep breath. And felt as though her breasts would tumble out of the gown. Before she was able to reach the door, a slight knock sounded.

Devon and his valet Jake stood there. Eugenia backed up to allow the two men to enter. Devon’s eyes went directly to her chest. If his eyes grew any wider they would surely pop out of his head. He turned to Jake. “I will be with you in a minute.” Lest the man not understand him, Devon laid his hand on the valet’s shoulder and pushed him toward the door. Eugenia thought for a moment that he would cover Jake’s eyes with his hand.

Once the door closed, Devon marched up to her. “Eugenia, for heaven’s sake, what do you have on?”

She raised her chin. “Is there something wrong with my gown, my lord?”

“Not at all. ’Tis lovely. My question to you, madam, is where is the rest of it?”

Eugenia tilted her head sideways, all innocent puzzlement. “My lord?”

Devon ran his fingers through his hair, turned in a circle, then rested his hands on his hips. “Eugenia. Love. I have never seen you in anything like this. Ever.”

“And?”

He waved his hands around as if overcome with frustration. “And. And. And. You cannot wear that.” He gestured toward her. “That is not a proper gown for a married woman!”

“Lower your voice, my lord. I am sure the entire household has heard you.” She had the incredible urge to burst into laughter. Today she’d gotten more responses from her husband than she’d had in all the time she’d known him.

Eugenia took another deep breath, and Devon’s jaw slackened. “Take off that gown. Now,” he growled.

“I’m afraid I cannot, my lord. The maid has left.”

He grabbed her shoulders and spun her around. With deft fingers he undid the back of the gown. She allowed the bodice to drop, which took the entire gown to the floor in a rush of muslin.

Devon’s hands rested on her shoulders. Her skin burned where he touched her. So rarely had she felt his hands on her bare skin. Her breath hitched as his warm lips met the juncture of her shoulder and neck. She closed her eyes as her insides melted. This was what she’d been longing for.

“You are stunning, Eugenia.” He moved his mouth to the other side and kissed her on the soft skin under her ear. “But you are mine. Only mine.” Her knees weakened, and she felt as if she would crumble in a heap like her gown.

“My lord, ’tis time to dress for dinner.” Jake’s voice came through the door, shattering the aura that had encompassed her. Devon drew back, and his hands dropped to his sides. “One moment,” he shouted to the door.