Page 43 of Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love 1)

He continued to stare for a moment, and then dipped his head. “Of course, my dear. Enjoy your respite.”

Casting him what she hoped was a genuine smile, she rose and took her time leaving the room. She did not want to raise any more questions by hurrying away. She moved with her usual pace down the corridor, nodded at Bellows, then made her way upstairs to her bedroom. Once inside, she closed the door and leaned against it, blowing out a breath.

She rang for Sally to help her out of her dress and stays so she could take a proper rest. Even though Devon had returned early and caught her arriving home, he had no way of knowing where she and Sally had actually gone.

If anyone in the ton knew where she’d gone and what she’d done, she would be ruined. Ladies did not visit the modiste of courtesans. Not that demimondes had separate modistes from ladies, but the kind of clothier she’d just visited would never be visited by true, proper ladies.

Eugenia blushed just thinking about the scandalous undergarments and nightgowns she had commissioned Mlle. Bissette to make for her. Although she’d wanted something other than her normal nightwear and undergarments, now that she’d seen the drawings of what the modiste would sew for her, she wondered if she would ever have the nerve to wear them.

She chastised herself for her pusillanimity. Something had to be done. Mrs. Forestor had been dead for a few weeks now, and certainly Devon would be making arrangements for another mistress. She had to secure his attention and love before he engaged another paramour.

“Yes, my lady.” Sally entered the room, several towels over her arm. “Are you ready for your bath?”

“No. I just need you to help me out of my dress, stays, and petticoats so I may take a nap. I find naughty subterfuge a bit tiring.”

“Oh, my lady. I was indeed surprised at the fashion plates Mlle. Bissette showed us.” The girl rapidly waved her hand in front of her face. “When my friend told me about Mlle. Bissette’s business, I never expected to see the likes of what we viewed today.”

Eugenia placed her hands on her hips as Sally unbuttoned her gown. “I am just grateful your friend was willing to share the information with you. I cannot imagine how I would have located such a person if you hadn’t found her for me. I could never go to my regular modiste with such a request. I would be mortified.”

As she spoke, Sally quickly and efficiently removed Eugenia’s gown and stays. “My lady, Bellows told me when his lordship returned early and found you had gone to the park, he went in search of you.”

Eugenia sucked in a breath and turned. “No wonder he questioned me.”

“Yes, my lady. It was a good thing we decided to take a hackney. I cannot imagine how it would have gone for you if his lordship questioned his driver as to where he had taken you.”

Stealing books, secret visits to scandalous modistes, shockingly low necklines. Whatever had happened to her plain and simple life? All she really wanted was to secure her husband’s love and retire to the country to raise their children.

She would happily live the rest of her life away from Society if she had the love she never thought to have, but which had become almost an obsession. “I will need to rest to settle my nerves, Sally. I am not cut out for these types of machinations, I am afraid.”

The young maid pulled down the counterpane and covered Eugenia before drawing the bed curtains and window drapes. “I will wake you in two hours for your bath.”

“Thank you” As the door softly clicked closed, she thought about the ball that evening. She had another gown that was different from the gowns she’d worn all her life. Would Devon notice? Would it keep him from wandering to the card room once they’d had their obligatory one dance?

That was the last thing Eugenia thought before she drifted off into a sound sleep.

Chapter Thirteen

“Sometimes uncovering a secret is necessary for one’s plans.”

Secrets of the Bedchamber, p. 92

Devon placed his hand on Eugenia’s lower back and escorted her into the Pembroke ballroom. Once again she wore a gown he’d not seen before. He realized ladies didn’t like to wear the same gowns over and over, lest they overhear snide comments from behind colorful fans. He never had a problem paying for Eugenia’s gowns, and as his marchioness she deserved to be turned out well.

Although he wanted to object to the gown, truth be known, the neckline was no lower than any other lady present, except for the debutantes. But every other lady present was not his wife.

He led her to a group of ladies who were beckoning to her with their fans. “Eugenia, I simply love that gown.” Lady Fletcher took both of Eugenia’s hands and held them to the side, admiring her.

“Thank you.” Eugenia blushed, which told him she was not completely comfortable.

Miss Stanhope regarded her over her fan. “A bit daring for you, is it not?”

Before Eugenia could respond, their group was increased by four men. Devon studied each one as he walked up, glancing back and forth between the gentleman and his wife. No reaction from Eugenia that could point to one of them being her lover.

Before he realized what had happened, the men’s names were scrawled on the little card dangling from her wrist and Mr. Milestone was leading her onto the dance floor. He felt like a ninny standing there with all the ladies, so he bowed over Miss Stanhope’s hand and requested a dance.

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The quadrille was long and tedious. Especially with Miss Stanhope chattering the entire time. No matter how hard he tried to stop himself, his glance continually shifted to Eugenia, who seemed to be having much more fun than he. Why the devil was she throwing her head back that way and laughing, showing all that beautiful skin? Was Milestone all that humorous? He threw the man an irritated glance, but he doubted Milestone noticed.