Part 29 (2/2)

”Mama. Isn't. Always. Right.” Sorcha repeated the phrase with a staccato punctuation that made Bronwyn's brows rise.

”She means well.”

Sorcha flushed. ”True, but she doesn't understand that love doesn't always happen on a schedule.”

Bronwyn shook her head. ”I never said anything about love.”

”You didn't have to.”

Mairi nodded. ”We've known for a while now.”

”Quite a while,” Mrs. Pitcarin added.

Bronwyn couldn't deny anything with three pairs of expectant gazes pinned on her. She sank onto her dressing room seat. ”But how? I only realized it myself in the last few days.”

Sorcha smiled. ”We know you. And tonight, whether you decide he's worthy of you or not, you're going to go there looking ravis.h.i.+ng. Because if you don't, you'll spend the rest of your life wondering 'what if.' And there's nothing more painful than that.”

Bronwyn looked curious. ”You sound as if you know all about love.”

”Not enough.” Sorcha busied herself sorting the items on the bed. ”I wonder if we can replicate the braiding Mairi did for my hair, for yours?”

”No, we can't, although the idea is lovely. My hair is much too thick.” Bronwyn took Sorcha's hand and turned her sister to face her. ”This is very kind of all of you. I don't know how to thank you.” She smiled at them all.

”I wish we could stay and help you dress,” Mairi said, ”but Mama will come to see our gowns, so we must be in our rooms and ready. We don't want her to know you're coming until the last possible moment.”

”Then it will be too late for her to do anything about it,” Sorcha said.

”Which is why I'm here,” Mrs. Pitcairn said, smiling cheerily. ”Ta' help ye get dressed.”

Bronwyn looked at the letter in her hand. They were right. She and Alexsey deserved a final face-to-face meeting.

”Come see what we've brought you.” Sorcha went to the bed. There were two pairs of slippers, some stockings, evening gloves, and a spangled shawl dotted with blue silk roses. ”We weren't sure what would fit you best, so we brought everything we weren't using.”

Mairi picked up the pair of slippers. ”You have smaller feet, but you can put paper in the toes. I wasn't certain which would look best with the gown. Wait until you see it!” She unwrapped the sheet bundle.

Gleaming softly in the candlelight was a gown of pale-blue crepe over white sarcenet. Two folds down the front of the gown were lined with pearls, while a double row of pearls and tiny white flowers decorated the sweeping hem.

Bronwyn touched the gown reverently. ”Where did you get this?”

Sorcha smiled. ”It's mine, but it doesn't fit me. Mama was going to send it back to Edinburgh to have the skirt lengthened and the bodice taken in, but I think it will fit you. And I want you to wear it tonight.”

Bronwyn looked at the beautiful gown, tears clouding her eyes. She engulfed Sorcha in a huge hug.

Mairi laughed and wrapped her arms around them both. As they hugged, Mairi said, ”When you two are married, you must find me a husband just as nice as yours. But he must be at least an earl, devastatingly attractive, and have enough money to keep me in books forever.”

Bronwyn laughed as she untangled herself from her sisters. ”You have my word on it.”

A shrill call rang out in French, and Mrs. Pitcairn sniffed. ”Tha' be yer mum's Frenchie maid. She'll be wantin' t' help ye get ready.”

Sorcha grimaced. ”We must go. Come downstairs at exactly eight. That's when we're leaving, and Mama will change her mind about allowing you to attend once she sees that you are ready. We'll make certain she does.” She whisked out the door, Mairi on her heels.

Bronwyn realized her sisters were right. She had to face her fate tonight, not hide from it. And what better way to do it than in a new gown? Her spirits buoyed, she began to go through the stacks of clothes.

An hour later Bronwyn stood before the mirror, the soft glow of a lantern s.h.i.+mmering over the gown and making the pearls glow. Mrs. Pitcairn had pinned her hair up in a simple yet elegant style. She looked better than she'd ever looked before. It's a pity I'm dressing to refuse an offer-one that, if it had been made under different circ.u.mstances, would make me the happiest woman on earth.

She gulped back a rush of emotion, hurriedly wiping her eyes. As she pushed her spectacles back into place, she glanced at the clock. Five till eight-time to go downstairs. She picked up her cloak and tied it about her neck.

Click!

Bronwyn whirled to the door. That sounded like . . . the lock?

She hurried over and tried to turn the handle. Nothing. It was locked from the outside. ”What is this? Who's out there?”

Mama's voice floated in. ”Your sisters told me of their plan. This is for your own good, Bronwyn. I promise.”

”No! You can't do this!”

”I must.” Mama's voice was thick with tears. ”Just wait there. I truly have your best interests at heart-you'll see. I can't say more, but just wait.”

”Mama, please don't-” Her voice broke and she had to gulp to steady herself. If she didn't go, then Mama would be free to deliver the coldest of answers to anything Alexsey might have to say. Her heart thudded sickly. ”Mama, let's talk about this. Come inside and-”

”Good night, Bronwyn. I'll unlock the door when we return.”

Her footsteps receded, and soon Bronwyn heard the distant sound of the carriage as it left. Her heart pounding in her throat, she sank to the floor, her mind working furiously.

She'd stolen his heart with just one kiss, a kiss as chaste as an angel's wing, light and filled with innocent promise.

-The Black Duke by Miss Mary Edgeworth From a window in the upper hall, Alexsey watched the carriages stream into Tulloch's courtyard. All day, his body had hummed and he'd felt light on his feet, like a snow leopard on the hunt, simmering with excitement and a sense of purpose. Today, he would claim Bronwyn for his own. It's about d.a.m.n time.

He didn't regret the pa.s.sionate night he'd spent with Roza-come a hundred scandals, he'd never regret that. That night had made him all the more determined to have her in his life. But he did regret the necessity of this proposal. The whole thing-the scandal, the gossip, the fact that other people were now involved in his and Bronwyn's relations.h.i.+p-that was the untenable part and it had greatly complicated things.

Bronwyn would never accept a marriage offer made for society's sake. She was far too stubborn and too independent for that, and he relished that about her. But now, because of their situation, she would think that was all he had to offer. Because of his carelessness, things had become complicated. She will refuse me. I know it.

He tugged at his neckcloth, his palms damp. He would not accept her refusal. He'd need a plan, though. Yes, a plan. He'd have to win over her pragmatic side first. Their circ.u.mstances dictated that they marry, and he was more than willing, so that was that. But her romantic side would present a bigger challenge. He'd have to prove that more than necessity had brought him to her, and that there was a very good reason to wed. The best one of all. Because he loved her.

If only I'd admitted it to her earlier. But his heart had been stubborn in yielding its secrets. d.a.m.n it, I should have wooed her properly from the start, but I was a fool and had planned on just a flirtation. He cringed to think of that now. But all of that could be overcome, he was certain of it. Because he could not accept the alternative. Not this time.

Fortunately, he was not a novice. He patted his coat pocket, where a bundle rested. There was more than one way to woo a woman who loved a good book. It must work. Our happiness depends on it.

Below in the courtyard, Sir Henry's coach pulled up. Alexsey leaned forward as the coach dislodged its guests, but the portico blocked his sight. Cursing, he left the window and headed downstairs to the ballroom. Finally!

Once inside the ballroom, he bowed to those nearest the doorway and made his way into the crowd, aware of the whispers and looks that followed him. The rumors were thick, but he couldn't have cared less.

Strath left a small group of men and joined Alexsey. ”Ah, the happy groomsman!”

Alexsey looked around, frowning. ”I don't see her. Do you?”

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