Page 116 of Storm of Bells
‘I know!’ My eyes blazing with delight, Ileaned forward to lower my voice. ‘We could invite—’
Just then, a door opened behind me and Iheard the rustle of dresses entering.
‘I thought I heard you two in here! What areyou doing? It sounds as if you’re having a lot of fun.’
‘Oh crap!’ Adaira muttered, pasted a smile onher face, and turned to face her mother.
I turned as well, my smile far morenatural—until behind Lady Samantha, I spotted my aunt.
Oh crap indeed.
‘So, my darlings!’ Lady Samantha beamed.‘What are you doing?’
‘Yes.’ My aunt’s eyes bored into me. She didnotbeam. ‘I would like to know that, too.’
With effort, I kept the smile where it was.‘Oh. Um. I’m…just compiling a guest list for the wedding.’
‘Oh, how fabulous!’ Clapping her hands, LadySamantha sank down beside me on thechaise longue. ‘Can Ihelp? I’m sure you wouldn’t mind, would you? Please tell me youwouldn’t mind?’
She gazed at me, her baby-blue, motherly eyespleading.
What could I say?
‘Of course you can, My Lady.’
Darn! How am I supposed to be wicked withher around?
Lady Samantha practically hopped on the spot.Eyes bright, she leaned forward to peek at the list.
‘So, who is your latest name on the guestlist?’
‘Ehem, well…’ Swallowing, I glanced down atthe latest name that, in my enthusiasm, I had scribbled down.
‘Amy?’ Lady Samantha leaned over towards herdaughter and peered down at the list with interest. ‘Who isAmy?’
I cleared my throat.
‘Oh. Um…just a friend of mine from London.She’s a wonderful person. I’m sure the other guests at the wedding,especially the noble lords and ladies, will find hervery…interesting.’
‘How wonderful!’ The marchioness clapped herhands. ‘You have so many lovely friends! Has she already had herdebut?’
‘Err…I don’t think so, no.’
Lady Samantha looked as if Christmas had comeearly. ‘Wonderful! We must introduce her to society.’
My eyebrows shot up into my hair.
‘We must?’
‘Oh yes! If she’s anything like your otherfriends, she’ll be a great success with the gentlemen.’
I almost choked on my cough. ‘Err…yes. Iimagine she will.’
‘Fabulous! Simply fabulous! Just leaveeverything to me. I’ll be sure to make her a success! Oh, Isolook forward to meeting her.’
‘So do I.’ Aunt Brank chose that moment tojoin the conversation. Her sharp little eyes were focused on melike searchlights. ‘I can’t wait to meet this “friend” ofyours.’
Oh dear.
