Page 8 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
Kate opened the box, and a smile stole across her lips. The sapphire necklace and earrings would perfectly complement her dress. While the Drakes hadn’t been able to buy her much new jewelry for the season, she had some already, and Lady Drake and Amelia had both promised her access to whichever jewelry of theirs she’d like to borrow.
“Thank you, Mother. This is exactly what I wanted.”
“I’m glad to hear it. While you dress, I’ll go and ready myself. I’ll be back soon.”
Lady Drake left. Margaret laid the dress on the bed and helped Kate out of her day dress. She stripped down to her undergarments. The layered petticoats allowed Margaret to move her limbs around until the gown slipped into place over top.
She stood still while Margaret laced the back. Once that was done, she sat at the dressing table so Margaret could brush and style her hair. The maid arranged curls artfully around Kate’s face and pinned the rest into an elegant knot on the back of her head.
“Is that all right, my lady?”
“Yes, thank you, Margaret.”
She stood and stepped into a pair of blue satin slippers, then checked her reflection. She was a little pale, so she pinched her cheeks to get some color in them before donning her gloves.
“You look lovely, my lady,” Margaret said as she moved into place beside her, a small smile lighting her face.
“She does, doesn’t she?” Lady Drake asked from the doorway. “A true diamond of the first water.”
Kate laughed. “I don’t think you can be considered a diamond if you don’t marry within your first season.”
Lady Drake tsked. “That seems like a silly rule. We’ll just have to make our own.” She offered Kate her arm. “Shall we?”
Kate looked her mother up and down. Lady Drake looked very nice in a dark purple dress that emphasized her slender figure. Her gray-streaked hair—a similar shade to Kate’s—was twisted into a sleek chignon, and her hazel eyes were bright with anticipation.
“That dress suits you nicely,” Kate said, accepting her mother’s arm.
They made their way down the corridor, then downstairs, and were passing through the foyer when Amelia and Andrew emerged from the drawing room. Amelia carried baby George on her hip, and he was dozing, his jaw slack and lips parted.
Andrew put his hand on Kate’s shoulder and kissed her cheek. “Stunning, as always. The gentleman of London will never be able to resist.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “You silver-tongued devil.”
“What?” He grinned. “It’s true.”
“You make being the perfect society miss seem so effortless,” Amelia said ruefully.
Kate shrugged, self-conscious. “You know the meaning of words I’ve never even heard before. We’re each skilled at different things.”
“I know. Good luck.” Amelia hugged her with her free arm and backed away.
“Are you sure you don’t need me to attend with you?” Andrew asked, a furrow forming between his eyebrows. “It would only take me a short while to change into something appropriate for a ball.”
“That’s not necessary,” Lady Drake said before Kate could. “Last season, it was good to have you with us for at least the first few balls, but Kate is a recognized member of society now, and I’m capable of making any introductions necessary.”
Andrew inclined his head in acknowledgement. “If there are any events you would ever like me to attend with you, all you need to do is let me know. I want to support you in every way I can.”
Kate pressed her lips together so she wouldn’t blurt out that he’d already done more than enough. He married Amelia, an heiress with a substantial dowry, partly to ensure that Kate was provided for. The whole thing had worked out well, but he’d had no way of knowing that at the beginning and he’d done it anyway. She couldn’t expect any more from him than that.
They bid their farewells, and Kate and Lady Drake made their way out to the carriage. Their driver had prepared the most extravagant carriage for the occasion. It was black with red velvet cushioning and red drapes that could be drawn to cover the windows.
Kate accepted a footman’s hand and stepped inside, glad that the curtains had been left open so she could watch the streets pass by. The occasional lamp lit the road, lighting the way for them, and they arrived outside the Earl of Wembley’s house at the same time, it seemed, that every other guest did, joining the end of a long line of carriages waiting for their passengers to disembark.
When they finally reached the front and a footman opened the door, Kate stepped out and realized that Sophie and Lady Carlisle had been in the carriage ahead of them. She met Sophie’s eyes and grinned. Sophie looked like she was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet, only stopping when her mother nudged her with her elbow.
“It isn’t ladylike to bounce,” Lady Carlisle murmured.
Sophie clasped hands together in front of her. “Sorry, Mother. It’s just that I’m excited, and Kate looks so stunning, wouldn’t you agree?”
