Page 11 of Her Ruse with the Wicked Duke
“Oh, Grace, come in. I would love your help in choosing a proper gown for tonight. Come, sit.” Alice patted the seat next to her mirror. “I am nervous.”
“Whatever for? How could anyone ignore someone with your beauty? You will have every suitor lining up for your hand.” The red-headed girl smiled, grabbing the brush from the table and running it through Alice’s hair. “Which dress are you going to wear tonight?”
“I am not sure. There will be plenty of dancing, hopefully, so I want to wear something that will be flattering on the dancefloor. Should I wear the dress I wore last time? The modiste altered it a bit, perhaps the other ladies will not notice…”
“You must not worry about the others, Miss. You are so beautiful and should never dress down. If you wish to truly stand out, you should wear the blue dress that your parents were saving for your debut into Society. It is another repeat, but it will be perfect. From what I remember when we were there last, it will match the ballroom’s décor like a dream.”
“Let’s try it on, then.” Alice smiled, standing up as Grace went to her wardrobe to pull the powder blue gown out.
She helped her get dressed and laced up before she looked in the mirror, the light blush on her cheeks bringing color to her clear skin.
“It is perfect,” Alice whispered, twirling the skirt of the dress around in the mirror.
“Miss, will His Grace be attending tonight?” Her maid grinned. “I have heard he is devilishly handsome. I never caught a glimpse of him through that crowd last time.”
“Oh, you will see how the ladies of the ton grovel over him tonight. He is quite the rake. It is intimidating, if I may be honest. He looks at me with those eyes, and…”
“Could you just imagine if he courted you? His status could boost the social benefit of your matrimony. You could get away from your brother with haste if he asked for your hand,” the maid said quietly, giving Alice a pitiful smile.
“Oh, no. I do not think he… Well, nonetheless, I have put in many efforts to gain the attention of the Earl, and I will see to it that my time was not wasted.” Alice stood taller in front of the mirror, smoothing her skirt, an anxious habit she had acquired over the years.
I had not truly entertained the idea of the Duke offering his hand, but the thought is not entirely upsetting. But he said he was not looking to marry, so I suppose that is off the table. Be logical, Alice!
“The carriage is outside, and the coachman already knows to be ready at any moment for your departure from the event, depending on what your brother says before we leave,” Grace said, looking over her shoulder to meet her eyes in the mirror. “You look so beautiful.”
“Thank you, Grace. For accompanying me. I know it must be a terrible hassle to get ready?—”
“Nonsense. I am honored to chaperone you, even if your mother was still here to do it. You know she would have loved this.”
“I know,” Alice whispered, feeling a tear breach her eyelashes and run down her cheek.
Her mother was the sweetest woman she had ever known, and she missed her parents every day. Her parents passed in a tragic carriage accident when she was only ten years old, and she has been under her brother’s control ever since. She tried to keep her mind off their passing because it sent her to a dark place that she did not think she had the strength to come out of again, especially when her brother was already so cruel to her.
“No crying, Miss.” Grace smiled, wiping the tear from her cheek. “We are women on a mission. Besides, in this dress, you will steal the Earl’s heart as soon as you get him on the dancefloor.”
“You amaze me with your confidence.” Alice giggled quietly. “Thank you. We must be going.”
As Alice and Grace walked down the curved stairwell, they noticed Richard waiting at the bottom of the stairs. The maid made her way past Alice, bowing her head and scurrying down to the kitchen.
“You sure are putting yourself out there,” he said, giving her a once over, a disgusted sneer on his face. “That dress does not cover up the sheer fact that you are a servant at heart.”
“My Lord, I must get going.” Alice could not stand another moment of his berating, but she did not have time to get into an argument with him now. It would simply lead to his temper bursting at the seams and ruining her night.
Why must he be so mean?
“You are required to be back at the estate by midnight. Not a minute later. Grace knows that her position is on the line if she fails to return you promptly. I would say the same for you if you were not a blood relative.”
“We will be back before midnight, My Lord.” Alice bowed as she made it past him and began to make her way toward the door. Before she could get out, though, Richard added one more comment.
“Mother and Father would be disappointed in your flagrant flaunting, Sister.”
Alice whipped her head around, furrowing her brow, but choosing her words carefully. “Please, spare yourself from speaking of them.Disappointmentwas not in their vocabulary. You know this. Have a good evening, My Lord.”
She escaped the house as fast as she could, not waiting for Grace as she climbed into the carriage, taking a deep breath.
Richard usually never speaks about Mother and Father. He never shows emotion, and yet he seemed sentimental tonight. What’s different?
“Apologies, Miss,” Grace spoke breathlessly as she skipped to the carriage and climbed inside. “Let us go.”
