Page 37 of The Lord Next Door
Victoria looked at him and knew this was something they would need to discuss in private.
Madame Dupuy approached them, obviously salivating at the thought of Lord Thurlow’s money.
And Victoria’s obvious lack of a sterling wardrobe.
They were ushered into the next room, where there were several chairs gathered around a table piled with sketches. For the next hour, Victoria sat beside her husband as the dressmaker showed her sketches of gowns and discussed the various fabrics. She had expected Lord Thurlow to be bored, but he was obviously following the discussion quite closely. Since he was the one being so generous, she could not refuse him one or two small requests, even when she thought the colors would be too flamboyant on so plain a woman as herself.
Madame Dupuy stood up, a stack of sketches in her hand. “Lady Thurlow, I do have several lovely gowns in your size already pieced together, if you would like these sooner.”
“I have enough for now, madame,” Victoria said, rising to her feet.
Lord Thurlow didn’t move, and both women looked down at him. “You should try them on,” he said.
Was that hesitation she heard in his voice?
Victoria stared at him in surprise. “Now?”
He shrugged. “Why not? You might like them.”
But he seemed suddenly uncomfortable, as if he now regretted the idea. Why was that?
Lord Thurlow wasn’t meeting her eyes. She found herself far too curious than could be good for her.
“Very well, Madame Dupuy,” Victoria said slowly, studying her husband.
The dressmaker soon returned with an armful of gowns and shooed Victoria behind the changing screen. Victoria stood still as the woman helped unhook her gown and replaced it with one only basted together. It felt loose in some places, tight in others.
The dressmaker turned her toward the standing mirror and Victoria tried to look at herself objectively. She saw a blushing woman, but she realized that it was not out of embarrassment.
She was actually…excited to be seen in new garments by Lord Thurlow. He would be looking at her body—and she liked the thought.
Then she was being led out from behind the screen. She stood still as Lord Thurlow’s gaze dwelled on every part of her. Under that pale blue stare, she’d once felt frosted with cold, but instead a warmth started from her chest, where he stared the most, and spread outward at a slow languorous pace. She’d spent so much of her life feeling invisible around men. But now her husband wasn’t looking past her or thinking ahead with distraction to his next appointment. His attention was focused all on her.
And she liked it.
She felt attractive, even…sensual. Though she’d always been considered plump, it was definitely an asset to fill out the dress’s bodice.
Someone bolder seemed to take over her tongue.
“Madame Dupuy, this is a ball gown,” Victoria said. “Will the neckline do?”
Her husband’s startled eyes met hers, then focused back where she wanted them.
And that’s all she’d meant to accomplish, but Madame said, “Ah, I had forgotten. The necklines are lower this season.”
Shocked, Victoria watched as the dressmaker stepped in front of her, folded down the bodice, and pinned it in place, looking amused as she stepped aside. The air that swirled from her movement felt cool against the tops of Victoria’s breasts. She was more exposed that she’d ever been.
And her husband couldn’t stop looking at her.
Maybe “plump” wasn’t such a bad thing to be.
Lord Thurlow finally shifted in his chair and looked away.
Madame Dupuy began to chuckle. “Ah, newlyweds. And we yet have several gowns to try on. This one has your approval, oui, my lord?”
“Oui, madame,” he said, glancing once more at Victoria with a gaze so hot she felt burned.
Victoria tried on four more gowns, all of which met with Lord Thurlow’s approval, though now he betrayed a polite impatience to leave. Victoria had to work hard to withhold a grin. She made arrangements to have these last gowns delivered within the week, and the rest would be sent after a final fitting.
