Page 24 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

Chapter Eight

Caroline woke ina fevered state, her body tingling as the dream faded.

Luke St. Clair not only invaded her thoughts while awake but even dominated them while she slept.

What was she going to do?

She’d already decided the direction her life would take. She would be a bookstore owner. One who hovered on the edge of theton, close enough to make vital connections, yet not a woman whose sole purpose in life was to find a husband. She didn’t fancy a husband. She didn’t require a husband. Not for the life she intended to lead.

But the thought of how Luke had looked at her at dinner last night refused to cooperate with her ambitions. More importantly, Caroline was afraid that her eyes had reflected her own desire as his hand swallowed hers. She’d felt peace. Safety. And need.

Definitely need.

Climbing from the bed, she splashed cold water on her face, trying to cool down. Her dream had involved kissing. That much she remembered. Oh, she wished she had been kissed before so she would understand the yearning deep within her.

Maybe she could ask Luke to kiss her. Just so she would know what it was about. Do it and get it over with. Much as she was researching the kind of bookstore she wished to open. Once she’d been kissed, she would know what it was about and be able to move on.

An image of the Duke and Duchess of Everton filled her mind. The kiss she’d seen them partake in had much more to do than mere lips touching. Their bodies had been locked together in an embrace that still brought a blush to her cheeks as she thought about it.

Could she ask Luke to kiss her that way?

No. Definitely not. First, she wasn’t that kind of woman. He would be horrified by her request. Second, whatever kind of kiss the duke and duchess had shared had to be meant for married couples. She and Luke would never qualify on that account. Caroline pushed aside her curiosity. She could survive without kissing a man. Especially one as handsome and charming as the Earl of Mayfield.

She dressed, realizing how plain her gown appeared when compared to the ones her new friends wore. Fortunately, they didn’t judge her by it. She already knew the three women to care more about her than what she wore. Women of theton, though, were an entirely different matter. She recalled Mama talking about her own come-out Season and how it was impossible to wear the same gown twice, else thetonwould eviscerate you with their vicious gossip.

How was she to look elegant, though, without spending a fortune? She supposed the key lay with the modiste she would visit today. She would have to pull the woman aside and explain her financial situation and that only a limited amount of gowns would be commissioned.

After breakfast, the Duke of Everton’s carriage arrived, drawn by a magnificent team of matched bays. She and Rachel found the duchess and Leah already inside and greeted them.

“Thank you for coming out so early,” the duchess told them. “Though most of thetonwould never consider a visit to a modiste at this time of morning, I know time is of the essence.”

“I’d like to thank you again, Your Grace, for allowing me to use your modiste,” Caroline said gratefully. “I hope she won’t mind that I’ll only need a small group of gowns.”

“What?” Leah asked. “The Season is about to begin, Caroline. You must look beautiful in order to gain the attention you need in order for Evie’s to be successful.”

“I understand. But I don’t want to frivolously waste my entire inheritance on a wardrobe when I’ve inventory to buy and a property to lease or purchase.”

“That’s why you have your three investors,” Rachel said. “They will see to that.”

The duchess said, “Lady Caroline wants the bulk of her inheritance to go toward setting up her new bookstore. She doesn’t want to depend solely on men.”

Caroline gave her a grateful smile, realizing the duchess truly understood.

“Because of that, I will be issuing Madame Toufours a challenge.” The duchess smiled at Caroline. “We are of a similar size. I have hundreds of gowns in my wardrobe. While you will certainly want to commission some new gowns to be created for you, I think I’ll ask Madame Toufours to rework some of my old ones. She designed every one of them. I’d like her to take them and make something new of them for you. That will lessen the cost since she will already have material to work with.”

“That’s an excellent idea, Your Grace,” she said. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Not a bit.”

“Are you also having new gowns made by Madame Toufours?” Caroline asked Leah.

“I am. I find my hips are a little broader and my bosom slightly fuller after having Rose,” she revealed. “What about you, Rachel? Has your figure changed much since Seth arrived?”

“Some,” Rachel said. “Enough that I have had to extend my wardrobe.” She grinned and told Caroline, “I had the audacity to wear the same gowns during my second Season as I did my first.”

“Why?” Caroline asked, filled with curiosity.

“While Leah was fortunate enough to find love and marry Alex after our first Season, no bachelor caught my eye.”

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