Page 84 of Chloé

Wow.Ethan must’ve told her not to break scene, because damn, she was really selling it.

When they reached the top floor, where their bedroom was located, Chloé stepped out, and what she saw next had her catching her breath.

There, spread out across the foot of their massive Spanish-style four-poster bed, was a beautiful eighteenth-century gown. She dropped her bag on the floor and rushed over to it, running her hand over the sumptuous materials.

The gown was a silvery taupe color embossed with velvet and had the most beautiful sheen to it, and Chloé just knew it would shimmer in the light.

It was paired with a stunning creamy brocade with florals and vines woven in gold and silver. She traced her fingers over the intricate patterns. The bodice had a square neckline that would show off her…womanly assets to their best advantage, and was trimmed with gold braid that followed the seamlines down the skirt fronts to give it—and her—lovely, elegant lines.

Chloé picked up the skirts and ran them through her fingers, the silky material sensual to the touch. The feminine half sleeves that lay out on the duvet were trimmed with cascading lace at the elbow.

Where did someone even get a gown like this? It was absolutely exquisite.

“Your Grace?”

At the sound of her “title,” Chloé looked over to Isla standing beside the bed with a white garment draped across her arms. She walked over to get a closer look, and that was when she realized it was a shift.

It was snowy white and made of the very finest linen, and it had a discreet trim of lace around the neckline and cuffs.

“If you’d like to shower, I’ll be waiting to assist you with your gown when you’re done.”

That made sense. Isla was going to help her get into her dress. She hadn’t looked at the back but she was guessing it was all grommets and ties. Something she wouldn’t be able to secure—or unfasten—on her own.

“Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”

Isla handed the shift over, and Chloé headed for the en suite. Once she was inside and the door was shut, she realized she didn’t have anything to putunderthe shift.

That was when she remembered one of the main reasons she loved reading these historical romances—the women didn’twearanything underneath their shift.

That’s right. No panties, no drawers, no lacy thongs. She would be bare, and as a cheeky smile crossed her lips, she thought,All the better for her earl and viscount to touch me.

CHLOÉ WASN’T SURE how long she’d been up in the room, but by the time she had showered, styled her hair, and gotten dressed, she figured it had been a good forty, forty-five minutes.

Isla had been a godsend with the ties at the back of the gown, and Chloé couldn’t help but think how exhausting it must’ve been to have to do this every night of her life back in this time period.

Isla gave her a beautiful handheld fan, and after barely saying a word since they’d been up there, Chloé couldn’t take it anymore.

“Well, what do you think? Do I fit the part?”

Isla’s usually serious lips twitched. “I think the earl and the viscount are going to beveryhappy to see you.”

A hot flush crept up Chloé’s neck, and she wondered if one of the reasons women carried fans around with them back then was to hide behind them every time something scandalous was said.

It wasn’t like you could miss the way her skin had just turned scarlet, not with how much of it was on very prominent display.

“Then I better not keep them waiting.”

“No, Your Grace.”

Chloé walked over to the elevator, the heavy skirts swishing around her legs as she went. She stepped inside and shut the door, and as it began its descent, she looked down at her neckline and giggled.

Okay, if I’m not careful, I just might fall out of this.

When she reached the ground floor, she stepped out and remembered what Ethan had said:“When you’re ready, the viscount and myself will be waiting for you in the parlor.”

A.k.a. the living room.

It was a quiet fall night, and the lights were set to dim, as Chloé made her way across the foyer and down the hall to the living room.

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