AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Felicity's eyes widen. "When had you planned to tell us about it?"
Ann tries again."Who is Simon Middleton?"
"Gemma, you're keeping secrets again!"
"It is not a secret,"I say, blushing."It is nothing, really. He has invited my family to dinner. That is all."
Felicity looks as if someone has dropped her in the middle of the Thames. "You've been invited to dinner? That is certainly something."
"It is bad manners to discuss people I've never met," Ann says, pouting.
Felicity takes pity on her. "Simon Middleton is not only a viscount's son but exceedingly handsome. And he seems to have taken an interest in Gemma, though she doesn't wish us to know about it."
"It is nothing, truly,"I protest."He was simply being charitable, I'm sure."
"The Middletons are never charitable," she says, looking down."You must take great care around his mother. She scrutinizes people for sport."
"You've not put me at ease," I say.
"Forewarned is forearmed, Gemma."
Below us, Lady Denby says something merry that makes her companions laugh in that restrained way women learn somehow when they pack away their girlish selves. She doesn't seem to be the monster Felicity makes her out to be.
"What will you wear?" Ann asks dreamily.
"Horns and the pelt of a large animal," I say. Ann takes this in for a moment, as if she believes it wholeheartedly. What shall I do with her? "I shall wear a proper dress. Something that meets with my grandmother's approval."
"You must give us every detail after," Felicity says."I shall be most interested to hear about it."
"Do you know Mr. Middleton well?" I pry.
"I've known him for ages," Felicity says. Standing there, with loose tendrils of golden hair curving under her chin, she looks a picture, her strange beauty at its most seductive.
"I see. And have you set your sights on him?"
Felicity makes a face."Simon? He is like a brother to me. I can't possibly imagine a romance with him."
I am relieved. It's silly of me to pin my hopes on Simon so early, but he is charming and handsome and he seems to like me. His attention makes me feel beautiful. It is only a small string of excitement, but I find I do not want to let go of it so soon.
One of Lady Denby's companions looks up, sees us staring. Lady Denby follows her gaze.
"Let's go," I whisper."Come on!"
"Must you push?" Felicity snipes as I practically fall over her. We duck down a hall. Felicity pulls us into an empty bedchamber and closes the door.
Ann glances around nervously."Should we be in here?"
"You wanted privacy," she says."Now we have it."
There is a dressing gown draped across a chair, and several hatboxes in a corner. The room may be empty--for the moment--but it is most definitely not unoccupied. "We'll have to work fast," I say.
"Precisely," Felicity says, grinning.
Ann looks as if she could be ill."We shall be ruined. I know it."
But once we hold hands and I make the door of light appear, all discomfort is forgotten, swallowed whole by our awe.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
