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Chapter Twenty-Three
“There,” Faith said, settling the warm, freshly-curled lock down against Selina’s cheek. Her golden locks framed her face. Selina smiled.
“Perfect,” she murmured. There was a loud knock on the door to her room.
“I’ll get it, My Lady,” Faith said, rushing over to it. Selina turned in the chair. Faith had just finished curling her hair to perfection.
Faith opened the door to reveal Thomas, who was dressed dapperly in a midnight-blue coat. His golden hair was combed back.
“I was wondering if I might accompany my sister to the little gathering,” he said, smiling. Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Latimer were throwing a little party to celebrate Thomas’s arrival.
“I’m ready,” Selina replied, beaming at him as she stood. She was dressed in her pale-gray silk. Around her neck, she wore her string of pearls, and her hair was pulled back into a low chignon.
“Excellent,” he said, offering her his arm. He looked at Faith. “You’ve done marvelously, Faith.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” the lady’s maid said, curtsying to him.
“I hope you’ll go down and sneak yourself a little treat,” Thomas said.
“No, My Lord,” Faith replied. “I plan to snuggle up by the fire and finish my book.”
Thomas raised his brows, impressed. “Very good, Faith. Carry on.”
“I’ll see you later, Faith,” Selina called behind them.
“Enjoy your evening, My Lady,” Faith replied. Selina knew that she would tidy up after the preparations, then sit and read until Selina returned.
“Ishecoming this evening?” Thomas asked.
“Yes,” she replied, coloring a little.
“Good. I want to look him in the eye,” her brother whispered. “See what kind of a gentleman he is.”
Selina laughed nervously. Thomas would never give away her secret. But she knew, too, that he would be watching Jasper closely, making sure that he was the right gentleman for his sister.
It’s the very same thing she planned to do as soon as her brother had set his sights on the lady he planned to marry. They walked down the staircase. Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Latimer were standing by the door to greet their guests.
“Selina and Thomas!” Uncle Latimer’s voice boomed in the vast space.
“You two look like a picture!” Aunt Georgiana said. She was dressed in a magnificent cream-colored gown, with a large necklace, diamonds dripping from her neck.
Thomas bowed, and Selina curtsied.
“Thank you for throwing this do for me,” Thomas said.
“We want you to feel welcome,” Aunt Georgiana replied. “And we haven’t hosted in ages. Not with—” she shuddered, “recent events.”
“I hope nothing happens tonight,” Thomas said, concern in his voice.
“We’ve only invited a very select few,” Uncle Latimer said. “It’ll be very small and intimate.”
“Very good,” Thomas said, nodding. “Come, Selina.” She and her brother walked into the parlor. Leah was seated there, and the Duke, the Dowager Duchess, and Lord Munro were with her.
Leah stood, “This is my fiancé, His Grace, the Duke of Gillingham, his mother, the Dowager Duchess, and his brother, Lord Munro,” she said, clearly attempting to step into her role as the future Duchess of Gillingham. Selina’s eyes met Jasper’s, and her heartrate rose. He beamed at her. In his eyes, she could see how much he loved her.
“My brother,” Selina said, “Thomas Drake, The Viscount of Windermere.”
* * *
