Page 27 of The Insufferable Duke
“Do you like it?” Frances asked before Lady Julia could reply.
“I like it.” Julia smiled fully and laid her hands on the patterned white lace that was molded to her frame. It was a fine gown indeed, and Christopher suspected that his brother would admire her greatly in it.
He flicked his head back and forth, searching for Lady Helena, but she was nowhere to be seen.
“Helena?” Julia called to a closed curtain. “Have you put the gown on yet?”
“Yes, tell me what you think.” A curtain was swept away, and Lady Helena stepped out wearing a bridesmaid gown.
Christopher did a double take. He tried not to let his eyes linger, but they did of their own accord. She wore a bold blue gown, richer in tones than he had ever seen her wearing at an event. It was cinched high under the bust and fell in such silken lines that it revealed every curve of her figure. The color complimented the hue of her eyes.
She is quite stunning.
The thought struck Christopher suddenly, and he turned to face her completely. It wasn’t something he could deny. To continue to pretend Lady Helena did not have her attractions was a fool’s errand. She was a fine woman, spirited certainly, and he looked at her more than he should have done.
“This way, My Lady,” the modiste said, gesturing to a circular platform for Lady Helena to stand on. “The hem needs pinning.”
Lady Helena struggled to hitch the train of the gown higher and walk toward the platform, tripping on the long material. Christopher acted on instinct and stepped forward, offering his hand to her. Her chin jerked upward.
“It is a hand only, My Lady,” he whispered to her, so no other could hear them. “Maybe I am not the perfect gentleman, but I am no rude oaf either.” He offered the smallest of smiles. Her lips flickered as if tempted to return that smile too.
She took his hand, and he led her toward that platform, aiding her to stand on the surface. The moment she was there, she released him and turned her back on him. Yet Christopher could not look away so easily.
“Oh, yes, dear, that is a fine gown.” The Duchess of Dunton stepped toward Lady Helena, fussing with the neckline. “This sort of neckline is quite the fashion in France.”
“Do you like it?” Frances asked, pointedly.
“Yes, Your Grace, I do. Thank you.” Lady Helena’s voice softened as she spoke to Frances.
Christopher couldn’t resist. He walked around the small, enclosed space of the shop, so he could look at Lady Helena’s face again. She was twitchy now, fidgety, though he didn’t know why. He admired her face, the curve of her lips, and that blush growing on her cheeks again.
As Frances and the Duchess of Dunton returned their attentions to Julia, Lady Helena’s gaze flicked toward Christopher’s. He realized at once why she had fidgeted so much.
She knew I was staring.
As much as Christopher tried to explain it to himself, he could not understand why it was so difficult to look away.
CHAPTERNINE
“How much of a disaster do you reckon this will be?” Julia asked as she wrung her hands together, standing in the hallway of the Carters house.
“On a scale of one to ten?” Helena whispered, bumping her sister’s shoulder. “Twelve, yet we shall endeavor to make it work all the same.” She cast a quick glance around the room, nervous about what would next follow.
Her father, Benjamin, was fussing with his cravat, struggling with it as he stared in a mirror. Anna stood at his side, giving him instructions which were proving equally frustrating for him. Their aunt and uncle, Kitty and Gibbs, stood off to one side, murmuring together. The last one in the room, Matthew, kept scuffing his shoes against the floor then running to the window, looking out for the family’s arrival.
“Was this such a good idea, Helena?” Benjamin called to her. “I know you think the families can find peace, but I do not see how a dinner would accomplish that.”
“It is worth trying, is it not?” Helena said with ease and reached for her sister’s hand, clasping it tightly to show she was there for Julia.
“I suppose,” Benjamin sighed deeply and turned away from the mirror. Anna tried to adjust his cravat another time, but he stepped out of her reach, and she reprimanded him for it.
“They’re here. They’re here!” Matthew declared and ran back from the window.
“Matthew,” Helena hissed. “Do you wish to make a scene? Come here, quickly.” Matthew hastened to her side with his bottom lip jutted out. “Now, you will play nice tonight, will you not?”
“I don’t see why I have to.” He folded his arms, petulantly. “I don’t like them.”
“Here, here,” Gibbs said from across the room.
