Page 32 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
“Tell me whatever you wish.”
“Well, the Donaldsons are in town again.”
“Insufferable lot. I am surprised they are permitted to darken any of the doorways in London.”
“I hear there is to be a ball at Bartley Manor this evening. In honor of the anniversary.”
The woman clenched her jaw and gripped tightly her chair at the announcement of this news. “Why do you think that I should be interested in that?”
The young man hoped that it might help convince her of something he had been trying to convince her for so long. “It is news, My Dear. That is what you had asked for.”
Her expression soured. “Duke Leonard Whitfield. How does he fare these days?”
“The family still grieves for their father’s death, I believe. But the ball shows that perhaps they are growing better in spirit.”
The woman grimaced. “That is exactly the opposite of what I hoped. For it is he who should be the one to suffer.” She thought for a moment. “And yet, perhaps there is still something that can be done about this. Finally, something new and fresh to occupy my mind. ”
The man nodded. “It is possible. What is it you have in mind?”
“I have a plan, and for your part, I do not think it will be too difficult.” The young woman leaned forward, and the young man was struck anew by her beauty and its closeness to him. If only he could convince her to love him in return instead of the man who still held her heart, then he would do anything.
“Oh? Tell me at once. I am your servant.”
“Then, I can have my revenge. You will see. I will tell you the plan.”
The man hesitated, sitting back in his chair a little, even though he craved her closeness, her intimacy. She, seeing this, moved even closer, lowering her long dark lashes and fluttered them in a way that made the man swallow slowly. She explained in a soft, seductive voice the idea that was slowly taking shape in her mind.
The woman frowned at the man’s expression. “You will do this for me, will you not? We are dear friends, and we could be more, if you will only help me.”
“More?” The man’s eyes were wide now with interest and with hope. Could this be the chance that he had been waiting for?
“Yes, more. I swear to you here and now, that if you follow my words to the letter, and if you succeed, then I will agree to marry you.”
The man’s heart swelled with happiness. He got on his knees then and there, clasping the woman’s hands in his own.
“You are in earnest, My Love? You will not retract your promise?”
“A promise made is a promise meant. No I shall not.” Her eyes grew sharp and serious, and she pulled her hands out of his grasp.
“But will you do this? Will you promise to do this and succeed? It will be for us after all. We will bring the man down to his ruin. It is what he deserves after all.”
Despite his hesitancy, the man’s goal was right in front of him. He had to do anything to keep it, to keep hoping, for soon all of his dreams would come true.
“Yes, My Love. I shall do this. The man shall receive his just desserts.”
Chapter Fourteen
Margaret’s fingers were tapping nervously against her wooden vanity as her lady’s maid curled her hair with hot irons. Since the hair was now so short, she wanted it curled all over and especially at the ends. Tiny white flowers were braided around her crown. Her dress was already complete, and she waited with gloved fingers, watching the progress.
It had been an hour since the maid began, and Margaret was growing impatient. It was time to leave soon, to enter the ballroom, and she was growing rather anxious as well.
Philip would be there. Lately, he had consumed her mind, and since she had not seen him since that day when he was in worried conversation with Leonard, she worried about what she might feel when she saw him next. Would it be feelings of love? Or desire? She wasn’t sure, but every time she did think of him, she felt her hands go weak, and her heart patter.
Juliet floated into the room in the fairy-like way that she often did, her mouth open at the sight of Margaret. The maid finished with the hot irons and curtsied before she left the room.
“Margaret, you look wonderful! Just the sort of dress one should wear at a ‘coming-out’.” Juliet winked, and Margaret rolled her eyes as she stood.
But when she turned to her smiling sister-in-law, she lifted a light hand to her hair. “You like it?”
