Page 106 of Foolish Bride
Michael frowned and grumbled something that she couldn’t understand.
“Well, what does it say?” Sophia put her fists on her hips.
“He says he thinks he can be of some help. He advises that Michael and I attend Lord and Lady Brasher’s ball tomorrow night. He advises us not to run or take any steps that might confirm the statements in the paper.” She looked up from the note and shrugged.
Daniel stepped forward. “May I see the note?”
She handed Daniel the message.
He read it. “He says that if you have not been invited he can arrange an invitation.”
“We have one.” Virginia reclined on the chaise and maintained a dramatic pose. “I had planned to decline since we were so busy with the wedding plans.”
Daniel said, “Michael, I think you and Elinor should do as Middleton advises. I am sure he has a plan.”
“And if his plan is to make a fool of me and take her away from me?”
Elinor touched his arm. “He would not. Even if he could, I do not believe he would do anything to hurt us, Michael. He is my friend. I think he only wishes to help.”
Daniel nodded and took the note from Michael. He looked it over. “He is influential amongst the ton. His friendship could be enough to silence the masses.”
“We should all go,” Dory said.
“I agree,” Daniel said. “I will contact Thomas and Markus as well and see if they are available. I cannot stand for the malice of such a report. We must push back, or the reporters begin to run our lives.”
“They have been running mine for years.” Elinor should have kept her thoughts to herself, but she was tired of being a good girl. It had never gotten her anything.
Michael squeezed her hand. “I know it seems that way, Elinor. We shall find a way to put all of this behind us. I am quite tired of every nuance of my life being put to print for the entire world to read and interpret. It is time to put an end to it. Then, once we are married, we will no longer be of such interest to the gossip of London.
“I will go and see Middleton today and find out what he has in mind.”
“You will be nice, won’t you, Michael?”
He smiled. “I will be nice.”
* * * *
The Brasher ball was one of the biggest events of the season. Elinor had attended the event before, but she took special pains to look her best. She had no idea what Preston had in mind, but the fact that a duke of his influence was supporting them would go far amongst the meddling ton.
She had chosen a sapphire blue gown trimmed in silver. The soft fabric hugged her body snugly, and the bodice’s design pushed her breasts up, showing just enough cleavage to inspire the men to great things. At least, that is what the dressmaker had professed when Elinor picked out the confection. It had been twenty minutes since her maid had informed her that Michael was waiting downstairs, but she wasn’t ready.
Her hair was coifed and curled with strands of silver that caught the light. The gown was exquisite and needed no alterations. She had even dowsed her eyelashes with a special black soot that was all the rage. It made her blue eyes even brighter. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she had no idea who the woman was looking back. She took a deep breath, and the movement made her breasts push higher.
She liked this new person more than the old Elinor, much more.
Pushing her shoulders back, she turned from the mirror and left her room. At the top of the stairs, she spied Michael in the foyer. He was stunningly handsome, all in black with a crisp white cravat. He spoke to Mother, but they were too far away for Elinor to hear the conversation. Whatever they were discussing, he didn’t like it. He frowned at Virginia, but his stance stayed relaxed, with his elbow leaning on the finial at the bottom of the handrail.
She moved forward, and he turned and looked up at her.
His mouth hung open, then a slow smile spread across his face.
She floated down the stairs, with only Michael in her sight. He was her sun, and she reveled in his heat.
She closed the gap between them. Her heart in her throat, she wanted to run away with Michael and leave all of the ton and their silliness behind.
He looked at her as if she were the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Yet he was magnificent, like a star shining through on the darkest night.
“Really, Elinor, that dress borders on obscene.” Mother shook her head and pursed her lips.
