Page 6 of His Grace, the Duke
Rosalie sighed. “I already have a riding habit.”
Yes, the one James bought her not two weeks ago. She hadn’t even had the chance to wear it yet.
“Well, now you shall ‘ave two,” the modiste replied, handing off the ball gown to the waiting maid. “Don’t worry, ma chérie,” she added, stepping forward to pat Rosalie’s hand. “Ze viscount took care of everything. You shall be more beautiful than any woman in zeton.”
Rosalie’s frown deepened. “And what else did ‘ze viscount’ order, pray?”
The modiste pulled a list out of her dress pocket with aflourish, smiling as she read it aloud. “Five morning dresses, two promenade dresses, two pelisses, three spencers, five evening gowns, two ball gowns, assorted gloves for day and night, two bonnets, slippers, leather half boots, riding boots, and assorted undergarments and ribbons for hair and the like.” She glanced up from her list, adding, “Oh... and I may ‘ave included one or two items not on your lord’s list, but he will be pleased all ze same... and he will not notice the added expense.” She winked, and Rosalie wanted to die.
“I most certainly don’t need all of that,” she cried. “And he is notmylord,” she added indignantly, one eye glancing to the grinning maids. She held out her hand. “Give me that list, and I’ll shorten it. Really, all I need is something suitable for this morning so I can go to my aunt’s house and get myownthings.”
“Nonsense,” the modiste replied, giving the list a protective pat in her pocket. “Ze viscount already paid me. I am simply ‘ere to check sizes.”
“Wait... this is all mine?” Rosalie’s heart was racing. This was too much. Such an extravagant gesture would surely have the wholetonin uproar. She glanced again at the gorgeous champagne beaded gown and the tower of boxes covering the table and chaise. “I thought you just brought samples for me to try.”
“Your viscount said it was urgent, and I see he must be correct,” replied the modiste, still eyeing Rosalie’s shambles of an outfit. “Now, I am quite a busy woman, and I ‘ave other stops today. So please, if you are finished pretending you don’t want to see what I ‘ave in zeez boxes, then take off your lord’s coat, and we will begin with ze ball gown. I call itLa Victoire.”
Rosalie felt dizzy. Was this his great business? Jamesbought her more clothes in one morning than what she currently owned altogether. And if the ball gown was any indication, he’d spared no expense. She frowned again. She’d already warned James once that she didn’t like extravagant gifts. He thought he could have his way by ordering all this, then sneak out of the house. But he couldn’t stay away forever. He’d come back, and then she’d have her say.
“Fine.” She shrugged out of his coat and tossed it aside. “Let’s get this over with.”
***
An hour later, Rosalie was growing tired of playing doll. Just as she feared, the gowns were all the highest quality. She’d never owned a dress half so fine as the first morning dress she tried on—a pretty peach satin with corded burgundy and gold piping. The ball gown made her feel like a queen... and it was one oftwothat now inexplicably belonged to her.
“Just look at zis one, ma chérie,” Paulette cooed, holding up a beautiful forest green walking gown. “It’s a new design from Paris.” She turned it around and Rosalie’s heart skipped a beat.
The dress had a low “V” cut to the bodice, and the inner lining of the skirt was pink with a printed pattern of flowering vines and little blue birds. Rosalie loved it. Paulette helped her step into it and slip it up over her hips. The sleeves ended in points over the backs of her hands, and there were little strings that could be tied at the wrists.
“It fits you so well,” said Paulette, fastening it up the back. “And your viscount was clearly right.”
Rosalie’s hands stilled their inspection of the patterned skirt. “Right?”
“Green is ze perfect color for you,” Paulette murmured in her ear.
“He never said that,” she said with a distracted laugh.
Paulette came around the front, giving the bodice little tugs as she checked the fit. “Did he not?” She paused, both hands on Rosalie’s shoulders. “Then why can’t you stop blushing thinking of ze green in his eyes?”
Rosalie’s mouth opened, but no words came out.
“You should wear it today to thank him for his generosity,” Paulette said with a knowing smile.
“I am not with him in that way,” Rosalie whispered, one eye darting over to the watchful maids. “I am a ward of his family, of his mother. The dowager duchess assured me I would be fitted for new dresses. He is only doing as his mother bids him.” She said this loud enough for the maids to hear.
Perhaps if Rosalie said the truth often enough, she might begin to accept it too.
Paulette just smiled. “Of course, ma chérie.” A door slammed somewhere down the hall.
“Ahh, maybe zat is ze lord now,” Paulette said, dropping to her knees to check the hem. “We shall test ze viscount’s indifference to your beauty.”
Behind her, a maid stifled a nervous giggle.
Rosalie rolled her eyes. There was clearly no convincing the modiste. At the same time, her heart began to beat a little faster, knowing she would see James again so soon. She was annoyed about the dresses, but so much had been left unsaidbetween them. That last moment in the carriage, his thumb grazing over her lips...
Rosalie was distracted by shouting and another slamming door. Someone was in a heated argument. Why was James badgering his servants? She was instantly on edge wondering what must have put him in such a foul mood. Footsteps echoed through the closed door. He was coming on swift feet.
“She is with the modiste,” came the shrill voice of Mrs. Robbins. “I simply cannot let you barge in. She may be indecent—”
