Page 62 of Scandalous Heiress
Chapter 10
Ada had spent the morning discarding one gown after another as her choice for this ride in Hyde Park.The day was cool and sunny.At ten, clouds rushed in and rain poured down.In such a storm, she’d not be able to travel with Victor around the park.They’d have to ride in a closed carriage and taking along Chaumont would be necessary.That made her grumble.
Startling the kitchen staff, she’d walked out the kitchen door into the back garden four times.At first, she’d decided to wear a wool gown and take a parasol.Not that she’d need it.In the rain, they would not walk about.When the sun appeared, she thought to wear a pale yellow sateen with golden ribbon tucking.Her yellow silk walking shoes, too.They’d be comfortable to stroll along the paths.Couples did alight.She wondered if Victor would wish to.After all, his infirmity in his leg did much to limit him, if not so much on the dance floor.
Arrrgh.She sank onto herchaise longue,a hand to her brow,admonishing herself to be calm, calm.This courting business took it out of a woman.She hadn’t done much of this.No man had interested her so much to go out with him and let the world presume an interest in him.
“I should be happy my days of looking for a proper beau were done.Or nearly so.Or are they?”She hopped up to scrutinize herself in her hand mirror.Frown lines appeared.“Not good, Ade.You’re getting older, fretting.Besides, if you change your dress again, your maid will quit.”
That was not likely…but she chided herself that she was too fussy.After all, who was Victor Cole?A businessman out of Shanghai.She didn’t want to fall in love with him and go to the ends of the earth.Where was Shanghai?She should go down to the library and check a map.
That, however, would be after she decided on her attire.
In the end, she stuck a hand into her dressing room and told herself she would wear the fourth gown from the left side.
“Hmmm.Well.”That meant she’d donned a pink spring muslin with embroidered red roses on the bodice.Her rose leathered walking boots and a pale pink parasol topped with red tassels matched and that was her attire.Period.The day had turned warmer.It was early June, so she needed no coat, only a shawl.Her ivory cashmere would do.
She knew the moment Victor arrived out front.Having checked the view down the front steps from the upstairs window at least four times, she was flying down the stairs toward Foster before the man opened the door.
Victor grinned in greeting and offered the usual polite phrases.
She was mute, out the entrance, down the steps, putting her foot up to the step when Victor handed her in.She sat forward.He faced her.
“I don’t know how you do that,” she said to him when she was settled.
“What’s that?”Today he wore ivory cravat, ice blue satin waistcoat and a pearl gray frock coat that complemented perfectly his turquoise eyes and thick auburn hair.His topcoat was a soft grey felt that made his complexion deliciously ruddy, his eyes irresistible.“Ada?How I do what?”
“Yes.Um.Sit backwards.Don’t you become ill?I would.Have.Whenever I’ve had to.It was terrible.”
The coachman snapped the reins and off they went.
Victor got this wicked little look in his eyes as he examined her, head to toe and back again.“I’ve gotten use to it.”
“Courted a lot of women, have you?”
“Only one before you.”
“Well, that’s good.”Oh, marvelous.I sound like a testy bird.
“Like to be the only one men appreciate, do you?”He arched a brow.
“Of course.”
“Why?Can’t bear the competition?”
She slanted him a wary glance.“You are playing with me.”
“I am.”He sat back, satisfied with himself.
Hmm.Well, she’d give him something.“I’ve never thought about competition.I have friends or acquaintances.”
“Good to know.The difference being what?”
“Friends have never challenged me for beaux.Why would they?I’ve never taken theirs.”
“Good form,” he acknowledged.“And acquaintances?”
“I never even think about them.”
