Page 85 of When a Duke Loves a Woman
Whenever anyone addressed her as such, she felt a great need to look around in order to determine to whom they were speaking. She’d never been comfortable with the formality, even from servants or employees. She was a fool to seriously consider attending the ball where there would be naught but formality. “Is Lady Aslyn about?”
After ushering her in, he said, “If you’ll be so kind as to wait here, I shall inquire.”
Which made no sense. Either she was or she wasn’t. Shouldn’t he know? Still, she stood in the entryway while he headed off. A few minutes later, her brother’s wife rounded a corner, smiling brightly, her blue eyes glittering with joy and her arms outstretched. “Gillie! How wonderful that you’ve come to call.”
She towered over the woman, so she had to bend down considerably in order to return the hug Aslyn offered. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“Never.” Aslyn stepped out of her embrace. “Did you let Mick know you were here?”
“No, actually, it’s you with whom I wish to speak.”
She appeared both delighted and confused, no doubt because Gillie had not gone out of her way before to spend time with the Earl of Eames’s daughter. She’d assumed they’d have nothing in common, and while she liked her well enough, she didn’t think she’d be interested in discussing the process of fermentation. “Wonderful. Join me in the parlor and I’ll send for tea.”
She followed Aslyn—who alerted a nearby footman they were in need of refreshments—into a front room and dropped into a chair while her hostess seemed to float down into hers, adjusting the positioning of the wide skirt of her green-striped frock with its numerous flounces and taffeta bows, aspects which would prove a hindrance when hauling casks up from the cellar. Her blond hair was swept up off her neck, curling tendrils framing her face. Gillie didn’t want to consider how much effort the woman would put into going out of the residence when she put so much effort into her appearance for remaining in it.
“How have you been?” Aslyn asked, and Gillie heard the true interest in her tone.
“I’ve been busy with the tavern and all. Mick doesn’t come as often since he got married.”
A light blush crept over her sister-by-marriage’s face. “We’ve been a bit busy as well.”
A few nights ago she might not have guessed what they were busy doing, but she certainly had a fairly good idea now. She decided she might as well get down to her reason for being here. “Are you familiar with the Duke of Thornley?”
Aslyn blinked with apparent surprise. “Yes, I’ve known him for some time.”
“I met him recently, on his wedding day, actually—or what was supposed to have been his wedding day.”
“Oh my goodness. Is he the man Mick saw leaving your residence? He told me about him, thought he was a beggar.”
Gillie explained all that had happened.
“Oh my stars. I hadn’t heard anything about that.” She shook her head. “Well, I heard Lady Lavinia had taken ill, and then I saw the announcement that the betrothal was off. But the truth of it, what actually transpired—I daresay I don’t blame them for keeping everything so very hushed.”
“He thought it best, and it’s not something a man boasts about, is it?”
“You have the right of it there. Men can be far too prideful.”
She knew her brother Mick fell into that category. Actually, on second thought, all her brothers did. “As a result of all that happened, I’ve been spending a bit of time in his company.” She cleared her throat. She wasn’t going to go into the specifics of that time. “He’s invited me to a ball his mother is hosting.”
Aslyn smiled. “Indeed. How lovely. Mick and I received an invitation to the Duchess of Thornley’s ball not more than an hour ago.”
She couldn’t help but be impressed. Thorne worked rather quickly when he wanted something. “Needless to say, I’ve never attended a ball, most certainly not one involving nobility. I thought perhaps if you could walk me through my paces, tell me what all is expected, what all happens, then I could ensure I know everything before arriving. I’m a firm believer in being prepared.”
Aslyn’s smile grew. “Well, you’ll want a ball gown, of course.”
“I was going to visit with my seamstress this afternoon.”
“Two weeks is not much time to stitch one up. Perhaps you should consider using my dressmaker. She has ample experience in ball gowns.”
“I’ll not take coins from Beth’s pockets.”
“Perhaps we could have them work on it together. A few more hands should make short work of it.”
“Yes, all right. I do want it to be a little less plain than what I normally wear.”
“We shall ensure it is beautiful.”
She couldn’t imagine it, but then that was the reason she’d come here. “What else do I need to know?”
