Page 87 of When a Duke Loves a Woman
“Oh, don’t you look lovely?” Fancy asked on a sigh.
“The weight feels odd. I’m not used to my head being so heavy.”
“You’ll grow accustomed to it,” Aslyn assured her. “Once the gown is in place, you’ll be all balanced out.”
Another series of tugs and pulls occurred as layer upon layer of undergarments, including a corset—a torturous device that had to have been invented by a man who despised women—was slipped down, up, over and around her. She could barely breathe and her bosom was in danger of escaping its confines. But when the gown was finally in place and she stood before the mirror, she reluctantly admitted that perhaps it had all been worth it. Although she’d never before had so much skin exposed.
“Oh, Gillie,” Fancy whispered. “He’s not going to be able to take his eyes off you.”
“I doubt he’ll even recognize me, will probably think I didn’t come.” She was finding it more difficult to breathe and it didn’t have anything to do with the blasted corset. “I’m going to make a fool of myself—and him in the process.”
“No, you’re not,” Aslyn stated emphatically. “Besides, Mick and I will be right there with you, and if you find you’re uncomfortable, we’ll leave. But you should at least make an entrance.”
An entrance. “Yes, I’ll thank his mother for the invitation, have a dance with him, and then leave. That should be sufficient for the night.”
“It won’t be too terribly well-attended, because most families are already in the country, so it should be a fairly relaxed atmosphere for you to make your debut,” Aslyn said.
“My debut? I won’t be attending any other balls after this one.”
Aslyn and Fancy exchanged glances.
“I won’t,” Gillie insisted. She was going tonight because he’d asked and she didn’t want to disappoint him.
Although she very nearly tripped going down the stairs, even though she’d hiked up her skirt. She was wondering if there was any fabric left in England. It seemed the seamstress had used every bolt she could get her hands on for this skirt. She wanted to hate it, every inch of it, but the truth was that it made her feel like a princess, made all those long-ago dreams and yearnings rise to the surface. She was happy where she was, content with her life, and didn’t want to wish for anything else.
But when Mick, standing beside one of two waiting coaches—the second she assumed designated to return the maids and Fancy to their respective residences—grinned with appreciation, she couldn’t help but be glad she would have this night. Perhaps every woman should have one evening of fantasy.
“You look beautiful, Gillie,” he said. “I do hope you’ll save a dance for me.”
She scoffed. “As though anyone else is going to ask me to dance.”
“I have a feeling you’re going to be very surprised.”
She very much doubted it. She turned to Fancy. “I wish you were coming.”
Her sister smiled. “I’m planning to make quite the splash next Season. I’ll be all of ten and eight and Mick has promised me a proper coming out. Meanwhile, take note of everything you see and tell me all about it on the morrow.”
Careful not to mess her hair—it was truly irritating to have to think about things like that—she gave Fancy a gentle hug before turning back to Mick, giving him her hand, and welcoming the support as he helped her into the coach. He assisted his wife, who took her place beside Gillie, then climbed in and sat opposite them.
“Are you nervous, Mick?” she asked as the coach took off. “Will it be difficult for you tonight?”
“I’ve not yet been completely embraced by the nobility, but I have a wife with a good deal of standing among the nobs, so I don’t think I’ll receive too many cuts.”
“People know you’ve been accepted by the Duke of Hedley,” Aslyn said. “They won’t want to offend him.”
“He won’t be there tonight,” Mick reminded her.
Gillie knew the duke and his duchess never made the social rounds.
“No, but his ward will be, and I shall report anyone who is unkind.” Aslyn squeezed Gillie’s hand. “To either of you.”
While she was reassured by the words, she was also quite anxious. There would be far too many people in attendance she didn’t know. She would have to pay close attention during introductions to ensure she addressed them properly. But all that mattered was the one person she did know. She hoped he’d be pleased with all the effort to which she’d gone to make herself appear acceptable to those who mattered to him.
She should not have been surprised to discover his residence was multiple times the size of her little tavern—and that was just what she could see as the coach slowly traveled up the drive, a queue of other carriages making their way around the circle, people alighting and heading inside. Inhaling a deep breath, she reminded herself they were no better than she. “He certainly seems to have a fine house.”
“It’s only brick and wood,” Aslyn said.
“A lot of brick and a lot of wood. Whatever will I talk to these people about?”
