Page 23 of Stolen By the Duke of Ice
“Perhaps we should just sit?” Dahlia said breathlessly.
“We should have your maid check you first for possible injuries.” Peter had signaled to Biddy to go to her when Dahlia shook her head at her maid.
“Truly, I am all right, Peter.” She straightened her bonnet which had gone askew.
Studying her closely, Peter noted the flush on her cheeks, but aside from that, he could discern nothing that would suggest an injury.
Curious. Most ladies I know would welcome, even expect, immediate attention after such an incident. Well, if I know one thing, it is that Dahlia Hill is not most ladies.
He sat down next to her, for he needed steadying as well.
The night of the dinner party was a clear, chilly evening. Dahlia had dressed with care; indeed, Biddy had recreated the coiffure that had been ruined the night of the carriage hijacking.
“The Duke will be pleased, M’Lady!” Biddy, moving around Dahlia, surveyed her work. “Indeed, he will!”
“Really, Biddy, I do not dress for the Duke!”
“Oh, for certain, M’Lady.”
Dahlia did not appreciate the knowing look that was on Biddy’s face.
“But you must admit, M’Lady, that the Duke is a very handsome man.”
“Is he?”
“You, yourself described the Duke of Snowdon as darkly handsome in your novels. And since he is your inspiration for the character, there can be no denying that you think so too, M’Lady.”
“Hmm.”
“And the way he lifted you up as if you weighed like nothing!” Biddy clasped her hands, her eyes starry.
“Yes, well, that was very kind of him.”
“Oh, M’Lady, ’twas more than kind, ’twas heroic! That makes it twice now that he has saved you!”
“I am sure that I shall repay him by being an obedient wife.”
Dahlia rolled her eyes. But she could not deny that the memory of his hands on her waist, of him carrying her in his arms, made her maidenly senses flutter. Indeed, she felt warm now just remembering the incident.
“The Duke will appreciate your looks tonight, M’Lady, I am sure of it.”
She looked at her reflection in the mirror again. She was not a vain person; Dahlia knew that she was no great beauty. She was pretty enough, she thought pragmatically, but her figure was too curvy for her liking. She wrinkled her nose at the smattering of freckles there. And with her curly, red hair and her coloring, high emotions did not become her which was unfortunate, for she was easily strung.
“What have you put on my eyes, Biddy? They look larger!”
Biddy beamed proudly.
“Not on your eyes, M’Lady, but on your eyelash line. ’Tis a dark pigment from a plant dye, and the beauties of thetonswear by it.”
“Well, I am no delicate English Rose, but you have made me quite pretty tonight, Biddy.”
“I beg your pardon; M’Lady has always been beautiful.”
“And you are the most loyal of lady’s maids, Biddy.” Dahlia laughed. “Now I must go and see if Mama and Papa are back. I have not seen them since they left after tea.”
“They have been back for almost two hours now. His Lordship’s valet and Her Ladyship’s maid were both summoned as soon as they arrived.”
“Oh, well, perhaps they knew I was already getting ready for the dinner party and did not wish to interrupt my preparations. That is well enough; I had so much to do anyway.”
