Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
“Yes, my lady, that is just the sort of thing that will make a man’s blood run hot.” The modiste rubbed her hands together as she gestured at the sketches in Vivian’s hands. “If you catch my meaning.”
Vivian had no idea what the woman was talking about, but from the woman’s expression, she suspected that admitting it would be more embarrassing than simply not knowing.
It had been nearly a week since she had last seen Thomas, and with only a few days until her wedding, she was starting to suspect she would not see him until the ceremony.
She had hoped they would have more time together before the wedding, but with the special license and the speed of everything, there had been none.
Which was why she had ended up at this modiste. She was known for providing garments that were a little more daring than a typical gown. The kind of thing that was perfect for a honeymoon, but not polite company. Yet when Vivian had seen the dresses the modiste had made, even her ears had gone red.
I might as well not wear anything; they are so thin.
“Mark my words, it’ll keep your husband’s attention. There isn’t a man alive who would resist a woman in a dress like this.” The modiste tapped a finger to her lips. “Well, at least not a normal man, anyway.”
Vivian nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
Though Thomas had bid her charge everything to his own account, she had not been able to bring herself to ask this particular modiste to send her invoice to his estate.
Thankfully, in a rare show of generosity, her mother had agreed to pay for these ‘essential’ garments.
I suppose it was my mother’s idea in the first place. Vivian tried not to think too hard about the fact that her mother knew about such a place. Henrietta, her chaperone for the day, was a delicate shade of pink as she fanned herself.
“Thank you.” Vivian handed over a heavy coin purse.
“Think nothing of it, my lady.” The modiste pocketed the money and handed Vivian a box.
Vivian pulled her hood up over her head, grabbed the box, and, ducking her head, darted out of the doorway, praying that no one would see her leaving this particular shop, which meant that she ran headlong into a small group of people who had just climbed out of a carriage.
The box slipped from her hands onto the floor, its contents spilling out. Vivian dived for it, hastily shoving it out of sight, cursing softly under her breath even as she attempted to garble apologies to the group.
“Vivian? Are you all right?” A deep and familiar voice said from above her, followed by the scent of amber.
Perfect. Just perfect. Vivian may not have believed in curses, but she was certainly starting to as she looked up and saw not just her fiancé standing above her, but two of the most beautiful women she had ever seen on either side of him.
“Let me help you with—” Thomas leaned toward the box and its spilled contents, but Vivian cut him off, practically diving onto it.
“No, that will not be necessary, thank you!”
Vivian whipped it out of reach so quickly that the dratted thing nearly burst open again.
“It is bad luck to see the wedding dress before the wedding. At least, that is what I have heard. Not that I believe in such things. Luck, I mean, not weddings. Of course, I believe in weddings. But well, you never know, do you? And surely it is better to err on the side of caution?”
Shut up!
With difficulty, Vivian managed to stop talking.
It would have been bad enough to run into Thomas, but why did he have to be accompanied by these two women?
She felt something stir uneasily in her chest as she looked at them, both so beautiful and wearing clothes so beautifully tailored that she felt like she was wearing nothing more exciting than a hessian sack.
“At least allow me to help you to your feet.” Her fiancé gently took her hand in his and pulled her into a standing position as easily as if she weighed nothing more than a feather.
“Thank you.” She swallowed, still trying to hide the box behind her back.
“You should be more careful; you could have been hurt.” Thomas frowned.
“I will try in the future.” Vivian forced herself not to shift from one foot to the other. “Though I fear I have already taken far too much of your time, and I do not want to keep you and your… your… um… I should not keep you any longer than I have.”
Her eyes went to the two women with Thomas, and she felt something stir in her chest when she realized both women had their hands on his arms.
“I think you should introduce us properly, Thomas.” The taller of the two women gestured toward Vivian. “After all, I have been looking forward to meeting your fiancée.”
She had dark blonde hair and green eyes and was even taller than Vivian. It was not something she was used to, and it made the stranger seem even more intimidating.
“Lady Vivian, allow me to introduce my cousins, Andrea Felton, Duchess of Caverton.” Thomas inclined his head toward the tall woman, then toward the other woman beside him. “And Charlotte Dorson, Duchess of Verimore.”
“Cousins by marriage,” Duchess Caverton explained, clearly catching sight of Vivian’s confused expression. “And please call me Andrea—we are going to be family after all.”
“And you may call me Charlotte.” Duchess Verimore smiled. “I have long learned that those who cling to formality do not do well when they join the family.”
She had jet-black hair, pale green eyes, and seemed short in comparison to everyone else. Though Vivian supposed that meant she was probably of average height. She had a warm and welcoming smile.
Vivian felt the knot in her chest ease slightly. “I shall keep that in mind, Your—I mean, Charlotte. And of course, you may call me Vivian if you wish.”
Andrea was looking from Vivian to the modiste in a way that made Vivian suspect the woman knew exactly where she had come from and what kind of dresses they specialized in making. Her heart sped up—what if they mentioned this to Thomas?
It was one thing to plan to wear the thing, quite another to be forced to admit what it was on a public street in the company of two duchesses, no less.
“Thomas, I think perhaps you should go on without us.” Charlotte moved to stand near Vivian. “I would like to spend a little time getting to know Vivian, unless you are busy?”
This last was clearly directed at her, and Vivian found herself shaking her head. “No. I… It will be nice to spend some time together.”
Perhaps they might tell me a little more about Thomas.
“Far be it from me to stop you.” Thomas inclined his head toward his two cousins before sweeping into a low bow to Vivian. “I shall leave you in the good hands of my cousins, Lady Vivian. I am sure you will have a delightful time together.”
Vivian thought she saw his eyes flick toward the box, but the movement was so quick she could not be sure.
If he saw it, surely he would say something? She breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Thomas leave. Perhaps she had gotten away with it.
“If you plan on wearing that dress to your wedding, I have no idea what you plan to wear on your wedding night.” Andrea’s voice murmured in Vivian’s ear, making her jump.
She flushed and looked between Charlotte and Andrea. “Do you think Lord Elington saw?”
Charlotte shrugged. “I could not say, though, if he did, it would not matter. I assume you plan on letting him see you in it before long, anyway. Though perhaps not on your wedding day.”
“Agatha may be eccentric, but even she has her limits. And I suspect the priest would have a fit.” Andrea laughed.
“Agatha?” Vivian frowned.
“Dowager Duchess Caverton to you,” Andrea explained.
“For now, at least.” Charlotte looped an arm through Andrea’s. “Though I am sure that in time, you will work your way into her good graces.”
Vivian was not so sure about that, but decided that it would be a rude thing to say.
“Now, please tell me that you were lying when you said that was your wedding dress.” Andrea gestured to the box.
“I was,” Vivian admitted.
“Good. Where did you have it made?”
“Madame Verdante’s Modiste. I was actually just on my way to try it on. I had hoped it would be ready before now, but things have taken longer than she expected.” Vivian caught sight of Andrea and Charlotte exchanging worried looks. “Is something the matter?”
“Madame Verdante is rather close friends with the Viscountess of Cork.” Charlotte bit her lip. “And the Viscountess has been trying to get Thomas to marry her daughter for years.”
“She was furious when she learned of your engagement.” Andrea shook her head. “I fear that your wedding dress will at best be truly hideous and at worst might never arrive.”
“But the wedding is in three days!” Vivian felt panic rise in her chest. “At this rate, I will have to wear this to the wedding!”
“We are not going to let that happen.” Andrea took hold of Vivian’s other arm, her voice firm but not unkind. “Three days is not a lot of time, but it is not impossible.”
“Especially not if you know the right people,” Charlotte added.
“But Madame Verdante is supposed to be making my entire bridal wardrobe.”
If she only makes me hideous clothes, I will never be able to win Thomas over.
“I will have one of my servants send word to her that the commission is canceled. And do not worry, I will not let the old bat charge you a penny.” Andrea’s eyes flashed. “She may be friends with a viscount, but I am a duchess, and she knows how difficult I could make her life if I chose.”
“But why would you? You do not even know me.” Vivian looked at the two women who were on either side of her.
“I do not like people who take advantage of others.” Andrea shrugged. “We women ought to look out for one another; the world is hard enough as it is.”
“Besides, we know what it is like to marry into this family, and you need to have people on your side.” Charlotte gave Vivian a kind smile that made a lump form in her throat. “And I meant what I said. I would like to get to know you.”
“So would I.” Andrea squeezed Vivian’s hand. “And I suspect that you want a dress that will make Thomas’s jaw end up on the floor.”
“I do not think I am beautiful enough to do that. But a dress that will catch his attention and perhaps…” Vivian trailed off.
“When we are finished, you will be the most radiant woman in the ton.” Charlotte smiled at her. “Trust us.”
And as the three of them strolled down the street, Vivian found that, to her surprise, she did.