Chapter6
Amelia had been correct in saying Madame Argent would have the gown ready for the ball.The dress had been delivered to Amelia’s town house the morning of the event, and Mary had accepted her friend’s invitation to get dressed there.
It had been a relief to escape Edwina’s displeasure when she learned Mary would also be attending the Everly ball.Her sister had tried to make her feel as though she were two inches tall, going on about how she would be an embarrassment with her out-of-date clothing.But the snide smirk had been wiped clean from her face when Mary told her the Marchioness of Lowenbrock would be lending her one of her gowns.
Still, Edwina had stiffened as she glanced down at Mary’s very modest bosom and told her she would look ridiculous in her friend’s gown.Mary hadn’t told her that Amelia had gifted her the dress and that she’d arranged for it to be altered.
The look on her sister’s face when she arrived with the Lowenbrocks had been worth it.
Mary had no idea how the modiste had managed it, but the dress fit as though it had been made for her in white silk with gold trim along the edge of the bodice and a matching gold filigree pattern along the hem of the dress.It was a simple design, but the lines of the dress, the choice of fabric, and the touch of gold made it look as though it cost a great deal.She hadn’t asked about the price, but for all she knew, it had.
Mary had chosen to wear the only jewelry she’d been allowed to keep after her mother’s passing—a single strand of pearls at her throat paired with pearl earrings.It was simple and understated, allowing the dress to steal the show.A dress that was demure but somehow managed to hint at the curves of her figure whenever she moved.
And her hair!Amelia’s maid had somehow coaxed her normally straight light brown hair to curl around her face.A light dusting of powder evened out her skin tone, and a slight hint of color tinted her lips.
For the first time in her life, Mary felt beautiful.
She sensed her sister’s approach before she saw her, but with Amelia at her side, Edwina wouldn’t dare to be rude.
Edwina’s eyes swept over her, then swung back to her face.Her eyes narrowed slightly when they settled on Mary’s mouth, and she could almost hear what her sister was thinking.
Unseemly.
Edwina would not be happy that they’d chosen to accentuate Mary’s mouth even though the color was far less obvious than the stain on Edwina’s lips.
Her sister greeted Amelia, who then introduced her husband.
The new Marquess of Lowenbrock was fair-haired and handsome.If he weren’t so devoted to his wife, Mary had no doubt he’d have no difficulty seducing half the women present that evening.And by the gleam in Edwina’s eyes, her sister would have been one of those women.
It had never occurred to her to wonder if Edwina was faithful to her husband, but now that the thought had popped into her head, it refused to leave.
“Lady Fairbanks,” he said, bowing low over her hand.
Edwina tittered, and Mary held back the urge to push her sister away.It was disturbing to see her sister behaving like a moonstruck young girl.Even more so when she was making eyes at her best friend’s husband.
Amelia leaned in a little closer to Lowenbrock, who smiled down at her.“I am so pleased I was able to coax your sister into joining us this evening.”
Edwina shook her head.“I am amazed at the miracle you seem to have performed with her appearance.”
“Not at all,” Amelia said.“My maid merely helped Mary’s natural beauty to shine.”
Edwina’s mouth tightened.“Indeed.”
“You must excuse us,” Lowenbrock cut in.“The next set is just forming, and I would like nothing more than to dance with my wife.”
Edwina let out a soft sigh as she realized there would be no coaxing the man to stray.
“We will catch up later,” Mary said, waving them off.
Amelia had told her that Lowenbrock was uncomfortable with attention, so she couldn’t fault him for wanting to escape Edwina’s embarrassing attempt to gain his notice.
She turned back to her sister, waiting for the censure she knew would come.But Edwina surprised her.
“Tell me everything you know about the marquess.”Her eyes followed the couple as they took their positions on the ballroom floor.
Mary repressed her flare of annoyance.“I can tell you that Lord Lowenbrock loves his wife very much.”
Edwina let out a loud breath.“That was my impression as well.Pity.”