“Hmm,” was all he said before spinning her again.
Just when she started to get dizzy, he reeled her back in close.
“There are no words, Felicity.”
The way he said her name sent shivers down her spine.
“You are so captivating from the inside out. I do not think I could ever find the words to do you justice. But I will happily spend the rest of my life trying.”
The End?
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
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PREVIEW: STEALING THE MARQUESS’ HEART
CHAPTER 1
Cromwell House, London
April 1825
“I think lavender suits your hair just perfectly. You look absolutely stunning, Julia” Frederica Rose Gillingham complimented her cousin as she twirled around, admiring herself in the floor-length mirror of the dressing room.
The lavender-colored chiffon and taffeta ball gown billowed lightly in the air before coming down to settle against Julia’s willowy frame. The gown along with Frederica’s midnight blue silk creation had been made by the season’s most sought-after Parisian dressmaker, Madame Beauchamp. Despite the short notice and a fully booked calendar, the woman had been more than willing to take on the job—courtesy of Julia's mother, the Countess of Powell’s renowned power of persuasion.
Though lacking heavily in the department of persuasion and tough grit, Julia retained a great deal of her mother’s confidence and self-awareness. “I know I look stunning, Freddie. I can barely wait to command all the right attention tonight,” she spoke with a determined smile and beckoned to her lady’s maid, Maeve to resume fixing her honey blonde locks into a braided coronet.
Turning to Frederica, she perused her gown with a critical eye. “I didn’t quite expect your gown to turn out this way. The style is flattering enough, but the color appears almost ghastly against your skin. You should have chosen a complementary shade.”
It was on the tip of Frederica’s tongue to remind her cousin of her obsession with midnight blue because it reminded her of the night’s sky in the dead of winter, but she smiled instead, admiring the neat embroidery and intricately sewn lines of the dressmaker’s creation through the mirror. “Well, I love it, Julia and I think it’s quite fetching. Besides, Madame Beauchamp understood the style I illustrated and did an excellent job.”
The dressmaker had thoroughly impressed her. It was impossible to forget just how nervous she’d felt presenting the gown sketches she’d made to the imposing woman, especially within earshot of Julia’s mother. But one look at her drawings and an unmistakable flicker of admiration had swept past Madame Beauchamp's features before disappearing as she accepted the sketches and resumed her size measurement duties.
The result of the sketch sat on her, in billowing folds of silk and organza, draped around her slim frame. It accentuated her hazel eyes and complimented her pale skin tone. Frederica thought she looked good enough to get through the evening and fit in with the rest of the crowd.
Hopefully enough to land the attention of a respectable gentleman and get away from Uncle’s scrutiny.
“Forget all about that now,” Julia waved a gloved hand dismissively. Something she did when a conversation wasn’t favorable or had begun to bore her. “Whom do you look forward to meeting at the ball tonight, Freddie? I’m really expecting an official meeting with the Earl of Ashgrove, Hugh Sterling. I really do hope I catch his attention this time. He is one of the remaining eligible bachelors of the season and you know every girl tonight would be falling over themselves to be noticed by him.”
“What about the Baron of Glendale?” Frederica asked, curious. “I thought you were smitten by him, and you both were carrying on nicely last Season. Aren’t you looking to make a match with him this time around?”
Julia blushed becomingly. Just as she always did whenever Frederica mentioned her intense crush on the mild-mannered gentleman who’d openly doted on her throughout the previous season. “Percival is an absolute darling, but he has been away for a while now. I only caught a brief sight of him at the Bradford soiree last month and there’s been no word since then. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt to have a competition. I’m certain this would prompt him into speaking to Father over courting me officially.”
Frederica wasn’t surprised. Aside from the fact that she was a ravishing beauty with thick honey blonde hair, bewitching green eyes and full, blossoming curves on her hips and bust, Julia was calculating, precise and knew exactly what she wanted. She was refined, eloquent and possessed the right dose of charm and allure that drew throngs of admirers without making a single effort. It was always a sight to see as they fawned over her at society functions to the envy of other ladies and peeved mamas looking to score an unattached gentleman for their daughters. An equal match to the belles of society and darlings of thetonwith her wonderful social etiquette and love for entertaining, Julia had all the makings of a beautiful hostess someday and Frederica was rooting for her.
Apart from their equal passion for spirited conversations and playing dress up, she and Julia were as different as night and day.
Unlike her cousin, Frederica couldn’t be bothered about the goings-on in society, nor did she care for the pretentious parties and fake conversations one needed to maintain every single time. She didn’t care for any conversation that didn’t stimulate her mind or draw her into exploring the intricate layers of human complexities. Like her father before his death, she found society events tedious and a good portion of the aristocracy boring, pretentious, and horrible. Frederica preferred the company of books and plants and would rather choose a jaunty ride in the park with the wind blowing wildly against her face than sitting leisurely for tea and gossip.
If it were up to her, she’d be eternally grateful and happy to remain unbothered and left to her own devices. It was just so unfortunate that she desperately needed to make a match of her own before the Season ended or deal with whatever sharp and unpleasant trajectory her life was bound to take.