Read The Nobody: Signet Regency Romance (InterMix) for Free Online Page B

Caitlin of a contented little hen, preening and clucking over last night’s success.
    Feeling immensely relieved, Caitlin seated herself and shook out her napkin. “There was never a doubt in my mind that Emily had only to be seen to be appreciated. Once we removed her from the backwater and brought her into the world, it was only a matter of time before all of London fell at her feet.”
    Her sister’s blond curls danced as she shook her head earnestly. “Caitie, I’m sure it is wicked to say such things, or even to think them.”
    “She doesn’t think them,” proclaimed Aunt Harriet with conviction. “Pray do not exaggerate, Caitlin! You are distressing your sister.”
    Caitlin laughed, one auburn brow arching quizzically. “Have I put you out of countenance, my dear? Never mind! Levity, you know, was always my besetting sin. Tell me about last night!”
    Emily turned beseeching eyes upon her aunt, and Lady Lynwood patted her hand comfortingly. “Emily dear, you conducted yourself with perfect propriety. And. I must say, that silk we chose made up beautifully. A lucky chance we stopped at Lisette’s that day, wasn’t it? I was beginning to think we would never find anything suitable, and although I am as fond of shopping as anyone—or
fonder!
—I really thought I had reached my last possible hour of looking at dress-patterns. Well, we had been doing so for days! They all begin to look alike, and one’s head goes round and round! But that pattern she found gave you just the right touch. What a fortunate circumstance that white becomes you! You cast them all into the shade. Did you see that Lady Mary Ellersbee? Haggish! Her mother was just such another; put her into pastels and she instantly appears ten years older. I don’t know why it should be so, but there it is. And it was clear from the outset Miss Emmons would trip on her train. La! The poor girl was quite out of her element. Gawky!”
    Caitlin felt the story was straying rather far from the point. “But, Aunt, do you think Emily will—”
    “Oh!” Lady Lynwood threw her hands into the air rapturously. “It could not have been better! So graceful and poised, and she looked such a picture! I was most pleased. And do you know”—she leaned forward impressively—“no less a personage than the
Duke of Severn
told me she was pretty-behaved. Pretty-behaved! His very words, I promise you.”
    Caitlin saw that Emily was now quite scarlet, and laughed. “An encomium, indeed!”
    “Well, so it was,” said Lady Lynwood happily. Her eyes brightened. “Bless me if I haven’t forgotten to tell you the best part! The most fortunate coincidence! Mrs. Drummond-Burrell was present. Only fancy! The woman always puts me in a quake, but I vow, I never saw her in better humor. And as luck would have it, she spoke to Emily. Well! Emily had no notion who she was, of course, or she might have gone into one of her tongue-tied fits, but by the luckiest chance Emily did not catch her name.”
    Lady Lynwood beamed at her nieces triumphantly. “She told me, Emily-love, that she thought you
unexceptionable.
”
    The color drained from Emily’s face. She looked as if she were about to faint. “Mrs. Drummond-Burrell said
that
?”
    Caitlin choked on her toast, then burst out laughing. “Oh, I am sorry!” she gasped. “But surely such a mild compliment is not enough to overset you, Emily?”
    Lady Lynwood was indignant. “Mild compliment? No such thing! I have every hope that we will secure vouchers for Almack’s now. And that is no small feat, let me tell you!”
    Caitlin was impressed despite herself. “Vouchers for Almack’s! So Emily is to parade her wares in the marriage mart. I congratulate you, Aunt.”
    Emily uttered a faint protest. Lady Lynwood chuckled. “Only vulgar persons refer to Almack’s as the marriage mart, Caitlin. Pray do not do so again! And I have every hope that you are
both
to ‘parade your wares’ there, so you may stop quizzing your