Read Waltz With a Stranger for Free Online

had come to Bad Ems this past year; some had even been quite attentive, especially after she and Claudine had become friends and taken to wandering about the town together. But Aurelia had to admit—if only to herself—that, compared to him , they all seemed rather bland and characterless.
    What harm could there be in making discreet inquiries after Mr. Trelawney when she returned to London? He was Lady Talbot’s nephew—that much she did recall. And what could be more natural than to ask after an acquaintance when she had been away so long? And if some thought her forward and gauche for doing so—well, so be it. She was American, after all.
    Claudine’s voice, laced with amused affection, recalled her to the present. “I shall wish you bon courage then. And hope that you meet again this someone who has put the stars in your eyes.” She took Aurelia’s hands and kissed her lightly on both cheeks. “ Au revoir , ma chere .”
    Aurelia embraced her friend in turn. “What of you? Are you staying on here?”
    Claudine shook her head. “ Non . I shall be leaving for Nice at the end of the week. A dear friend has invited to me to stay. Should you like to have my direction?”
    “Very much.” Aurelia wondered if Claudine’s “dear friend” was a man or a woman, but decided it would be impertinent to ask. “I can give you mine too, if you like. According to my sister, we’re renting a house in London for the Season.”
    They quickly exchanged information before bidding each other a last fond farewell. Moments after Claudine’s departure, the porter rapped on the door. The carriage had arrived.
    Following her mother and the porter downstairs, Aurelia felt her heart pounding in mingled excitement and trepidation. Paris and London—those two dazzling, terrifying cities—still lay ahead, but at this moment, she felt equal to whatever they held in store for her.
    ***
    London, two weeks later
    Descending from the train in her mother’s wake, Aurelia caught her breath when she saw the familiar figure waiting on the platform. Looking at Amy might no longer be like looking into a mirror, but she could still pick out her twin in a crowd.
    Before she could wave or call out, Amy’s head turned in her direction—and a welcoming smile blazed across her face. “Mother! Relia!”
    Hands outstretched, she came toward them, and Aurelia found herself moving forward as well. They met in a fierce embrace, half-laughing, half-crying. Breathing in her twin’s favorite rose-and-jasmine scent, Aurelia felt that she was home at last.
    “That will do, my dears,” Laura reproved, but her blue eyes were smiling as she regarded her newly reunited daughters. “Amy, you haven’t misplaced Caro, have you?”
    “No, Mama.” Releasing Aurelia, Amy greeted her mother more decorously. “Indeed, I believe she was right behind me.”
    “Beside you, now,” Lady Renbourne corrected her crisply, but she, too, wore an indulgent expression. “Laura, Aurelia.” She kissed her cousin and her goddaughter in turn, then stood back to survey them from head to toe. “You’re both looking very well. No trouble during the crossing?”
    “None at all, Aunt Caroline,” Aurelia reassured her. “We were both fine throughout.”
    “You look it. And the spa seems to have agreed with you, to say nothing of Paris!”
    “Monsieur Worth was very obliging,” Mrs. Newbold informed her cousin. “He’s designed a whole season’s wardrobe for Aurelia, and at such short notice!”
    “Excellent,” Lady Renbourne said briskly. “Although I am certain you’ll both want to visit the London shops too. Now, let’s find a porter for all your luggage. The carriage is waiting.”
    Amy linked her arm through Aurelia’s. “Wait till you see the house! It’s in Grosvenor Square, right in the heart of Mayfair and terribly grand. And I have so much to tell you…”
    ***
    No. 17 Grosvenor Square was indeed “terribly grand,” both outside and in. Bemused,