Page 40 of Hell's Wedding Bells
Again, the duchess,Emily, scrunched up her nose, making her glasses jump up and then settle again, this time quite evenly. She leaned closer to Lila. “You’ll have the most fun in the library, let me assure you.” Emily smiled quite unapologetically.
“What would one want to do in a library when there is a ball…?”
The other lady winked, and Lila couldn’t help but burst into laughter. It was no wonder Emily Goodnight had so easily caught herself a husband.
“In addition to that, if we were to stroll through the gardens, we’d overhear all manner of interesting goings-on.”
Lila laughed again. “Who needs to dance with so many other offerings for entertainment?”
“My sentiments exactly.” Emily smiled and then, suddenly distracted, waved at someone beyond Lila’s shoulder. “I must warn you, we are about to be bombarded on all sides. Some of my dearest friends are approaching––you will absolutely love them.”
Excited cries of “Emily!” And then,“Cecily! Sophia! Rhoda!” had Lila taking a step back. Three other ladies, all lovely and obviously old friends––very good friends––hugged and fawned over one another, asking about babies and husbands and travels making Lila feel more than a little like an interloper.
Before she could make her excuses, Emily grasped hold of Lila’s wrist and introduced her to all of them. They all seemed to know exactly who Lila was, but welcomed her enthusiastically, asking her about her marriage and her journey to London and even invited her along on an excursion to Bond Street with all of them the next day.
“We’re going to visit Madam Chantal and will insist that she fit you into our appointments. I have the most inspiring idea for a dress for you.” The redhaired lady suggested in a friendly manner that Lila was most unaccustomed to.
“Puffed sleeves past the elbows?” One of them asked.
“Yes, and a low back, what with such a lovely complexion.”
Lila could hardly keep up with them. It was overwhelming and frightening and… absolutely one of the most delightful things to have happened to her since they’d arrived in town.
Was it possible that she might make some friends in London? Despite all the sins of her father?
“I have a sister here,” Lila’s gaze searched for Adrianna and then located her, sitting along the wall and chatting, most animatedly, with two other girls seated beside her.
“Oh, she has met Hollyhock and Coleus, my younger sisters.” The tallest of the girls, but also the most… sensual looking of them, commented.
“And that is Althea, one of Devlin’s younger cousins.” The tiny blond woman, who, ironically enough, was yet another duchess, chimed in,
“They are sitting in the exact spot the four of us met.” Cecily, the redhead smiled at all of them. “Do you remember?”
Rhoda cocked her head. “Were we not closer to the windows?”
“No, that is the exact spot.” Emily confirmed quite adamantly.
“But should they remain sitting? Should they not be mingling so that they might all be asked to dance?” Lila wondered aloud.
“Absolutely not!” Emily Goodnight put one arm slightly around Lila’s shoulders. “Because being a wallflower is one of the most important aspects of having a London Season.”
Lila raised her brows in question.
“Finding oneself a husband is absolutely divine,” Sophia explained in a hushed whisper. “But a girl must have good friends who will always have her back.” She locked arms with Lila.
“And tell her if her hem has come undone, or if gentlemen are betting on her.” Rhoda added.
Cecily grinned. “Or if she has had too much champagne.”
Lila couldn’t help but think how lovely all of that would be.
She sighed and glanced back to where the younger girls sat chatting.
“I did not realize this.” She admitted shyly.
“Well, now you do.” Emily lowered her spectacles and winked. “Sometimes… we go so far as to discuss the attributes of various mentulas…
All of them burst out laughing and Sophia blushed to the roots of her hair. “Enough Emily! You’re going to scare our new friend away!”
Lila just barely caught sight of Vincent, standing with the Duke of Waters and three other very impressive looking gentlemen. All of them glanced over at them upon hearing the laughter.
Vincent appeared content and smiled at Lila warmly.
Perhaps later she would slip away with him to the library, but for now she wished to learn more about her new friends.
She turned back to the ladies. “What exactly is amentula…?”
~THE END~
