The Ugly Duckling Debutante (House of Renwick #1)(28)

For some reason, all Sara could think of was the kiss, and she flushed with embarrassment just in time to meet her aunt’s calculating glare.

“That good?” The corners of her mouth tilted into a smirk. “Well, I have the most wonderful news! Lady Jersey sent invitations to Almack’s tonight. I want you looking your best, my dear, and I have ordered some changes done to your gown.”

Sara was confused. Why would her gown need to look any different? What was her aunt getting at? “I’m grateful for what you’ve done,” she swallowed. “You’ve given me more than I can ever repay, but why go to the trouble of making changes to an already beautiful gown? Considering I am already betrothed to Lord Renwick, I thought…?”

Her aunt’s smile hid no manipulation. It was enough to make Sara’s stomach churn.

“My dear gel, if you were marrying the king himself, I would still make changes to your gown. The rest of the ton must see you as desirable, as the one who got away. Who knows! What if our honorable Renwick does the deplorable thing? Where would we be then? No, my gel. We shall command attention tonight, and you will be the belle of the ball. The duke will see what he is missing, and Renwick will be falling prostrate at your feet. Trust me, my dear. I know exactly what I’m doing.”

Sara nodded her head politely, but inside she wanted to scream. Was she to be put on display? As ugly as she was? What type of cruel joke was this? It was difficult enough to go about feeling like a fraud, but it was going to be quite another thing entirely to be presented to the whole of the ton on Renwick’s arm feeling like an overdressed doll. He deserved someone naturally elegant—a swan, not a duck. A plain and ugly little creature. She felt much like the lone squatty duck she had seen this afternoon, but all she truly desired was to be a graceful woman without a care in the world.

“Are you listening?” her aunt snapped at her. It brought her attention careening back to the present.

“Yes, my lady.” Sara curtsied, though she had no idea what she’d just agreed to.

“Good, we shall start immediately. Davina has plans for your hair as well as some face paint. Your dress, however, will not be ready for another hour or so.”

Sara stood there like a statue waiting.

“Well!” her aunt commanded. “Go see to your preparations!”

Sara took that as her cue to leave and nearly tripped up the stairs from running so fast. If only she could actually run away, but then again, it would be in the opposite direction of Renwick, and something inside her twisted each time she thought about never seeing him again. Surely she wasn’t falling for him? He was still a rake with an ill temperament. One minute he looked like he was ready to confess love, the next he would be so angry she feared he would chase her through the park—though she could tell by the look on his face he did not like being slapped. In a way, she did have the upper hand. That thought brought her comfort.

Davina was already in Sara’s chamber making preparations for the bath. “My lady.” She curtsied and helped her scrub every inch of her body until she was practically shining. Afterward she dried her hair by the fireplace while Davina brushed it out, careful not to pull too hard. Davina really did have a way of making Sara feel comfortable and at peace.

By the time her dress arrived, Sara had spent more than a few hours having her face painted and her hair styled. She hadn’t had time to inspect herself in the mirror until she was expected downstairs with Renwick. Davina made her promise to look, so with reluctance, she turned and faced the glass.

Her reflection was unrecognizable, a shadow of her former self. She wore a silver and black trimmed gown which hung loosely to the floor leaving a tiny train in the back. Her neckline plunged lower than any dress she had ever worn, making her worry her bosom would indeed fall out if she were not careful. The back of the dress also cut to the middle of her back, causing her to feel nearly naked. In fact, there was not much difference between her dress and some ladies’ night rails. The thought gave her chills. They would either love her tonight or deem her a courtesan.

She descended the stairs gracefully and awaited the inevitable. If Nicholas responded well, the ton would too.



***



Nicholas hated to admit to himself how much he had missed Sai when he left her this afternoon. Her company was intoxicating, making all other reasons for living pale in comparison to her company. Even though her company was also just as much infuriating as it was intoxicating, he couldn’t help but wish he was near her. The earlier kisses he received from her nearly made him fall to his knees in worship. Her innocent kisses struck a chord in his soul that even he felt scared to acknowledge. Her touch was enough to make him swear undying love, though he was certain she would laugh in his face.

Tonight he chose to wear clothes which would do Sai justice. More than anything, he wanted to look classy, not rakish next to her. Hopefully he chose well. His pantaloons were a bit tighter than decency allowed, but he didn’t mind displaying the parts of his body he had trained well during his boxing days.

He heard Lady Fenton clear her throat and turned around. In that second, his heart ceased to beat. Descending the stairs was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen in his life. He had thought her beautiful before, but now, now it was almost painful to look at her. Helen of Troy would have had to relinquish her title in light of Sai’s breathtaking beauty.