A Little Bit Sinful(64)

Thankfully Ella had more wits about her. Clarissa smiled. “Yes, about the revolution in France when many of you took refuge here in London.”

Lady Forrester smiled in return. “Oui, it was when I met my amour,” she said. Though age had grayed parts of her red hair and lined parts of her face, she was still a beautiful woman. Her green eyes shone brightly and her smile spoke of genuine friendliness.

“There were others of you that came?” Clarissa asked.

“Oh oui, there were perhaps twenty of us.” She frowned. “Mostly girls and a few of our parents or chaperones. The men stayed to fight or protect their properties, but we came here for protection, and we had a glorious time.”

“Did you know all of them?” Ella asked.

She nodded. “Yes, most of us grew quite close. Some of us still correspond with letters. And then I wasn’t the only one who stayed here in England.”

Clarissa’s stomach jolted at the news. Perhaps Justin’s mother had stayed here in England and was still here, all these years later.

“Let me see. Juliet moved to Brighton as she loved the seaside there, Celeste went to medical school and became a doctor. Mercedes also stayed, but I’m afraid she died from the fever last year,” Lady Forrester said.

“I’m very sorry,” Clarissa said.

“Thank you, she was a dear friend.”

“That must have been quite difficult, trying to find places for all of you to stay during the height of the Season,” Clarissa said.

“No, not at all. We all stayed in the Manchester House. It was lovely. Lady Manchester was a widow and she had opened her grand home up as a hotel and we all lived there together. She was wonderfully hospitable.”

Clarissa and Ella looked at each other and smiled. Manchester House, it was still a hotel. Clarissa knew where it was.

“I suspect you were not the only one who found love while you were here,” Ella said.

“Ah, no, amour was all around.” She laughed.

“Anyone fall in love, but not get to stay as you did?” Clarissa asked.

Lady Forrester’s eyes narrowed. “What are you asking, my dears?”

Clarissa looked at Ella and gave a little shake of her head. They could not come right out and ask or else risk starting rumors anew. While Lady Forrester seemed kind and unassuming, they did not know her and therefore could not trust her with such information. “Nothing, we merely thought it was such a romantic story.” Clarissa feigned a giggle she hoped sounded authentic enough.

Lady Forrester smiled. “You shall find love, my dears, in time.” She motioned for them to come closer. “I have such fondness for you English, but English ladies are taught to wait on the gentleman. If you know you have found the right one, you go after him.”

Clarissa and Ella walked away, arm-in-arm.

“If I had my eye on someone, I would take her advice,” Ella said boldly. “I think she’s right. Why should we have to wait on the men?”

“But it can also get you into more trouble than it’s worth,” Clarissa said.

Ella squeezed her friend’s hand. “True, but in the end I believe you married the best man for you. In time I hope you’ll agree with me.”

…

They had been home from the ball for nearly half an hour. Justin had tried to give her time to undress, have the maid take her hair down. He rapped his knuckle against Clarissa’s bedchamber door.

“Come in,” she said.

Justin opened the door. Clarissa sat at her dressing table, brushing her hair. She smiled shyly at him. He stepped inside her room and closed the door behind him.

“Do you need help?” he asked.

“No, I’m nearly done.” She brushed a few more times, then methodically worked her hair into a long braid that went down her back. She stood and faced him. She removed her dressing gown, leaving her in nothing but the sheer shift he’d purchased for her. He took in the sight of her.

His mouth went dry.

“Do you like it?” he managed to ask.

“I do, it’s very soft.” She ran her hands down the gossamer fabric, it moved like water across her perfect body. The sheer fabric hugged her curves. “Do you like it?” she asked in return.

He met her gaze. “Indeed. It is why I purchased it for you. I knew you would look stunning in it. I was not wrong.” He took several steps toward her and she met him the rest of the way.