Bride for a Night(176)

And of course, there was no mistaking the newfound confidence that only added to her natural attraction.

A confidence that came from being pursued by one of the most sought-after bachelors in all of London.

“It does appear to be well attended,” she agreed.

“Well attended?” Hannah’s chuckle drifted over the near deafening sounds that filled the ballroom. “I have never seen such a mad scramble for invitations. I heard rumors that even the prince refused to leave Carlton House until he was certain he had been included on your guest list.”

“It is quite amazing,” Talia said, recalling her breathless astonishment when the prince had arrived with his current mistress, staying long enough to kiss her hand and speak a few words with Gabriel before he was making his grand exit. “I would never have dreamed it possible only a year ago.”

“Good heavens, no.” Hannah pointed toward the small alcove at the far end of the room. “We both would have been cowering in that shadowed corner.”

“True enough.” Talia gave a small shake of her head, glancing toward Gabriel’s mother, who held court among the matrons, her stately form encased in a rose satin gown and her still-golden hair smoothly knotted at the nape of her neck. “My mother-in-law is a formidable woman. Gabriel promised she would force society to accept me and she has performed nothing less than a miracle.”

Hannah lightly batted her arm with an ivory fan. “I do not doubt that the dowager was responsible for ensuring you received the proper respect for your position as the Countess of Ashcombe, but it is your own efforts that have captivated them,” she said, casting a rueful glance toward the same guests who had once made their lives such a misery. “The pompous fools had no notion that the daughter of a merchant could possess such charm and wit.”

Talia shrugged. A large measure of her bitterness had been thankfully eased by Gabriel’s unwavering love for her.

“Not that I would ever excuse their appalling behavior toward us,” she said, her attention shifting to the tall, golden-haired man who still made her heart leap with excitement. Especially when he was appearing at his finest in a black jacket and gold waistcoat with white knee breeches. Reluctantly she turned her attention back to her companion. “But I was too shy and frightened of others to reveal any charm, and certainly no wit.”

Hannah nodded with an understanding that only the two of them could share. “And now?”

“And now I no longer concern myself with their opinion so I can actually enjoy myself.”

“That much is obvious,” Hannah agreed, studying her with a curious gaze. “You are glowing.”

Talia hesitated. Thus far she had shared her news only with Gabriel, preferring to avoid the avid interest it was bound to stir among the nobles. And then there was her father’s reaction, not to mention Gabriel’s mother…well, she had decided she intended to be far away from London when word leaked out that she was breeding.

Hannah, however, was one of the few people she trusted in the world to keep her secret.

“My glow has nothing to do with society,” she said, laying a meaningful hand over her stomach.

It took only a moment for Hannah to realize what she was implying, and with a small squeal of excitement, she gave Talia a swift hug before arranging her features into a careful mask to avoid attracting unwanted curiosity.

“Have you warned your mother-in-law that her considerable efforts to install you as the leader of London society will be brought to an early end?” she teased.

“Not yet,” Talia confessed. “I am still waiting for Gabriel to recover from his shock. The poor man has been walking about as if he is in a dream, or perhaps a nightmare, for the past week.”