The Unlikely Lady (Playful Brides #3)(54)

CHAPTER THIRTY

Jane stared at the sparkly silver gown that encased her body. Tonight’s grand dance wouldn’t rival the one to be held the following evening, but it would be unforgettable just the same.

“That gown looks stunning on you,” Lucy declared.

Jane nearly blushed. “It’s far, too, ahem, tight. Even after Eloise helped me with the seams.”

Not only was the décolletage far more risqué than she would normally wear, the sparkle was far more sparkly than anything she’d ever owned. Of course she couldn’t help smiling at herself in the reflection in the looking glass. Would Upton think she was stunningly beautiful tonight?

“It looks much better on you than it ever did on me,” Lucy added. “Now, here, take this.” She handed Jane the vial of lilac perfume.

Jane took the tiny glass bottle, her stomach clenching into excited knots. She promptly dabbed a bit behind both ears. Would Garrett Upton lick it off later?

A blush heated both her ears. She couldn’t look at Lucy when she had those thoughts. She should have told Lucy and Cass about her feelings for Garrett, but she just couldn’t. Not yet. Not when it was all too new.

The perfume-licking bit wasn’t Jane’s only scandalous thought. She intended to kiss Garrett again. She would have to elude her mother’s watchful eyes to accomplish it, but she had years of experience in that quarter.

Something had happened between her and Garrett since he’d come to her room and brought her lilacs and Mary Wollstonecraft. Jane’s belly fluttered. Whatever it was, it was there, and undeniable. She wanted to kiss him again, desperately. Tonight.

She caught her reflection one final time. “Too bad I don’t have a more elegant pair of spectacles, but at least they match the silver of my gown.” She chuckled at that thought.

Lucy looked up at her and blinked. “Why, Jane Lowndes, did I just hear you say something to indicate that you give a toss about how you look?”

Jane promptly snapped her mouth shut. She needed to be more careful about what she said in front of Lucy. “Let’s go. I need your help making it to the ballroom.”

Lucy gave Jane a sly look that indicated she was not entirely through with her previous question but she held out her arm, nonetheless, for Jane to lean on.

Jane took a deep breath. It was time. Time to go to the ballroom and find Garrett, and time to put her Mrs. Bunbury plot into action with Lucy. Jane felt confident on both counts.

She leaned on Lucy’s arm, and the two women slowly made their way down to the ballroom. Once inside, Jane barely had a chance to scan the room for Garrett, before her mother found her. Thankfully, Mama was speaking to Cass.

“Jane, come join us,” Cass called, motioning her over with her fan. Jane and Lucy slowly made their way over to the two of them.

Mama eyed her up and down. “What are you wearing, miss?”

Jane winced. “I—”

“Isn’t it lovely, Lady Lowndes?” Lucy interjected. “It’s one of mine. I think Jane looks absolutely stunning in it.”

Jane’s mother’s eyes were wide, but there was definitely a smile lurking in their depths. “I just have never seen Jane in anything so … so…”

“Silver?” Jane supplied, hoping her mother would let the subject drop. Jane gave Cass a pleading look.

“I was just telling your mother how much we’ve enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Bunbury,” Cass announced with a quick smile in Jane’s direction.

Lucy nodded. “Oh, yes. She’s a delight but such a quick one. I swear I’ve seen her half a dozen times this evening, but at present I cannot seem to locate her.” Lucy stood on tiptoes and made a grand show of scanning the ballroom for the elusive Mrs. Bunbury.

Jane’s mother merely nodded. “If you see her again, Your Grace, do point her out immediately.”

“Mama, I saw her in the corridor just before I came in,” Jane added. “She said she might go and lie down. She wasn’t feeling particularly well. She wanted to ensure that I found you and was properly chaperoned this evening.”

“Of course you are,” Jane’s mother huffed.

“She said to give you her regrets that she has been unable to make your acquaintance.” Jane shared a knowing look with Lucy.

Hortense fluttered her silk fan in front of her face. “I am sorry to hear she’s feeling unwell. I suppose there’s always tomorrow at the wedding to meet.”

“Yes, of course,” Lucy said brightly.

Jane winked at Lucy. She’d never been much of a winker before, but this little victory called for a wink if anything did.

“Janie, come with me. Let’s take a turn around the room. We’ll go slowly for the sake of your ankle,” Lucy said. “You’ll excuse us, won’t you, Lady Lowndes? There is a certain gentleman I’ve been wanting Jane to meet.”

Jane’s mother looked as if she’d just been told that Jane’s engagement was imminent. A smile spread across her face. “Oh, yes. Yes, of course. Please go. Have fun.”

“I shall see you later, Mama,” Jane said, waving as they left, arm in arm.

“That was a nice touch with the bit about the gentleman, Lucy,” Jane said with a laugh, after they were well away from her mother.