“Lady Eldridge has ordered me to make certain you commission at least five new gowns,” Madame Girard said.
Eve’s gaze flicked toward her brother. “I have several gowns in my wardrobe already. Five seems extravagant.”
Lord Thorne nodded at Helena. “I am trusting you to make certain she commissions twice that many. A beautiful young lady deserves beautiful dresses.”
“Sebastian, that’s too much. Really, I have what I need.”
“You heard your brother, Miss Thorne.” Madame Girard clapped her hands, the matter apparently resolved in her mind. “Come along.”
The modiste commandeered Eve, practically dragging her to a long table with fashion plates scattered over the surface.
“Oh my!” Eve held up a sketch. “Helena, you must see this gown. It is spectacular.”
Lord Thorne detained Helena before she could comply. His dark eyes sparkled and made Helena’s knees shake. “Thank you, my lady. She hasn’t been this happy in a long time.”
Helena could barely think to form a response with the heat of his touch searing through her sleeve. “It—it’s my pleasure.”
He flashed a smile, then took his leave as Helena joined Eve and Madame Girard at the table. The shop seemed less lively with him gone, as if he took the warmth and light with him. Butterflies stirred in her belly as she anticipated their next encounter. And she was ashamed to admit the prospect of receiving news about her sister only partly accounted for her excitement.
Eleven
Sebastian took a moment to savor the mouthwatering aroma of ham and eggs the footman at Brooks’s set before him. Even though he was ravenous from his morning ride, he delayed satisfying his appetite. He had learned taking his time often wrought the most pleasure when he finally rewarded himself.
Lady Prestwick’s plump bottom lip came to mind and he smiled. Their daily encounters over the last week to report on his search for the servant girl increased his hunger for the lovely viscountess, and when he finally had her beneath him, it would be the sweetest of rewards.
He lifted his fork in preparation of devouring his meal just as the Earl of Ellis entered the room. Sebastian’s appetite vanished.
The earl scanned the room, locked his gaze on Sebastian, and headed in his direction with a determined set to his jaw. Several members of the club abandoned their activities to gawk.
God’s blood! He didn’t want to deal with Ellis or the curious stares. Before he knew it, he could be at the center of a ridiculous wager not of his doing, which was typically the case where he and Ellis were concerned.
Sebastian snatched up his knife with a snarl and vigorously sawed the ham on his plate.
Ellis stopped at the table and lifted a brow. “I don’t know what the ham did to earn your displeasure, but I’m sure it meant no offense.”
Sebastian popped a piece in his mouth, ignoring the earl and his oh-so-clever quip.
Ellis sat across the table as if they hadn’t had a falling-out. A ripple of whispers traveled the room and several gents perked up. Eyes locked on them, perhaps hoping for some excitement. Sebastian ignored them.
“Have you seen this yet?” Ellis pulled a bundle from under his arm and plopped it on the table. It was a copy of the ladies’ magazine Le Monde Couture.
“Following ladies’ fashions now, are you?”
Despite his irritation with the earl, Sebastian couldn’t help smiling as he recalled his conversation with Lady Prestwick about ladies’ drawers. The attractive pink that had infused her cheeks had been worth the risk of shocking her. It reminded him of that just-shagged flush ladies got.
Ellis opened the magazine and pushed it toward him. “She looks lovely.”
Staring back at him in glorious splendor was Eve in one of Madame Girard’s elegant gowns. The engraving caught her likeness in fine detail and the caption made him choke up. Miss Thorne turned heads at the Marblewick Ball in a stunning creation by talented modiste, Madame Girard.
When he looked up, Ellis grinned. “According to my mother-in-law, Miss Thorne drew many compliments at Lady Langston’s soiree last week too. I know it’s not your habit to read the Society column, but your sister’s beauty, charm, and amiable disposition have been mentioned several times recently.”