Bewitching Kisses (Bewitching Kisses Series) by RainyKirkland Page A

problem.”
    Reluctantly, Nick pulled himself from his work. He had lost too much time already, and his patience was beginning to wear thin. “Madame, I am up to my ears, as you can see.” He gestured to his cluttered desk. “If you fear the cost is a problem, best put it from your mind. Sarah may choose, with my blessing, anything you can create for her. Does that satisfy you?”
    Charlotte nodded. “You mean to purchase an entire wardrobe?”
    “Of course. The only clothing she has is the absurd garment that Mrs. Killingham was kind enough to lend to her.”
    Charlotte’s eyes narrowed with thought. “ Mon ami , ‘tis not that I don’t appreciate your business, but . . .”
    “Enough,” Nick interrupted. “Madame, I want her to be outfitted completely from the skin out and with a variety of gowns. The cost matters not, so let your conscience be at ease.”
    The smile faded from her lips. He’s in love, she thought, watching Nick’s dark head bend again over the column of figures. Charlotte felt the last dream of her youth begin to crumble. She was respected and successful, but Nick would never turn to her in wonder and declare his love. She would never feel his strong arms gather her close, except in friendship. He’s in love and he hasn’t even realized it yet, she thought. Her eyes pressed closed from the painful reality.
    Nearly fifteen years had passed since the night she had gathered her courage and approached Nicholas Beaumont in the Blue Horse Tavern. She had offered her body for his pleasure, knowing the pocket change he carried would pay her rent for more than a year, and although she had approached him privately, Nick’s friends had accurately interpreted her intentions. They publicly laughed and scorned her offer. Nick was legendary with the ladies, they touted. He didn’t have to pay for pleasure. And what would he want with an old hag like herself? Charlotte shuddered from the memory. She had been only six years his senior, but in that moment she had felt as ancient and desirable as Medusa. Desperation had given her a stubborn streak, and with her pride shattered, she had asked young Nicholas for a loan.
    Charlotte opened her eyes and smiled sadly as she watched Nick tally his last column of figures. He had known her only as the widow who did mending for his grandmother, but he had not laughed at her that night as his friends had done. He bought her a drink and a meal, listened intently to her needs, and then turned her down flat. He would not loan her the money, he had stated, but he would consider a partnership. And thus their unlikely friendship had been formed.
    With the burden of keeping a roof over her head lifted from her shoulders, she was free to do what she did best – design clothing. Nick arranged for her fabric to be imported at his expense, and within months she had had more orders than she could fill.Now, fifteen years later, she owned her own home and her own business. Her daughter lived in France studying the latest fashions and her son attended university in England. Five girls now worked for her, and everyone of station wore clothing made by Madame Rousseau. Nick looked up, piercing her with the crystal-clear sapphire eyes that always caused her heart to flutter.
    “I understand your intent, mon ami .” Charlotte struggled to keep her voice even and her smile in place. “But are you sure you wish to leave the choices to Sarah?”
    “I see no reason not to.” Nick made a final notation and set down his quill. “How soon can you have something ready?”
    Charlotte rose, feeling each of her thirty-nine years, and silently cursed the circumstances that had tossed Sarah onto Nick’s doorstep. “I shall send something around before the evening meal, mon ami .” Donning her cape, she paused at the door. “Just remember that I bow to your judgment in this matter and am doing as you wish.”

    Sarah smoothed the gentle folds of the new gown and surveyed herself in the tall