Edith Layton

Edith Layton by The Return of the Earl Page B

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don’t need it, maybe I could save it to wear on a more auspicious occasion? Here , of course,” she added quickly, so Sophie wouldn’t think she was a beggar looking for things to take home. “I’d have no need for something this modish at home.”
    “This is an auspicious occasion,” Sophie said. “If you can addle his wits, maybe you can find out more. When men are swayed by their eyes they don’t pay attention to their ears, or their brains.” She laughed. “And that’s definitely a wits-addling gown. I’m very glad my Hammond is constant as the sun in the sky. Actually, he offered for me the night I wore that gown, so if you’re worried about him thinking you’re out to entice him, don’t.”
    Since that was the last thing Julianne had beenthinking of, she fell silent. And now the gown suddenly looked a little less magnificent, more like the castoff it was than the most beautiful thing she’d ever put on her body. But still, there was no denying it was exquisite. Simple yet luxurious, it was a column of deep, rich, crimson raw silk. It had long sleeves, a daring neckline, and golden ribbons that crisscrossed beneath the breasts. A line of embroidered golden rosebuds marched along the hems of the sleeves and skirt.
    Julianne gazed at herself and was astonished at the transformation the gown and Sophie’s maid had made in her. She looked sophisticated, exotic, and definitely erotic. And yet, even so, entirely proper. She didn’t know how it was done although she’d paid careful attention to every step of the process, as had her own maid, who’d watched, wide-eyed.
    Sophie’s maid had brushed out Julianne’s brown hair and drawn it up and tied it with a red ribbon so it tumbled down in one long glossy ringlet against her shoulder. Julianne had held her breath and closed her eyes as the maid applied a whisper of soot over each eyelid. When she’d opened her eyes again, they’d looked huge, deep brown, and exotic. A drift of rouge along her cheekbones made those widened eyes look tilted. Sophie had giggled as Julianne gasped when a fingertip of rouge was lightly drawn down along the cleft of her breasts. But that accentuated their fullness, called the eyes to their buoyant shape, and made the valley between them mysterious.
    Julianne felt like an actress, or a fast woman, when the maid was done with her. But she also appeared sodeliciously appealing that she grew excited just looking at herself. She didn’t know if the man who called himself Christian Sauvage would be addled by her looks, but she definitely was.
    Sophie watched over the transformation, preening a little herself. She looked like a charming cherub in her gold gown, her curls dressed like a statue of a Greek god and shining like an angel’s. “A good lady’s maid knows all the tricks a good courtesan’s maid does,” she told Julianne. “The only difference is that a lady’s maid knows when to stop.”
    “I’ve something good to work with here, too,” the maid said, looking at Julianne. “…As I’m accustomed to,” she added hastily when she saw the look that flashed in her mistress’s eyes.
    “Well, one thing’s certain,” Julianne murmured. “He won’t recognize me. I’m not sure I do!”
    “Well, why should he?” Sophie said in an artificially bright voice, as she gave Julianne a warning look. “You never met the fellow before the other day. Unless it is my Hammond you’re speaking of?”
    Julianne winced. She’d forgotten no one else was to know of her purpose for being here. “Of course not, Sophie,” she stammered. “I only meant I feel transformed.”
    “Sukie, a very good job. You may go,” Sophie told her maid. “You too,” she told Julianne’s maid. “My cousin and I can carry on now alone.” She turned to Julianne the second the door closed behind the two maids.
    “I know, I know,” Julianne said wretchedly before she could speak. “A mistake. I shouldn’t have said it.No one’s to know

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