Duchess by Chance(51)

“Is the neckline not too low, Molly?” Eva chewed her lip, eyeing the expanse of exposed bosom.

“No more than many and a great deal less than some.” The maid moved to do up the tiny buttons that ran the length of Eva’s spine.

The sleeves were fitted to the elbow and Eva slipped on a pair of ivory gloves, while on her feet were matching slippers. Molly draped a gossamer blue shawl around her shoulders and then urged her from the room as Eva thanked her profusely.

“Daniel.”

He turned as she walked into the parlor and the look in his eyes told Eva everything she needed to know.

“I have no words to describe your beauty, Duchess.”

She felt beautiful with his eyes on her as she walked toward him.

“You take my breath away.”

“Thank you, it is the loveliest dress I have ever owned.”

“That neckline is very low.”

Eva felt a flush color her skin as he looked at her breasts. “No more than others, Daniel,” Eva solemnly quoted Molly.

“God help me, it will be a long evening,” he muttered, handing her a long, velvet case.

Eva opened it and stared at the sapphire and diamond necklace and bracelet nestled inside.

“It is so beautiful and you have already given me so much.”

“These have been worn only by the Duchess of Stratton.” Daniel lifted the necklace and obediently, Eva turned. “I have one more gift for you, Duchess,” he added, releasing her to remove a small box from inside his jacket pocket once the necklace was fastened.

The ring nestled amongst the red velvet folds was a delicate gold band with a perfectly formed diamond flanked by two smaller rubies.

“I have never seen anything so beautiful, Daniel.”#p#分页标题#e#

“It was my grandmother’s.” He took the ring from the box and lifted her hand. “The one I gave you before was my grandfather’s,” he said ruefully.

Eva watched as he slipped it onto her finger. The fit was perfect. “Thank you.” She placed a shy kiss on his cheek.

“You can now return my grandfather’s ring, which I am ashamed to say I should never have given you.”

No, I can’t, because my father has it! Guilt, thick and heavy, settled on her shoulders.

“Well, Duchess, shall we head to your first ball?”

She nodded and put her hand on his arm and thankfully he mistook her silence for nerves.

Lord and Lady Sutton lived ten minutes from the Stratton townhouse but the journey took over thirty minutes, due to the traffic. By the time their carriage finally pulled up outside the ball venue, Eva was beyond nervous.

“Eva, I will be with you, as will Claire and Simon. Surely you can see we will let nothing happen to you?” Daniel took the small reticule from her hands and untangled the silk ribbons. He had tried to talk to her and take her mind off her fears but she would not be soothed.

“I know all you say is true, Daniel, yet I am not one of these people by birth, only by marriage.”

“And you are now a duchess. Never forget that fact, wife.”

“I will not forget.”

“Before we go in, there is one more thing I wish to discuss with you, Eva, and I must ask you to honor my wishes.”

She nodded focusing on his face.

“I have asked that Lord Huxley not be invited here tonight, but if he does get in then you must stay away from him or come directly to me or Simon. Do not engage with him in anyway, Eva, I need you to promise me this.”

“He will not attempt to seek me out.”

Daniel wasn’t happy with her answer but as the door had just been opened there was little more he could say about the matter.

Light blazed from the Sutton house as Daniel and Eva walked inside and joined the receiving line. Her fingers dug into his arm, yet her face betrayed none of her tension and he wondered if this was also a remnant of her childhood.

“The Duke and Duchess of Stratton!”

“Oh dear Lord, my dinner is about to make a reappearance,” Eva whispered, then tried to turn and run.

Daniel, however, had other ideas. Placing an arm around her waist, he walked her forward until they stood before Lord and Lady Sutton. “May I introduce my duchess?”

Daniel shook Lord Sutton’s hand. Eva’s smile was at best a grimace as she dropped into a curtsy.

“It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, my dear.”

Eva stuttered something and then smiled.

Daniel, who was most often the recipient of Eva’s smiles, watched the old lord smile back. She had a very sweet, disarming quality about her that made a person want to respond. He could see in Lord Sutton’s rheumy eyes that the elderly man had taken an instant liking to her.