Duchess by Chance(79)

…

The ball preparations had gone well. Even Claire had visited the Dowager Duchess’s house and declared the setting fabulous, and now, finally, the night had arrived.

“I can’t seem to stop shaking,” Eva whispered as she looked around the room her grandmother had allocated her for this evening’s preparations. She had been insistent that they stay here for the night and although Daniel had grumbled, he had eventually given in. Molly and Hannah, one of her grandmother’s maids, were now helping her get ready.

“You will be the belle of the ball, your Grace.” Molly picked up her petticoats and shook them out. “And you will have the duke at your side.”

Eva rolled her eyes. Like every other female she knew, Molly was now firmly under Daniel’s spell.

Hannah dropped the dress over Eva’s head and twitched the silken folds into place. “No one will be able to keep their eyes from you, your Grace, in this dress.”

Had Eva the choice, she would have chosen one of her old dresses. Anything to keep people from looking at her. Suddenly, she felt besieged with nerves. Hosting her own ball - how could she hope to pull this off?#p#分页标题#e#

Hannah opened the door to a knock, then returned, carrying two boxes. “These are for you, your Grace.”

Eva’s hands shook as she took the first box, a long, slim one. She opened it and found a small golden heart with a diamond and ruby pressed into the centre.

“Oh, my,” Hannah whispered, moving closer. “Tis the most beautiful necklace I have ever seen.”

Lifting the chain, Eva studied the heart, her own thudding loudly as she realized there were initials on the necklace, too. The D was entwined with the E, linking them forever.

“There is a note, your Grace,” Molly said, pointing to the small square of paper nestled against the white satin.

Eva stepped backwards until her thighs touched the bed, then sank down onto the cover. Opening the note with trembling fingers, Eva saw Daniel’s strong scrawl on the paper before her.

I love you, D

“Oh, Daniel,” Eva sighed.

“Your Grace?”

“I’m fine, Molly.” Eva waved her hand at the maid. She reached for the second bigger box and opened the lid. Inside was a wooden box. With gentle hands, she lifted it out. The top and one side were glass and inside, Eva could see a small stage. Porcelain figures appeared to be dancing inside a miniature ballroom, each so delicate they almost looked real. Musicians held their instruments as if they were about to play.

“There is a handle to wind, your Grace.”

Both Hannah and Molly now stood close, eagerly looking at the box. Molly was pointing to the back.

Eva quickly turned it and the sweet sound of a minuet filled the air. Inside the case, the little figures began to turn as the floor moved beneath them.

“It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” Eva couldn’t take her eyes off it. Everything was so perfect, each detail exquisite.

“Here, let me put that pretty box on the side table, your Grace. We must finish your dressing now.”

Bemused, Eva let the maids help her to her feet. She stood, unmoving, as they finished fussing with her dress, then placed the necklace around her neck. The love she shared with Daniel humbled her and she felt warmth spread through her body. Soon there would be another in their life. Eva placed a hand over her stomach. Their child, created out of love.

“Your gloves, your Grace.”

Thank you,” Eva did not even glance in the mirror as Molly ushered her out the door. Thoughts tumbled through her head. Only Daniel would know what a musical box would mean to her. Touching the heart at her neck, she went to find her husband.



Daniel had been pacing at the bottom of the stairs for several minutes when he finally heard Eva call his name.

“Daniel.”

She was a vision, a siren sent to enslave him. Wrapped in satin the color of the deepest ocean, he could see the curves of her breasts above a fitted bodice. The skirts fell in a waterfall of rippling silk and each step she took outlined the length of her legs. The hem lifted slightly at the front and was caught in place with tiny sparkling diamonds and Daniel was vastly relieved to see an underskirt of darker blue beneath. Had he glimpsed her skin, he would have carried her straight back to whence she came and slaked the lust gripping his body. Her maid had piled her luxurious locks high, leaving one long ringlet to rest on her shoulder. Light glinted above, picking out the small diamonds tucked into the sable curls. He noted the heart necklace resting on her creamy skin.

“You look beautiful, my love.”

She took the hand he held out to her. “And you are so handsome, my love.”