Chills by Heather Boyd Page B

done so for years.”
    “I thought you were already acquainted with her?”
    Virginia scowled. “He is being a beast about it. Besides I am hoping that word of your elegant presence on his arm will bring her out into the open. If my intended was dancing about during the season with a very pretty woman constantly on his arm, I would hurry myself to London quick smart. Either the woman or her relatives shall come running to confront my brother. I just hope to be around to identify them.”
    “You’re planning on using me as bait?”
    “That is such a terrible way to describe it, but, yes, I suppose I am. Do you see how desperate I've become about the matter? If only he would speak of it to me, but he is annoyingly closed-mouthed. He even went so far as to deny the betrothal existed, but I know better. Our father confirmed the arrangement before he died. He just didn’t share the woman’s name. But there is a lovely benefit for me—I get the advantage of having your company while I await the opportunity to find out who she is. Can you imagine a greater happiness?”
    Constance pressed her hands to her face, aghast at her predicament. She refused to become involved in any scheme that might irritate Jack further. Her presence was burden enough.

CHAPTER SEVEN

    PREPARING FOR HER first London ball was a nerve-racking experience. Constance gripped the sides of her ball gown and then chastised herself. She did not want to wrinkle the deep blue silk, but still, she fidgeted with the neckline. No matter how she tugged and pushed, she could not hide her physical assets. Her breasts looked about to spill out of the gown. One inelegant stumble and society would know far too much about her.
    “You look beautiful,” Virginia complimented from her spot by the door. “The gentlemen will have a hard time keeping their eyes from you. I told you my brother has excellent taste.”
    Constance blanched. In the confusion of ordering, she hadn’t remembered one dress from the next. Had Jack chosen this gravity-defying ball gown? She quickly considered whether she would have enough time to change, but the marquess had already sent up a note asking them to hurry along. She couldn’t delay.
    “You look lovely, too. Pink is a wonderful color for you. On me, it looks hideous.”
    Grasping her courage along with her evening reticule, she moved away from the mirror’s startling reflection. Virginia watched her with a fond smile. Did she really not care that her brother’s choice of gown threatened to make a scandal all its own?
    But Virginia merely adjusted the chain around her neck and then touched her cheek. “Come, my brother is impatient to be on his way. They are waiting for us in the library.”
    Determined to keep the evening on a festive note, Constance refrained from uttering her fears aloud. Virginia appeared content for the first time since her arrival. She didn’t want to ruin her friend’s pleasure.  
    But Constance frowned. “They? Is Lord Hallam attending the ball with us? I thought he had little interest in London society.”
    “Who can understand what Lord Hallam thinks? He has it in his head to join our party. I do hope he has done something constructive with his appearance. At least, I hope he possesses a decent set of evening clothes.”
    “I am sure he will have done his best,” Constance assured her. But the comment about Lord Hallam intrigued her. Virginia’s reactions and contemplations were unconsciously done, but she had a much deeper interest in the gruff man than she cared to acknowledge.
    “At least I can count on Hallam to frighten away the dull and dim-witted. Lady Huntley has a rather broad circle of acquaintances, I’m sorry to say. I cannot believe Jack agreed to attend this event as our first. He doesn’t often associate with the Huntley’s. Aside from pleasing your mama, which I think there is little chance of anyway, I wonder if there is a connection to his future bride. We must keep our ears