She never should have agreed to Lady Dibbleshire’s plea that India refurbish her drawing room, no matter how interesting a challenge it was to strip the room of its Egyptian furnishings. Who would have guessed that taking on the task of ordering people’s lives would have tarnished her lily-white wings?Īt that moment, the door to the sitting room opened and her suitor’s mother appeared. Still, her godmother accompanied her everywhere-even now Lady Adelaide Swift was likely within earshot-and if nothing else, Adelaide’s chaperonage had ensured that India remain as pure as the driven snow despite her unfortunate occupation. But as she was the daughter of a marquess, technically a Dibbleshire would be lucky to dance with her. True, her reputation was tarnished by the fact that she refused to stay home practicing her needlework.
they will accept you, once you have the benefit of becoming Baroness Dibbleshire.”Īggravation marched up her spine like a troop of perfectly dressed soldiers. A plight to which you were driven, a point I shall make early and often. The protection of my title-and, of course, yours as well-will overcome the ill effects of your unfortunate occupation. But I have made up my mind, Lady Xenobia. “I know that you will refuse me, owing to your inestimable modesty. “Please do get up,” she said, resisting the urge to groan. Clair,” he bellowed, widening his eyes to indicate his own shock at this declaration. “I will marry you, Lady Xenobia India St. But before India could comment on the truth (or lack thereof), he toppled onto his knees. I have fought against my better judgment and while I realize that there are those who consider your reputation to be sullied by your profession, I know the truth. “I mean, no! No honor is too great for you. “I know,” he responded, rather unexpectedly. The smile didn’t seem to work, so she trotted out her standard answer: “You do me too much honor, Lord Dibbleshire, but-” Whatever she came up with would be better than an utterly inappropriate shriek of Bloody hell, not again! Daughters of marquesses-even deceased and arguably mad marquesses-did not shriek. Though she wasn’t positive that smile even existed. She tried to summon up a perfect smile, kind but not encouraging. India managed not to step back, but it took an effort. “In vain have I struggled, but I can no longer contain my ardent feelings I must reveal to you, no, enlighten you about the depths of my emotion!”
Lord Dibbleshire’s brow was beaded with sweat and his hands were trembling.
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