An Exquisite Marriage Read Online Free PDF

go on to add any of the usual adjectives, for which Helene was grateful.
    â€œI am,” admitted Helene.
    They curtsied to each other with ridiculous formality.
    Miss Sewell stretched her gloved hand toward the coals, either to warm it or to watch the play of the light across the satin—Helene could not be sure. “May I ask you a question, Lady Helene?”
    â€œI have no way to prevent you.”
    â€œAre you possibly the person who wrote that wonderfully pointed article published in the
Armitage Review
about the natural history of the London starling?”
    Helene drew back. No one was supposed to know about that. It hadn’t even been a serious piece of scientific literature. It was merely a little satire about the seasonal habits of the denizens of London’s ballroom. She’d surprised herself by submitting it for consideration. She’d been stunned beyond words to find it accepted, and paid for.
    â€œYes, I am,” she said. “Although I would ask you to keep the fact to yourself. The magazine thinks it was written by a male cousin of mine.”
And I might need to do it again.
    â€œI understand fully.”
    Yes
, thought Helene.
You would, wouldn’t you?
“May I assume that you did write
The Matchless
?”
    Miss Sewell inclined her head. “Yes, you may, although I tell you in strictest confidence. The mystery has done wonders for the book’s sales.”
    â€œOf course.” If there was one thing Helene could appreciate, it was the practical application of anonymity, especially for a woman.
    â€œBut I am disturbing your quiet,” Miss Sewell said. “Accept my apologies.”
    â€œNo,” Helene said. “I was leaving anyway. I . . .” She paused and made a decision. “Miss Sewell, may I ask you a question? As a disinterested person?”
    Miss Sewell cocked her head, and despite the dim room, Helene had a feeling she was being carefully scrutinized. “You may ask anything you like, Lady Helene. I am entirely at your disposal.”
    â€œI am . . . I find . . . That is . . .” Oh, this was ridiculous. “I do not wish to sound dramatic, but I have been presented with a possibility that might, quite literally, change my life. I assure you I am not in any way overstating the case.”
    â€œI believe you,” Miss Sewell replied calmly.
    â€œThe risk is high,” Helene went on. “It would require nothing less than the transformation of not one but three persons on the social scene.”
    She had seen the possibility in Adele’s notebooks, in all those beautifully, meticulously designed and notated dresses. Everyone knew how society valued appearance over every other virtue. Almost anything was possible, as long as one looked the part. Of course, that was not the only key to success. Connections were required as well, but appearance was the beginning. If that could be managed, then everything else could be made to follow.
    She might be able to make the world forget the jilt and the hysteric, and make them see the dignified and competent woman, the lady, one of their own. And that might be leveraged into a way to save her siblings from the ruin into which they had been driven. Of course there would be a price for that, too, but she would pay it willingly.
    Or, almost willingly. Lord Windford’s blue eyes looked out from her memory, and Helene shivered, just a little.
    â€œYou want to change your reputation?” Miss Sewell asked quietly.
    â€œNot just mine,” Helene said. “There are some others. I think I see the way. I think . . . but it involves several serious sorts of risk. If a girl goes forth into society with a too-obvious intent to triumph and she falls, she may never rise again.”
    Miss Sewell nodded. “We are not a forgiving world, are we?”
    â€œNo,” agreed Helene. Miss Sewell was silent for some little time,