Compromising Miss Tisdale Read Online Free PDF Page A

now.”
    Duncan was quiet, trying to absorb the magnitude of such a statement.

 
    Chapter 5
    “So, did you meet him, then?” Lady Lillian Colton asked, holding up one of Ambrosia’s gowns, inspecting it, then tossing it to the floor.
    “I thought when a lady married, it was expected she take up residence in a home shared with her husband. Yet every time I turn around, I find you in my home. More specifically, in my room. It’s as if you’ve never left.” Ambrosia quickly picked up the gown and gently laid it across a chaise. “Meet whom exactly?”
    Her sister removed another gown from the wardrobe and shook her head. “These are truly awful. Who did you commission to create something so matronly? I’ve seen nuns’ habits that were more revealing.” Lilly tossed the rose-colored garment to the floor. “Lord Bristol, of course. Weren’t you at the Montgomery’s ball?”
    Ambrosia picked up the discarded gown. If it had been anyone but Lilly, she would have been incensed. But it was Lilly’s good natured honesty, coupled with intense caring, that made her the favorite of the family. “I’ll have you know that these dresses come from Madame Dubois’ on Bond Street. You can still be fashionable without displaying all your wares to the world. And yes, I was at the ball and I vaguely remember meeting a Lord Bristol.”
    And by vaguely, she meant the entire scene replayed itself within her mind at least a hundred times a day.
    Lilly stopped. “Only vaguely? I can’t see how he didn’t manage to make more of an impression on you when he is all anyone is talking about. I’ve heard of nothing else for nearly a week. So, is it true, then?”
    Ambrosia sighed, anxious to be done with the subject. “Is what true?”
    “Is he terribly handsome? Is he charming? Is he careless as to anyone’s opinion? Is he positively rakish? Is he everything they’re saying he is?”
    More. All that and more.
    Ambrosia set her hands on her hips. “Do try and contain yourself. May I remind you that you’re a married woman?”
    “I’m married, not dead,” she answered flatly.
    “You know how I detest gossip.”
    Lilly dramatically waved her hands in the air. “Yes, of course I do. How could I forget with that halo about your head and those wings you’re constantly flaunting?”
    Ambrosia seated herself on the bench at the end of her bed. “I’m hardly as good as all that,” she mumbled, waves of guilt flooding over her. What would her sister say if she knew when the opportunity for impropriety presented itself, she had thrown her proverbial halo right out the window? She had allowed the sight of a strange man’s chest to render her witless and fallen prey to temptation.
    Granted, it was quite an attractive chest, with all its muscled lines and bronzed skin, but that was hardly an acceptable excuse for falling from grace.
    “Of course you are, don’t be so humble. That’s why they chose you to lead that ridiculous group. What is it called again? The Organization for Women Against Frivolity and Humor or some such nonsense?”
    “I believe you are referring to The Organization for the Rejuvenation of a Virtuous Society . And it is hardly ridiculous. It’s a time-honored Tisdale tradition for us to serve. If only you were doing your part for posterity and joining our ranks.”
    Her sister smiled mischievously. “Of course it isn’t ridiculous. Any group with such a long and illustrious name could hardly be regarded as such.”
    Lilly stopped at a mirror for a moment and tried to tuck a loose curl back into place. She had been an awkward youth, resembling little of their beautiful mother, but with time had blossomed into a lovely young woman. She could have married anyone, but a childhood friend had stolen her heart. Lilly had been free to follow love wherever it led her. Luckily, it had led her to a love match with a Viscount, Lord Colton.
    Ambrosia reflexively touched her own hair.
    No loose curls. Never a tendril