How to Woo... A Reluctant Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

with long sleeves and a high neckline her mother had chosen.
    “Then you must wear the sari,” Zahra said. “Evan will be ever so pleased.”
    “But I do not even know how it works,” Lydia protested.
    Zahra pulled her into the bedroom. “Come, I will show you.”
    Reluctantly, Lydia agreed. After Zahra had helped her unlace her gown and corset, Lydia moved behind a screen to remove her undergarments.
    “You may keep your petticoat on,” Zahra told her. She handed Lydia the red blouse. “Put this on, it is called a choli, and then I will help you with the sari.”
    Lydia was glad to see the choli hooked up the front, but she still felt naked without her corset and camisole. The silk was beautiful, though, and she found the garment intriguing.
    When she stepped out from behind the screen, Zahra held up the sari and showed her how to drape it around her waist, one end tucked into the waistband of her petticoat, then wound anti-clockwise with the free end over her left shoulder.
    Zahra turned her toward a mirror, and said, “There. What do you think?”
    “It’s beautiful,” Lydia admitted, admiring her reflection. Her color was high, no doubt from embarrassment, but the garment was nearly as elegant on her as it was on the petite Zahra. Only a hint of flesh showed at her midriff, but it was still the most daring outfit she had ever worn. Married women are supposed to have more freedom , she reminded herself.
    “You look most lovely, Miss Lydia,” Zahra said. “Shall we go downstairs and show the gentlemen?”
    Lydia spun to look at her? “Must we? Should it not be a surprise for our wedding night?”
    Zahra pursed her lips. “Will you promise me you will wear it then? Can you promise me that?”
    “No,” Lydia whispered.
    “At least you are honest. Come,” Zahra said briskly. “Evan must see what a beauty he is to marry.”
    “All right,” Lydia agreed, “but only Evan.”
    Zahra laughed and patted her cheek. “Your modesty is very becoming. Evan will enjoy teaching you the ways of love.”
    Lydia felt her face flame even brighter. “You seem like such a woman of the world. Most English spinsters are not so worldly.”
    “Spinster?” Zahra’s body shook with laughter. “I am no such person.”
    “But you are unmarried. What else would you be called?”
    Zahra merely shrugged, and suddenly Lydia understood. Zahra wasn’t just a family friend. She was Frederick Channing’s mistress.
    * * *
    “What do you think?” Frederick asked after the ladies left the dining room. He removed his suit jacket and Evan did the same, glad for a chance to relax and cool off for a few moments.
    “I think it went fairly well,” Evan admitted, fingering his glass of port. “Lydia was a good sport, though I do not think curry is much to her liking. She ate very little, but then, she seldom does.” He looked up at his uncle. “Do I make her nervous?”
    Frederick smiled. “A little, I think. That will not last once you are married. Her life is about to change and she knows not what to expect. It is only natural for her to be a little apprehensive.”
    Evan took a sip of port. “I should have insisted on a long engagement, given her time to get to know me, to like me.”
    “I think she likes you well enough,” Frederick assured him. “She trusted you enough to come here tonight. She just needs some time.”
    “Something we do not have,” Evan said glumly. “The wedding is only a few weeks away.”
    He stood when he heard female voices in the next room, but soon Zahra appeared in the doorway. “Evan, you are required in the parlor.”
    When both men stood, Zahra put a hand on Frederick’s chest. “Not you, just Evan.”
    Frederick smiled and sank back into his chair. “Then I will just have another glass of port.” He winked at Evan.
    He followed Zahra into the parlor.
    “May I introduce Miss Lydia, of London and Calcutta,” she announced.
    Evan looked past her to see his future bride clad in a red