The Scoundrel's Secret Siren Read Online Free PDF Page B

take so well once she had been launched into Society.
    “I should not say so , of course,” Julia continued. “Mama has worked very hard to organise this party, and I expect I shall soon grow accustomed to fashionable hours. I’d be mortified if the guests thought me a vulgar mushroom.”
    “It is the finest garden party I have ever attended,” Lorelei kindly assured her new friend, feeling it better not to mention that she could count the garden parties she had attended on the fingers of one hand. The general did not think much of garden parties.
    “You are too kind,” Julia said shyly.
    “Oh, not at all. ”
    “Only, you know, it will be such a mortification if I do not take,” Julia confided.
    “I see no reason why you would not! And this is only your first party, after all. I think you are doing exceedingly well. You have very pretty manners! I am certain you will conduct yourself beautifully on the ton and make a hit! I myself have too much archness to take very well, I am told. Why, just this morning I had an interview with the Patronesses. Lady Hurst says it’s imperative that I should be launched at Almack’s and I don’t think I had ever been so nervous in all my life!”
    Mrs Drummond-Burrell had made Lorelei anxious without having so much as spoken a single word. She had merely watched every move Lorelei had made: Lorelei had felt as though the woman was waiting for her to commit some shocking faux pas . Worse yet, the lady had been wearing a truly intimidating turban, in a recent Russian fashion, tastefully arranged atop her head. It spoke of refinement and authority. The artist who had arranged her headdress had obviously been one of great merit.
    Julia shot Lorelei a nervous look. She could see that being launched into Society didn’t seem to bother Lorelei in the least. Her own interview had certainly been excessively gruelling and Julia doubted if she would ever be able to laugh about it. Luckily, she was spared from having to think of a reply.
    “ There you are, my dear! I have been looking for you all over the room, and I certainly did not expect to find you hiding at the back!” A cheerful voice intruded, and Lorelei turned to see a handsome young woman with lively eyes, who bore a close resemblance to Lady Julia.
    "Eloise! How glad I am that you are here!” There was obvious delight in Lady Julia’s tone. “I was worried you’d find the roads impassable because of all the rain we’ve had.”
    “Well, and how do you like that? Take care , my dear, or you shall offend your guests and your mama besides. And I would certainly not have missed your first party because of so silly a thing as roads.”
    Julia quickly looked around , visibly relaxing upon finding that no one was paying them any heed. “Oh, no! It is only that I have not seen you in so very long. But you must allow me to introduce Miss Lorelei Lindon – it is to be her first Season also. Miss Lindon, my Aunt Gilmont, though I am obliged to call her ‘Eloise’.”
    The lady in question shook Lorelei’s hand, laughing merrily. “ I am sure it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Lindon,” she said with mock gravity. “Before you are well and truly scandalised, however, allow me to explain that it is because I am only four years Julia’s senior, and I find it would be an absurdity for her to call me ‘aunt’!”
    Lorelei found that she liked Lady Gilmont because of her easy and unassuming manners and the warmth of character that was evident in her every word. At Julia’s request, Lady Gilmont told them of her bride-tour of Italy. Her way of speaking was engaging enough that even the mostly uneventful experiences were suddenly found to be very droll.
    “It is strange, I own, to return to London a married lady and a matron!”
    “ Then I had better gift you with a suitable cap, my dear, because certainly the feathers on yours cannot be at all appropriate! You husband must be burning with shame,” a masculine