When a Girl Loves an Earl (Rescued from Ruin Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

from Bowman’s had entered into an agreement with the modiste to display selected bonnets and turbans inside the shop, serving as inspiration to ladies seeking a complete ensemble. Both partnerships had been Charlotte’s suggestions, and the measures had put the dressmaker in high demand, indeed.
    “Besides,” Viola continued, grinning up into the woman’s shrewd, dark eyes. “So many ladies clamor for your designs, it would be months before you could possibly complete another order, would it not?”
    “Non essere sciocca. For you, Miss Darling, always there is time.”
    Viola thought she heard one of Mrs. Bowman’s assistants squawk in protest. The dressmaker fired a rapid blast of Italian at the poor girl before striding away, snapping her fingers impatiently.
    Charlotte came to stand beside Viola. “Unfortunately for her assistants, I believe she means that. A good deal of credit for Mrs. Bowman’s success may be placed at your feet, Vi.”
    “Mine? How do you mean?”
    “Come now. You have worn her creations exclusively both last season and this. Every young lady in Mayfair now scurries to Mrs. Bowman’s door seeking a mere drop of your sorcery.” With a wry quirk of her lips, Charlotte angled a glance toward the corner where Mrs. Bowman stood thumbing impatiently through pages of fashion plates, thrusting this one and that into the trembling hands of her harried assistant. “If I am correct, I may be able to increase your discount. Perhaps even negotiate an arrangement involving no funds at all, merely a recommendation of her services to a few more of your acquaintances.”
    The calculating glint in Charlotte’s eye was a familiar sight. It appeared often during Charlotte’s visits to the pawnbroker, where she sold her possessions to accrue her “nest egg.” Viola occasionally accompanied her on such outings. They had been educational.
    “You believe you can persuade her to create my gowns gratis?” Viola laughed lightly. “I fear you overestimate my influence.”
    Green-gold eyes flared in disbelieving silence, searching her face as though bewildered. “Vi, your beauty is … otherworldly. No diamond of the first water has ever shone brighter. You realize this, do you not?”
    As always when anyone commented upon her appearance, a prickle of discomfort itched beneath Viola’s skin. “Silly goose. I am as human as anyone. Have you heard me play the harp? Dreadful noise.”
    “Musical talent is not why gentlemen behave like hounds scenting a beefsteak whenever you enter a room.”
    Viola wrinkled her nose and smoothed the white embroidered cambric of her skirt. “Fools, all. Why do you suppose I have not accepted any of them? With scarcely more than a single glance, they declare their deathless affection.”
    “Precisely. They are enchanted. Bewitched.”
    “Fiddle-faddle. They seek to possess a shiny bauble. To them, I am a novelty. Nothing more.”
    Charlotte sighed and rolled her eyes. “Believe as you will, but I have seen it. Even my cousin Andrew has fallen under your spell.”
    Tiring of the subject, Viola replied, “Perhaps if one of my admirers had hoisted Mr. Maynard aloft with a single hand and tossed him upon a refreshment table defending my honor, I would take their regard more seriously. However, I have not been so fortunate.”
    Her friend’s snort was followed by a shake of her head. “If you are so intrigued by Lord Tannenbrook, I shall introduce you. Once you see us together, all will become clear.”
    A silvery shiver ran down Viola’s spine. “He is in town for the season?”
    “Mmm. Arrived two days ago. He may even attend Lady Reedham’s gathering this evening. Have we decided if it is a supper or a musicale? Her note was rather vague. I do hope it is a supper. Musicales are …”
    Viola did not hear the rest. The most peculiar sensation had settled in her belly—like a glowing stone surrounded by excitable champagne. Something about this Lord Tannenbrook