Page 85 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke

Did she want to see William too?

“So I guess these things might actually come into good use. Then I would properly thank you,” Joane said.

Emma laughed.

“Forget about him, Joane. You go have fun.”

Joane walked out of the room first, Emma followed closely behind. Joane lifted the skirt of her gown a bit, reluctant to allow it rub the floor and gather dirt so early. The carriage was already waiting for them with the driver waiting for them.

“You look magnificent,” Mr. Bruce said to both of them before they got into the carriage.

“Thank you Mr. Bruce, we shall set off now, shan’t we?” Joane said.

“Yes ma, immediately,” he replied.

He shook the reins, causing the horses pulling the cart to move forward. The ride was smooth and uneventful. Joane couldn’t calm her mind down.

What if William shows up?

She didn’t wait too long to find out. Mr. Bruce got the horses to run as fast as sense allowed him to allow and got them there in less than thirty minutes. Emma got down first. Joane followed her friend, almost stepping on the tail end of her virgin white gown with shoulder-less pads. Joane looked at her friend from behind.

How did I not notice before we left home?

Emma looked more ravishing than Joane had ever seen her. The gown was a perfect fit for her structure, filling her out and letting her body that shape in just the right places. The front of the gown had a diving neckline, giving a good glimpse into the creamy split of Emma’s bust. Joane drew her friend’s hand on the staircase. She wanted to say this before they entered the hall and were distracted by something else.

“You look beautiful today Emma. I’m sorry I didn’t notice at home,” she said.

“As far as you noticed, I’m good. And I did know I was beautiful this afternoon,” Emma replied before turning back to walk into the hall.

The hall was huge and spacious.

A lot of time would have been spent on these decorations. They arereally impressive.

There were complex twists and bends of ribbons that stretched from the ceiling, ending at the lower ends of the walls, almost touching the floor. The flower arrangement was magnificent. There were beautiful combinations of almost all the types of flowers Joane knew, and in different colours.

“I want to know who did these decorations. The person is a genius,” Joane said aloud.

Emma turned back to face her.

“You said what?”

“The decorations, they are amazing,”

“You can say that again. I’m impressed. The Duke of Bedford is serious about this,” Emma said.

There were already a lot of people in the hall and a lot more looked to arrive. Almost everyone she saw was in excited discussion. The instrumentalists were already set but were not playing, for a reason Joane couldn’t see. She felt a tap on her shoulder.

“Joane,” Emma called.

Joane turned to face her friend who was looking in another direction. Joane followed her friend’s gaze and when she saw him she couldn’t take her eyes away.

William.

He was wearing almost entirely black, only the hint of white from the shirt under his blazer prevented him from being in pure black. His hair was brushed back and must have been oiled because it shone in the afternoon light.

He is just too handsome.

The hint of blond stubble roughed up his chin, adding to his allure. He put his hands by his side. Joane’s skin warmed up, the trails William’s touch had created increasing in temperature as she remembered what his hands had done to her. He wiped his mouth with his left hand, leaving his fingers to linger on his lips before he brought them down. Joane wished again that he touched her with those fingers. She wished he covered her mouth with his while setting her body alight with the digits on each hand.