Page 28 of How to Fall for a Scoundrel

“Dear God! Is this what the world’s like when youdon’twear glasses? Everything’s all blurry.”

“It is,” Ellie confirmed.

“It’s like that time we pilfered a bottle of Father’s apple brandy and got foxed down by the river at Hollyfield. Everything’s swimming.”

Ellie reclaimed her glasses. “I remember it well. It was a horrid sensation. I thought my brain was going to fall out of my skull. Never again.”

“Forget the spectacles,” Daisy said. “I need to see what I’m doing.”

A knock at the front door made Ellie’s stomach somersault, and she braced herself to see Harry, but it was a deliveryman instead.

“Is there a Carlotta Pellegrini at this address?”

Tess grinned and pointed toward Ellie. “That’s her. The famous Italian contralto herself.”

Ellie rolled her eyes, but accepted the package the man held forward. She gave him a gracious nod, careful not to dislodge her wig.

“Grazie,” she murmured—the only Italian word she knew.

When the man departed, the three of them gathered around as Ellie untied the string and peeled open the unassuming brown paper wrapping.

Tess let out a low whistle when she saw the flat, red-leather box within.

“That’s from Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. Justin’s always buying me things from there. Even when I tell him he shouldn’t.”

“Oh, the misfortune of having a rich, besotted husband,” Daisy teased. “Would that we were all so afflicted!”

Tess stuck her tongue out at her.

Ellie flipped the metal catch and lifted the lid, and all three of them stilled. Inside lay the most dazzling necklace, earrings, and bracelet she’d ever seen.

“Are those emeralds? And diamonds?”

“It would seem so,” Tess breathed.

Daisy gave a little hum of approval. “Scoundrel or not, your Monsieur Bonheur has impeccable taste.”

“He’s not mine,” Ellie murmured. “And these had better not be stolen.”

With shaking hands, she donned the jewels. The smooth cabochon emeralds matched the green of her dress perfectly, while the faceted diamonds sent rainbow flecks of light onto her skin.

“You look like a princess,” Daisy said.

“Or a very expensive whore,” Ellie said.

“You’re going to be the envy of every woman who sees you tonight.” Tess’s eyes shone with pride.

“And the object of desire for every man,” Daisy added with a grin. “Wallflower you are definitelynot.”

Ellie groaned, but the door knocker interrupted her protest.

“Courage!” Tess said bracingly. “You’ll find that book if it’s hidden at Willingham’s, I know it. Now, go and have some fun!”

Carson, Harry’s coachman, stood on the step, andEllie quashed another stab of disappointment. Did Harry mean to meet her at Willingham’s?

She drew her evening cloak around her shoulders, covering her dress completely, and was about to climb up into the carriage when a gloved hand emerged from the dark interior, and she glanced up into Harry’s handsome face.

He took her fingers, and the firm touch made her pulse rate double as she climbed in and sat opposite him.