“Grae will go mad when he sees you in this dress,” Sophia gushed. “And I have just the combs to wear with it.”
“Grae is going, too?” Would Sophia and Robert and Marguerite also join them?
“Grae is taking you to the opera, dear Ana. He enlisted my help in getting everything that you would need ready. He’ll be here at seven to pick you up.”
“You’re not coming?” Arista asked, still in shock. The opera. With Grae. Just the two of them together?
“I don’t think my brother would appreciate my presence tonight.” Sophia grinned. “Come. We’ll have tea, and then I’ll send for a bath and Becky will help you get ready.” Sophia carefully set the dress back on the bed and Arista followed her blindly to the parlor. It was as though she were walking through a dream.
They would be alone tonight in a crowd of hundreds. She would be exposed and vulnerable, at Grae’s side, dressed only as herself. Well, herself in an exquisite gown.
She wanted to take Grae’s breath away tonight, and she had a feeling that Sophia would not let her down. Arista smiled, feeling giddy.
“For what it’s worth,” Sophia said, taking her hand, “I think that you and Grae are perfect together. I’ve never seen him happier on land.”
Arista sat in the parlor, nervously twisting her gloved fingers together. The dress flared out from her hips, accentuating her small waist, which both Becky and Sophia had exclaimed over. Lace lined her décolletage, but the dress still showed off more flesh than any of her other dresses. Sophia assured her that it was the current style, and that it was actually modest compared to most others.
Her new friend had given her stockings with garters, and beautiful shoes in the same delicate blue color. Becky had fashioned a wrap from a darker blue material that Sophia said Grae had given her after his last trip. There were intricate designs embroidered into the silk, creating a stunning pattern of birds and flowers. Her hair had been pulled away from her face and held in place with a jeweled comb, again borrowed from Sophia at her insistence. Everything had come together, and Arista felt like a princess.
Sophia sat across from her, eyes shining with excitement. Becky kept darting forward to fiddle with a flyaway strand of hair, or smooth out a wrinkle on the silk that didn’t exist.
“You’re both making me very nervous,” Arista said, toying with the fan that was tied around one wrist.
Preparing for an evening of Lady A was nothing like this.
“Grae!” Sophia shouted.
Arista turned slowly and her gaze met Grae’s. He wore black trousers with black stockings. His shoes gleamed in the candlelight. The charcoal-grey vest fit him perfectly, and over it he wore a jacket of the same color with buttons running down each side of the lapel. Snow-white cuffs peeked out from each sleeve.
He had not powdered his hair, nor worn a wig as fashionable men did. His black hair fell over one eye, giving him that rakish highwayman look she had first fallen for. He took her breath away.
Though Sophia had gone over to him, Grae had not taken his eyes off Arista. She stood slowly, suddenly feeling unsure. Was it too much? Not enough?
“Isn’t she beautiful, Grae?” Sophia asked slyly.
“Indeed.” His voice seemed lower, hoarser than she remembered, and it sent thrills of excitement over her skin. He was practically glowing with happiness and unabashed appreciation. He moved into the room and took her hand, raising it to his lips to kiss the back of her glove.
“Truly a vision. I will be the envy of every man there.” Arista felt a blush climb up to her cheeks. “Are you ready to go?” He offered her his arm and she slid hers through it. Her heart thumped against her chest. This somehow felt different than the past month they’d spent together. More intimate, even though they were not alone.
“Good night, you two,” Sophia sang. Grae chuckled and led Arista out to where Tomas waited.
Tonight they were using the Sinclairs’ closed carriage. She and Grae would be inside together. Alone. Again, her pulse leapt.
Arista glanced over at Grae and found him still watching her. “What?” she finally asked.
“I thought you were breathtaking before, but tonight, I have no words.…You are exquisite, Arista.” Heat burned in his eyes.
“You look quite handsome yourself. I’m sure there will be more than one lady vying for your attention.”
“I’ve only got eyes for the one that happens to be with me.” They climbed into the carriage and Tomas closed the door. As soon as he did, Grae leaned across and kissed her. He cupped her face with both hands and she gripped both his wrists.
If they stayed right there for the entire evening, she’d be perfectly happy. But the carriage jerked forward and Grae sat back, a satisfied smile on his face.
“I can’t believe you arranged all of this. It’s kind of overwhelming. No one has ever done anything like this for me before.”