Free Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman by Wareeze Woodson Page A

exquisite ball gown. Abandoning her mourning apparel didn’t mean she no longer cared about Robert’s demise, she assured herself. She grieved for her son’s loss because he would never know his father, but for her part, resentment toward Robert’s total disregard for her as his wife still rankled. Gritting her teeth, she relegated the past where it belonged—behind her.
    Laurel stripped to her chemise before having a quick wash. With reverent fingers, she smoothed her gown of blue spider gauze laced with silver ribbons. The underskirt of white satin was lovely and would allow only the toes of her white slippers to peek beneath the hem. This gown deserved to be displayed to advantage, but she would be unable to lace herself into a corset. A tap sounded at her door. “Enter.”
    A beaming servant, young, freckled with red hair stepped inside. “Lady Gladrey sent me to help with your toilette.” She held up a fire-heated curling iron. “Your hair is beautiful but I brung this. Attending a ball you need to be extra special.”
    “But,” Laurel murmured then snapped her mouth shut. She’d longed for just such a happening and now her wishes had been fulfilled. “The corset first then.”
    The maid tightened the laces, pushing Laurel’s breast up satisfactorily and cinched the corset still further around her small waist. She couldn’t breathe as well, but she felt whole again, proper and lady like. The gown showed her figure to perfection almost guaranteed to set Adron back on his heels.
    The maid piled her locks atop the crown of her head, applying the curling iron where needed. Allowing curls to cascade to Laurel’s shoulders with a few stray wisps left to caress her forehead and cheeks, the maid stepped back. For reassurance, Laurel gazed into the looking glass to check her features for any sign of fatigue. She found none. Instead, her underlying excitement brought color to her cheeks and an added sparkle to her eyes. Satisfied with her appearance, she touched a delicate perfume beneath her ears, allowing the light fragrance to add to her confidence.
    Finally with trembling fingers, she attached the sapphire earrings and necklace. The gems sparkled against her throat. A satisfied smile curved her lips as she brushed her hands down the sides of her gown and squared her shoulders.
    “Laws, Milady. You look grand. I’ll be here to unlace you when you get done tonight.”
    Laurel smiled at the girl. “I don’t suppose I’d ever be able to untie my laces by myself. I’ll call you.”
    The maid curtsied and took herself off.
    Although looking in on the children could make her late for the ball, she hurried downstairs and slipped inside Jamie’s room. All the children were asleep and she breathed a sigh of relief.
    Stepping out of the nursery she softly closed the door, nearly bumping into Adron’s broad chest. She reached out to steady herself and the muscles in his forearms rippled beneath her fingers. Admiring his dark blue velvet jacket and snowy cravat, she caught her breath at his teasing grin.
    His brown eyes sparkled with pleasure as he took in every inch of her appearance and her heart picked up speed. The appreciation in his eyes went to her head like fine Bordeaux and his gaze brought faint color to her cheeks. She lowered her lids to hide her wish to bask in his admiration for hours.
    “You’re very beautiful,” he whispered, so close his breath caressed her lips. His unique, clean spicy scent surrounded her, trapping her in a whirl of sensations.
    Caught up in a haze of physical attraction, she tilted her head to the side and smiled. “Thank you kind sir. You are beautiful too.”
    He let out a rich laugh. “I hope not.” Inspecting her every feature, he traced the curve of her brow with one finger before caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. He lifted her chin to gaze deeply into her eyes.
    “Why you?”
    “W-w-what do you mean?”
    “You know, my lovely. Why do I want you?”
    She