Free Three Times the Scandal by Madelynne Ellis

Help.” She clasped her hands together. “Please.”
    Alicia took the offered pin box and Mae settled herself before the trinity mirror. “It’s always like this after a ball,” she complained. “A hopeless bird’s nest.”
    “ Well, you ought to pin it more carefully.” Alicia frowned at the jumble of pins and curls and reached for the pomade. “I suppose you heard Sir Hector leave.”
    “ I should imagine so did the Atkins’s five doors down.”
    “ Do you know where Fortuna is, Mae?”
    “ Of course not. If I did, do you think I’d still be here? I’d be with her. I bet she’s having a glorious time while we’re stuck here listening to Mother froth and Sir Hector bellow.” Mae gave a yearning sigh. “Oh, do pass the scissors. It’ll be much easier to snip away a few of these tangles. I do wish mother would allow me to have it cropped short like Gabriel’s.”
    “ Mae, do you realize what is going on. Something horrid is going to happen.”
    “ Worrywart,” Mae chided. She reached for the scissors and snipped away several long tresses, which she then cast into the fire.
    “ I am not a worrywart. I think father’s indebted to Sir Hector in some way, and now Fortuna’s gone, he can’t pay him.”
    Mae rolled her eyes. “Well, obviously, since she’s not here.”
    “ I don’t mean just Fortuna. I think he’s promised something else too, something that belongs to her maybe.” She wrinkled her nose in her uncertainty. What did Fortuna have that the rest of them didn’t? Nothing of any value, that was certain. There was Uncle James Pimcock’s legacy, but that was nowt more than a few pebbles you could pick up on the beach and a distasteful lump of paste that had once been Aunt Hattie’s pride and joy.
    Mae sprang to her feet. “Well, I refuse to be glum. May I wear your taffeta bonnet?” Without waiting for a reply, she swished towards the door swaying her hips.
    * * * * *
     
    Fortuna heard the door creak, but paid it no regard, still cocooned in the hazy oblivion of sleep. It was only when the mattress sagged part way down the bed causing her to roll, that she allowed reality to intrude.
    “ Alicia?”
    “ Good morning, Miss Stay-a-bed,” a cheery voice greeted her.
    With an abrupt jerk, Fortuna scrambled into a sitting position to find Giles Dovecote perched next to her, holding a teacup aloft. Her adventures of the previous night came rushing back. She’d flown to freedom, but merciful lord! Why hadn’t she slept fully clothed? She fished below the covers and realized her petticoat had rucked up around her waist. Carefully, she tucked the bedclothes under her arms so that they pulled tight across her breasts and plastered her back against the headboard. She was hardly used to seeing herself naked, not even to bathe, let alone having him see her naked.
    “ What are you doing?” she squeaked. The sheet seemed no concealment at all. The steepled hummocks of her nipples showed clearly through the cotton. She bit her lip, and willed them to go unnoticed.
    Giles continued to smile down at her. “Breakfast? I thought you might like it on a tray, since you hadn’t appeared.” He cocked an eyebrow. “You don’t mind if I join you?” He slid up the bed, until his back rested against the pillow beside her.
    “ Um, is this appropriate?” She shuffled away from him, which unfortunately gave him room to lift his feet off the floor. “You promised to be a gentleman last night.”
    Giles reached over, grabbed the tray from the dressing table and positioned it on the bed. “I am being a gentleman. If I were being a cad I wouldn’t be waiting on you. I’d have just stripped back the covers.” He gave a worrisome little frown. “You’re not really going to send me away, are you? Damn! I’ve always wanted to attend one of those breakfast balls you ladies have. They sound far more interesting than the typical sort, all that flouncing about in your nightgowns and undergarments. I