Free Chills by Heather Boyd Page A

little capped sleeves to be an inch longer. I must say, the fine lace edging was a good choice.”
    It couldn’t be her order. She couldn’t afford all this. Constance closed her eyes and sank back into the chair behind her, trusting that it was where she remembered. “But what about the parcels, Virginia? I didn’t order anything that required wrapping.”
    “They are a puzzle. Let us open one and find out what they contain.”
    By the sound of rustling paper, Virginia had snatched one up.
    A deep throat cleared behind her. “Virginia, before you start squealing over Miss Grange’s bounty, perhaps you should organize tea. I’m sure Miss Grange would appreciate it.”
    Finally, the voice of reason. Constance turned her head toward the balcony doors and glimpsed the marquess leaning against the far railing, watching her latest disaster unfold.
    “You think of everything, don’t you? I shall be back in a trice,” Virginia promised, almost skipping out the door.
    Jack would help her return what she could—and hopefully suggest a way to pay for the rest. Constance dragged herself upright and out of the chair. “This is terrible. I forgot to send a note to cancel the order. Help me fix this.”
    “There is nothing to do except to store the gowns until you wear them.”
    Constance stepped out onto the balcony, stopping a few paces from the marquess. Freshly scrubbed, pristine in the early morning light, he didn’t look as concerned as she expected. In fact, he looked smugly satisfied again.
    “But I didn’t order this many. Certainly none of those parcels. I dread to think of the disappointment suffered by the lady waiting to receive her purchases. How shall I proceed?”
    “You cannot return them. They have been paid for.”
    “By whom?”
    He sighed and glanced up. “Does it matter?”
    “Yes, it matters. I cannot slide further into debt. Who knows when payment will be demanded? Virginia did not pay for these, did she?”
    He glanced down again. “No. It was not my sister.”
    Constance’s pulse raced. If he was certain Virginia hadn’t paid, then that would mean he knew who had. And if he knew, then Jack had paid the bill.
    This was the absolute worst news. She had been so glad not to be indebted to the marquess, but now it appeared she was. “I have to pay you back.”
    “Did I confess that I paid for them?” Jack asked, but a gentle smile tugged his lips upward. “I would never admit to such a gross breach of etiquette publicly.” The marquess folded his arms across his chest, drawing her attention to the way his elegant, dark coat pulled tight on his upper arms.
    She set her hands to his folded arms. “I must make repayment. I cannot accept such an act of charity.”
    “Must you be so difficult about every little matter? Surely, you wish to be comfortable, to blend in with the society around you. It will make Virginia happy, even happier than she appears today. My compliments on your success with her, by the way, you have surpassed my expectations.”
    Despite the situation, Constance preened a little at his praise. Jack didn’t hand out comments like those lightly. Unfortunately, she couldn’t bask in his approval for long. “My lord, I cannot tolerate this.”
    “Did I misunderstand that you had decided to acquire a husband this season?” Jack crowded her, warmth fading from his features.
    Constance clutched her skirts and shrugged. She didn’t want to discuss the matter with him, of all people. Especially when she didn’t want to think of it herself.
    Jack gripped her upper arms. “Your chances of success will be greater if you appear as though you belong. You have the necessary breeding and deportment to succeed if you are dressed appropriately. You cannot continue to wear such inferior gowns.”
    “It is too much to accept.”
    Jack shook her. “Once you have your choice firmly snared within your web, then you can mention the unfortunate state of your financial affairs. If you do