Free The Everlasting Covenant by Robyn Carr Page B

was quite pleased. He was inwardly delighted by Marcella ’ s shocked expression – his wife resented her lost control. Ferris knew, as he had never known before, that Anne would be safe. If ever there was a man capable of loving her as was her due, and perhaps even drawing her desires away from the deFrayne fugitive, it was Brennan Forbes. Ferris Gifford gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod of approval.
    Brennan held a hand out toward Anne. “ Come, my dear. Come with me for a moment. ”
    She placed her hand in Brennan ’ s, some confusion shining in her eyes and her brow slightly furrowed, but she went with him willingly as he led her toward the stair. She found herself in her own chamber, stripped down to her shift and standing be hind a screen while Brennan lounged in a chair on the opposite side. A maid knotted cords around Anne ’ s waist, chest, down her arms, from her hips to the floor, and across her shoulders, while the manservant who had accompanied Brennan sat at a table in the room and translated the knotted cords into mea surements to be taken to a tailor. The brisk efficiency left her breathless, awed. Brennan dict ated his desires to his scribe – the number of dresses, the ells required for each so that no train or full skirt would be slight, the colors, the styles, slippers to match, furs, cloaks, undergarments, bedgowns, wrappers, wim ples, hennins, barbarettes, and caps.
    The process took two hours. When Anne finally came out from behind the screen, her gown was still unfastened in the back and she held it on her shoulders. She looked at her future husband sheepishly. “ Brennan, you needn ’ t go to so much trou ble. I do not need -- ”
    He cut her off brusquely, still somewhat angry that he had found her appearance as he had, so many months after assigning Marcella this duty on his behalf. Without letting her finish, he turned to his man. “ Travel to London immediately to have these items fashioned for Lady Anne. They should be delivered here posthaste. I ’ m certain my seal will afford good credit. And ex plain the matter as urgent. ” Then he looked at Anne. “ Lady Anne, ” he said, his poor humor finally dissipating since he had rectified the matter to his satisfaction, “ it suits you. You will wear the title well. ”
    “ Brennan, ” she said, shaking her head, “ you should not have exchanged such angry words with my lady mother. ”
    “ Lady Gifford needs be chastened, my dear. She has not withheld the slightest frock from your mule-faced sister, yet there is no question that Divina does not appreciate her mother ’ s generosity. God knows, she needs the attention – she is ugly and poor-tempered. ” Anne could not help but smile because of Bren nan ’ s criticism. Divina had been so hard on her that it felt rather good to hear her maligned. “ Why in the world would Lady Gifford favor her? It is obvious she does. ”
    “ Oh Brennan, you must understand. Divina and I are so dif ferent. I could not even be nursed by my own mother. My birth made madam ver y ill and I was a horrid child – she often says so. I was raised by old Minerva, while my older sister, so much less of a problem, followed madam about, copying all her man ners and habits. I did the same with old Minerva. Truly, we were raised by different women and it goes hard on Divina now, for it is almost as if I have stolen something from her -- our mother is more mindful of me because of you. All this attention and fuss was to be for Divina. ” She smiled sweetly. “ She is not as lucky as I. ”
    Brennan gave a huff of disapproval. “ You are too forgiving. As she wiggles the entire Gifford clan nearer the Duke, Lady Gifford should remember that my friendship comes in deference to my desire to have you as my wife, not because I admire her politics. I would expect this family to pledge their arms where they see fit, regardless of betrothals. ” He frowned slightly as he looked at his young bride-to-be,