Free Trials of Artemis by Sue London

sir?" the footman replied.
    "Yes,
tell her it will only be a moment."
    Jack
felt curiosity drawing her from her lassitude, and no small amount of
irritation. Why did the earl have to intrude on their last evening together as
a family? She supposed she had best get used to it. Harrington was domineering,
temperamental, intractable, and rude. He personified the worst qualities she
could think of in a man, proving in their very first encounter to be a rogue
and a rake. At the moment she couldn't recall why she had ever found herself
starting to soften toward him at all. The footman returned with a large box and
a letter, setting them both near her on the large dining table. She decided to
read the letter first, to keep whatever was in the box from being too rude of a
surprise.

 
    "Jacqueline
- Every bride should have something new and beautiful to wear on her wedding.
Your father was kind enough to tell me the name of your modiste and although
her selection of ready-made gowns was sparse I am hopeful that this one will be
to your liking. Madame Lacress said the fit would be fair, but I have sent a
seamstress for any last minute alterations.
    -
G"

 
    Jack
set the letter aside and began prying open the box. It was large and heavy
enough that she stood up to better pull off the top. There was a cloud of white
tissue paper to be pawed through but at last she was able to get to the dress.
Forest green velvet trimmed with olive green water-shot silk. She raised the
bodice up and heard Sam gasp.
    "Oh
Jackie," her sister crooned. "It is just the color of your eyes."
    Her
mother came closer. "And it is the stare of fashion, my love."
    She
looked over at her father. "You know the name of our modiste ?"
    He
smiled wryly. "I pay the bills, don't I?"
    Jack
looked at the gown again. It was remarkable. And probably cost more than the
rest of her wardrobe combined. This was what it meant to be an earl. To be able
to carelessly distribute kindnesses because the expense was inconsequential and
others were available to do whatever was required.
    Her
mother began settling the dress back into the box. "Let's go upstairs and
try this on."
    "I
don't want to wear it," Jack said quietly.
    Her
mother looked aghast. "What?"
    "I
don't want to wear it. I'll have to wear what he requires me to soon
enough." Even Jack could tell that her chin had set in that mulish
expression that drove her mother to distraction.
    Before
his wife could begin to get upset Mr. Walters spoke very calmly from his place
at the head of the table. "Do you remember when you were eight years old?”
    Jack
narrowed her eyes at her father. He wouldn't dare.
    "I
remember clearly,” he continued. “You were eight years old and absolutely dying
to pony race with Sabrina. When I explained that it wasn't safe you got that
same expression on your face that you have now. Do you remember what I
said?"
    Jack
continued to stare at him.
    "I
said that if I let you race ponies with Sabrina that you had to promise me
something. You had to promise me that you would allow me three times that I
could give you an order that you would obey without question. I've only had to
redeem that promise once before, do you remember? That summer when you were
twelve and your mother and I were both away to see Grandmother. You weren't to
swim in the lake while we were away. That had to be a hard thing for a young
active girl such as yourself, but you stuck by your word then and I've always
been proud of you for it."
    Jack
looked down at her hands, indeed remembering the summer. She had spent an
entire hot month avoiding the lake. She had been deviled by temptation but
remained stolid and the pride of it had made her strong.
    "Wear
the dress, Jacqueline," her father said. "It's a little thing to
do."
    Jack
nodded quietly and, picking up the box, led her mother and sister upstairs for
the fitting.

Chapter Ten
    The
clock was chiming nine when Gideon heard footsteps in the hall. He was still in
his office,