The Stranger She Married
An Excerpt by Donna Hatch, Regency Romance Author
Available on Amazon
Mrs. Hancock beamed as Alicia reached her side, put an arm around Alicia, and brought her into their circle. “Miss Alicia Palmer, allow me to introduce Lord Amesbury.”
Even more devastating up close, Lord Amesbury turned to her. His piercing blue eyes threatened the strength in her knees. Though taller than most ladies, Alicia still had to look up to meet his gaze. No other color existed in those eyes; no green or gray, only deep, dark blue, like the fathomless depths of the ocean.
All the other men she had met lately, namely those her uncle insisted she consider for a husband, had taken careful note of her figure. But this gentleman only looked into her eyes. Very deeply.
Lord Amesbury inclined his head. “Miss Palmer.” His resonant, bass voice touched her very soul.
Alicia met his frank gaze and a sensation she did not quite understand stirred within her until breathing became a conscious effort. Mrs. Hancock discreetly coughed, and Alicia realized she’d been locked in eye contact with the Viscount much longer than appropriate.
Unable to pull her eyes away, Alicia sank into a curtsey. “My lord.”
No longer merely polite, his smile broadened, warmed, transforming an already handsome face into a perfectly stunning visage. Sensuality radiated off him, not in a manner that left her feeling threatened, but in a way that left her breathless for more. More of what, she did not know. But she wanted to find out.
“Miss Palmer,” Lord Amesbury said, “May I have the next dance?”
Alicia blinked. She looked back at Elizabeth who smiled encouragingly. Mrs. Hancock also smiled and nodded, but a touch of disappointment tainted her approval, reminding Alicia the dear lady had hoped her own daughter would attract the attention of the very eligible Lord Amesbury. That he’d singled out Alicia seemed a dream.
She squelched all hope that she might hold his interest. Surely only politeness motivated him to dance with the plainest girl first. He’d soon turn his attention to the beautiful ladies.
Finding her voice, Alicia replied, “I would be delighted, my lord.”
As the final notes of the current dance ended and the next began, Lord Amesbury offered his arm. She took it, an unfamiliar quiver beginning in her stomach. The art of dancing, she found as the set began, had not abandoned her as completely as her wits. The handsome viscount danced with athletic grace, his attention focused upon her. The warmth of his hand seeped through their kidskin gloves. He held her gently, firmly.
A playful glint touched his sapphire eyes. “I must warn you. Now that we’ve danced, my aunt will take it upon herself to ask you your opinion of me. She will most certainly interrogate me regarding you.”
She met those probing eyes and her mouth curved. “Oh? Has your aunt become your self-proclaimed matchmaker?”
A wry smile touched his lips. “Of course. I’m thirty and not yet married. She feels it her duty to ensure I produce an heir before I’m too old. Despite my efforts to delay that obligation, she persists.”
Alicia nodded, her smile deepening at his indelicate statement. “That is a dilemma.”
“Since you and I have only just met, it will be difficult to offer a fair assessment of your character. And if I say anything positive about you, she’ll plan the wedding.” His smile brightened, lighting up his stunning face.
Alicia missed her step. Even while dancing with the very handsome Duke of Suttenberg two Seasons ago, such a keen attraction for a man had never overcome her as it did tonight. Yet she was nearly twenty, for heaven’s sake, not a missish schoolgirl!
“Your aunt is a strong woman and a kind lady, my lord. I am sure you can reason with her.”
“I suppose she possesses a good heart deep, deep down inside, but be truthful; she’s sharp-tongued and outspoken.”
She laughed and then clapped her hand over her mouth. “My lord! She might hear you.”
He chuckled. “Fear not. We needle each other as frequently as possible. I say worse things to her face. I enjoy watching her squirm and plot a counter- attack.”
That reminded her of the playful banter she shared with her cousin Robert. “I don’t recall her ever mentioning you, my lord.”
His smile turned self-deprecating. “I’m one of those relations no one mentions.”
I love looking at photos and portraits of people who lived long ago. We can gleam so much information by the way they dressed and posed. I often wonder about them, their lives, their thoughts. One detail in pictures that involve small children that I sometimes see is the presence of a belt or rope attached to the child’s garments right under the arm. These fabric belt is called Leading strings, sometimes also called Leading Reins.
Very interesting post– I wasn’t aware of ‘leading strings’… Thank you!
In the UK they haven’t–or at least hadn’t when my first two were small. They were often called reins, but the idea was a sort of harness with a strap which Mom (or Mum, I guess!) kept a good grip on. I loved it. I could pause to look at things as I went through a store without having to check every minute or so to see where the little one had gone. It was particularly useful leaving the house, which like many Victorian row houses built long before the automobile had maybe 10 feet from the front door to the street? Not much space for a toddler to conquer while you were checking you had your keys before letting the door shut. My other two children were toddlers in Michigan where there was maybe 30 ft. or more to the street. No reins needed there, but in stores I missed them!
While raising my children we had a cord strung between two bracelets. One I wore and the other on my child so he couldn’t get out of my sight. I too was worried I’d lose him in a crowd. Kids can be so quick at times.
My 3 year old daughter watched Disney’s The Rescuers and concluded that if she wandered away from Mama , a witch would get her and put her down a hole. It broke my heart to allow her to believe it, but I kept my mouth shut because she never tried to get out of the stroller or shopping cart. It was either that or leading strings!
I’m not sure if you realised the link between the final picture you chose, and your comment about “bending over” etc for your babies…
Have a look at the governess… obviously corsetted… I suspect there’s no way she actually COULD bend over in that get-up!
At least, not without risking falling over and not being able to get up again….like an upturned beetle?… to chase after the wayward toddler!
So I presume that’s another reason they liked the ‘leading strings’
Well chosen!
No mention though
of the sometimes holier than thou sideways glances that these leads get these days… Certainly I’ve thought “there but for the grace of God go I”, watching the bouncy hyperactive curious sweet bundles safely reined in!
I suspect sge is wearing short stays, which allow for more freedom of movement but don’t work great for very well endowed women.