A Deal with a Duke (The Daring Drake Sisters 2)

“Because you will be the next Duchess of Worthington. And as such, you must dress like a duchess. Since you don’t care about fashion, it will be my duty to make certain you are dressed accordingly.”

She was amazed by her scheming little sister. Louisa hadn’t noticed how much she’d grown up in the past few years. While still slightly immature, Emma might be far more interesting than Louisa ever imagined.

LOUISA STOOD IN FRONT of the mirror at Madame Beaulieu's shop as the madam herself with two assistants made a few minor adjustments. Frequently, Madame Beaulieu oversaw the pattern and fabric choice but left the fittings to her assistants. Regardless of how many women were attending her, Louisa couldn’t take her eyes off the gorgeous blue silk gown. The gown had a typical high-waist with a laced V front satin panel and short cap sleeves. But it was the dark blue lace puff hem that Louisa fell in love with at first sight.

“Since you’ve barely said two words, I can only assume you like the gown,” Emma said with a proud smile.

“It is the most beautiful gown I have ever worn.” Louisa glanced over at her sister. “But how will Mamma pay for such a luxury?”

“Do not worry about that,” Tessa said as she walked into the dressing room. “Oh my, it is more beautiful than you told me.”

Louisa looked at them both. “You knew about this too?”

“Who do you think is paying for that gown?” Tessa sat down and smiled over at her.

“Thank you, Tessa. But it’s too—”

“Too grand to wear to Lady Leicester’s ball? I don’t think so. Lady Leicester, won’t you come in and give us your opinion?”

“What is Lady Leicester doing here?” Louisa whispered.

“She is shopping with her grandson’s wife.” The older woman strolled through the curtain using her cane although Louisa suspected the countess had no real need for assistance walking.

Louisa felt as if she’d been ambushed in the dressing room of Madame Beaulieu's shop. She prayed Tessa had not told Lady Leicester about her plan to pursue Harry. The fewer people who knew, the better.

“And dear, you really must learn how to whisper, so others don’t hear you,” Lady Leicester added.

Louisa rolled her eyes. “Yes, Countess.”

“Don’t get petulant with me. I am here to help. Without my assistance, your sister would never have married my grandson.” The older woman nodded at Emma, who jumped out of the chair for her. “Now, have a turn toward me.”

This was worse than shopping with her mother. “Yes, ma’am.”

She made a quarter turn toward the dowager countess. “What do you think?”

The countess rubbed her chin in contemplation. “The color is perfect for you, but if you are to catch a duke—”

So much for her pursuit of Harry being kept secret.

“—that neckline must be lowered.”

What did the countess just say? A lower neckline? “This is perfectly low enough.”

“Nonsense. Madame Beaulieu, if a lady of a lower standing wishes to win the affection of a duke, would you recommend that neckline?”

The dressmaker rose and looked at Louisa thoroughly. “A duke, eh?”

“Yes,” the Countess replied.

“Do you remember what you did for the Duchess of Danvers when she was still Miss Eliza Smith, a nobody from that little village...what was it called?”

The dressmaker grinned. “Ah yes, from Laceby. And I do indeed remember you suggested something to make the duke realize what he would miss if he let her go. Unfortunately, we don’t have as much material to work with here.”

Both Lady Leicester and the dressmaker stared at Louisa’s bosom. Heat scorched her cheeks. She couldn’t help it if she had less there than her sisters, especially Emma.

“Still, I believe a lower neckline might help,” the countess commented. “And perhaps a little padding the stays.”

Louisa’s face heated with embarrassment. If only a hole could open in the earth and suck her down.