Brianna stepped away from Angelica and took a final glance in the mirror. She smiled at her reflection. She looked hideous in the wool gown she'd borrowed from one of the maid's. The dress fit entirely too tight on her breasts, too loose on her waist, and was so short it exposed the pair of well-worn boots Brianna had not been able to throw out. To add credence to the ridiculous ensemble, she had brushed out her hair and tied it in a severe bun that was so tight, it made her head ache.
Saxford would take one look at her and run for the hills.
As Brianna headed down the steps, she tried to envision what the earl looked like. His reputation as a rakehell made her believe that he would not be all that horrible to look upon-yet money and title could make even the ugliest of men attractive. No doubt he would be cock-sure, dressed extravagantly, following the latest trend.
She heard Aunt Freddie conversing with Saxford in the parlor. His voice was rich, deep, and not at all displeasing, Brianna decided as she entered the room. Her gaze shifted from her aunt to the handsome man who turned at her entrance.
Her stomach clenched.
What she'd imagined, and what stood before her were complete opposites. Saxford was tall and his dark, unfashionably too-long hair fell past broad shoulders, curling at the collar of his rather plain navy jacket. Simple, yet stylish black pants shaped a narrow waist and long legs, and his knee-high Hessians were so polished she could probably see her reflection in them.
"There you are, my dear," Freddie said, meeting her at the doorway. "Come and meet Lord Saxford."
The closer Brianna came to the man, the more she understood why he had such a wicked reputation. Saxford was not only handsome-he was absolutely striking. His crystal blue eyes, framed by long, thick black lashes, were startling in their intensity. To her utter horror, her knees went weak.
Perhaps Angelica might have a look at her intended before she called off the engagement.
In that moment Brianna had a flash of envy. To say Reginald paled in comparison to the earl was a vast understatement. Like comparing apples to oranges.
"Good afternoon, Lady Angelica," Saxford said, his perfect lips splitting into a grin that displayed straight, white teeth. Good lord, even the man's smile was flawless.
Brianna locked her knees, and fought the urge to rush back up the stairs and change into something gorgeous.
"It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance," he said, his low voice sending a shiver of awareness up Brianna's spine.
The pounding of her heart was a roar that filled her ears. As he took hold of her gloveless hand and brought it to his lips, she fought to regain her wits.
A difficult task when his soft, warm lips pressed against her suddenly heated skin. To his credit, he did not blink, nor furrow his brow at her ungloved hands. However, she did notice that his gaze shifted to her waist for a scant second. The slight quirk of his lips made her wonder if he noticed she had forgone a corset as well.
"The weather is unseasonably warm for London, is it not?" he asked, his blue eyes settling on Brianna in a way that made her shift on her feet. Those crystal blue orbs could make a woman melt. But not this woman! Her conscience all but screamed.
Brianna was not sure of the temperature outside, but inside the parlor, it seemed positively stifling.
"Indeed, the weather has been delightful," Freddie replied, casting Brianna a look that told her she needed to snap out of it.
As Saxford and Freddie sat down, Brianna slid into the nearest chair, grateful to be off her feet. "How was your journey, my lord?" To Brianna's horror, her voice came out a squeak. She cleared her throat and forced a smile.
"The trip was uneventful and quite enjoyable. It has been ages since I last visited London."
"Ah, here is our tea," Aunt Freddie said, smiling at the maid who entered. With her aunt's attention diverted for the moment, Brianna could feel Saxford's gaze boring into her, starting at the top of her head, and traveling oh so slowly to the too-short hem of her vile dress and scuffed-up boots. The side of his mouth lifted the slightest bit. Did he guess that she dressed this way on purpose? Something in his demeanor and cocky smile told her that might just be the case. And what kind of man looked at a lady in such a way, as though she were prized horseflesh? When she'd met Reginald, his gaze had not wavered past her chin even once.
But Reginald also didn't have a wicked reputation like the earl did.
Brianna settled back into the Queen-Anne chair that proved to be as uncomfortable as her clothing. The dress cut into her underarms in a way that made her yearn to rip it off.
Now that would certainly shock Saxford.
Silence filled the room while the maid poured the tea. Brianna noted the way the young maid's cheeks flushed pink as she handed the earl a cup with a trembling hand.
No wonder the man rattled every woman he came into contact with. With a glance, he had made her knees weak. In fact, she wondered just how many women had run their fingertips over that strong jaw or those chiseled cheekbones.or kissed those perfectly formed lips?
Both she and Angelica had read the memoirs of the notorious French courtesan, Lady Devine. The treasured book had been smuggled to her by her best friend Peter, who attended a boarding school across the river from St. Andrew's. Both she and Angelica snickered in delight when Lady Devine would comment at length at the size of her lovers' appendages.
No doubt Saxford had an impressive appendage. Brianna's gaze shifted from his face, over his broad chest and narrow hips, to the large bulge in his trousers.
Oh yes, Saxford had an impressive appendage all right.
Aunt Freddie cleared her throat and Brianna ripped her gaze back up to find Nicholas setting his cup on the side table.
Her heart raced. Thank God he had not seen her stare! It was bad enough her aunt had caught her wandering eye.
Brianna felt like a caged bird when Saxford suddenly stood, walked toward her and sat down in the chair beside her-even being so bold as to pull the chair closer toward her. He sat back against the crushed velvet, looking completely at ease, as though he was not meeting his fiancée for the first time. How confident and self-assured he was.
Well, two could play at that game. She straightened her spine, ready for anything he threw at her.
