1. A Compromising Marriage


    Date: 9/7/2015, Categories: Historical, Author: curvygalore, Rating: , Source: LushStories

    the house at the appointed time, she was taken aback that the dancing master was not only young and dashing, but also French! However M. Ambroise was an efficient teacher, and took her round Mrs Warner’s rather cluttered sitting room with ease, patiently taking her through all the dances that would be necessary at the Assembly. Although he was handsome and charming, even when he took her into his arms for the daring waltz she felt no flutter of the heart, merely pleasure at following the steps correctly. He seemed to enjoy her company in turn and as they were of a similar age they chatted easily together. So when they arrived separately at the Theatre Royal or the Pump Rooms they looked for each other to engage in some lively conversation amongst the tedium of the spa. She was faintly puzzled that she felt so hint of romantic attraction for such a debonair gentleman, nor did he show any such interest in her, but all was explained when she perceived Jean Claude (as he had insisted she call him) exchange discreet but impassioned glances with a handsome young man who was waiting on his extremely rich grandmamma who was there for the waters. Jean Claude caught her looking at him in mid-glance and with a rueful shrug of his shoulders he grinned at her, and the incident cemented their friendship. And now, after all the preparations that Mrs Warner had gone to with such attention, it was the night of the Assembly Ball. Helena felt unaccountably nervous as she regarded herself in ...
    the mirror. Her straight dark hair was not cropped in the latest fashion, but put up in a simple and elegant style, which gave her an air of dignity. Her skin glowed and her inexpensive but well cut gown showed a decotellage that Mrs Warner judged was sufficient to attract the gentlemen but not too revealing to gain the disapproval of the dowagers. She had remarked during a dress fitting that Helena was fortunately slim enough to suit the high-waisted gowns of current vogue, and regretfully mentioned a young lady who had been in her care the year previously, who was as wide as she was tall; and so unprepossessing did she look in the prevailing fashion that she went on her way home again husbandless. But the approving looks she gave Helena’s appearance and demeanour made her feel as though she would be of some success. Mrs Warner called her from her thoughts and affixing her mama’s good pearl necklace around her slender throat, Helena descended the stairs ready for the ball. It should have been an exciting night, with the bustle of the well dressed crowd filing into the magnificent building. But although she smiled charmingly as she was introduced to one gentleman after the other Helena felt privately as if she were a prize steer in her local cattle market as she was being eyed up and assessed at every turn. The room glittered with candlelight on the gleaming chandeliers and the musicians played as Helen accepted dances and thanked heaven for Jean Claude’s expert teaching; she ...
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