She was to dress in the negligee set provided, wear her hair down, and present herself to Nathaniel in his bedroom at nine o’clock. It was what would happen after she arrived that caused her apprehension. She ran her fingers over the silky, white garments, a nightgown and matching robe that held nothing in common with the ones she typically wore other than the colour. The material was sheer, and the style would surely reveal more than it covered. Backing up, she sat on the edge of an upholstered chair, wondering what he expected of her. It was one thing to say the rules no longer applied now that “her reputation was ruined,” but Lisa had been raised to behave modestly and listen to the dictates of her conscience. Holding her feelings to her breast like a talisman, as if her love for Nathaniel negated all else, was a foolhardy protection. They weren’t betrothed, not that it was a possibility. Peers of the realm did not wed daughters of untitled, ex-military officers, no matter how highly decorated. Lisa didn’t imagine they took them as their mistresses either. Groaning, she held her head in her hands, not knowing what to do.
