It had been some time since she’d gotten so dressed up, and she had to admit she missed it—a little. She smiled at her reflection, satisfied with the way her violet dress made her eyes appear almost purple. The bodice of the gown was tight enough to be attractive without being too revealing. That one detail alone proved how much Colleen had changed. Normally her chief concern had been to appear as seductive as possible in order to attract the richest, most handsome bachelors. Now she wished only to make her parents proud. Her hand stilled on the lace collar. Not entirely true. She wanted to make Rylan proud, as well. Her heart fluttered against the casing of her corset. What would Rylan be wearing tonight? Part of her hoped to see him clad in an expensive suit, while the other more practical part wished he’d wear his clergy clothing, so that she, as well as all the other eligible young ladies, would know he was off limits. She needed that very physical reminder to keep her treacherous heart from feeling things it shouldn’t.
