Charlotte said, pointing with her furled fan to the nearest chair in the row before the rail, “and we’ll leave that one for Lord Crump, when he arrives.”Diana nodded and took the seat beside her sister, the frothy ruffles of their gowns mingling. As Mama had suggested, Diana had worn her new cherry-colored silk robe à la française tonight, and because they were attending the theater, she’d been permitted to wear the gown without a lace neckerchief tucked into the low, squared neckline for modesty. She was very aware now of how her breasts were pushed up by her stays and how much of them showed for a fashionable display, and she felt both stylish and adult, enjoying the undeniable attention that the gown brought her. As Mama had said, she wasn’t a girl any longer, but soon to be a married woman, and entitled to dress like other noble-born ladies, including Charlotte beside her.What Mama hadn’t said (but Diana had guessed) was that she was hoping that the sight of Diana’s largely uncovered bosom would inspire a bit more lover-like ardor in Lord Crump.
