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curtsied and left.
    Sarah sat down at her vanity again. After her bath, she would have Greta pull her corset extra tight to create more cleavage and dress in the gown Mother requested. A fashionable up-do and light rouge would complete the ensemble.
    She planned to look stunning tonight and a bit less proper than she normally did. It would be a fine place to start if her suspicion held water. As for the rest, well, something would come to her.
    She spent her bath pondering her situation. Every plot she considered ran the risk of tarnishing her reputation, and she could not abide it. Keeping her good standing in society was of the utmost importance. However, dressing a bit wantonly would not hurt and just might be enough to beg him off. Many respectable ladies wore gowns just as daring.
    What if her attempt to lose his interest had the opposite effect on his sensibilities? She closed her eyes and tipped her head back against the tubs side, allowing the jasmine scented water to relax her. She would simply have to take the chance and pray it did not.
    As Greta helped Sarah into her undergarments, her mind wandered back to Lord Luvington. She simply had to find away to lose the rake’s interest.
    She would call on Lady Abernathy tomorrow to discuss her theory. Surely the duchess would have some ideas. She hoped against reason, needing something to hold onto. For tonight, she would focus on showing Lord Luvington how improper she could be without scandalizing herself.
    Greta pulled on the back of Sarah’s gown, snapping her out of her musings. Sarah sucked in her midsection and glanced at the door. Trepidation tickled down her spine as the time to depart drew near. She imagined going to the gallows would be less nerve racking.
    “My lady, would it please you to have your hair fashioned now?” Greta held her arm out indicating Sarah’s vanity laden with tiny perfume bottles and pearl accented combs. Her rouge sat off to one side, still in its box.
    “Indeed.” Sarah moved across the room. “I want you to style it fancier than normal. Both plaits and curls with some longer curls coming down over my left shoulder,” Sarah said, as she seated herself on the plush velvet bench.
    Sarah watched in the looking glass as Greta pinned plaits across her head and arranged her curls in a becoming way. The effort would please Mother.
    She grinned at her reflection when Mother entered the room, walked across the floor, and stationed herself near the vanity. She stood tall with a contented smile resting on her full lips.
    Sarah waited for her to speak, but no words came. Instead, Mother stepped closer and reached out her hand. “I would like you to wear my amethysts.” She unfolded her graceful fingers, revealing the sparkling purple stones set in polished silver.
    Sarah met Mother’s gaze. “It would be an honor.”
    Mother handed Greta the jewels and watched with sparkling eyes as the ladies maid put them on Sarah. Greta straightened her posture before dropping into a curtsy. “My lady, is there anything else required of me?”
    “No.” Sarah nodded in dismissal before turning to Mother.
    Mother trailed her fingers across one of the plaits crowning Sarah’s head. “You are a vision, my dear.”
    For the first time today, she agreed with Mother. A shiver ran through her, but she could not identify whether it came from excitement or foreboding. “Thank you.”
    “Take a turn and let me see the full effect.”
    Sarah spun in a circle, then said. “Shall we?”
    “Indeed.” Mother turned for the door.
    Sarah walked beside her as they traversed the stairs and entered the foyer. A footman helped her into her black velvet cloak. Then she accepted Father’s arm, allowing him to guide her to their waiting carriage.
    Her chest constricted as she settled onto the forward-facing seat. Pray, do not let me be on a fool’s errand. She took a deep breath and steeled herself for the evening to come.

SCANDALOUS INTENTIONS

    CHAPTER