Lady in Demand Read Online Free

was not uncomfortable, and then Miss Wooller sighed.
          “My cross to bear is that I am too old to be a debutante, thus I am termed an old maid and should be happy with my position on the shelf.”
          “But you are not?”
      She smoothed the skirts of her ivory silk dress over her thighs before speaking.
          “I am happy to be there, however my father is not. It is his fondest wish that if I cannot convince the King to wed me, then a Duke will do. It is because of him that I am here every night putting up with the silly conversations and equally silly men. It would destroy him to hear that in fact I loathe these outings. Therefore, I keep up the façade.”
          “You’re far too beautiful to be on the shelf, Miss Wooller,” Phoebe said, meaning every word. “And I will add that I have gnashed my teeth many an evening watching you glide, with not a hair out of place, around the ballroom. Elegant and graceful, I believe one man called you.”
          “My name is Hannah and I would be honored if you called me by it,” she said as she brushed aside Phoebe’s words with an elegant flick of her wrist. “You should see me sit a horse. Hopeless,” she added, shuddering.  
          “And I am Phoebe,” she said, holding out her hand which Hannah took in her own. “And riding is the one thing I truly excel at.”
          “I’m good with clothing,” Hannah said softly. “In fact, I excel at fashion.
          “Are you really?” Phoebe looked at her more closely. “Because I, too, am rather skilled in that direction. Actually, I used to make all our dresses before we came to London.”        
    Hannah looked excited by Phoebe’s comments; however, Phoebe couldn’t believe she had actually said them. No one knew how poor the Langley sisters had once been. “I’m not sure why I told you that.”
          “I won’t tell.” Hannah waved her hand about. “But tell me more of your styles. Where did you get your material and trimmings from and how did you come up with your designs?”
          “We had a copy of La Belle Assemblee and Bella, my sister, was my model and will tell you to this day that she still has pin holes in her person.”
          “How wonderful that she shared your passion.”
          As usual, when she thought about her little sister she felt a stab of pain in her heart.
          “You look sad suddenly, Phoebe. Is everything all right?”  
          Phoebe nodded at the softly spoken words.
          “Our mother was killed in the same accident that injured Bella’s leg and Father’s arm. He did not live long after and she suffers every day.”
          “I’m sorry.”
    Looking at Hannah, Phoebe wondered what it was about her that made her want to confide. She may be outspoken on many things but she rarely shared her intimate thoughts or feelings with anyone other than family.
          “I’m not sure why I’m telling you all these things, Hannah, as usually I’m not one for confidences.”
          “It’s nice, though, don’t you think, to talk without fear that what we say will appear on everyone’s lips tomorrow.”
          “Yes,” Phoebe said softly. “Very nice.”
          “Is there anything to be done for your sister’s leg?”
          “We learned of a clinic in Scotland that may be able to help her and our brother-in-law has arranged for her to go there in a few months.”
          Hannah placed one hand on hers. “And you worry that it may not help her.”
          “Yes.”  
          Phoebe did not know how long she sat with Hannah in that small room—thirty minutes; perhaps an hour maybe less—and she had never enjoyed an evening more. They talked no more of families, instead focusing on fashion, and talking with someone who had the same passion was a joy.  
          “Do you enjoy society, Phoebe?”