Tall, Duke, and Dangerous (Hazards of Dukes #2) - Megan Frampton Page 0,64
she knew neither Sebastian nor Thaddeus would think to.
Men.
“It’s beautiful!”
Ana Maria stepped into Miss Ivy’s, her eyes wide with wonder at the sight. The workmen Octavia had hired had done wonders, completing the task of re-covering the walls in only a few days. Spurred on, no doubt, by Octavia’s charm and promise of extra payment if the work was done quickly.
Octavia beamed at Ana Maria’s compliment, taking her friend’s arm and leading her toward the walls. “It looks marvelous, and it is all thanks to you.”
Ana Maria shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t have even dreamt of suggesting it if you weren’t so open to the change.”
Octavia shrugged modestly. “I am always open to change. That is the mark of a good business person.”
Ana Maria chuckled softly as she scrutinized the new hangings. She should adopt Octavia’s attitude of being more open to change, especially given that Octavia never seemed to regret anything, and was likely the type of person to ask a gentleman to kiss her if she wanted him to.
And it meant a lot, then, that Octavia had taken her suggestions, since Ana Maria had no doubt her friend would say something if she disagreed with the decision. The magenta and dark blue made the room look even more sumptuous than before, and Octavia had unearthed some gold sconces to place on the walls, taking down some of the paintings her sister had initially chosen for decoration.
“It’s early, so we can spend some time together before I have to start work. Come through here,” Octavia said, tugging Ana Maria’s arm and guiding her toward the other end of the room. She swept aside a curtain, opening a door that led into Octavia’s personal rooms.
She led her toward the room that was the club’s storage space, holding a desk for business and supplies for the club.
“Why here?” Ana Maria said in surprise. The other times she’d visited, they’d taken tea in the small salon between the bedrooms.
Octavia rolled her eyes. “Because your brother and my sister absconded with all the liquor except for the whiskey Ivy tucked into this drawer.”
Ana Maria’s eyes widened. “So we’re having whiskey?”
Octavia grinned. “Of course, we have to toast to your success!”
Ana Maria allowed her friend to guide her to the chair in front of the desk, then waited as Octavia poured two glasses of the brown liquid.
Had she ever had whiskey before?
She took the glass from Octavia’s hand, sniffing it gingerly. It smelled powerful.
Octavia held her own glass up, waiting for Ana Maria. “I want to thank you for your work, and I know this is just the beginning of your future.”
Ana Maria felt a warmth kindle inside her, and she hadn’t even had any alcohol yet. It felt so good, and so unusual, to be appreciated for something she’d done. She’d accomplished many things in her life—notably household chores and the occasional capture of runaway poultry—but nobody had ever noticed or thanked her.
“I didn’t do much, honestly. I just chose the fabrics. Anybody could do that.”
Octavia gestured with her glass toward Ana Maria. “Anybody could have done it, but only you could have done it so well.” She gave Ana Maria an assessing glance. “And speaking of only you could have done it so well, I do admire your gown.”
Ana Maria glanced down in pleasure. The gown was another frothy confection that made her feel like a decadent dessert, encased in layers of pink tulle and satin and augmented with darker pink ribbons at the bottom. Jane had made that face when Ana Maria had asked her to bring it out of the closet, so she knew it must look stunning on her. Jane obviously didn’t want to say so, but clearly she thought Ana Maria was too naive to negotiate Society and would be tempting danger by looking too fabulous.
She’d accessorized it with ruby earrings Sebastian had given her, one of the many gifts he’d bestowed on her as soon as he’d inherited the title. Making up for lost time, he’d said, even though Ana Maria thought it was entirely unnecessary.
Still, it was nice to have nice things. And, she’d discovered, she did like to look fabulous. If only for her own satisfaction.
“Thank you,” she said at last, “and thank you for the kind words about the hangings.”
“Words that are well deserved. Come on, now,” Octavia commanded, “drink up! The club will start to fill up in about an hour. I want you to see its full splendor.” Octavia downed her