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“For anyone who’s read The Duke’s Forbidden Love—which had better be everyone—this is how I picture the dress that Gabriella wore in the scene where Ian, the Duke of Shaughnessy, realizes he’s in love with his childhood best friend.”
I have to admit, I’m insanely jealous of Ruthanne’s dress—that and the swoon-worthy scene she’s referring to.
Millie, our oldest member at ninety-one, is dressed in a floor-length gown that looks suspiciously like a wedding dress.
Ruthanne is, of course, the first person to mention it. “Milfred Baker. Is there something you’d like to share with the class?”
Millie may have virtually lived in Regency times, but she is sharp as a tack. “I can assure you there is nothing about this dress—or what happened the first time it was removed—that I would be willing to share with you commoners.”
“What about the second time? Or the third?” Ruthanne pokes her side. “And who will be disrobing you tonight, my dear old friend?”
“Why, the Duke, of course.”
Ruthanne points to Sylvie, who’s chosen a black velvet pantsuit paired with a high-collared white blouse, a matching paisley vest, a cravat, and a walking stick, just like the Duke’s.
Millie winks at Sylvie. “Turn off the light and she’d do.”
“You wish you were that lucky.” Sylvie puffs out her chest.
All the ladies laugh and start getting themselves in position for our group photo. Every month, we document the event with a picture that we post on the library’s website. I’m not sure if it helps or hinders the book club’s success, since we haven’t had a new member join in over a year, but the regulars love it, and that’s what’s important to me.
I pull myself to my feet—which is quite an accomplishment in the corset—and make my way across the room when a familiar cough draws my attention to the doorway. I look up, startled, and my cheeks flush when Cam takes me in, his gaze slowly traveling from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.
TABITHA
Cam stays just outside the doorway, out of sight of the other book club members. He really does look like a quarterback, with his broad shoulders and muscles filling out his "Warning. May spontaneously start talking about literature" T-shirt. It’s no wonder everyone always assumed he’d follow in his father’s footsteps. Instead, he crushed our high school coach’s dreams and spent his free time in the library, working on the school paper and yearbook with me instead of being pummeled by even bigger guys on the football field.
I may have had a bit of a crush on Cam back then—okay, I was absolutely infatuated with him—but that was ages ago. He never saw me that way, and my crush slowly morphed into the best friendship I could ever hope for.
I cross the room, trying to ignore the way my red, floor-length gown squeezes the life out of my ribs. “What are you doing here?”
His eyes keep drifting down my body as he says, “I literally have no idea. Ruthanne told me to be here at seven, so here I am.”
“Ruthanne?” I’m more than a little surprised. “Are you sure she wanted you to come to tonight’s meeting?”
Cam nods and rubs the back of his neck. “You look…” he trails off as he tries, and fails, to find the right word.
“Way over the top?” I grin. “You know I always dress up for book club.”
Cam nods. “But never…” He gestures at my dress again.
“We’re reading a historical romance tonight.”
“Oh,” Cam says, as if it all finally makes sense. He peeks inside the room and takes in all the women in fancy dress, who are finally done arranging themselves for the group photo.
“Tabitha, we’re ready,” Millie calls from her seat in the front row.
I take Cam’s hand. “Come. For posterity!”
“I’ll sit this out,” he says, breaking free from my grip. “I left my waistcoat and breeches at home.”
“You have a waistcoat and breeches?” I ask.
“Doesn’t everyone?” Cam teases.
My cheeks turn scarlet at the thought of him dressed like the Duke of Shaughnessy. I quickly shove the image from my mind and shoulder bump him. Well, my shoulder bumps his lower rib cage, while my own aches. “Okay, everyone, in position.”
“Cam, you have to join us,” Ruthanne calls out. “The photo wouldn’t feel complete without you.”
