gown.
She clapped her hands. “Beatrice! You must make haste! Lady Milford is waiting to see you in the blue drawing room!”
“Lady Milford, here ? To see me ?” Beatrice threw aside her fashion periodical and hopped out of bed. “Are you quite sure, Grandmamma? Why, it’s not even noon!”
“Of course I’m sure. Oh, my darling, you must have made a brilliant impression for her to return your call—and so swiftly!” Those massively wrinkled features took on a haughty frown as she turned her gaze to Ellie. “Eloise, fetch the pale green silk gown, and be quick about it! I shall expect Beatrice—and you—downstairs in a flash!”
As the older woman sailed out of the bedchamber, Ellie made haste into the dressing room to gather the suitable undergarments for her cousin. All the while, she reflected on the incredible news. Why on earth had Lady Milford come here? And why had their grandmother specifically ordered Ellie to accompany her cousin downstairs?
Beatrice had not made a brilliant impression on Lady Milford, Ellie knew. Her cousin’s behavior had been shockingly forward. Had the woman come to offer advice to Beatrice in their grandmother’s presence? Or worse, to reprimand Ellie for failing to teach the girl better manners?
She had no time to fret in the mad scramble to bedeck her cousin in stockings and corset, petticoats and gown. Ellie buttoned and combed and pinned as swiftly as possible. It didn’t help matters that Beatrice fidgeted impatiently and snapped at her to hurry.
When at last Ellie followed her coiffed and perfumed cousin down the stairway, the countess was entertaining their guest by the drawing room fire. Lady Anne sat nearby, her lace-capped head bowed and her thin hands folded in her lap as if she hoped not to be noticed. Ellie could sympathize. In a lilac silk gown and with beautifully styled black hair, Lady Milford looked sophisticated enough to make lesser mortals quail.
Beatrice dipped a pretty curtsy while Ellie quietly slipped into a chair at the perimeter of the group. Like Lady Anne, she, too, had little desire to draw attention to herself. Yet she found herself on the edge of her seat, wondering what could possibly have prompted this visit.
After an exchange of pleasantries, Lady Milford lost no time in satisfying everyone’s curiosity. She turned to Beatrice and said, “In light of our lovely chat yesterday, I have resolved to pay a call at Aylwin House this afternoon. If it’s permissible to your grandmother, I thought perhaps you might wish to accompany me.”
Beatrice clasped her hands to her bosom. “To be presented to His Grace, the duke? Oh! Oh, my! Please, Grandmamma, may I?”
The Countess of Pennington appeared beatific and quickly voiced her approval. Ellie sat in utter astonishment. Yesterday, Lady Milford had claimed only a slight acquaintance with the reclusive duke. She had rejected Beatrice’s scheme to finagle an introduction to him. What had happened to change the woman’s mind?
All of a sudden, Ellie realized that Lady Milford was addressing her. “Miss Stratham, you undoubtedly keep abreast of your cousin’s schedule. Are you certain that she has no prior engagements today?”
“She does have a fitting at the dressmaker’s,” Ellie said. “Though I’m sure the appointment can be postponed…”
“Appointments can be difficult to rearrange so near to the opening of the season,” Lady Milford said smoothly. As she studied Ellie, her violet eyes held a hint of mystery. “Since you appear to wear the same size as Lady Beatrice, may I suggest that you go in her place?”
* * *
“My lady, what a delight it is to welcome you to my establishment.”
As the voice came from behind her, Ellie was garbed in an elegant ball gown and facing a long mirror. An assistant had helped her into the costly frock upon her arrival. It was sewn of pale pink tulle over white satin with sleeves edged by Belgian lace. The skirt whispered with
She clapped her hands. “Beatrice! You must make haste! Lady Milford is waiting to see you in the blue drawing room!”
“Lady Milford, here ? To see me ?” Beatrice threw aside her fashion periodical and hopped out of bed. “Are you quite sure, Grandmamma? Why, it’s not even noon!”
“Of course I’m sure. Oh, my darling, you must have made a brilliant impression for her to return your call—and so swiftly!” Those massively wrinkled features took on a haughty frown as she turned her gaze to Ellie. “Eloise, fetch the pale green silk gown, and be quick about it! I shall expect Beatrice—and you—downstairs in a flash!”
As the older woman sailed out of the bedchamber, Ellie made haste into the dressing room to gather the suitable undergarments for her cousin. All the while, she reflected on the incredible news. Why on earth had Lady Milford come here? And why had their grandmother specifically ordered Ellie to accompany her cousin downstairs?
Beatrice had not made a brilliant impression on Lady Milford, Ellie knew. Her cousin’s behavior had been shockingly forward. Had the woman come to offer advice to Beatrice in their grandmother’s presence? Or worse, to reprimand Ellie for failing to teach the girl better manners?
She had no time to fret in the mad scramble to bedeck her cousin in stockings and corset, petticoats and gown. Ellie buttoned and combed and pinned as swiftly as possible. It didn’t help matters that Beatrice fidgeted impatiently and snapped at her to hurry.
When at last Ellie followed her coiffed and perfumed cousin down the stairway, the countess was entertaining their guest by the drawing room fire. Lady Anne sat nearby, her lace-capped head bowed and her thin hands folded in her lap as if she hoped not to be noticed. Ellie could sympathize. In a lilac silk gown and with beautifully styled black hair, Lady Milford looked sophisticated enough to make lesser mortals quail.
Beatrice dipped a pretty curtsy while Ellie quietly slipped into a chair at the perimeter of the group. Like Lady Anne, she, too, had little desire to draw attention to herself. Yet she found herself on the edge of her seat, wondering what could possibly have prompted this visit.
After an exchange of pleasantries, Lady Milford lost no time in satisfying everyone’s curiosity. She turned to Beatrice and said, “In light of our lovely chat yesterday, I have resolved to pay a call at Aylwin House this afternoon. If it’s permissible to your grandmother, I thought perhaps you might wish to accompany me.”
Beatrice clasped her hands to her bosom. “To be presented to His Grace, the duke? Oh! Oh, my! Please, Grandmamma, may I?”
The Countess of Pennington appeared beatific and quickly voiced her approval. Ellie sat in utter astonishment. Yesterday, Lady Milford had claimed only a slight acquaintance with the reclusive duke. She had rejected Beatrice’s scheme to finagle an introduction to him. What had happened to change the woman’s mind?
All of a sudden, Ellie realized that Lady Milford was addressing her. “Miss Stratham, you undoubtedly keep abreast of your cousin’s schedule. Are you certain that she has no prior engagements today?”
“She does have a fitting at the dressmaker’s,” Ellie said. “Though I’m sure the appointment can be postponed…”
“Appointments can be difficult to rearrange so near to the opening of the season,” Lady Milford said smoothly. As she studied Ellie, her violet eyes held a hint of mystery. “Since you appear to wear the same size as Lady Beatrice, may I suggest that you go in her place?”
* * *
“My lady, what a delight it is to welcome you to my establishment.”
As the voice came from behind her, Ellie was garbed in an elegant ball gown and facing a long mirror. An assistant had helped her into the costly frock upon her arrival. It was sewn of pale pink tulle over white satin with sleeves edged by Belgian lace. The skirt whispered with
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