A Lady's Choice by Krista D. Ball

Author:Krista D. Ball
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Krista D. Ball
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

April 25, 1811

Elizabeth was readying herself for a family dinner at Aunt Cass’ house with the entire crowd from Vane Park, and Isabella said she was well disposed to attend. She did ask Elizabeth if she was in the wrong for that, and Elizabeth saw no issue. Aunt Cass was family; Isabella visiting family was not the same as a mourning widow attending a ball or remarrying. Besides, Miss Thorne would be leaving soon, and this was the first dinner party Isabella would attend, with family and close friends offering their comfort and support.

That is what Elizabeth told herself when Isabella tried on her small pearl earrings, the ones she’d inherited from a beloved French aunt. The ones her father did not approve of.

She also put on the matching necklace, with the pearl cross.

“Is the necklace too much?” Isabella asked, conscious that Elizabeth had been staring. “It has been so long since I have worn this, and I do love it so.”

“It is a beautiful piece, but I worry the black silk does not do it justice. It should be worn with a lovely grey, or perhaps a rose gown.” Elizabeth sighed. “Mourning attire, I suppose, is not meant to make us look our best. I think if you love it, you should wear it. It is only family, after all.”

“As long as that horrible young man isn’t at dinner, I do not care how I look,” Isabella said.

Elizabeth did not need to ask for the identity of the horrible young man, for everyone in the village had whispered that same phrase and more than once. Mr. Elliot Godfrey, the new curate, and the new annoyance in their lives, did not call on them as often as duty dictated, but he called too often for any of their tastes. He pestered Isabella relentlessly about propriety, so much so that Isabella threatened to stop going to church if he was to give the sermon instead of his father. Even Elizabeth had occasionally been the subject of the young man’s ire, as he had caught her walking about the village in her black pelisse, true, but he could see her lavender gown underneath. He had calculated the strict dates of mourning down to the very hour; the entire Knight clan was in violation.

Speaking of the devil and his sins, a knock came at the door. Elizabeth was nearest, so she opened it as opposed to waiting for one of the maids. Mr. Elliot Godfrey was there, with his usual disapproving frown. He bowed sharply and walked in, before Elizabeth had even the opportunity to invite him in.

He looked at Isabella and asked, “Earrings, madam?”

“I was showing them to Elizabeth,” Isabella said.

“I am not accustomed to such displays of wealth in the country,” he said.

“They were from a beloved French aunt,” Isabella said.

“Rather showy, don’t you think?”

Isabella smiled sweetly and said, “No. Forgive me for being blunt, but I believe I shall take fashion advice from a fellow lady and not a man.

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