A Wicked Gentleman by Jane Feather

Author:Jane Feather [Feather, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781416539544
Publisher: Pocket Star
Published: 2007-03-20T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Jo what DO YOU think, Nell? Will this do?" Livia, careful not to disturb the pins that held her into the gown, turned in front of the long mirror in the spare bedchamber that had become the seamstress's workroom. It's very fine, I think." She stroked the silver-striped cream taffeta skirt of the ball gown. "It is, isn't it?"

"It's lovely," Cornelia said, reaching over Livia's shoulders to adjust the neck of the gown. "But this needs to be lower . .. don't you agree, Claire?"

"Yes, indeed, m'lady," the seamstress agreed, stepping forward to make her own adjustments. "And if Lady Livia feels a little exposed, then a fichu ... ?" She let the question die of its own accord.

"Certainly not," Cornelia declared with a quick conspiratorial smile at the seamstress. "You have lovely breasts, Liv, and they need to be seen."

"Quite right," the seamstress declared with the familiarity of many fittings..

"My father ... ?"Liv protested without conviction.

"The vicar will not see you to object." Aurelia pointed out, entering the fray. She'd been standing to one side, making her own observations. "It's a gorgeous gown, Liv. You'll wear it to your first Almack's assembly ball, and the bucks will be at your feet."

Livia laughed. "That I doubt, but I appreciate the reassurance, Ellie. Now it's your turn." She gestured towards the dove gray silk that lay over the chaise longue.

"One minute, Lady Livia," Claire said. She unpinned the creation from her body, and Livia stepped back with a shake of her shift and a twitch of her shoulders.

"Now, Lady Farnham." Claire picked up the dove gray silk with a degree of reverence. "If you would stand in front of the mirror?"

Aurelia stood for her fitting, watching her reflection. The gown was, as she'd specified, quite demure, even matronly, she thought with a little flicker of dislike. But she had made the decision for herself. She was a chaperone. A widowed mother. The gown was unpinned, and she sat on a low stool to watch Cornelia's fitting.

Cornelia's ball gown was an azure blue silk, very similar in style to Amelia's own. A decorous décolletage, a dainty froth of lace over the shoulders. The color, however, beautifully complemented Nell's eyes, and the shape made the most of her long waist. It ended in an embroidered hem that fell just above her ankles. Aurdia had always envied those nicely turned ankles.

"It's very pretty, Nell," she said.

Her friend surprised her. "Yes." Cornelia frowned at her image. "Too pretty. I don't like pretty." She plucked at the neckline. "Claire, could you lower this?"

"Yes, easily, Lady Dagenham." Claire was there with her pincushion.

"And do something more interesting with this lace.'' Cornelia plucked at the discreet lace on her upper arms.

"A little puff sleeve, m'lady," Claire suggested, wielding pins. "Very fashionable.''

"Good," Cornelia said. "Then do that."

"But you liked the gown perfectly well two days ago," Aurelia pointed out.

"Yes, but I've changed my mind," Cornelia stated, aware of her sister-in-law’s puzzlement but unable to explain it away. The

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