Far Beyond Rubies by Rosemary Morris

Author:Rosemary Morris
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: conflict huguenot roman catholichindu beliefs, east india company prebritish raj religion, heroine cheated by stepbrother heiress to estate, risk of kidnapping and marriage by force, romance mystery suspense england 1706, spirituality reincarnation karma heroine orphan, wealthy aristocrat returns to england from india
Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.

* * * *

After two hours of being turned this way and that, Juliana fingered the damask petticoat worn with silk-lined, satin-covered stays and a taffeta gown divided down the front to reveal her petticoat. Delighted by her appearance, she stared at herself in the mirror and then twirled around. Never could she have imagined the combination of plain black and blue black—in a variety of materials—would be so attractive. Truly, Barbara was mistress of all things fashionable. She sighed for the third time, wishing her hair was not so sorry a sight.

“Juliana, sit on the stool at the dressing table.” Barbara beckoned to Ann. “My tirewoman shall wait on you. Ann, arrange the wig on Mistress Kemp’s head.”

With her usual efficiency, Ann settled the wig on Juliana’s head and then secured a black fontange to it with ebony pins.

Ann stepped back and tweaked Juliana’s ringlets into place. She gazed at Juliana, nodded, and then smoothed the black lace at the neckline.

The white-powdered wig curled back from Juliana’s forehead. For a moment, a stranger’s reflection confronted her; a stranger gowned in black, which contrasted with her fashionably pale complexion and emphasised her glowing dark eyes, pink cheeks, and lips.

Barbara clapped her hands like a child. “Lud, Juliana, I wish my brother could see you now.”

“He will not recognise me,” Juliana whispered.

Barbara laughed and shook her head in mock reproof. “You need not fear. My brother will not mistake you for another lady.”

“Thank you, you are very kind. I scarce know what to say.”

“Say nothing, my love. It is my pleasure to refurbish your wardrobe.” She turned her head to look at her tirewoman. “I am sure Ann is happy to assist you.”

The young woman confirmed her mistress’s words by beaming and bobbing a curtsey.

“Thank you, Ann, you are very obliging.” Juliana pressed a hand against her forehead. “The wig…” she murmured.

Barbara raised her eyebrows. “What of it?”

“It is so heavy that it is already causing a headache.”

“One must suffer to be beautiful, but not so much that one becomes ill,” Barbara said.

“If I may make a suggestion, my lady,” Ann interrupted, “Mistress Kemp’s hair curls. I think I could cut it so that the curls cluster round her head becomingly.”

“An excellent idea,” Barbara agreed, “but there is no time to cut it now.”

“The jet, my lady?” Ann suggested.

“Excellent creature. The very thing. Why did I not think of it?”

Ann beamed with pleasure in response to her mistress’s praise as she opened an elaborately carved sandalwood jewel box and took out a string of jet beads with a Celtic cross suspended from it, a pair of pendant earrings and a ring. She fastened the necklace round Juliana’s neck and slipped the earrings into place.

The intricately shaped cross nestled above the hollow of Juliana’s breasts. The earrings caught the light, swayed with the slightest movement, and cast shadows on her cheeks. Indeed, she thought, I now look fit to be the late Lord Kemp’s daughter.

In unison, Barbara and her tirewoman sighed with pleasure.

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