Folly's Bride by Jane Peart

Author:Jane Peart [Peart, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-310-86548-3
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 1990-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

Montclair

1835

chapter

10

FROST ETCHED the windowpanes in the master suite at Montclair. Outside, the snow that had fallen a few days before remained in frozen patches on the winter brown grass. Although it was not yet evening, the day had darkened early and it had been necessary to light candles throughout the house.

Sara sat at her dressing table, having Lizzie dress her hair in preparation for the traditional New Year’s Day open house at Cameron Hall.

“No, Lizzie, don’t brush it so high. Here, I’ll show you what I mean.” She took the brush out of the girl’s hand. “I like some curls around my face. It’s softer that way, not so severe.”

Lizzie, a slip of a girl with light brown skin and observant eyes, watched her mistress deftly bring a few tendrils of dark hair fetchingly over her temples and ears.

“See? That’s the effect I want,” Sara explained, handing Lizzie the brush. She knew she must curb her natural impatience with the young maid, try to remember she was still young and inexperienced. But Lizzie was also bright and clever with her hands, and Sara was more than pleased with her progress.

Quickly Lizzie made the finishing touches on the elaborate coiffure, carefully inserting a high-backed marcasite-studded comb, then stepped back to survey her handiwork.

Pleased with herself, Lizzie smiled. “You look mahty fine, Miss Sara.”

“The word is beautiful,” came Clay’s enthusiastic comment as he entered from his dressing room.

“But then, you’re so terribly prejudiced! You are ever the gallant gentleman, Clay Montrose, so I never know whether to believe your compliments or not!” Sara said mockingly as he strode into the room and crossed to cup her shoulders in his hands. “It’s not you I’m trying to impress, if you must know. I must look grand for all the ladies of Mayfield County who will be at Katherine and Doug’s party. And I dare say they are much more critical than you!”

“No one will hold a candle to you, my darling,” Clay replied, leaning down to place his cheek against hers. His gaze, reflected in her gilt-framed mirror, was tender.

“Is it time to go?” Sara asked, shifting slightly to look up at him.

“Not quite. I have something I want you to wear tonight.”

“What do you mean? I selected this gown with your preference for blue in mind.”

“You’re devastating in blue, dearest. No, this is something that will only furnish the icing on the cake.” And, from the pocket of his swallow-tailed coat, Clay brought out a velvet jewel case and pressed the spring. Sara’s eyes widened in amazement at the jewels inside. A king’s ransom, she thought, reaching over to touch the exquisite necklace and matching pendant earrings. The rubies flamed with dazzling blazes of fire—the diamonds were circlets of tiny glittering stars.

“Clay, they’re magnificent!” breathed Sara.

“Aren’t they? I didn’t even know about them until the letter from Aunt Avril. She had forgotten all about them. That’s not surprising, knowing how unworldly she is.” He smiled affectionately at this insight. “She herself never wore the jewels, so they have been in the wall safe in the plantation office all this time.

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