Groom Wanted by Debra Ullrick

Author:Debra Ullrick
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
Tags: Retail
ISBN: 9781459235496
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The day before had gone by in a blur of activities, including attending church. Today Mr. Barrington would arrive.

Leah studied her reflection in the mirror.

“You look beautiful, Leah.” Mother stepped up behind her.

Leah glanced in the looking glass at her mother’s reflection. “Thank you, Mother. And thank you for helping me finish this gown. It’s beautiful.” Leah turned her attention to the soft-pink satin gown.

The gathered, short sleeves and swooped neckline made her cameo necklace stand out against her sleek neck. She and mother had made a sash that hung below her waist and swept around to form a bustle in the back with a row of pink roses holding it together on the sides. Underneath the sash in front were layers and layers of delicate white ruffled lace that ended about a foot from the bottom hem of the dress. Directly underneath the lacy ruffles they’d sewn a four-inch-wide piece of pink lace all the way around the dress and bustle, leaving the last foot of the gown to match the top. Long, white gloves finished the ensemble.

Earlier, Mother had helped her sweep her hair back, leaving Leah’s long curls flowing down in the back. She had even woven beaded ribbons through her blond tresses.

“I haven’t lost my touch,” Mother whispered.

“What do you mean?” Leah peeled her eyes off of her reflection and onto her mother’s.

“Back in New York, we used to dress like this all the time. There was always a grand ball somewhere. Or someone was hosting a party. You remember going to them, don’t you?”

“Yes.” She turned to face her mother. “Do you ever miss it? I mean New York and the balls?”

“Sometimes yes. Most times no.”

“What do you miss about it?”

“I miss being able to wear beautiful dresses once in a while. Not the corsets, though.” They laughed. “I especially miss feeling feminine and pretty.”

“But you are pretty, Mother.”

“That’s what Charles, I mean, Mr. Barker, says.” At the mention of his name, especially his first name, Leah stiffened. “If he and I do marry, I’ll be able to wear more gowns again. You know how elite his establishment is. Almost everyone who goes there dresses up,” Mother continued, oblivious to Leah’s discomfort. She was trying to be happy for her mother, she really was, but she couldn’t help but wonder if anyone even cared about her father anymore except for her.

“Well, enough of that. You need to go or you’ll be late meeting...” She paused. “What was his name again?”

“Fitzwilliam. Mr. Fitzwilliam Barrington.”

“Oh, that’s right. Well, run along now. I’ll be praying for you.”

“I’ll need it. My insides are shaking so badly. I just hope I don’t faint.”

“You won’t. Just remember to breathe.”

“Who can breathe with one of these things on?” Leah squirmed in the uncomfortable corset that Rainee had loaned her, saying she didn’t care if she ever got it back. She’d only worn the thing two or three times before. No wonder Rainee refused to wear them. Corsets really were the most uncomfortable contraptions ever made.

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