Lady Cece by S. Cinders

Author:S. Cinders
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: S. Cinders
Published: 2018-01-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

Cece woke up the following morning determined to forget what had happened the previous day.

She was overly bright and cheery in the breakfast room, assuring her mother that all was perfectly well. Her headache gone.

She smiled and told Elias that he'd never looked more handsome and asked if he'd changed tailors. He was so startled by her question that found himself immersed in a discussion of what colours would be the most popular this next season.

Obviously, he abandoned ship as quickly as possible.

Cece consulted with the housekeeper and Cook to be sure that all was arranged for her special tea that afternoon. Cece wanted only the finest cakes and biscuits to be served.

Her staff would have been offended at her even hinting they would present a guest with something subpar if she hadn’t been acting so out of character.

It is true that Cece had always been good-natured, but today she seemed almost manic in her desire to be pleasant.

Yvonne gave up trying to find the perfect dress, and Cece had resorted to pawing through the wardrobe on her own, tossing dresses this way and that. Good heavens, it would be forever putting the room to rights again.

Finally, she pulled out a coral pink one, just peach enough not to clash with her auburn tresses and pink enough to give her a touch of colour. For some reason unknown to her, she seemed a bit pale.

Cece was just entering the foyer when Widow Abbott and Frances arrived.

"Perfect timing! I was hoping to get down here in time for your arrival. Welcome to our home, Mrs. Abbott and Miss Abbott! I am so very happy you could come today. Please follow me into the blue parlour. I do believe that we are to be joined by some gentlemen this afternoon."

Cece watched Frances as she made her announcement and saw the colour leave her face. Surely, she wasn't that shy?

Widow Abbott settled herself on the gold sofa, and Frances sat quietly beside her.

"It was too kind of you to i-i-invite m-me t-t-today," Frances had yet to meet her eyes.

The widow took her hand and turned to Cece, "Heavens, child, I do believe that you are more beautiful every time I see you. I must know your secret!"

Cece laughed, looking into her dear weathered face. The widow’s skin was paper thin with wrinkles upon wrinkles. Her hands were bent from arthritis, and her back curved.

"Widow Abbott, if I ever am to even match your beauty, I will need to make those strides every day and more. You are the beautiful one, not me."

The widow's cheeks pinked, "Go on with you now. Bless you, sweet girl, bless you."

Cece had noticed that Frances had started looking her way when she complimented her great aunt. Again, it struck Cece that Frances could be quite lovely if she had a little more confidence in herself.

"I am so grateful that you both could be here. Oh, it looks like our tea has arrived along with our other guests," Cece smiled at Robert and looked behind him for Charles, but he wasn't there.

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