Legacy of Love by Christine Johnson

Author:Christine Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-11-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Dressed in Felicity’s finery, Anna felt like Cinderella going to the ball. Mariah and Felicity had come to the carriage house to assist her. Felicity supplied every last detail of clothing, down to the elbow-length gloves. When Mariah finished with Anna’s hair, she didn’t recognize herself. An elegant woman gazed back at her in the scratched old hand mirror.

Felicity lifted the turban hat from the hatbox and held it up to Anna, surveying the effect. “I’m not sure you need a hat.”

Anna was afraid to even touch her hair, lest the beautiful coil come tumbling down. The hat would require hatpins to stay fixed in place since it ran a bit small on her. “Do I have to leave it on the entire time?”

Felicity smiled indulgently. “Of course.”

“What if it slips off? It doesn’t fit quite right.”

“That settles it. No hat.” Felicity put it back in the hatbox. “Not everyone wears them at formal balls anymore.”

“Are you sure? What if I’m the only woman not wearing one? I don’t want to look out of place.”

“You won’t,” Felicity assured her, but Anna still worried that people would laugh.

At that moment, Brandon knocked on the carriage-house door, and all thought of hats vanished from her mind.

“He’s here,” she hissed, frantic. “Do I look all right?” She smoothed the skirt and checked that it was straight.

“You look lovely,” Ma said with a smile. “My beautiful daughter.” Tears misted her eyes. “Your father would be so proud.”

Mariah and Felicity nodded, pleased with their handiwork, but the moment Ma let Brandon in the door, Anna only had eyes for him. How dashing he was in his black evening suit. He’d chosen the short suit rather than tails, which Felicity confided was now the fashion, but Anna could not have cared less. His crisp white shirt and black bow tie made him look regal. A black wool overcoat and trilby hat completed the portrait of a gentleman.

His stunned yet pleased expression made her thoughts whirl.

She smoothed her skirt. “I hope I look all right.”

His gaze softened. “You’re beautiful.” But then he shook his head. “No, beautiful isn’t adequate. Exquisite can only come close. Anna...” His voice deepened. “I’m honored you would join me tonight.”

She lingered on his words. Beautiful? Exquisite? Never had anyone used those words to describe her. She was Anna Simmons, the poor mechanic’s daughter.

Was this truly happening? Was she really attending the Valentine’s Ball? All her life she’d wondered and wished, and now she would arrive on the arm of the most handsome and wealthy bachelor in Pearlman. Not only that, he thought her beautiful. She clutched at the pearls she’d borrowed from Felicity, unable to speak or move.

“Shall we?” He extended an arm.

Felicity held up an elegant black cape that she’d brought for Anna. It hung a touch too long, but Brandon didn’t appear to notice.

Anna took Brandon’s arm with her ivory-gloved hand. He helped her to the car, which he’d parked very close to the carriage house so she wouldn’t have to walk far in the snow with Felicity’s pumps.

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