Shadowed by Sin

Author:Layna Pimentel [Pimentel, Layna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B011HE7VZE
Goodreads: 25733111
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Published: 2015-08-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

“Good God. This gown is too tight. Surely, Benedict will object how snug it fits around my waist and all,” Estelle said.

“Such nonsense. The man adores you, and if anything, this gown will make him want to run to the altar posthaste.”

Estelle sighed and continued to suck in her breath while the maid aided her in tightening her corset from behind. The elaborate gown had been a gift from Benedict, and the mask had been from his mother’s supposedly extravagant collection.

“Miss, I had an idea about your hair. If we curled and then pinned it up, the mask would sit perfectly and undisturbed.”

“Very well. I can’t wait to see how you arrange my hair.”

Mary tugged, separated, and worked wonders with Estelle’s dark hair.

Estelle stared into the mirror, admiring the riotous curls framing the golden mask, ornately jeweled with red and blue faux gems. The colors blended nicely with the midnight blue French style gown made of silk. She could only imagine the small fortune Benedict had paid for the ensemble, and she couldn’t guess when she would wear it next.

“I think you are right, Mary, the hair looks utterly divine this way.”

“We need to hurry though, as your handsome fiancé will be arriving any time now to escort you to the ballroom.”

A faint snort somewhere in the room could be heard, making the hairs on the back of Estelle’s neck stand on end.

“Are you all right, Miss?”

Estelle turned her head to face the maid. “I am, but did you hear that?”

“I thought that was you,” the maid said, looking astonished and perplexed. “We’re the only ones in here, Miss. I cannot imagine what the noise could be. I told you this house is cursed. I swear it, the ghosts of its past haunts the halls at night. Voices, furniture being dragged, it’s all wrong.”

Estelle reached to take the woman’s hands into hers. “Now, now, do not let that imagination of yours go running. I am sure there’s a perfect explanation for what is happening here.”

The possibility that rodents cavorted behind the walls sent a shiver up her spine. The manor had been partially rebuilt, so what if the original estate had remaining passages, or holes in the cellar that rodents came in through the house? Anything at this point could be possible. What I really want to do is explore on my own.

A knock at the door startled the poor maid as Estelle watched the reflection bounce. “Come in,” Estelle called out, returning her attention to her maid’s expert hands.

“How stunning, my dear. Would it be improper of me to say you look ravishing tonight?”

Estelle giggled. Whenever Benedict put on such airs of pretension and nobility, they’d always managed to make fools of themselves in public. Waiting for her maid to step away, Ben had taken the mask from her hands and set it on her face.

“Now, up you go. I want to see the whole picture complete with a turn around the room.”

Estelle rose from her seat and twirled for him.

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