You & No Other by Cathy Maxwell - 01

Author:Cathy Maxwell - 01 [01, Cathy Maxwell -]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-04-19T20:34:30.953000+00:00

“Why not?” the Baroness asked. “She sent it for you to wear.” Without waiting for a response, she untied the ribbons on the dress cover and gave a soft cry of pleasure.

Minerva dropped the hat on the bed and reached for the dress. It was made of silk so fine, the shimmering deep blue material pooled like water on the floor. Tiny seed pearls edged the deep V-necked bodice and formed a belt around the high waist. Moving slowly, as if in a dream, Caroline touched the small puffed sleeves. The material was clean and fresh, just like new. “It’s beautiful.”

“Try it on,” Minerva urged, breaking the spell.

“I can’t,” Caroline said.

“Yes, you can.” Minerva held the dress up to her. “Look in the mirror. You’re lovely.”

Caroline dared to look, and caught her breath. She’d never worn anything so elegant. The Baroness lifted the hem of the dress Caroline was wearing. Before Caroline knew what was happening, the Baroness had pulled off one dress and Minerva had dropped the blue silk over her head. The silk skirt shimmered to the floor.

“You look like a princess,” the Baroness whispered, slipping the velvet cap up and over Caroline’s heavy chignon. “A hairpin here and here and you will be ready to go.”

“The fit is nearly perfect,” Minerva agreed.

Reverently, Caroline lifted her fingers and lightly touched the pearl beads across the bodice. The pearls Mr. Ferrington had offered her the day before would have finished the ensemble off to perfection.

Realizing the direction of her thoughts, she forced Mr. Ferrington from her mind. She pinched the bodice material. “It fits perfectly everywhere but here.”

“A few darts will eliminate the extra fullness,” the Baroness said with a dismissive wave.

“I found these in the bottom of the hatbox,” Minerva said, pulling out a pair of long, cream-colored kid gloves. “See if they fit.”

“If you have needle and thread, cherie, I will take care of the darts,” the Baroness offered.

“You?” Caroline asked. She slipped her hand into one of the luxuriously soft gloves.

“But of course. I was a seamstress until the Baron swept me off my feet.” The Baroness’s eyes sparkled at the memory. “Come. We have much to do and little time to do it.”

“I’ll find the thread and order Jasper to start heating water for your bath,” Minerva volunteered, moving toward the door.

“Bon,” the Baroness said, “and tonight, you will use my coach.”

Minerva skidded to a halt “Your coach, Charlotte? But I thought—well, Pierre…” Her voice trailed off and she shot Caroline a decidedly guilty look.

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