Emily Hendrickson by The Unexpected Wife

Author:The Unexpected Wife [Wife, The Unexpected]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Things always look better in the morning sun, and so Juliet found upon arising. In the small hours of the night she had decided upon her course of action, and all that remained was to see it through, not that she particularly relished the prospect of what she determined necessary.

There was much to be done for the coming ball; she whisked herself from bed with alacrity. This was not the day to be mooning about, regardless of her inner feelings.

She studied a somewhat wan face in her looking glass and decided that with a dusting of rice powder over a hint of rouge she would pass. There was little point in reflecting on what had happened last evening. Most likely Miss Pritchard would tell her she was being a silly goose to fuss so over the green satin gown and to get on with what had to be done.

“Remember, you foolish girl, all this is in aid of freeing you from a man you detest and providing Lord Hawkswood with a haven until that Miss Shelford looks elsewhere,” she scolded the image in her looking glass. Juliet wondered how long it would take. If the girl were truly in love with Alexander, it might take time. Juliet knew that it would take a great deal of time for her to forget the viscount.

When Pansy entered the room, she had a hesitant look on her face, Juliet was amused to see. “Morning, my lady.”

“I suppose the others are up and gone?” Juliet asked with seeming casualness, fiddling with her linen napkin before consuming the dainty breakfast Pansy had brought.

“Indeed. His lordship went off to Salisbury again, and Lord Taunton and your stepbrother took themselves off somewheres,” Pansy said.

“A quiet day, in other words. Good—there is much to be done.”

Pansy gave Juliet a curious look, then took the yellow morning gown from the wardrobe. “The yellow again. You need some new gowns, my lady,” the maid ventured to say.

Juliet was becoming heartily sick of the dress, but she had never owned an extensive wardrobe while at Winterton Hall, and now her lack of suitable clothing was even more vexing.

“Indeed, I do. Perhaps when the ball is over and Lord Hawkswood is off to wherever he intends to go, I can order a few.” Maid and mistress exchanged a look of complete accord.

“Think you your stepbrother will release your funds, then?” Pansy dared to inquire.

“I devoutly hope so.” Juliet tossed her napkin aside after swallowing the last of her morning tea. Then she slipped on the yellow morning gown, tied an apron over the dress, and prepared to go to work.

There was an additional maid and a footman to instruct, Cook to soothe, and Mrs. Bassett to consult. The ball would be held on the morrow, and there was not a moment to lose in preparation, not that the ball would be all that grand. Fifteen couples had accepted her invitation, but they would be a select group of local gentry. Besides,

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.