Harlequin Historical February 2021--Box Set 1 of 2 by Virginia Heath

Author:Virginia Heath [Heath, Virginia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

The next day was overcast and grey, but Helene woke with a mood of optimism she had not felt in a long time. All because of a ball? She could not think herself so shallow, but life had been so bleak for so long that the prospect of music and dancing and wearing that beautiful gown was enough for her to look forward to.

As long as she kept Rhys out of her mind.

She rang for the maid and dressed quickly before heading straight to Wilson’s room. Her preparation for the ball was to be a team effort. Mrs Jacobs and Louise were to bring items she might need. A papillote iron to curl her hair. A pot of rouge to tint her cheeks and lips. Extra pins for her hair and her dress. She could not have asked for two more enthusiastic lady’s maids.

* * *

She spent most of the day in Wilson’s room with them, while Louise altered the dress so that it fit her to perfection. Luckily Wilson was a great deal better and a good sport about being encompassed by this purely feminine business. She left them only to arrange for food or to run to the shops for whatever they forgot.

* * *

When the time came for her to dress for dinner, Wilson felt well enough to be left alone. He persuaded the ladies to attend to Helene in her own room, perhaps to gain a little peace for himself. At times, thinking of Rhys, Helene’s spirits started to flag, but the ebullience of Mrs Jacobs and Louise always lifted her up again. Even if she did not enjoy the ball, she’d always fondly remember sharing this part of the day with Mrs Jacobs and Louise.

Helene sat at her dressing table as Louise pinned her hair up in a knot resembling a mass of curls high on her head and loose curls framing her face.

‘After dinner, we will add ribbons,’ Louise said.

Mrs Jacobs nodded. ‘Yes. You must look very fancy indeed. The hair must complement the dress.’

Helene was fairly certain Mrs Jacobs had never been to a society ball, nor worn a ball gown, but she was beginning to enjoy the nurse’s absolute certainty in her opinions. Would Helene have made it this far without Mrs Jacobs urging her on? If not for Mrs Jacobs, would she not have spent the past two days sitting in her hotel room, desolate about Rhys and worried about David?

For dinner before the ball Helene chose the other of her two day dresses, this one a dark green. It was a walking dress, not at all a dinner dress, but she added the finest of her new lace fichus to make it a fancy as she could. Her serviceable half-boots would not do at all, so she wore the gold slippers that matched her ball gown.

‘Wear the earrings to dinner and add the necklace for the ball,’ suggested Louise.

The earrings resembled two teardrops that dangled from her ears. ‘Are you certain these are paste?’ They were lovely enough to be real.

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