Midnight with the Marquess by Alexa Aston

Author:Alexa Aston
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-05-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

RACHEL DRESSED WITH care for the ball. Not only would Alford’s houseguests attend, but he had invited of bevy of neighbors up to twenty miles away in order to give Leah the chance to meet everyone—and shine. Some of these same guests would attend the wedding between the earl and his fiancée at Eversleigh once October came.

A maid had taken over Leah’s toilette while another fussed over how to style Leah’s hair. Rachel waited until her friend was completely dressed and sat to have her hair arranged before claiming the maid’s services in helping her to prepare for the evening.

She started with her linen chemise. Its open, square neckline fit well with the dress she’d brought for the ball. It was a favorite of hers, one she’d worn twice during the Season. Next, she slipped into her corset, which had minimal boning that supported her breasts. It fell long enough to flatten her stomach, which she didn’t really need. Though she possessed a healthy appetite, she got plenty of exercise. Catherine had told her once she had children, things might change. Rachel pushed that thought away as she lifted the shoulder straps and asked for help in tightening the corset enough so that the cups supported her without squishing her breasts together.

Once finished, she allowed the lady’s maid to lift her gown over her head and she slid her arms into it before draping and smoothing the dress. It was actually two pieces that she’d had sewn together, the bottom one a soft shade of pale gold satin that dominated the skirt, while the upper layer was a deep emerald green, the exact shade of her eyes. The green was cut away to reveal the gold and Rachel thought the colors blended together beautifully.

She sat in a chair and pulled on opaque, silk stockings in the same unusual shade of pale gold. Her flat, satin slippers of emerald had decorative gold ribbons that laced up her calves. She reached for the cameo that hung from an emerald satin ribbon and fastened it about her neck. Last, she slid on the long, white, kid gloves that went slightly above her elbows.

She remained seated and watched as Leah finished getting ready. Her friend wore a gown of deep green trimmed with gold rosettes. The gown itself brought out her deep, green eyes and looked marvelous with her golden hair, piled high atop her head. Leah’s cheeks were already flushed with excitement.

“You look beautiful,” Rachel proclaimed. “Alford is a lucky man.”

“Your turn,” her friend said, instructing the maid how she wanted Rachel’s hair to be styled in a similar fashion to hers.

She took a seat and let the maid artfully arrange her hair. Looking into the small hand mirror, Rachel was satisfied that she looked her best. For her. Not for Merrick.

“Let’s go downstairs so we can join the receiving line,” Leah said, slipping her arm through Rachel’s and leading her from the room.

“I see no need for me to be in a receiving line.

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