White Magic by Jaclyn Reding

Author:Jaclyn Reding [Reding, Jaclyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Published: 2023-10-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Charlotte awoke early the next morning so that she might thoroughly prepare for their ride in the park with the Earl of Peversley.

Augusta awoke at a quarter hour before eleven, after passing the night before working till the dawn in her belvedere.

The viscount, punctual as he was, arrived promptly at half past eleven. Standing at the top of the stairs looking down, Augusta found Charlotte awaiting her in the entrance hall, watching Lord Peversley at his carriage on the square through the front window with all the excitement of a child.

The marchioness was turned out well in a pinstriped blue and green walking dress with a matching parasol and bonnet, every color, every accessory about her in perfect harmony. When she heard Augusta's descent on the stairs behind her, she turned. She took in the unadorned ash gray cambric walking gown and simple straw bonnet Augusta had opted to wear and immediately frowned her disapproval.

"Plainer gowns are fine, Augusta, if they are dressed up with embellishments or trimmings, but how will you ever be noticed when you eschew any possibility of color in your costume? Now that you are recognized in society, we will have to make arrangements for your wardrobe to be brought up-to-date." She narrowed a critical eye. "Yellows and turquoises I think shall do well with your coloring. I shall schedule a round of fittings with my own modiste immediately. Until then, we will simply have to make do." She patted Augusta's hand. "I know it is not your fault, dear. You were deprived of a mother’s wisdom for too many years and thus you do not know the way of these things yet. But you will learn. And it is most fortunate that you have me here to help guide you."

Yes, most fortunate, indeed.

The Peversley landau was actually very fine, and the ride was smooth as they tooled along the narrow lanes to the west toward the entrance to Hyde Park. The sun was out, and Augusta turned her face fully into its light, drinking in its lovely warmth, until Charlotte moved her parasol overhead to shield her, whispering a reminder to her of Mr. Bell's philosophy that young ladies should take great pains to avoid a browned complexion. Augusta turned then to watch the passing scenery instead.

One thing Augusta did notice as they rolled along was that most every gentleman they passed took the time to tip his hat while muttering a polite "Good day, Lady Augusta," or "You are looking most fetching this morning, Lady Augusta." And even the ladies, who had previously ignored her as being hardly worth their notice, now nodded their heads in friendly greeting. Augusta frowned to herself. Things hadn't returned to normal as she'd thought. Not at all. Suddenly, the anonymity which had protected her all her life was gone, leaving her every move now open to scrutiny and speculation. And Augusta hated it.

They had taken several turns around the park, Charlotte to be depended upon as always

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.