Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Lady Heartstone pulled her into a hug. “Of course not. I have such wonderful plans for us today. Shopping, dining, and tonight, the opera. You will of course be spending the weekend with us in the country. We leave tonight after the opera.” She cocked an eyebrow as she looked at Rosamunde’s father.
The man cleared his throat but didn’t dare dispute a woman above his station. “Take care of my daughter, my lady.”
A smile that would best be described as bordering on feral graced her lips. “She’ll be treated like she’s one of my own. Children are precious. Come, my dear, let us take our leave.”
Side by side they walked down to the waiting carriage. Rosamunde breathed deep inside the warm carriage, picking up on hints of lavender. Lady Heartstone sat beside her and never said a word to the driver. The well-sprung carriage moved out and she leaned back in the seat.
“Are you okay, my dear?”
“Fine, my lady. Thank you, but I don’t have the clothing for the opera.”
She patted her on the leg. “Not yet, you don’t.” Lady Heartstone stretched out her legs and Rosamunde blinked in shock as she noticed her footwear. Something she’d only seen in books. Moccasins.
Noticing her focus, Lady Heartstone lifted the hem of her dress, letting her see them more easily.
“I’ll be sure to get you a pair. I believe you and Keely have similar size feet. These are so much more practical than anything the Englishwomen wear. Plus the kind of footwear you wear here in England hurt my feet where these don’t.” She gave a small chuckle. “Years and I can’t bring myself to wear them like others.”
Too in awe to be embarrassed or realize she shouldn’t be discussing such things, Rosamunde bent closer.
“They’re incredible. Does someone in London make them?”
Releasing her hem, Lady Heartstone leaned back and Rosamunde followed her example.
“I’m sure someone here would. I made these however. I’ve made all the ones I have, and my family’s.” She gave her a kind smile. “We’ll have a pair of Keely’s for you for the trip and we’ll make you a pair at Heartstone.”
“Not to sound ungrateful, my lady, but why would you want me there? Why me?”
Lady Heartstone’s expression grew serious. “Why not you? You’re a friend of my children. We are having a gathering of family and friends.” She took a deep breath and patted Rosamunde on the leg. “Plus, I feel you could do with some pampering. And that’s what I do to people in my circle.”
Tears burned but Rosamunde ferociously blinked them back. “Thank you, my lady.”
“I don’t suppose you’re going to call me by my first name, are you?”
Rosamunde shook her head.
“Didn’t think so. You’ll be among family and friends, so have fun.”
The carriage stopped and the marchioness winked at her seconds before the door opened and they were helped down into the cold once more. This time they were in front of a modiste. Lady Heartstone lifted her skirts, climbed the steps to the door and walked in, tossing a quick glance over her shoulder. Rosamunde paused behind her and waited, ignoring the desire in her gut to become invisible as most treated her. The brief smile informed her she’d done the right thing.
“My lady,” a slender woman gushed with honest pleasure as she hurried over. Vibrant red and blonde hair had been piled up in an intricate knot on the top of her head. While simple, her gown fit splendidly and accentuated every dip and swell.
She could not get a sense of an accent like her sisters had always mentioned when they’d returned home from trips with their mother to places like this.
“Lola, it’s a pleasure.”
“Always, my lady. What can I do for you?”
“We need a few dresses and outfits. Most importantly, we are attending the opera tonight and she will need something for that outing.”
Lola gave Lady Heartstone a nod and swung her gaze to Rosamunde. She held her breath and waited for the usual barrage of unkind words about her weight and plain looks.
Nothing like that came. Instead Lola held out a hand and took her with a gentle yet firm grasp to the back. “Let’s see what we are working with. Coat off, if you please.”
Rosamunde noticed that Lady Heartstone hadn’t joined them.
The modiste tsked much like her past governesses had done with one exception—there was no malice in the sound. “Come, child. We have much work to do, she will be out there when you are finished. Take off the coat.”
She obeyed and Lola clucked her tongue. “Whomever makes your dresses are not doing so to flatter your curves, my dear. We will fix that.”
Curves were to be flattered? All her life she’d been taught to hide them.
Stripped down to her underthings, she gratefully slid on a warm robe after measurements had been taken. For a few moments, to tweak the dress she’d come in with was what Lola had said.