Part 24 (1/2)

His actions and looks bespoke affection, perhaps love for her, but Lady Juliane longed for the a.s.surance of words. Love had been a stranger long in coming. She was afraid to trust her judgment. Her thoughts whirled in confusion.

”Time to be up and about, my lady,” said Bess. ”They will dine earlier than usual this night. We mustn't keep them waiting.”

Lady Juliane opened her eyes. Had she truly fallen asleep? The shadowed sky answered her.

”Goodness, Bess, why did you allow me to sleep so late?”

”Never fear, my lady, your hip bath is ready. Let me unfasten you now. Go on in, I'll lay out your things.

Call as soon as you're ready for the towel. I have it warming.”

Lady Juliane untied her wrapper as she walked across the room. She had found the small corner room equipped as a lavatory the most decided luxury in the house. Removing her wrapper, she stuck a hand tentatively in the water-perfect. She eased in and relaxed in the warmth.

”Now, my lady,” Bess bustled in carrying a large towel that had been warmed before the fire. ”We mustn't dawdle. I have everything laid out and Satter will be here shortly.

”Do you think after the ball I might try my hand at powdering your hair? I've been practicing and think I could do it.”

Letting Bess chatter, Lady Juliane dressed. The sound of the girl's voice soothed, like the babble of a spring.

”Ah, la, my lady, the gown must be the latest from London. I have never seen anything like it.”

”Yes, I feel positively naked with only two petticoats but I dare not wear my pannier; anything more than the hip pads will ruin its lines,” Juliane reasoned, more to herself than to Bess.

Lady Juliane had seen such gowns in Lady Tretain's latest fas.h.i.+on magazines but had never thought to wear one. ”Come, come,” fluttered Satter, as she entered all in a pother. ”We must hurry, I still have so much to do for Lady Tretain. None can please her as I do.” Setter held out the floor-length frock coat which was meant to protect the wearer's undergarments. Managing Lady Juliane expertly into it, she seated her and went deftly to work. Miffed because she had not been asked to comb her ladys.h.i.+p's hair, she sniffed at the lack of height and breadth to the style. When she had completed the dusting, the last auburn tress whitened, Setter begrudgingly allowed the effect was most becoming. Cla.s.sic in detail, it set off Lady Juliane's facial lines and the soft curls lessened the severity into courtly elegance. Satisfied, Setter removed the frock coat and whisked out of the room without waiting for a dismissal or a thank you. ”Oh, my lady,” breathed Bess. ”You are-” ”Let us refrain from judgment until we have the complete effect. Do you think it is time for the gown?” ”Yes, my lady. Best to be a step ahead instead of three behind. Let me fetch Nell, she's been helping Alva. We don't want to chance crus.h.i.+ng it.”

While she waited, Lady Juliane walked to the wardrobe. The gown had been hung on a pole across the open doors since early afternoon. Hesitantly, she reached out. The gown did not disappear at her touch.

She was not dreaming.

”I hope you won't mind my bringing Alva, my lady?”

”Should you have left the children, Alva?”

”Nell is watching them. Bess said this won't be takin' long. I so wished to help,” pleaded Alva.

”All right, but let us hurry. We must not take any chances with their safety. Do watch them closely this

evening. There will be many strangers about,” counselled Lady Juliane.

”Aye, m'lady.

”What do I do, Bess?”

”You have to help guide the skirts. Step up into that chair, my lady.”

”The chair?”

”It's the only way I know of to get you into it without crus.h.i.+ng it,” a.s.sured Bess.

This manoeuvre done, not without many girlish giggles on the part of all, Bess eased the sleeves up, one ”Now for the fastening. Alva, I think that's all we need you for. You can go back to the children.”

”Away with that frown,” said Juliane. ”I will visit the nursery before we go down. Tell the children I will be there soon and-thank you,” Lady Juliane said, smiling.

Bess began lacing the gown up from neck to mid-hip. After working down to mid-back she said, ”My

lady, I think we will have to tighten your stays a bit.” She was surprised at the demure acquiescence, for

Lady Juliane had protested any tight lacing.

Tightening completed, the ribbon was tugged through the last loops, tied off, and tucked under. Bess straightened and flounced the skirt, then stepped back to appraise the effect. She turned Lady Juliane to the gla.s.s. ”Look, my lady.”

Her reflection amazed Lady Juliane. The gown, of finest sky-blue silk, overlaid with the sheerest of silver silks, took her breath away. Fas.h.i.+onable off-shoulder, tiny rosettes of matching colour formed shoulder straps and ran down either side of the centre front insert to the floor. The delicately gathered skirt flowed from the waist at side and back. Sequins had been worked in small floral patterns on the bottom third of the skirt and also over the full, half-sleeves.

”My lady, I found these in the box that the dress was in. What would they be for?” asked Bess, holding single blue and silver rosettes in her hand.

”I ... Why, would they not enhance my hair? The pins, let us try this. Yes, I do believe-what do you think?” she asked, seeking rea.s.surance.

”Just the right touch, my lady. You are so lovely,” sighed Bess.