Page 66 of His Unforgettable Bride
“Our pleasure.” Tabitha nodded before turning and speaking to guests as she worked her way to her post near the front door.
The next several minutes buzzed past before Juliet returned to the empty house and raced up the back stairs. She burst into her bedroom and halted abruptly. Draped over her bed was a crimson tarlatan dress with a double skirt, the upper one looped up with delicate silver rosettes and velvet trim. A wide, almost off-the-shoulder neckline and capped sleeves added flair to the elegant gown.
Filled with awe, she approached the bed to ensure her imagination hadn’t stirred up the image. Her fingers explored the dress. Silky, soft fabric. Delicate, dainty trim. Perfect in every way. A new crinoline rested beside the garment and a pair of dyed matching satin slippers waited on the carpet next to the bed.
How had the sisters gone from strangers to almost family, or even fairy godmothers, in such a short time? Nobody had ever extended such kindness, except perhaps, her flesh and blood family long ago.
She drew an excited breath. Maybe all her fears about belonging again were unfounded and unnecessary. Possibly, she didn’t have to worry about being rejected again, left alone, or pushed aside. Maybe she really could believe everything would work out fine.
Was it possible to have more than friendship with Gray one day? Of course, life remained uncertain, even more so now that they had no idea who he was or where he’d come from. But that kiss had meant something, and neither of them could deny the attraction growing between them.
She wiggled out of her black uniform and into a pair of silk stockings and the dome-shaped, caged crinoline. With care, she gently donned the gown, then shuffled the dress into place with a shake of her hips. Satisfied, she slipped on the dainty slippers.
Almost ready to return to the celebration, she gazed into the full-length mirror, her long hair shimmering in the lantern light. The lonely orphan girl with a broken heart was gone. In her place stood a lady with dear, generous friends. “I wish you could see me now, Grandfather,” she whispered.
Blinking back a tear, she exited her room and descended the staircase at a stately pace. As she stepped out into the crisp evening air, the tinkling music from the tearoom beckoned to her. She strolled over the cobblestone path lined with lanterns and past the male guests clustered under the trees to smoke and wag tongues.
Bells mewed and threaded between her slippers, begging for attention. Although chilly without a shawl, Juliet bent and scratched the cat’s head. “As much as I would love to pick you up, little kitty, not tonight. I don’t want cat hair marring my dress. But I promise to cuddle you twice tomorrow.”
As she straightened, she glimpsed Reverend Channing sidling toward her through the nearby men. The glow of lanterns glinted off his tall black hat and revealed the eagerness on his face. After she’d started focusing during his Sunday sermons, she’d spotted stirring points each week. Next time he asked about her favorite part of his message, she’d offer a ready answer.
He halted in front of her with a wide smile. “Please allow me to tell you how stunning you look this evening, Miss Dash.”
“Thank you, Reverend. However, good manners prevent me from pointing out that it’s difficult to see clearly in this light.”
“And yet the darkness cannot hide your beauty.”
Oh my goodness.The reverend was a charmer too. She ought to be flattered, even flustered by his compliment, but she felt none of the same fluttering that had happened with Gray’s compliments.
“May I escort you to the festivities to avoid stumbling?” He extended his elbow to escort her.
She hesitated.
She’d learned he was a widower and childless. By all accounts, he was also a decent, God-fearing man. Once upon a time, she would have been thrilled to have a fellow like him interested in her, someone unattainable.
But he wasn’t Gray…
It wouldn’t be fair to the reverend—or anyone else, for that matter—to lead him on when the truth was that she wanted to spend the entire evening with only one man, and it wasn’t the fellow in front of her.
“Thank you, Reverend. However?—”
“Juliet, there you are.” Gray’s voice carried from behind her.
She turned to watch him draw closer. He’d donned a dark suit, and his white shirt and cravat added an elegant touch. Never had she seen clothing fit a man as it did now, the sole reason her stomach wildly spun. Of course, the lighting was poor, but she stood firm in her opinion.
“You promised me the first dance, if I recall.”
Had she promised him such a thing? She didn’t remember doing so. Still, she wouldn’t mind opening the evening in his solid arms and ending it there.
Juliet nodded to the reverend. “I will see you inside.”
“Most assuredly, you will.” He tipped his hat at Gray, then headed back toward the gathering of men under the trees.
Juliet looped her arm with the dashing man at her side, alone with him on the pathway.
He bent closer, and the fresh scent of soap with cinnamon filled the crisp air. “Finally, the man of the cloth makes his move.”
“What move? All Reverend Channing did was ask me to dance.”
