Page 54 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
Margaret positioned the gown so that Kate could step into it and lifted it to help her slide her arms through the sleeves. Kate stood still while Margaret drew the laces tight and secured them down her back.
She hauled in a deep breath, surprised to find that her bosom looked larger than usual with the laces so tight around her waist. Fortunately, the constriction wasn’t enough to hamper her breathing.
She watched her reflection as Margaret fussed about, ensuring the gown sat as it should. The layers of fabric against Kate’s skin were relatively robust and a delicate shade of pink,while the upper layers were gauzier and floated around her. She’d had to have the fabric imported from the Continent, as it wasn’t yet popular in England.
The sleeves were capped, and elaborate beading on the bust elevated the gown from eye-catching to stunning.
She loved it.
And she had just the right necklace to accompany it, thanks to Andrew and Amelia. When they’d seen the design, they’d bought her a three-tiered pink pearl necklace in the exact same shade as the dress.
Margaret fastened the pearls around her neck and then motioned for Kate to tilt her head so she could add the matching earrings. The last touch was a gold bracelet that encircled her right wrist. She was choosing to keep the left wrist bare, the better to emphasize her new ring.
Kate rolled her eyes at herself. She may not be selfish, but she could admit that she was a tiny bit materialistic in that she liked to look nice and put a lot of thought into her appearance. It wasn’t the worst trait she could have, surely.
“Lift your foot so I can help you with your slipper?” Margaret asked.
Kate raised one foot and then the other, holding them aloft while Margaret slid the shoes—also pink—onto her feet. That done, she turned to her maid.
“Thank you, Margaret. You’ve gone above and beyond.”
“You’re welcome, my lady. If I may say, you look lovely.”
“Thank you.” Kate studied her for a moment. “I’ll see you at Blackwell House tonight?”
“Indeed. My bags have already been sent over.”
“I wish you all the best with settling in.” Kate meant the words with every fiber of her being. She’d asked her maid to shift households with her, and to her delight, Margaret had beenamenable. It was nice to know that she would have at least one familiar face in her new home.
Kate made her way downstairs to where her family awaited.
Amelia came over to greet her and offered her a sapphire hairpin. “Something borrowed, old, and blue to accompany your new necklace. If you’d like it. I know it may not suit.”
Kate’s heart warmed at the gesture. “I’d love to wear it. Will you pin it into the braid?”
She turned so Amelia could reach her hair and held still while she slid the pin into place.
“Now, are we ready to go?” Lady Drake asked, sweeping her hair off her shoulder. It had been pinned back, similar to Kate’s, except where hers was held off her neck, her mother’s cascaded down in loose ringlets.
“I believe so.” Amelia circled around Kate to stand beside Andrew. “George is with the nanny, everyone is dressed, and the carriage is waiting.”
“No second thoughts?” Andrew asked, his serious eyes conflicting with the light tone.
Her insides went soft. “No.”
If she gave even the slightest impression she didn’t want to go through with this, she had no doubt that he’d spirit her away. She was so lucky to have him as her guardian. She just hoped he was prepared for the little favor she’d be asking of him soon.
As they left the house, Boden called a blessing after them. She smiled to herself, pleased the overly proper butler cared enough to say anything that went beyond carrying out his duties.
Pink ribbon adorned the carriage, and it was warm inside, courtesy of the hot bricks beneath the seats. Considering the cool temperature outside, Kate was grateful for that.
She gazed out the window as they trundled down the street toward the church. People paused to watch them pass, knowing from the ribbons that they were headed somewhere important.
They stopped outside the church. It looked no different than usual. From outside, there was no way to tell that wedding guests waited in the pews. The church was stone, with an arched entrance and a decorative round window above the door.
“Ready?” Andrew asked.
“Er.” Kate opened her hand to reveal the note she’d palmed prior to leaving her bedchamber. “Would you mind running this to Lord Blackwell for me?”
