Page 81 of A Sight to Behold
The earl drew circles in the air with his hands. “He’s young, healthy, smart, and obviously has earned your love.”
Pippa felt the heat rising to her face again. She turned to Isabel who was blinking tears away. Even though Pippa was among aristocrats, none of them had mentioned that Nick was merely a commoner. Instead, they focused on his accomplishments, and his skills. “A good man” the earl hadcalled him, and it was true. Perhaps, because of the enlightened earl, Violet, Lance—a duke!—Isabel, and herself, Pippa had hope that the Ton might let her get away with marrying Nick.
“I’ll help you.” The earl uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. Violet cleared her throat and he cast her a nod. “If you agree to a certain condition, I will make sure you have your father’s blessing, permission, and a special license if you need one.”
“Whatever it takes!” Pippa beamed when Isabel took her hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Even if it means that you’ll be the center of attention at a ball?” Violet asked, casting the earl another of those leave-this-to-me, I-know-the-Ton looks.
Could she trust Violet? She’d been one to create all manner of chaos and upset during her youth. She never quite trusted her since. Except now…She looked at her childhood friend, now holding onto one of her husband’s hands, studying her with an expression free of guile, and filled with—instead—kindness. “Yes,” Pippa whispered and gently squeezed Isabel’s hand back for support. She and the rest of them knew it meant defeating any obstacle that stood in the way of love, both for Pippa’s prospects to marry Nick as well as for Isabel’s return to Lance. Violet had a proven record of getting what she set out to obtain and if she was going to help Pippa, there was no price too high for success.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The day passedquickly, and a ball was arranged for the coming Friday. It was easy to do by using the occasion of Violet’s brother’s return from the continent and announcing that the House of Langley was hosting a soiree. Over one hundred guests, thecreme de la cremeof the Ton, were invited. The Earl of Langley sent a personal note to Pippa’s father and his wife, requesting their presence.
The next morning, after plans were hatched, meals were shared, and hatchets buried, Violet came into the room Pippa and Isabel were using to dress.
“You need to look your best,” Violet said, bringing a large white box upholstered with embroidered cotton. “This is from France. It’s the finest.”
Pippa and Isabel sat on the edge of the bed, and Violet pulled up the stool from the vanity table.
“This is a pomade of shimmer made of crushed pearl. If you pat it on your cheeks just so,” Violet rubbed some on the back of her hand, “and then buff it with the powder, it’ll last all night.” She picked up the pouf and dusted it onto her hand.
Isabel and Pippa gasped. A thin layer of shimmering pink was on Violet’s hand as if she’d made her hand blush.
“Isn’t this for women of ill repute?” Pippa asked.
“If you don’t know it’s there, it doesn’t affect anyone’s reputation.” Violet rubbed some on the apples of her cheeks, and it melted into her skin. She looked glowing, but Pippa wouldn’thave known if she didn’t know Violet’s secret now. “See?” Violet smiled and handed Pippa the box.
“Amazing!” Isabel said.
“There’s more in here and something special for you, Isabel.” Violet retrieved a silvercachoubox and unscrewed the lid. “A little beeswax, rose oil, talcum powder, and rice flower with gum arabic.” She held it to Isabel’s face. “I think it will do.”
“What are you doing?” Isabel frowned.
“How do you think I got through the prickly periods during finishing school with a mother like mine? Without these little helpers, my parents would have probably treated me just as…” Violet’s voice trailed away.
“As ours treated us?” Isabel gave Pippa a look. Isabel’s parents had mistreated her, but Pippa’s mother would never have allowed her father to behave as he was now. None of this would have happened if her mother were still alive.
And yet, she wouldn’t have met Nick then.
Life was different now, and Pippa felt changed. She’d accepted her mother’s absence from her adult life and took the reins. Yes, she still needed some help and receiving it from the unlikely ally of Violet showed how the tides had turned.
Well, this was Pippa’s life.
So, she’d make the best of it.
She smelled the little cachou boxes with shades of purple-pink safflower, blood-red carmine, and rose-petal pink alkanet. They smelled waxy and a little like honey combined with fragrant oil and something powdery. There was nothing objectionable at all.
“You’re trying to mask my blemish?” Isabel asked.
“No, I’m helping you to highlight your best features.” Violet set the beige paste in the box and retrieved another larger box covered in blue velvet. She opened the small hook and revealed a beautiful glass bottle with a waxed cork. “And this perfume,my dear, will highlight the best features, your characterandconfidence.”
Isabel took the perfume bottle and opened the cork. She rubbed the moisture form the cork on the back of her hand and a scent of cardamom and saffron mixed with jasmine wafted into Pippa’s nose.
“It smells exotic and different,” Pippa whispered.
“That is my intention,” Violet said with the tone of a woman wiser than her age. “The perfume announces something spectacular and yet, gives an aura of greatness.”
