Page 130 of The Dravenhearst Brides
A memory tickled, faint. Evangeline dropping green cuttings into a bourbon glass before a toast. The night Merrick was poisoned. Mint leaves, she’d said.
Margot watched the quick, sure slide of the knife. The flash of green underneath the blade.
But…no, it couldn’t be. Margot turned to depart, shaking her head.
“You come back and visit soon, you hear?” Evangeline called. “Toodle-oo!”
44
November 23, 1913
Babette, ma petite amour,
Enclosed is what you seek—Robe a la Polonaise in the finest silk. Six layers, eight bows, 327 diamond crystals, hand embellished by none other than moi. A dress most worthy of my muse.
But, darling, please—stay away from guillotines while wearing House of Worth. That’s hardly the publicity we’re after!
Your humble servant,
Jean-Phillipe
Margotplottedasshedressed for sleep. She made her selections with care, looking for lace and sheer silk. Merrick shared her bed every night now, but he didn’t touch her the way she wanted.Not since the miscarriage.
A slip,she decided, in lieu of the long woolen nightgowns she typically wore in December. She would be cold—Merrick still refused to properly heat the house—but long johns would hardly do for the task at hand.
The blue silk slipped over her head with a whisper, clinging to her chest. She went to the vanity and unpinned her long hair. Extended her legs to pull on thigh-high stockings. The mirror shimmered slightly when she gazed into its depths. A shiver walked up Margot’s spine, fluttering ice-cold kisses.
“Look how you’ve learned, fledgling,” Babette cooed, reaching out to run phantom fingers through Margot’s hair. “Tell me, what is it you want from him?”
“You’ll catch your death,” Eleanor shrieked, walking through the wall. “Gracious, cover yourself up, Margot, or we’ll be putting you in the ground alongside the babies.”
Footsteps sounded in the hall. All three women turned to stare.
“He’s coming,” Babette murmured.
Margot rose to her feet. “Leave.”
Eleanor vanished.
“Shy, fledgling?” Babette asked, reaching for Margot’s cheek.
She stepped back, not wanting to be touched. Not by her.
“If I get what I want tonight, you’ll get what you want. Isn’t that right?”
Babette tilted her head and sighed with pleasure. “Oh, yes, you’ve come along nicely indeed.”
A shimmer in the air, and she was gone.
Two soft knocks on her door, then Merrick slipped inside. She was pleased when his eyes lingered, drinking in the shape of her curves. His throat bobbed hard on his swallow.
“Ready for bed?” she asked, drifting toward him.
The tiniest bite to his lip, so quick she almost missed it. She smiled and reached for the buttons at the top of his shirt. He’d already undone two. Shebrushed her fingers over the exposed skin of his neck, lazed down, slipping one button loose. Then the next.
“Uh-oh,” he murmured, the sound a deep rumble in his chest. “What’re you after, love?”
“Hmm?” she raised her eyes to his. Wide. The portrait of innocence.
