Page 33 of The Lady Glass
Her Grace grinned. “Nonsense. Playing dress-up isn’t just for children; it’s also for mature women who need to be reminded of their beauty. I have a feeling Lady Glass is going to remember a life she’s never lived before.” Her Grace stood. “Come, we have a lady in the making.”
Lady Cadogen stood, too, and that’s when Theresia noticed her slightly protruding stomach. Theresia guessed she was with child.
Theresia rose slowly to her feet and clasped her hands in front of her. “I hate to say this, but we might not be the same size.” She added quickly, “I am taller than both of you.”
Lady Cadogen rested her hand on her stomach and gave her a smug look. “Captain Reese said the same, but the oddest thing happened just this morning. I know I teased before about you losing a trunk, but one happened to appear on the steps of Ashbury Court. Apparently, some strange benefactor left it, addressed to the captain.”
Her Grace nodded. “You will never guess what was inside.”
Theresia shrugged. “I cannot imagine.”
Lady Cadogen’s gaze grew conspiratorial. “Dresses. A dozen of them. As fine as any of Her Grace’s or my own.”
Dresses? An airy laugh escaped. “What need does the captain have for gowns?”
“He was as astonished as the rest of us,” Lady Cadogen said. “And not a single clue was left to tell us who sent them.”
“I was nearly convinced it was an act of the fabled fairies from the moors,” Her Grace added. “I have more than one superstitious aunt, and this corner of Westmorland is full ofstrange happenings.”
Theresia squirmed, thinking of the hours she’d traipsed up and down the roads alone. The fortune-teller’s warning rang fresh in her ears, sending a second chill down her back. “What did the captain make of it?”
“He does not seem one to believe any nonsense,” Andalin answered. “But you know him far better than either of us.” Did she? Before Theresia could wonder, Andalin continued. “He held a gown up and, with wonder in his voice, declared it was no mistake. They were meant forLady Glass.”
Theresia frowned. For her? “Is he giving me someone else’s dresses?” She immediately thought of his intended, and her stomach soured. As soon as she said it, she knew it was as unlikely as them being created by some witch or fairy from the moors, but she had still not reconciled herself to the idea of Rolland marrying for duty, and she could not stop thinking about who his bride might be.
Andalin shook her head. “Not a one has any sign of wear, and we are quite certain they were newly made. They even smell new. The captain is convinced they are your size too. That is why he declared they are yours.”
Impossible! It was only yesterday that they had come up with this scheme. It took days, if not weeks, to make a single gown. Besides, how could the man even guess at her size?
Her Grace’s smile was not as quick or as wide as Lady Cadogen’s, but it was maternal in the comforting air it carried with it. “Captain Reese did not divulge the whole of your story to us, but if he says they are yours, then they are yours.”
“And trust me.” Lady Cadogen pushed back a dark curl. “You will especially not want to turn down the exquisite ball gown.”
“Ball gown?” She repeated the word in wonder.
“Oh yes,” the duchess agreed. “Everyone enjoyed the last ball so much that we have decided to end the house party with asmall country dance. We needed something for everyone to look forward to, but now I am sure it was because that gown needs to be worn as soon as possible.”
“If it fits,” Theresia added. Their enthusiasm was catching, but she didn’t want them to get carried away. While she’d dreamed of dancing at a ball—of staying at house parties and eating the finest foods—she would be attending under a false identity, and her focus must be on her vase. Practicality must reign—especially where Rolland was concerned. Even if dancing with him sounded rather marvelous.
Lady Cadogen waved her toward the narrow staircase just outside the drawing room. “You will find we are both rather deft with a needle should any adjustments be needed.”
They couldn’t be serious. “I couldn’t ask either of you to do such a common task.” Fine ladies would never take up the work of a seamstress. “I am certain I can make the adjustments needed. I thank you for your kindness, but please do not let me take up more of your time.”
“Nonsense.” Lady Cadogen set her hand on Theresia’s arm. “Neither of us is used to house parties, and we jumped at the opportunity to escape Ashbury Court for a few hours.”
Her Grace laughed at Lady Cadogen’s comment. “Anything is better than discussing the weather again or pretending we have a vast knowledge of fashion.”
Theresia eyed them both.
Neither the duchess nor Lady Cadogen had experience with house parties or knowledge of the latest styles? No one would believe it by looking at them. And both were far kinder than she’d expected from members of the loftyton. Far kinder than anyone she had ever met in England, even. She wasn’t so spiteful that she couldn’t recognize this or accept a gesture of benevolence. She forced a smile of surrender. “Then, I must thank you for your offer. I’m afraid that however limited yourexpertise is, it must exceed my own.”
Lady Cadogen gave Theresia’s arm a little tug. “Leave your gowns to us. Dressing the part is half the work, and effectuating the rest will be easy enough with us by your side.”
Theresia swallowed. The idea of playing dress-up was alittleenticing. Besides, she had changed herself before to conform to Mrs. Stone’s Seminary, only practicing her violin when the others were out and holding her tongue no matter how provoked she became. Becoming Lady Glass would be a greater challenge, but she could do it for the sake of saving lives and retrieving a piece of her heritage. She nodded to the ladies, saying a silent goodbye to Theresia Dvorak.
It was time to become a lady spy.
Chapter 16
