Page 66 of Wicked Scoundrel

Chapter Thirteen

“AMrs.Bell of BedfordSquare and her assistants are here to see you,” Raleigh said.“I’ve taken them to your boudoir.”

Rose squealed and jumped up from the breakfast table, dropping her linen napkin to the floor.“The modiste is here, Matthew.”She pressed a kiss to his cheek.“If I don’t see you before you leave, I hope you have a marvelous day.”

Matthew gripped her hand.“I will, Your Grace.Rose,” he said.“I am happy with how the gala preparations are going.”

“You’re not angry I relieved Mrs.Beecham of her duties?”

“Probably not as angry as Mrs.Beecham.”

“Well, my day is full, and I need Mrs.Bell to start on my dresses.I’ve barely given her a moment to spare.I hope she brought some of her books from Paris.I am sure there will be a design that no woman in London has worn before.”

“Don’t let me keep you.”

Rose grabbed her working list and hurried up the stairs.Mrs.Bell was spreading books on a round table and one of the settees.“Good morning, Mrs.Bell.”

“Yes, Your Grace.And good morning to you.”Mrs.Bell and her assistants all faced Rose, bobbed a quick curtsey and went back to their chores.“I have everything you asked for and then some.Your Grace, these are my assistants, Libby and Delia.We should get started with measurements, then we’ll look at patterns and materials.”

“Let me peek first,” Rose said.“What is the newest fashion in Paris?”

Mrs.Bell, only one of the most sought-after modistes in London, had answered her urgent call.She opened one of the books.“Neo-classical.Empire silhouettes.Belted above the waist and flowing artistic sleeves.And, most important, tubular dresses with skirts gathered under the bust.”

Rose was listening, but the stately print plates captured most of her attention.She flipped through several pages.“This one, Mrs.Bell.Yes, this is perfect.This color is lilac, but I would very much like it if there were darker purple tones, especially here at the shoulder and the waist, as the material flows downward.”What Rose really liked was the high waist that would hide the slight bulge of her stomach.“Oh, not purple!”she said.“Indigo.”She had to balance the dress between the Scottish theme and the Isis Diamonds.

“Yes, and perhaps a matching purple ribbon at the waist as well.Libby, bring the material swatches.”

And so it went.Rose knew her own mind when it came to fashion, and she had no problem steering Mrs.Bell away from the dresses that seemed outmoded or lacking that certain allure which Rose must have for the upcoming balls.The material was just as important as the pattern.

She had accepted her new position as Matthew’s wife, but that same old desire to see and be seen, to have all the other women admire her, to be the positive subject of the gossip following an extravagant gala could not be tamed.The fierce desire grew stronger by the day.Being a former duchess wasn’t enough.She had to prove she was something more!

After the measurements and material selections, Rose asked, “Will they be ready in time for the balls?I know you are a miracle worker.”

“Of course, Your Grace.You are our priority, and I will hire an additional seamstress to ensure delivery.”

Since they returned from their trip to Canterbury and Dover, Rose was encouraged by the few guests who had paid morning calls.One morning, both Lady Chester and her mother had visited.The Countess of Marbury and her daughter arrived the next day.And on another day Sarah Villiers, Lady Jersey, called.Rose had met her on several occasions, including at Almack’s as she was famously important and virtually untouchable as one of the club’s patronesses.

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