style.”
The words stabbed Bethany, as her aunt intended, no doubt. She’s so concerned I may make an advantageous marriage, she can hardly contain herself. I certainly didn’t encourage Perry to call, but I doubt I could convince her of that. I wasn’t even here. Eleanor received him.
“ You have no dowry to entice a suitable match. You must be content to remain with your uncle and me. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Aunt.” Dear Auntie, you may think I have no choice, but one day, I’ll be free from your sharp tongue. When I turn twenty and one, whatever it takes, I’ll flee this place. A lady always has choices. She lowered her lids so Gertrude couldn’t read the expression in her eyes.
Gertrude glowered at Bethany and continued, “I want you to wear the jonquil muslin I purchased for Eleanor last season. The one with the ribbons under the bosom. That should do nicely.”
“Is Eleanor aware I’m to wear one of her frocks?”
Gertrude stared long and hard. “Eleanor is a dutiful daughter. More than I can say for some. I’ve ordered her maid to deliver the garment to your door.” Gertrude made a shooing motion. “Run along now. I don’t have all day to consider your problems. Be ready promptly, mind.”
At least the gown wouldn’t require alterations . Bethany took the stairs two at a time. She must do something with her hair . Her pulse fluttered in her throat. Not that she was trying to gain attention, especially from Perry. She merely intended to avoid another set-down from his brother, and to avoid another confrontation with Aunt Gertrude.
After she washed and allowed her hair to dry a little, she twisted several strands into curls and tied each into place with strips of cloth. In a few hours, she could arrange it in long ringlets spilling from the crown of her head.
She opened the drawer to her dressing table, searching for her mother’s bracelet. The sparkle of the jewelry would be charming with the muslin gown. Not immediately seeing the bracelet, she tugged the drawer open a little further and reached all the way to the back. She ran her fingers along the rear, the corners, and all around the edges. Nothing. Alarmed, she emptied the entire contents on the bed, but the bracelet wasn’t to be found.
Tears stung her eyes and her spirit sank to her toes. How could she have lost her mother’s bracelet? She flopped on the edge of the bed and buried her head in her hands. Think. When was the last time she actually remembered wearing the bracelet? She raised her head. In the garden . She’d had it on her wrist when she strolled through the garden. Perhaps she dropped it there.
Hurrying outside, she carefully scrutinized every inch of the grounds immediately beyond the door. Finding nothing, she continued on to the winding path through the grounds and searched with the same thoroughness. She finally reached the bench where she’d paused to rest earlier in the day. After examining the entire area, she sank onto the seat in defeat. Then she remembered, before trailing her fingers in the water in the fountain, she’d removed the bracelet and shoved it in her pocket.
Heaving a sigh, she relaxed and allowed her anxiety to float away. Footsteps crunched on the gravel path behind her, and she glanced around. Much to her surprise, Aunt Gertrude came into view from the direction of the woods.
When she noticed Bethany, she halted. “What are you doing?” Gertrude demanded, approaching the bench. “And why do you appear out of doors looking such a fright?”
“I dropped something and came looking for it.”
Gertrude had her hand clenched inside the folds of her gown. “An improbable tale. More like you to sneak round, prying into things that don’t concern you. Did Arthur send you to spy on me?”
“Certainly not. But—”
“But me no buts. Go to the house and ready yourself at once. If you are a moment late, I shall order the carriage to proceed without you. Now be off.” Gertrude glanced
The words stabbed Bethany, as her aunt intended, no doubt. She’s so concerned I may make an advantageous marriage, she can hardly contain herself. I certainly didn’t encourage Perry to call, but I doubt I could convince her of that. I wasn’t even here. Eleanor received him.
“ You have no dowry to entice a suitable match. You must be content to remain with your uncle and me. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Aunt.” Dear Auntie, you may think I have no choice, but one day, I’ll be free from your sharp tongue. When I turn twenty and one, whatever it takes, I’ll flee this place. A lady always has choices. She lowered her lids so Gertrude couldn’t read the expression in her eyes.
Gertrude glowered at Bethany and continued, “I want you to wear the jonquil muslin I purchased for Eleanor last season. The one with the ribbons under the bosom. That should do nicely.”
“Is Eleanor aware I’m to wear one of her frocks?”
Gertrude stared long and hard. “Eleanor is a dutiful daughter. More than I can say for some. I’ve ordered her maid to deliver the garment to your door.” Gertrude made a shooing motion. “Run along now. I don’t have all day to consider your problems. Be ready promptly, mind.”
At least the gown wouldn’t require alterations . Bethany took the stairs two at a time. She must do something with her hair . Her pulse fluttered in her throat. Not that she was trying to gain attention, especially from Perry. She merely intended to avoid another set-down from his brother, and to avoid another confrontation with Aunt Gertrude.
After she washed and allowed her hair to dry a little, she twisted several strands into curls and tied each into place with strips of cloth. In a few hours, she could arrange it in long ringlets spilling from the crown of her head.
She opened the drawer to her dressing table, searching for her mother’s bracelet. The sparkle of the jewelry would be charming with the muslin gown. Not immediately seeing the bracelet, she tugged the drawer open a little further and reached all the way to the back. She ran her fingers along the rear, the corners, and all around the edges. Nothing. Alarmed, she emptied the entire contents on the bed, but the bracelet wasn’t to be found.
Tears stung her eyes and her spirit sank to her toes. How could she have lost her mother’s bracelet? She flopped on the edge of the bed and buried her head in her hands. Think. When was the last time she actually remembered wearing the bracelet? She raised her head. In the garden . She’d had it on her wrist when she strolled through the garden. Perhaps she dropped it there.
Hurrying outside, she carefully scrutinized every inch of the grounds immediately beyond the door. Finding nothing, she continued on to the winding path through the grounds and searched with the same thoroughness. She finally reached the bench where she’d paused to rest earlier in the day. After examining the entire area, she sank onto the seat in defeat. Then she remembered, before trailing her fingers in the water in the fountain, she’d removed the bracelet and shoved it in her pocket.
Heaving a sigh, she relaxed and allowed her anxiety to float away. Footsteps crunched on the gravel path behind her, and she glanced around. Much to her surprise, Aunt Gertrude came into view from the direction of the woods.
When she noticed Bethany, she halted. “What are you doing?” Gertrude demanded, approaching the bench. “And why do you appear out of doors looking such a fright?”
“I dropped something and came looking for it.”
Gertrude had her hand clenched inside the folds of her gown. “An improbable tale. More like you to sneak round, prying into things that don’t concern you. Did Arthur send you to spy on me?”
“Certainly not. But—”
“But me no buts. Go to the house and ready yourself at once. If you are a moment late, I shall order the carriage to proceed without you. Now be off.” Gertrude glanced
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