Would they all see through her? Snub her?
It did not matter since she was never going to be friends with any of them. Her fate was to be a governess to children or companion to elderly ladies. It wasn’t a terrible fate, although perhaps giving her some moments of embarrassment if she were later to encounter any of these guests at another party while serving as the hired help.
She was not ashamed of her reduced circumstances and could bear any ridicule, assuming anyone even bothered to notice her.
After a lengthy walk around the pond, she started back toward the house to finish her sewing. She would have to work into the night to complete the alterations on a third gown that was fancier than the others and suitable for evening wear.
Her only break would be for supper, but that was hours away. It would only be a short reprieve and then it was back to her task.
Since darkness fell late in the summers, she knew she would be able to work until ten o’clock in the evening and get much accomplished. In addition to the lovely ivory muslin with the floral embroidery suitable for teatime, and the charming pale rose muslin that would be perfect for tomorrow’s picnic, she could also finish her current project, the exquisite ecru silk evening gown designed for formal wear.
As she reached the house, slipping in through the conservatory and breathing in the lovely scent of oranges, lemons, and limes, she also realized there was another problem.
She had those lovely gowns but needed their accompanying accessories.
Had the dowager duchess, Millie, or Mrs. Watkins thought of this? No matter, she would bring it up to them when she saw them next.
After all, what a pity if she had to miss the picnic and an introduction to Lady Beatrice because she had no proper shoes to wear.
The duke might be frustrated, but how was this her fault?
He would know she had worked into the night to complete her sewing.
But every lady present at his party would notice immediately if she wore her old boots beneath these beautiful gowns. Not to mention the bigger problem of having to wear an outfit twice, which she would have to do because she was never going to alter twelve gowns in a matter of days even if she worked through the night every night.
And the guests would all be gone soon anyway.
But right now, shoes were the most obvious problem.
She tried not to reveal her dismay when Mrs. Watkins came striding in with a bag full of shoes the dowager no longer wore. “Here, Miss Harriet. Try these on.”
It turned out the dowager’s feet were the same size as hers. “Oh, what a fortunate coincidence,” she remarked with some dismay.
Mrs. Watkins laughed. “And now you have no excuse to beg out of tomorrow’s picnic.”
Harriet smiled at her, knowing she had been caught. “I should have known you were too clever to overlook any detail of my wardrobe.”
“Take a moment to enjoy your supper while I sort through this collection of shoes and buckles. Some are a little out of style, but nothing that a shiny new buckle cannot not mask.”
Most of the shoes looked as though they had never been worn.
Mrs. Watkins was still digging through the bag when she pulled out the prettiest pair of walking boots that buttoned at the ankles and were of the softest leather. “Aha! You are going to love these, Miss Harriet.”
Harriet ran her hands over the soft leather. “They are beautiful. It is a treasure trove, Mrs. Watkins.”
She went to bed quite pleased with her haul of stylish footwear and three fashionable gowns. But her trepidation returned the following morning while she ate her breakfast in her chamber. Millie scurried in shortly after Harriet had washed up and readied herself for the picnic. “Oh, Miss Harriet,” she said with a shake of her head.
“What is wrong?”
“Your hair…sit back down and let me do it up in a more artful manner.”
“Is it necessary?” Harriet honestly thought she looked quite suitably made up and could pass as someone who traveled in elite circles.
Apparently not, if she read Millie’s expression accurately.
But she had to agree the wise woman was right.
Harriet smiled when looking at herself in the mirror and viewing the end result. In truth, the changes were subtle but important. Her hair was no longer simply pulled back but had a gentle wave to it and a few curls placed to frame her face and show its heart shape to greatest advantage.
