“Are you well, miss? I have transformed many women, and each one has had to listen to my observations and guidance, but they have all been pleased with the results. Shall I proceed?”
Charlotte wiped a tear from her eye and nodded. She had always known herself to be plain, but never had her flaws been listed like items in a drawer that required sorting.
Stevens laughed. “Miss Charlotte, there is no need to cry. None of us is perfect. You are going to learn how to conceal your peculiarities so they do not detract from your appearance.”
She picked up a pair of scissors.
“Miss, will you allow me to cut your hair? I will make you a pretty woman, but I must be permitted to cut it to achieve the desired result.”
Charlotte was afraid. She had never cut her hair. What if it looked dreadful? She looked up at the maid.
“Very well. Do what you can for me.”
Stevens grunted. “You will be pleased with the result, I assure you.”
Charlotte saw long strands of pale blond hair fall to the floor around her. Then great swathes were trimmed from the sides and the back. Tears ran down her cheeks as she heard the clicking of the shears.
“You have beautiful waves in your hair, Miss Charlotte,” Stevens said gently. “Open your eyes and see how fine your new fringe looks.”
Charlotte wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands and was astonished by the striking change in her appearance. Long, wavy bangs covered her forehead and dipped to her eyebrows, framing them. They made her eyes appear larger and concealed the shiny prominence of her brow.
For the first time, Charlotte felt like a beautiful woman.
Stevens stood back and studied her handiwork.
“You are a beautiful woman, Miss Charlotte. Now I shall dress your hair in an elegant chignon. You shall wear it that way today, and we will see whether it flatters your face. Tomorrow, I shall dress it more loosely and allow a few tendrils to fall at your temples and the nape of your neck. Some ladies look best with the looser chignon worn low. We shall determine which suits you best.”
Stevens dressed her hair quickly, then handed Charlotte a small looking glass so she might see the back of her head.
“How do you like it? The chignon worn low hides the flatness at the back of your head. Do you see?”
Charlotte did see. No one would guess her head had an unflattering shape with this new arrangement.
Stevens added, “Your hair was too long and heavy; it would not hold a chignon properly. Now that it is cut, the style should remain in place all day. You have thick, wavy hair, and that is your beauty, Miss Charlotte. You must always make the most of your hair.”
Charlotte was so pleased with the result that she began to cry. She drew a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped her face.
Stevens looked alarmed.
Charlotte laughed softly. “Forgive me, do not be concerned. I am so pleased. I have never looked so well in my entire life. I think I almost look pretty.”
“You do look pretty, Miss Charlotte,” Stevens said with a warm smile.
She rang the bell and asked that Mrs. Darcy be sent for. A few minutes later, Elizabeth entered the room carrying two small pots in her hands. She stopped short when she saw Charlotte’s blond hair strewn on the floor, and then, when she looked at her friend seated on the bench, her mouth dropped open.
“Charlotte! You look beautiful. You will surely attract one of our resident bachelors.”
She raised her hands and smiled. “I have brought you something, my dear.” She handed the covered pots to Stevens. “Do not look so alarmed. One is a lip stain tinted with carmine. It is barely noticeable, but it will add a subtle touch of color to your lips. You know, my dear friend, your lips are so pale, one can scarcely see that you have any lips at all. The other is henna to darken your brows. The shop girl assured me it gives a very natural effect. Stevens directed me to purchase it when I described your brows to her. She will teach you how to apply it.”
Stevens stepped forward. “Miss Charlotte, allow me to apply the lip stain. It does not rub off, so you need not fear it will smear your teeth or bleed into your skin. It will remain fixed.”
She bent over Charlotte, dipped a finger into the stain, and gently rubbed it across the surface of her lips.
“There. Look in the mirror.”
Once again, tears stung Charlotte’s eyes. Her lips were now defined; she could see that they had a pleasing shape, and the color was delicate.
Stevens met her gaze. “How do you like it, miss?”
