Meg’s grin was instant and wide. “Did he now?”
Sarah nodded. “Of course, I said no.”
“Why?”
“I’ve nothing to wear,” she said swiftly, though that wasn’t why. At least not the only reason.
Meg lifted her brows. “That is the second time you’ve given me that excuse.”
Sarah flinched, for she had forgotten she’d told Meg that earlier in the party. It felt like a lifetime ago. “Well, earlier it was only the other dukes and duchesses at the gathering. This is a party. It may be solemn thanks to the recent loss of the duke, but I will stand out in my serviceable clothing.”
Meg leaned back and looked her up and down, like she was sizing her up. Then she nodded as if she were satisfied. “That will work.”
“Work?”
“Come with me,” Meg ordered. “I can fix this problem and I shall.”
Sarah blushed as she stood in the middle of Meg’s chamber an hour later. All the duchesses surrounded her, holding up one gown or the next, clucking over jewelry and hairstyles in a loud cacophony of kindness and fun. When Meg had brought her here and surrounded her with the other women, she’d felt awkward. She’d even tried to escape by making an excuse to see Phoebe. That had been squashed by Charlotte’s explanation that her charge was taking a nap. Their kindness had quickly made her discomfort fade. Now she was actually having fun.
Isabel approached, holding up a robin’s-egg blue gown. “That color matches your eyes perfectly,” she cooed. “But I think my bust is a little too small for it to fit you right.”
Katherine, Duchess of Roseford, clapped her hands. “I have a gown in the same color. Robert bought it for me in Spain, and it is exquisite!”
“I am so very envious of your adventures with Robert,” Emma said as Katherine rushed to the pile of gowns on Meg’s bed and dug through them looking for the one she wanted.
“You should tell James to take you,” Katherine said. “Traveling together is wonderfully romantic. You truly get to know each other in a new way.”
The women sighed almost en masse, and Sarah couldn’t help but do the same. “You and Roseford are recently married, are you not?”
Katherine nodded. “Yes, just half a year ago. We had a great deal to overcome, but I cannot deny that I have never been happier.”
“You earned all that happiness,” Adelaide said as she slid up and squeezed Katherine gently. “Both of you.”
Katherine smiled and then grabbed for the gown. “Ah, here it is.”
Sarah caught her breath. The silk on the gown was incredibly fine, the cut was amazing, and the detailing of braided silk and scalloped edging was impeccable.
“Oh, no,” she breathed. “I couldn’t wear that, Your Grace.”
Katherine shook her head. “Why ever not? You will look stunning in it.”
“You should wear it.”
Katherine stepped forward and held the dress up, then turned her toward the mirror. “No, I think you should. Please.”
It was clear there was no arguing, and in truth Sarah wanted to wear the fine dress. She wanted her hair done by Meg’s maid. She wanted to wear Isabel’s jewelry. She wanted to pretend that she would be the kind of woman Kit could have a future with. Just for one night.
She nodded, and the room let out a collective murmur of approval. Meg glanced at the clock and gasped. “Oh my, we shall all be late. Ladies, you should go get ready. Isabel, will you stay here with Sarah and me? We can share our maids.”
Isabel stepped up to squeeze Sarah. “Of course.”
“Thank you all so much for your kindness,” Sarah said softly. “I do appreciate it more than you could know.”
Each of the women squeezed her hand or said something kind as they trailed out. Emma was last and rang the bell by the door so Meg’s maid would come.
Within a few moments all three women were readying themselves. Sarah reveled in this time where she could almost forget all she’d lost. When everything was finished, she stepped up to the mirror.
“I look like…” She trailed off as tears filled her eyes. “I look like me. The old me. Only a much finer me.”
