The knock at her door grew more insistent.
Clarissa climbed out of bed. She wore her heavy cotton gown. It was the only nightdress she owned and quite worn from years of use. She cracked open the door.
Mrs. Warbler stood there holding several dresses. Behind her was Jane with a tray full of covered dishes. “Open up. Come along, missy. We don’t have all day to prepare you.”
“Prepare me?”
“For your wedding.” Mrs. Warbler pushed on the door and Clarissa stepped back. “We have much to do and little time. Lord Marsden invited all of the matrons for the vows. And then there will be the wedding breakfast afterward. It shall be a feast.”
“He invited the matrons?” What a stunning turnaround.
“I know,” Mrs. Warbler agreed, her tone reflecting Clarissa’s shock. “When Jane and I saw him in the hall a few minutes ago, he was humming. Can you imagine? Humming.”
“We are talking about Marsden?” Clarissa had to ask.
Mrs. Warbler nodded. “He was carrying the baby. He is quite taken with her.”
“Enough to marry for her,” Clarissa answered, honest enough to admit his motivation.
“Nonsense. A man like him does not like to marry anyone. Jane and I were talking—”
“Umm-hmmm,” Clarissa said, knowing that when Mrs. Warbler took that tack, it meant that her friend had spoken and the maid listened.
“Wewere,” Mrs. Warbler insisted. “Andwefeel that perhaps part of the—I don’t know what to call it, discord?—between the two of you was an expression of his interest.”
“Interest?” Clarissa laughed. “His disdain was genuine.”
“Only because you don’t wish to see what is plain to the rest of us. You are far too humble, Clarissa. The time has come to stand tall. And Jane and I are here to help you. Now come. We must be busy.”
“What time am I marrying?” Clarissa had been so preoccupied between the baby, the tour, andhim, she hadn’t asked.
“Eleven at St. Martyr’s. And it is already half past seven. Jane, place the tray on the table by the window.” Mrs. Warbler laid the dresses on the bed and then started to reposition the full-length glass in the corner of the room. “Clarissa, sit and eat. You will need your strength. The bath will be here shortly.”
“The bath?”
“Oh, yes, my girl. Jane and I are giving you the royal treatment this morning. Now eat. The footmen will be coming up with the tub and water and you don’t want to be seen wearing that—” She stopped, paused to consider the nightdress. “What is that? You can’t be planning on wearing that for your husband.”
“I have nothing else.” Nor did she want to share that it wouldn’t matter. Their marriage would be in name only.
“Nothing!” Mrs. Warbler said, seizing on the word and popping herself on the head. “Why am I worrying about what you will bewearing? Marsden won’t care. No, he won’t. Let’s put our energy into turning you into the loveliest bride in the parish. And one ready to be acountess.”
There was a soft-boiled egg and toasted bread on the tray, along with strong tea. There were also several buns, cheese, and fruit. “I can’t eat all this,” Clarissa worried.
“You don’t have to. That is for Jane and me.” She and the maid were pulling out a privacy screen from its place along the wall.
Clarissa had just taken a few bites of her breakfast when there was another knock. Mrs. Warbler went to the door. “Hide yourself behind the screen.” She then let in a parade of footmen with a tub big enough for two people and buckets of steaming water.
Mrs. Warbler had several bars of the soap Gemma made. “You won’t believe how it will make your skin feel. The woman is a marvel. Each is scented. Pick the one you wish to use.”
Clarissa realized that for the first time she was hearing Gemma’s name and not wincing. She chose the soap that smelled of lavender and something else she couldn’t quite name. Gemma had a gift for creating fragrances.
Soon, she was in her bath. Clarissa couldn’t believe the luxury of it. She’d never once imagined a tub this big. Then again, it would have to be a huge size for Mars. While she enjoyed bathing, Mrs. Warbler and Jane visited the baby. They returned with the report that Mrs. Rucker was a true find and Dora seemed very content.
Clarissa had a chance to see for herself when she threw on her old gray dress and ran down to the nursery for a few minutes before Mrs. Warbler insisted she dress for the wedding. The baby was happy to see her and some of the tension in Clarissa relaxed at knowing Dora had not forgotten her. Little Vivian seemed quite sisterly with Dora. Vivian was a talkative child who seemed to have adapted as well as Dora had to this new turn in life.
“Would that we all have the resilience of children,” Clarissa said to Mrs. Rucker, who agreed. Then, giving Dora a kiss, Clarissa returned to the Green Room.
Jane styled her hair, piling it high on her head with loose curls falling down her back. Clarissa had never looked so fine. Or had the chance to wear such elegant stockings. “The earl didn’t pay for those,” Mrs. Warbler said crisply. “They and the gloves are gifts from the matrons. We are all so happy for you.”
