“The only conclusion I could make about the butter was that you must be hungry and needed a snack before dinner is served. That’s why I had the men in the galley include a loaf of bread, because, well, I’ve never known anyone to enjoy butter by itself.”
For the briefest of seconds, Gertrude simply allowed all of Edwina’s words to settle into her mind, but then, after they’d settled, she couldn’t help but laugh. Once she started, she couldn’t stop. As tears of mirth began leaking out of her eyes, she accepted the handkerchief Edwina handed her, pretending not to notice that Harrison’s sister was now looking at her with concern.
Waving aside the bread that Temperance had evidently buttered for her while she’d been in the throes of hysterics, Gertrude swallowed a last laugh, grinning when Temperance shrugged and began eating the slice of buttered bread.
“This is delicious, although I do beg your pardon, Gertrude, for not inquiring whether you wanted to share your snack,” Temperance said after she swallowed the bite of bread and looked somewhat guilty.
Gertrude waved the apology aside. “I’m not hungry, Temperance, and curious as this is going to sound, Mrs. Davenport didn’t suggest the butter as a snack, but more as an alternative way to get me unstuck from behind the couch.”
“IknewI was going to like that woman,” Edwina said, pausing in the act of shaking out the gown she’d been considering. “What an intriguing idea, using butter to get a person unstuck. Mrs. Davenport must be a most resourceful sort. Did I mention that she was holding her own with Margaret, a woman who has been known to make grown men shake in their boots?”
Gertrude leaned forward. “Speaking of that, we need to get me dressed sooner rather than later. Mrs. Davenport is not a woman to abandon an argument, and I shudder to think what she may say if she fears your sister is getting the best of her.”
Edwina shook her head. “As I said, Mrs. Davenport was holding her own, and you’re not leaving this room until I have you looking your best.” She nodded to the bread Temperance was in the process of buttering up again. “While I’m perfectly capable of dressing you quickly, it might be uncomfortable for you, what with all the lacing and pulling and buttoning up I’ll need to do. It may be prudent for you to have a small snack to fortify you for the mission ahead.”
“While I thank you for such a considerate suggestion, Edwina, I’m certain the last thing I need to do is indulge myself with bread and butter. I have no desire to ever become stuck again due to my figure, which means I need to start being mindful about what I eat.”
“Harrison told me you have a delightful figure,” Edwina said, eyeing Gertrude up and down. “And, from what I can tell, even with you sitting down, he was quite right about that.”
Something warm and delightful began thrumming through Gertrude’s veins. “Harrison actually said that?”
“Indeed, although it wasn’t said in a forward manner if that is a concern. The subject of your figure was broached when he was trying to describe what type of dress I should search out for you.” Edwina leaned closer to Gertrude. “In my humble opinion, Harrison taking notice of your figure is telling indeed since he’s not a gentleman who usually pays such a marked attention to such matters.”
Straightening, Edwina held out the gown she was still holding. “But no time to delve into the intricacies of my brother’s mind, we need to get you ready. I’ll have that blanket if you please, and after we get you dressed, well, we simply must do something about your hair.”
Realizing there was little point in balking because she couldn’t very well leave the library until she was suitably dressed, Gertrude rose from the chair, parted ways with the blanket, and soon found herself taken well in hand by Harrison’s sister. Before she knew it, her laces were being pulled in an entirely too enthusiastic manner—so enthusiastic, in fact, that she was finding it difficult to breathe.
“You may need to loosen those laces just a touch,” she said in a breathy voice, the only type of voice she was capable of making since air was difficult to come by.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Edwina said, panting ever so slightly as she gave the laces one last pull. “You’re rather larger than I am in the bosom area, which means tight laces are the only way we’ll get you into my gown.” She made short shrift of tying the laces before nodding to Temperance, who was on her third piece of bread and butter. “I don’t believe we’ll have the same problem with the gown of mine that you’re going to wear, Temperance. You have exactly the opposite figure from Gertrude, being so slender and willowy.”
Temperance paused with the bread halfway to her mouth. “I’m sure there’s no need for me to borrow one of your gowns. If you’ve neglected to notice, the one I’m wearing is perfectly respectable.”
Edwina immediately narrowed her eyes on Temperance. “While that gown certainly does the job of covering you, Temperance, it does not show you to advantage. It’s at least five seasons out of date and doesn’t fit you properly, leaving you looking as if you’ve missed far too many meals instead of simply being slender.” She gestured to the pile of dresses that were now on the fainting couch. “Any one of those would look darling on you, and I promise if you allow me to style you this evening, you’ll not regret it.”
Stuffing a piece of bread into her mouth, Temperance chewed, swallowed, and then shook her head. “While it’s very kind of you to offer to style me, Edwina, although not the part where you pointed out that my gown does not show me to advantage, I think I’ll just leave you to work on Gertrude. In all honesty, I need to check on my cousin. It was not well-done of me to abandon her the way I did, even with her making a cake of herself by barging into that argument.”
Edwina’s expression turned stricken. “Do forgive me, Temperance. I certainly didn’t mean to insult you. I fear etiquette books are sorely lacking at times with providing a lady with the knowledge needed to traverse that pesky field known as manners. But that’s certainly not an acceptable excuse for my blurting out observations that shouldn’t be spoken aloud.”
Temperance smiled and moved up next to Edwina. “That was a lovely apology, Edwina, and one that would have done any etiquette book proud. I accept your apology, and as a woman who grew up attending the finest finishing schools and was taught to always consider every word that slips past my lips, I find myself oddly envious of your ability to speak your mind. There are certainly times when I think saying exactly what one longs to say is beneficial, but it is not something I’ve had the courage to do of late.”
Edwina returned Temperance’s smile. “You’re very gracious, and do know that I will try to mind my manners from this point forward. Although...” She cocked her head to the side. “This will probably come out rather forward as well, but if you’ve attended the best finishing schools, why is it that...” Her words trailed away as she looked Temperance over and winced.
Temperance laughed. “See, you’re doing better already at minding your manners, although I know full well you were about to ask why I look so dowdy. But, since you have decided we’re to be great friends, and I could certainly use more of those, I’ll tell you why. My parents died a few years back, and unfortunately, I’ve now become a poor relation, something that has done wonders for allowing me to embrace a humble attitude.”
“But wouldn’t you enjoy abandoning that humble attitude, along with that hideous dress you’re wearing, if only for this one night?” Edwina pressed.
Temperance frowned. “You’re very tenacious, aren’t you?”
“It’s another flaw I’ve been trying to work on.”
“Not having much success with that flaw either, are you?”
Edwina grinned. “I’m afraid not, but do say you’ll let me fix you up. It’ll be my way of making up for my serious lack of manners.”
Temperance returned the grin. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to see what you can do with me. Although, as a confirmed wallflower and poor relation, I’m afraid any efforts on your part will be for naught since I doubt I’ll draw any notice even if I am fashionably dressed.”
“A lady, when fashionably dressed, always draws attention, be she a wallflower or not.” Edwina gestured to her person. “I am, undoubtedly, not a member of the society set, nor am I a wallflower. But I never step foot out of the house without looking my best, which allows me to embrace my days with confidence.”
