Standing swiftly, Charlotte gestured at the vanity chair. “I’m done. Sit.”
Elizabeth did, slouching in defeat.
Charlotte jerked her head to the bed where a gown was already laid out, waiting for her. “Chin up. Your maid’s already dropped off your gown.” She glanced between the state of Elizabeth’s mussed hair, to her maid. She said drily, “Cecily, if you could work your usual magic.”
Her maid smiled and began dressing Elizabeth’s hair and applying a small amount of face paint to her cheeks and lashes.
A short while later, Elizabeth found herself being yanked into a corset. The gown she wore was pale green and made of butter-soft satin, while Charlotte looked resplendent in a gown of powder pink chiffon.
After Charlotte banished her maid to let them finish getting ready in private—really just an excuse for them to be able to talk without being overheard—Charlotte turned to her, grinning broadly.
They took their time catching up, in no hurry to go downstairs. Charlotte was in rare form, making jokes on every subject imaginable, and Elizabeth found herself laughing for the first time in days.
“Look at this.” Charlotte held up a revolting yellow dress that clashed with monstrous red ruffles. “I saw this and just thought of you.” On seeing Elizabeth’s incredulous face, Charlotte’s face split into a wide grin. “Isn’t it the ugliest thing you’ve ever seen? Connall’s motherinsistedthis is her favourite seamstress in Calyx.” Charlotte gave her a knowing look and wiggled her eyebrows. “I got it for when we have lunch in a few weeks.”
Elizabeth snorted. “Absolutely ravishing.”
Charlotte flopped into a chair and exclaimed dramatically, “Connall is so handsome, and his mother is very kind. I have decided that a lack of fashion sense is a flaw I can live with.”
Elizabeth laughed, rifling through her bag and gave a sharp intake of breath. “Oh! I forgot my stupid accessories at home.”
“Wear something of mine then; borrow whatever you like.” Charlotte waved a hand dismissively.
“Thanks!” Elizabeth said brightly. “What are you wearing tonight?”
Charlotte pulled open the two drawers to her vanity. “Pink has really been my colour this season. I think I’ll wear these,” Charlotte said, rummaging through the drawer and pulling out a set of pink drops.
Elizabeth grinned and rifled through the drawers, looking for something green to match her gown. Charlotte’s collection ranged from the smallest and most delicate necklaces to large and chunky pieces like an ugly, rough-hewn ruby ring and the gaudiest purple pendant that she had ever seen. Amused, she picked it up.
It was pretty, in a garish way, but it was several centuries out of fashion, if it had everbeenin fashion. The purple stone looked roughly cut, and the gold around the pendant was fashioned into waves. The purple gem in the center looked oddly bright and felt heavy for its size. Strangest of all, the pendant seemed to warm in her hand.
She touched another piece of jewellery for comparison—the metal was cool. The pendant was definitely warm. Intrigued, she traced the gold surrounding the gemstone with a finger.
“What’s that you have there?” Charlotte asked, peering over her shoulder.
“What is this pendant? I’ve never seen this type of stone before,” Elizabeth asked curiously. She tilted it back and forth in her hand. It caught the light in a strange way, and she was half convinced it was glowing from within, which, of course, would be impossible.
Charlotte grinned. “You know, I don’t actually know. My mother collects strange bits and bobs and has a special penchant for anything older than dirt.”
She held out her palm, and Elizabeth hesitated, for some reason feeling reluctant to give back the ugly piece of jewellery. She berated herself for being silly and slowly handed it over.
Charlotte gave it a dismissive glance and tossed it back into the drawer as if it was nothing but a piece of junk.
Charlotte put her hands on her hips, surveying her jewellery drawer with a warrior-like focus. “Green?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth said brightly, putting the pendant out of her mind.
Charlotte sifted through the pile and eventually pulled out a necklace with a small peridot hanging on a thin golden chain. Charlotte grinned and turned to her with a victorious expression. “Ooh, this is very you.”
“Thanks!” It was understated and elegant—exactly something she would have picked out for herself.
“Shall we go downstairs, then?”
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “I suppose it can’t be put off for any longer.”
***
Dinner was a formal affair. Lord and Lady Harrison were dressed in their finest attire and gave several flowery speeches to congratulate her on her engagement. Elizabeth was treated to her mother simpering about how lovely it was to have a daughter finally betrothed.
