“I see.” I frowned, recalling his surprise at seeing me yesterday in the parlor, along with the strange words that followed:
You aren’t supposed tobehere.
“Mother performs her little circuit of afternoon calls and ladies’ guild luncheons to keep up appearances, but she is rarely away in the evenings now. There is a nurse who comes by most days to help, but she’s little more than a glorified nanny. I’ve caught her napping in the afternoon more than once.”
My mouth dropped open. “I had no idea he needed so much care.”
“Did you think he would go on forever?” Her tone was light enough, but the question still stopped me in my tracks. I certainly didn’t think he would live forever, but I hadn’treally accounted for how much he had aged while I was gone. Delia, who was a few steps ahead, glanced back at me.
“Oh, Min,” she said as her face fell. “I’m sorry. I forget this is all new for you.”
I cleared my throat and shook my head as I moved towards her. “It’s fine. I suppose I just have some catching up to do.”
She gave me a sympathetic look and patted my hand. “You will.”
As if I had a choice.
We then entered her bedroom and Delia marched over to the wardrobe, where she pulled out a stunning black-and-white-striped gown with puffed, elbow-length sleeves.
“Goodness,” I breathed as I ran my fingers down the intricate black-lace bodice. Even though it boasted a high collar, the lace made it seem much more daring. “It looks very fashionable.” And far different from the sort of things I usually wore. Delia seemed to be drawn to things that helped her stand out, while I had to work just to fit in.
“It should be. The modiste assured me it was the latest style in Paris, and it cost enough,” she added with a careless laugh, then held it up to my front with an assessing eye. “Yes, I think this complements your coloring beautifully. More so than mine, anyway.”
“I really don’t—” I began to demure, but Delia would have none of it.
“Off you go,” she insisted as she shooed me behind the dressing screen,
I had forgotten how domineering she could be. Only now, instead of a little girl, she was a full-grown woman, and I could not evade her so easily. I dutifully took the gown and moved behind the screen.
“So, who will be at the gallery opening?” I asked as I began to change.
“Oh, the usual crowd,” Delia drawled. “A few friends from Slade and other acquaintances.”
“Do you always attend these kinds of events alone?” I failed to hide the scandalized note in my voice.
But Delia only laughed. “No. Mother is not quite that permissive. Mrs. Braithwaite usually plays chaperone for me. But I told her she had the night off since you were coming.”
“Mrs. Braithwaite? I don’t think I know her.”
Delia laughed again. “Certainly not. She was my classmate at Slade. But she married a man who is a cousin of Earl Drummond, so Mother considers her a suitable companion.”
From Delia’s wry tone, I suspected that this Mrs. Braithwaite was not, in fact,thatsuitable when it came to actually chaperoning. I stepped into the gown and was relieved to find that it slid easily over my hips and waist. Then I pulled my arms through the sleeves, draped my discarded dress over the back of a chair, and stepped out from behind the screen.
Delia let out a theatrical gasp. “Oh, Minnie! You look dazzling!”
I ducked my chin at her praise and turned around. “Can you button me up?”
“Of course.”
She made quick work of the buttons and then ushered me over to the floor-length mirror in the corner. “See?Dazzling.”
I smiled at my reflection and ran my palms down my sides, where the gown nipped in at my waist to flattering effect before flaring out around my hips, while the skirt featured several artfully placed pleats. It accentuated my figure far more than what I was used to wearing, but I couldn’t deny that it was a flattering silhouette.
I met Delia’s eyes in the mirror and found her frowning at my hair, which I had worn in a tidy but simple chignon. “A pity we don’t have time for your hair.”
“It’s fine, Delia.”
“I have a comb you can borrow,” she said, then scurried away before I could dissuade her. She returned with a large ebony comb trimmed with pearls. “Don’t worry. It’s all paste,” she said as my eyes widened.
