Page 75 of Miss Devon’s Choice

Not exactly the sort of person she’d felt like in the last two days.

“It’s perfect for a viscountess, miss,” Hettie said in reverential tones. “Oh, you’re going to look so beautiful.”

“It is perfect, isn’t it?” Rebecca said. “But do you think it will fit? It was made with my measurements, but—”

Hettie clapped her hands. “Try it on, Miss Devon. I’m handy with a needle. If there are any tucks to make or hems to let out, I can do it passable enough for you to wear tonight.”

“Tonight?” Rebecca let her breath out in a whoosh of air and sat on the edge of her bed. “Aunt Jacqueline will not be pleased.”

“But you will be,” Hettie said, her eyes glittering mischievously.

Rebecca tilted her head to the side and regarded her maid critically for a moment. “I think having you on my side is going to be a lot more fun, Hettie.”

The maid grinned. “Will you wear it?”

Rebecca looked down at the gown and carefully smoothing a wrinkle in the skirt with her hand. “How could I not?” With a squeal of delight, Hettie set about helping Rebecca into the beautiful gown and started chattering right away.

“I already know the perfect way to do your hair, miss. We haven’t any pretty pins to match this gown, but there are roses this exact shade in the garden. And you can wear your new bracelet. If only we had ear bobs or a necklace.” The maid sighed as she fussed with the gown. “But it’s beautiful all on its own. I think your cream-colored slippers will look well with it, and no one will be looking at your feet, anyway.”

Amid her maid’s plans and getting the dress on and off, Rebecca could not help thinking of the rose garden, of Christian standing barefoot in the fountain, and of how easy it was to put her trust in him.

Though her father had signed away her future to Christian’s care, it had been she that decided he must have her heart. While there were years ahead of them, years in which she must do all in her power to convince him to accept her love, it was already his.

Hettie determined the dress didn’t need any altering, and she would set about preparing it for the evening. Dressed in the blue gown, knowing but not caring she was likely to incur her aunt’s displeasure, Rebecca left her room thinking on the red dress. She hugged her journal to her chest and hoped to find the time to record her thoughts. Once they were down on paper, she might make sense of them.

What would Christian think when he saw the red gown? Would it please him? Would he find her beautiful? Or would he think her too bold?

He’d called her presumptuous that day in the music room. The very thought made her smile. Since then, he’d called her much more pleasant things. His treasure, carina, beautiful. Perhaps one day he would call her beloved.

Perhaps Austria wouldn’t count her as its guest anytime in the future.

Her gait slowed outside the breakfast room. She intended to step in only long enough to take a breakfast roll. Virginia’s cook had learned that Rebecca favored rolls baked with cinnamon and dates, so she always had a basket on the sideboard.

“Rebecca?” She started and turned to see Virginia coming down the hall, a bright smile on her face. “Good morning, my dear cousin.”

“Are you to spirit me away again?” Rebecca asked, teasingly. The red gown had restored her good humor and confidence.

“Not at all. But I do wish to make certain everything is well with you. You retired so early last night.” Virginia’s eyes widened when she drew closer, the shadows of the hall no longer concealing Rebecca. “Rebecca, your dress! That isn’t one my mother chose.”

Rebecca’s mood lightened considerably at the compliment. She turned in a circle for her cousin. “It isn’t. I chose it.”

“Oh, it’s lovely. The color suits you so well.” Virginia looked to the closed door. “Are you going in to breakfast?”

“I suppose I should. Will you join me?”

After the cousins dined and made polite conversation with others at the table, Virginia asked Rebecca to accompany her on a walk in the garden. Since their conversation had been pleasant, and had diverted Rebecca’s attention from her worry over Christian, Rebecca was happy to continue in her cousin’s company.

After they talked of the children, and of Rebecca’s visit with her family, Virginia naturally turned the topic back to the previous evening. “You are feeling better today, aren’t you?” she asked kindly.

“I am, and I feel I must confess to you, Virginia. I wasn’t physically unwell.” Rebecca lowered her eyes to the stone walk, but the sight of her lovely gown and blue slippers coaxed a smile from her despite her words. “I was worrying over something.”

They walked a few steps in silence before Virginia spoke again. “I thought you ought to know, Lord Easton asked after you.”

Rebecca’s heart tripped, though her steps remained steady. “Did he? What did you tell him?”

“Only that you were unwell. He was rather quiet the rest of the evening. Not like when he is in your company.”

“He is just as solemn in my company as anywhere else,” Rebecca said, her misgivings creeping back into her heart.