Page 72 of Gambling with the Earl
Rosalind rolled her eyes, her mouth full of hairpins. “Stay still,” she ordered.
Nerves flickered in Kitty’s breast as Rosalind’s deft fingers ran through her unruly locks of hair, pinning and securing it neatly on top of her head. She was to appear to Guy as Miss Katherine Alden, for the first time. She would claim her ancestry and her upbringing, meeting him not as an equal, far from it, but as a woman of some means, nonetheless.
If only she had done so from the start.
“There.” Rosalind stepped back, triumphantly. “You look beautiful.”
“In comparison to what?”
Her sister tutted, darting forwards to secure a stray curl which had escaped her ministrations. “You are beautiful, Kitty,” she declared, matter-of-factly, “don’t try and talk yourself out of it.”
Kitty didn’t believe her, but she could see that Rosalind spoke from a place of love. She clutched her hand. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you for understanding. And thank you for all of this.” She gestured at the sumptuous gown before reaching up and patting her pinned hair. “I’m sure I shan’t know myself.” She fought a wave of self-consciousness. “I’m not used to it, that’s all.”
Rosalind’s eyes were dancing. “Time for the dress,” she declared. “Stand up.”
Clad only in her chemise, Kitty stepped carefully into the silken gown and allowed Rosalind to button it behind her, smoothing out the creases and ensuring the expensive fabric flowed snugly over her curves. Kitty hardly dared to believe it, but the dress fit her perfectly. She turned around and it spun with her, flaring slightly at the back.
“It was made for you,” smiled Rosalind.
“It was made for Mother,” Kitty corrected her. “I never thought…” her voice trailed off.
“You never thought you could follow in her footsteps,” Rosalind finished off for her. “You closed yourself off from the possibility of living a comfortable, respectable life, determined to see me become a lady, even as you scrubbed floors and mended stockings. But worse than that, you never allowed yourself to think of your own happiness.” Rosalind frowned up at her. “I hope that’s about to change.”
Nerves assaulted Kitty afresh. “That depends on Guy,” she whispered, emotions shooting through her at the feel of his name on her tongue.
“Fight for what you want,” Rosalind said, lifting her silver chain over her head and fastening it around Kitty’s neck. “For your sake, this time, not mine.” She patted the chain. “This will bring you luck.”
Kitty’s fingers sought out her sister’s. “I’ll take all the luck I can get.”
“Come then,” Rosalind stood back. “You have an earl to woo.”
Kitty flushed, remembering how it had felt to run her fingers over Guy’s shoulders and see him responding to her touch. She had wooed him once, in a servant’s cap and apron. Now she was dressed like a lady, but she had never felt more vulnerable. After a moment’s thought, she tipped the small number of shining coins she’d earned at Rossfarne Castle into her mother’s coin purse. It wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.
“What about Lizzie and Alfred?” Kitty put a hand to her heart. As much as she loved them both, she couldn’t bear to have them fussing over her wellbeing just now.
“It’s alright. Lizzie is taking a nap and Alfred is busy in one of the barns. If we leave by the front door, no one will see us.”
“Are you coming with me?” Kitty was both surprised and gratified.
“Are you seriously asking me that? This is the most fun I’ve ever had with my older sister.” Rosalind nudged her playfully. “Although I’ll leave the earl to you. I have to admit, the thought of him still terrifies me.”
“That’s because you don’t know him,” Kitty said earnestly.
“I believe you. But there’s time enough for that. Today is about you and him.” Rosalind squeezed her hand. “Are you ready?”
She wasn’t. She would never be. But if she didn’t go now, she may never get another chance.
“I’m ready.”
*
They stood onthe beach, holding hands and biting their lips at the sight of the flooded causeway.
“We misjudged the tides,” Rosalind said.
Kitty swallowed down a new lump in her throat. “Low tide won’t come again until nightfall.” She shrugged, as if this fact didn’t cut her to the core.
“And the earl may be gone by tomorrow.” Rosalind spoke the words that Kitty could not bring herself to.
