Page 64 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
Arabella would be meeting Aunt Grace and Emma at the haberdashery in a few minutes, as they had an appointment withMrs Cribbage to decide on their gowns for the midsummer ball at Castle Montbury.
She walked towards the haberdashery shop, daydreaming, in a world of her own. She had become adept at filling her mind with thoughts of anything other than the Duke of Montbury and that fair Duchess of Wyndale.
“Arabella,” called a voice, and she came back to reality with a start.
“Elinor, how lovely to see you. I had some time to spare, so I was posting a letter before going to the haberdashers to meet Emma and Aunt Grace.”
“I was going to call later, so I’m glad we’ve bumped into each other,” said Elinor. “I was going to take you up on your offer to help plan the ball. Also, Freddy keeps talking about this treasure hunt. He says we offered to row him and Henry over to the island on the lake. I’d totally forgotten.”
“You’re right; we did promise the boys a trip to the island, and it had totally slipped my mind,” replied Arabella. “I know they’ve been across to the island with Nathaniel and Emma. Unfortunately, I’ve been a little under the weather the last couple of days.”
“You need to look after yourself, Arabella,” Elinor told her, concern in her voice. “You don’t need to help with the ball. I’d rather you got fully well.”
“It’s alright; I feel much better now. I’m pretty much recovered, and I want to help.” Arabella smiled at her friend. “We have got a lot to do, though. There’s planning a treasure hunt, a trip to the island, and a ball,” she added, smiling.
“Before we do all that, did I hear say you were going to Mrs Cribbage’s haberdashery? I’ll come with you. I’m still thinking of a new gown for the ball. What are you going to wear?”
“I don’t know. I left my home at Farrington Hall at short notice, so most of my gowns, the ones I used to wear in town, got left behind. I’m meeting Aunt Grace and Emma there in a few minutes. Why don’t you join us? I can walk over to the castle with you afterwards to talk about the treasure hunt and work on plans for the ball.”
“If you’re sure?” replied Elinor.
“Aunt Grace and Emma will both be glad to see you, and Mrs Cribbage gets more business, so she won’t mind,” Arabella reassured her with a smile.
“I’ll join you then. I wasn’t planning on getting a new gown, but then The Duchess of Wyndale told me she is having her seamstress sent up from London to work on her gown here. It sounds very grand. I have gowns I could wear, but they are several years old, and I don’t want to look dowdy at Mama’s special event.”
“Especially as you are the one doing most of the organizing.” Arabella laughed. “Come on; let’s find you a gown. I can see Aunt Grace just entering the shop, and there’s Emma running across the village green.”
The next hour was delightful. Mrs Cribbage settled them with a pot of tea, and ably assisted by her two head seamstresses, she worked through each gown individually. There were fashion plates to browse through and light conversation with much laughter. Exactly what Arabella needed.
Aunt Grace chose a dark maroon colour in heavy silk with a matching turban complete with a feather to blend with the dress.
“The colour really suits you, Mama,” said Emma. “You will not be short of dancing partners! Papa might be jealous,” she added, smiling.
“Hush, child, though I believe that I might look rather fine,” said her mother, holding the silk in her hands and feeling the texture of the heavy material.
“Now it’s your turn, Miss Emma,” said Mrs Cribbage, summoning Emma to look at colours and fabrics. “You haven’t been presented at court yet or had your first season in London, I believe, so you should wear white. However, we have different shades, and I think you could have a yellow or light blue sash if you wanted. That’s quite appropriate for a young lady.”
Emma pored over the bolts of cloth, and Aunt Grace went to join her. “I think that crisp white muslin, which is so bright it almost has a hint of blue, would suit you,” suggested Aunt Grace.
“I do like it. Could I have a blue panel around the bodice, Mama?” suggested Emma.
“I don’t see why not. Would that be possible, Mrs Cribbage?”
“Indeed, yes, we could easily put a blue panel for the bodice. Would you like an overskirt of matching blue, Miss? I believe that’s suitable for a young lady like you.”
Emma looked at the light blue gauzy material and held it against the white. “I think I would like an overskirt in blue. What do you think, Mama?”
“I think it would suit you very well. Have you ribbons to match the muslin, Mrs Cribbage?” asked Aunt Grace.
Several ribbons were set out on the counter, and Aunt Grace chose one that was a close match. “I think ribbons in your hair would be most appropriate. And I know you are going to look quite lovely. Lady Elinor, I believe you should choose next.”
“I think it is going to be a difficult choice. I don’t want to look too matronly at this ball. I feel quite frivolous at the moment, knowing the war has now ended. I wondered about something in yellow, not lemon, but perhaps a darker shade of yellow?” suggested Elinor.
“Here are some different shades of yellow,” said Mrs Cribbage, getting out some new bolts of cloth. “I also have some bolts of a burnt sienna shade as well. That’s quite new this season,” she suggested.
“I like the burnt sienna. I think I’ll have it made up as a gown for the winter, but I think something lighter and more suitable for summer for this ball,” replied Elinor as she examined the different fabrics. She pointed at a bolt of a deeper, honeysuckle yellow colour. “This is lovely, and the silk isn’t too heavy. Have you any lace that would blend with this silk, Mrs Cribbage?”
By chance, there was some Belgium lace, which was an almost perfect match. “I’d like the sleeves and bodice covered with this lace, if possible?” Elinore asked hopefully.
