Page 17 of Snowbound with the Scoundrel
Lady Emily held the horrific garment up before her.All three maidsoohedin appreciation.
“That’s the one, all right,” the petite maid with brown curls said.
“Red really is your color, if you don’t mind my saying so, miss.”the plump one with blonde hair agreed.
It happened that Clarissadidmind her saying so.Brownwas her color.Brown!But her stammered protests were summarily ignored.In the space of three minutes, Clarissa found herself stuffed into a fresh shift, stays, and petticoat, then thrust into the red silk gown.
She stared in horror at the sight that greeted her in the mirror.Not only did the color make her stand out like one of Mr.Newsham’s fire engines, but the neckline was a good three inches lower than what Clarissa typically wore.Worst of all, the red silk hugged her every curve.
She looked…pretty.Dear God, this would not do, this would not do at all!She looked like Cinderella after the fairy godmother had done her work, when she needed to look like the before version.
“I have a wonderful idea!”Lady Emily exclaimed.Clarissa could see herself in the mirror, and her eyes had taken on a wild quality, like a fox cornered by a pack of dogs.
Lady Emily did not seem to have noticed, for she was happily sweeping Clarissa’s hair back into a chignon.“What if we do something like this, with a few pieces to frame her face, and then pin a little cluster of holly just behind her ear?”
The three maids squealed in delight.“That will look right smart.”
“It will be perfect for Christmas!”
The third maid seized a brush from the dressing table.“Here,” she said, pushing Clarissa down onto the padded stool, “If one of you will fetch some holly, I’ll get started on it.”
Clarissa blinked at herself in the mirror, dazed and horrified, and wondered what on earth she was going to do now.
Chapter7
Rupert felt much more the thing as he headed down to dinner.Six hours of sleep in a proper bed had worked wonders on his back and neck, to say nothing of his disposition.Add in some good nosh, and he would be back to his cheerful self in no time flat.
As he reached the bottom of the staircase, he heard a thump from behind the curtain of a little alcove in the entryway.Rupert frowned.It was probably nothing, but considering the reason he was here, it probably behooved him to make sure there wasn’t an assassin lurking in there with a gun.
Creeping up to the alcove, he whipped the tapestried curtain open…
… and Clarissa Weatherby gasped as she wheeled around, one hand flying to her heart.
Just like that, Rupert’s head went all muddly… well, more muddly than it usually was.Blimey.Clarissa Weatherby wasgorgeous.Suddenly, the notion that he might have married this woman seemed even more ridiculous.What on earth would this stunning creature want with the likes ofhim?
It occurred to Rupert that he should say something rather than stand there gaping at her.“Sorry, I thought I heard something.You look beautiful, by the by.”
For some reason, her face fell upon hearing this compliment.“Thank you,” she muttered.
Rupert cleared his throat.“May I escort you in to dinner?”
She considered it for a beat.“That’s probably a good idea.”At his confused look, she added, “There’s bound to be some gossip with the two of us in attendance.If we are seen behaving civilly toward one another from the start, hopefully, that will set the tone.”
“Just so.”Rupert offered his arm.“Shall we, then?”
Rupert led her toward the blue and white parlor where the de Roos family usually gathered before dinner.
“You seem to know your way around the castle,” Clarissa noted.“I take it you are good friends with the de Roos family?”
“Oh, yes.I was at school with Lawrence, who’s the third son.Used to spend some of my school holidays here.Lovely people, absolutely lovely.”
“I met Lady Helmsley and Lady Emily today, and they do, indeed, seem very kind.”
Rupert glanced down at Clarissa.Her lips were set in a tight, thin line.“Do you not know many people here, then?”
“I do not,” she confirmed.
“I’ll introduce you around if you like,” Rupert offered.
