Page 76 of A Brambleberry Manor Christmas
I walk over and touch it in wonder. It’s pale gold, made ofa gorgeous silky fabric, with a deep flattering neckline, fitted bodiceembellished with pale pink ribbon, and the sort of flowing skirt that will makethe wearer feel like a princess!
‘Wow.’
‘I knew you’d love it,’ says Tavie, triumphantly. ‘Therewere a few to choose from. Marjery hired them for the occasion but a few ofthem weren’t worn in the end. Fen sent me pictures but I thought you’d likethis one best of all.’
I turn in amazement. ‘When did all this happen? Have you twobeen colluding behind my back?’
Fen grins. ‘With the help of Flo, yes. She was thego-between.’
I look at Tavie in astonishment. ‘So you weren’t justtalking to Flo about the Christmas lunch, then? You were planning this aswell?’ I laugh. ‘Whatever “this” is?’
Tavie nods, looking highly delighted with the success of herscheming.
‘Well, it’s beautiful. But please tell me what’s happening.’
‘Put it on, Jenny, and you’ll see,’ says Tavie, rubbing herhands together excitedly.
So I do as she says, and the dress fits like a glove andfeels just as wonderful as I thought it would.
‘Now. Hair and make-up,’ says Fen, bringing out a box oftricks. And between them, with the help of subtle make-up wizardry and somegorgeous sparkly combs sweeping my chestnut brown hair up in an eleganttop-knot, they manage to make the rest of me look almost as amazing as thedress.
‘Wow. Incredible,’ I breathe, staring in the mirror. ‘What atransformation.’
I turn and they both folds their arms, cock their heads toone side and sigh happily at the vision before them. Which I have to say,boosts my confidence no end.
‘Come with me. The ball is about to begin,’ says Fen,opening the door and ushering me out.
‘No! Please! This iswaytoo cringy.’ I’m half-laughing,half-scared of what’s about to happen.
‘It’s not. Honestly,’ says Tavie. ‘You’re just going to havethat dance that you missed out on.’
‘How do you know about that?’ I ask, hot colour flooding myface.
‘Flo.’
I laugh. ‘Flo has a lot to answer for. When I see her next,I’ll – ’
‘Don’t be too hard on her,’ says a voice. ‘I think it’s agreat plan. Even though I did have to get all trussed up in this ridiculousoutfit again.’
I swing round.
Noah is standing there in his boots, breeches and tailcoat, wearingthe same exquisite embroidered gold waistcoat he was wearing the other night atthe Cinderella Ball. He looks drop-dead gorgeous and my whole body is tingling.But it’s his deep blue eyes that draw my attention. As always. They’re smilinginto mine, and my heart starts up a crazy rhythm as he walks towards me andholds out his arm so I can lay my hand there. And we walk, very sedately, intothe ballroom – although there’s nothing at all sedate about the franticfeelings I’m experiencing beneath this formal dress!
I’m vaguely aware of Fen and Tavie retreating from the roomand closing the door behind them. The music, I realise, is what was playing onthat night when we missed our chance to dance together.
‘It’s all a bit cheesy, this,’ grins Noah. ‘But I was happyto go along with it, if it meant I could hold you in my arms again.’
I swallow hard and smile up at him, and he pulls me intohold, a little more urgently than I’m sure would have been the norm in JaneAusten’s day.
‘Oh, Sir, you flatter me.’ I bat my eyelashes, looking coylyup at him, and he laughs.
He bends his head and growls in my ear, ‘I’d like to do morethan flatter you. If you have no objection.’
I shiver at the delicious feel of his warm breath on myneck. ‘No objections at all.’
‘Good. I’ve been wanting to kiss you ever since we firstlanded in the bracken together.’
My heart leaps at the spark of desire in his eyes.
