If only she felt as different on the inside as she looked on the outside.
“Ah, perfect,” Lady Stark said as soon as she came through the door, Rose following in her wake.She was also wearing a new gown.It had been made for another lady who decided that the dark maroon silk did not flatter her, fortunately for Rose.Though Johanna could tell her cousin was uncomfortable with the low-cut neckline and the richness of the dress, she looked stunning in it.“Just as you should look, but with one small touch missing.”
Lady Stark gestured at Rose, who handed over a box she was carrying.Johanna had been so distracted by their combined finery that she had not even noticed Rose was holding anything.
Now Lady Stark came forward, a gleam in her eye that was almost predatory.
“Sit.”
Future duchess or not, Johanna sat.Immediately.
Lady Stark moved behind Johanna, so they could both see her in the vanity looking glass, which framed Johanna’s upper body perfectly.The light grey of Lady Stark’s dress behind her made for a perfect foil of colors.
Opening the box, Lady Stark took something out of it before setting it on the vanity in front of Johanna.She did not get more than a glimpse of purple and sparkles before something was draped around her neck.
“Oh,” she said softly, her fingers reaching up to the cool stones as they settled on her collarbone.The array of sparkling purple stones was lighter than her dress, but complemented it well and enhanced the effect the dark purple hue had on her eyes.
“Amethysts,” Lady Stark said smugly.“Just the trick for you.Rubies for Rose eventually, but not tonight.”
“Not ever,” Rose muttered, but Lady Stark did not even twitch, ignoring Rose’s rejection of her suggestion.
“They’re beautiful… but… I cannot…”
“You can and you will.These are from the family’s set, which will be yours after tomorrow.They might as well have been made for you,” Lady Stark said matter-of-factly.“Now, the earrings and brooch.We will save the tiara for tomorrow.”
Johanna took a deep breath, but she could tell Lady Stark was not going to be denied.Arguing would be a waste of breath.
Besides, Lady Stark was correct.Adding the earrings and brooch completed the look.
Now she really did appear to be a duchess.
But she felt like a child wearing her mother’s clothing for play.
“You look beautiful,” Rose said, coming to Johanna’s side and putting her hand on Johanna’s shoulder as if sensing her need for reassurance.Rose often seemed to know exactly what Johanna needed even before Johanna did.Not the words, but the comforting hand, the touch of someone who knew her and believed in her and would be there for her no matter what happened.That was what Johanna needed right now, and somehow, Rose had known it.
The touch settled her, and she took a deep breath.She was still her, no matter what she wore or what title she had, and she would do her best.As she always had.That was all she could do.
“Thank you,” she murmured, reaching up to put her hand over Rose’s.They gave each other a quick squeeze.
“Guests should be arriving shortly,” Lady Stark said, sweeping out of the room as quickly as she’d come in.
Johanna looked up at Rose, bemused.
“Do you think we are meant to follow her?”
“I assume so,” Rose said, sounding both exasperated and entertained.
“Most certainly,” Nettie chimed in, nodding her head.
Johanna got to her feet and strode out, arm in arm with Rose.She was so grateful for her cousin’s presence.She did not know how she would be able to do this without her.
“Your mother began running a fever this afternoon,” Rose said in a low voice.“Dr.Syme has already attended her and did not seem worried.Did you know he is the housekeeper’s nephew?”
“I did not.”How interesting.She wondered if the family connection was why the duke had a young, different kind of doctor in attendance.“I should go see her.”
“Not before supper.”Rose squeezed her arm.“She was sleeping when I peeked in on her, and you do not want to disturb her rest.There has been a great deal of upheaval around her the past few days.”
Upheaval and delusions.Worry that her mother might say something in front of someone else trickled through Johanna, but she did not know what she could do about it.Her mother had already been gripped with nerves before she’d been feverish… perhaps that was what had precipitated her belief that she’d caused a duke’s death?