“Now that you are presentable, I am going to need at least a half hour to make myself so.”
“More like an hour,” Nelly chimed in.
Giggling, Sarah nodded. “True. We will also need to see that my new sisters-in-law’s dresses are up to standard. Harris, will you have a message sent to them? And, Christopher, can you have a carriage called in an hour and a half? I need to introduce you all to the neighborhood.”
***
Unsurprisingly, Margaret was easily guided. Nelly rearranged her curls so that more of them framed her lovely oval face. The young lady even allowed Sarah to add the slightest bit of rouge to her cheeks and carmine to her lips. Heavy cosmetics had gone entirely out of fashion, but a clever woman could still use a little here and there to highlight her natural features. Margaret was a lovely young woman, but her paleness caused her to appear a bit washed out. Her white dress and celestial-blue pelisse were of the very finest materials and well-made, if not a bit basic. Sarah added some braided lace to the shoulders and a few tassels to the pelisse. She loved how a good tassel dangled. To complete the look, Sarah lent her new sister-in-law a pair of pearl earrings.
Deborah did not wish for Nelly to fix her hair, even though an entire section had fallen in the back. Nor did she want Sarah to add extra details to her pelisse to make it more customized and stylish. One worthy of a London modiste.
“Our old headmistress, Miss Mason, said that only a shallow young lady is obsessed with her appearance.”
Sarah suppressed her smile. “Quite a set down, Deborah. However, my mother, acountess, taught me that a person’s first impression of you can dictate your entire relationship and toalways put your most polished slipper forward. Rarely do people in Society bother to get to know the young woman inside the dress—shallow or deep. Taking control of your appearance and how others perceive you is one of the few powers allotted to ladies. I would not forsake it for a trite principle.”
Deborah huffed and said in a small voice, “I suppose Miss Mills might be able to repair my hair, and if you would like to add silly little hanging things to my pink pelisse, I care not.”
“Come sit over here, miss,” Nelly said with a wry smile on her lips.
Sarah did not add “silly little hanging things” to Deborah’s pink pelisse. She did, however, add some blonde lace on the bodice and sleeves in a vinelike pattern. It was quite the loveliest creation Sarah had made in many a month. Deborah, whose hair was no longer falling in the back, turned up her nose at it. “I suppose it will have to do.”
“Deb, you are being unconscionably rude,” Margaret said, blushing for her sister’s lack of manners.
“One might even sayshallow,” Nelly quipped and then curtsied as if she hadn’t just called the daughter of the house a name.
Sarah pinched her lips together tightly to keep in her smile. How she loved her old friend’s fiery personality!
Deborah’s jaw dropped. “How dare a servant speak to me thus! I shall see you dismissed.”
Folding her arms, Sarah shook her head. “You shall not, Deborah, for you are not the mistress of the house. I am. And Miss Mills ismyfriend andmylady’s maid. She may speak freely in my presence, as I have allowed you to do. However, I do not recommend that you behave similarly on our visits today. As I have already said, you will not get a second chance to make a good first impression in the village. When in doubt, do not open your mouth.”
The young girl gaped like a fish. Sarah supposed that she had not been forced to obey many people in her life. Not even the sage Miss Mason. Sarah did not wish to break her spirit, but good manners were fashionable in every class.
“Now, my lovely sisters-in-law, I need to dress myself. I shall meet you all in the carriage in a half hour.”
Margaret took Deborah’s arm and tugged her out of the room.
Once the door closed, Nelly said, “That Miss Deborah’s going to be a handful, Sarah.”
Sighing, Sarah held up her palms. “I am going to need both hands and yours too.”
Nelly and Sarah used their four hands between them to change Sarah into her newest day gown, rose-colored pelisse, and trimmed-to-match chip bonnet. A large rose-colored plume gave it height and presence. Sarah carefully made up her face whilst her lady’s maid convinced her wayward hair to form a low chignon and extra curls in the right directions. Nelly made the arranging of hair an art.
“Remember what your mother always said, Sarah,” Nelly said, putting her hands on Sarah’s shoulders as she sat in front of her vanity and mirror. “A lady is only as beautiful as she believes herself to be.”
Taking a deep breath and then exhaling, Sarah got to her feet and left the room. She did not fear for her own acceptance in the neighborhood. She’d long reigned as the highest-ranking lady, the person whom others came to for attention and approval. And she had always tried to be gracious and welcoming, for her mother had another maxim:Kindness is always in fashion. She could only hope that the stanch matrons of Eden society would be equally gracious and welcoming to the Moulton sisters. She did not fear for Margaret, but she was terrified for Deborah.
Christopher and his sisters were waiting for her as she descended the stairs. They were a remarkably attractive trio. Heoffered his arm most gallantly to Sarah, and she did not hesitate to take it. She wondered if Mr. Wigan or Guy had given him a little hint that it was his responsibility as the gentleman to escort her. He helped Sarah first into the carriage and then his sisters. Both Margaret and Deborah sat with their backs to the driver, leaving the only seat next to Sarah. It felt a little odd sitting next to a man that she was not related to by blood, but Christopher was her husband. She would be sitting next to him for the rest of her life.
The carriage lurched forward, and Sarah grabbed Christopher’s arm in surprise. She was about to remove her hand when he placed his opposite palm over hers. His fingers were large and surprisingly comforting. She relaxed against the back of the seat, still touching him. Still connected.
“We are going first to Hanford House, which is the second largest estate in the area and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Robinson,” Sarah began. “They are hosting a garden party in three days, and we need to secure an invitation. It will ensure your welcome to the neighborhood. Everyone must be on their best behavior.” She looked at Deborah meaningfully. “Also, their family situation is rather unique, so please do not speak without thinking first. Mr. Brian Robinson, our vicar, is Mr. Robinson’s son. Mr. Robinson is, of course, very proud of him, as any father would be of such an accomplished, affable, and hardworking young man. Mr. Robinson married the current Mrs. Robinson nearly a decade ago. She brought three daughters with her to the marriage: Miss Cynthia Lake, Miss Olivia, and Miss Lily.”
Deborah sniffed loudly. “Why haven’t you already received an invitation if this garden party is so important?”
Swallowing, Sarah said, “I was invited nearly three weeks ago, but I was forced to send my regrets because I was moving to Westbrook Park. Hopefully, since I am returned tothe neighborhood, Mrs. Robinson will be so kind as to extend another invitation and include you all as well.”
“What sort of woman is Mrs. Robinson?” Margaret asked, lacing her fingers together on her lap.