Adeline frowned at that, but did not argue.
“Your uncle tells me it is being held in a conservatory. If you like, you and I can dress up tomorrow and go together; that way, you can see it,” Deborah offered.
Adeline’s frown snapped into a smile at once, and she eagerly nodded.
“Oh, yes, please! Can Grace come as well?” She asked.
“I am sure she would love to,” Deborah replied as Kathy stepped away.
“Well, Your Grace, I believe I am finished,” she announced,.“Please tell me what you think.”
Deborah glanced back at her reflection, and she could not help but smile. She had grown used to styling her own hair and applying her own cosmetics, but she had to admit that Kathy was a genius when it came to both. Her auburn hair had been brushed into a luster, then pulled into a stylish updo. A lone, thick, tight curl of her red hair fell over her left shoulder, creating a startling contrast against the lavender silk gown that brought out the vivid, multihued greens in her eyes.
She’d had the dress made in the most modern design, which accentuated her bust and cleavage, but loosely hung in a way that disguised her small waist.
“You are a marvel, Kathy,” Deborah praised. “I think we are ready for the finishing touches.”
With a bashful smile, Kathy brought forward the white silk elbow-length gloves and dangling diamond and amethyst earrings. Deborah put them both on, then turned to Adeline.
“What do you think?” Deborah asked.
“You look like a princess,” Adeline breathed, her dark eyes wide with wonder.
Deborah gave her an appreciative smile.
“Am I ready to go then?” She asked.
“Not quite, Your Grace,” Kathy interjected, coming forward with a white box Deborah did not recognize.
Deborah gave her a questioning look, and in return, Kathy lifted the lid.
She gasped when she saw the necklace inside.
“His Grace insisted that you wear this this evening,” Kathy explained, gently lifting the diamond, emerald, and amethyst necklace from the box. “A token, he said, of his gratitude.”
Deborah wrenched her gaze from the stunning necklace up to Kathy.
“Gratitude for what?” She snapped.
Kathy jolted at her tone, and Deborah immediately felt guilty.
“I apologize, Kathy,” she said softly, “I did not mean to speak so harshly toward you.”
Kathy visibly relaxed and gave her a forgiving smile.
“It is quite alright, Your Grace,” Kathy soothed, “And to answer your question, I do not know. He did not say. Perhaps he meant for all you have done with Miss Adeline?”
Kathy shifted her kind gaze toward the little girl.
“She has changed so much since you came into our lives.”
Deborah turned to Adeline, who gave her a small smile. While it was true that the girl had begun to change, she doubted that was why Cedric had given her the necklace.
He is jabbing at me. Thanking me for my momentary lapse in judgment and giving my body over to him. That is what men do to keep women complacent.
“Tell His Grace thank you for his gratitude, but that I decline his gift,” Deborah stated.
Both Kathy and Adeline looked at her with surprise written on their faces.