03 - The Wicked Lady by Brenda Jernigan Read Free Book Online

wisely."
    The next few hours became a blur of satins, laces, gauze and Indian muslins. There were buttons to choose and shoes and hats, and some of the softest fabrics she'd ever felt for undergarments. Kristen had never been pinched and prodded so much in her entire life, and she soon tired of all the fuss.
    Every time a new material was wrapped about Kristen, Madam Marie exclaimed, " Oui , you are lovely. His Grace won't be able to take his eyes off you--not that he could when he was here earlier."
    "Really?"
    " Oui , I could see he is quite taken with you."
    Kristen thought the lady was just imagining what she saw because Trevor didn't care for her in any way other than for his own purposes. Theirs was a business agreement--nothing more.
    She stared at herself in the mirror. She couldn't believe how differently she looked when she finally dressed in the gown that had been made last night for her. Evidently the seamstress had been up all night sewing.
    The pelisse was of silk; its color a light shade of marguerite. The collar stood up to allow a white ruffle, and down the front, rich satin of the same hue ran down the middle in a swirling design.
    Rebecca insisted Kristen's hair must be done to go with her new outfit. She pulled Kristen's hair up and twisted and fastened the long curls at the crown.
    After Kristen dressed, she sat at a table with Marie who began drilling the etiquette of the ton into Kristen's head. There were too many forks and too many glasses. They went over it again and again, and surprisingly, Kristen learned very quickly. It was like a game to her, and she was a master of games . . . a lesson she'd learned early in life.
    Kristen felt almost like a lady, and she smiled under Madam Marie's praise.  It was amazing how new clothes could make her feel so differently, even though she knew she was the same person.
    They finished a little earlier than expected so they were escorted to the front lounge to wait until Trevor came to pick them up.
    "If you ladies will make yourselves comfortable, I need to give the seamstresses instructions, so you'll have your gowns in a few days. You're a very lucky lady."
    "I know," Kristen agreed.  "Thank you for all your help." She squeezed Marie's hand, deciding she liked the dressmaker.
    Rebecca automatically relaxed upon the green velvet settee, but Kristen couldn't sit still. She paced, then she stopped, stared out the window, and then began to pace again. She wasn't sure if what she was about to do was very smart, but she was going to do it anyway, and now was the perfect time before she changed her mind. She tugged at the neck of her gown, not use to wearing such a confining garment.
    "Listen, Rebecca. Where I used to live isn't far from here." Kristen's mind was working overtime again. She could do this. She needed to.
    "I don't recall any abbeys around here."
    Kristen recalled Trevor's lie. "I'll explain about that later. I need to get a few things I cherish before they're stolen."
    "But mum, it's after two," Rebecca said.
    Kristen started at her maid a little dumbfounded. "What does the hour have to do with anything?"
    "Ladies are not usually seen after two o'clock around here. They don't wish to be thought of as fast."
    Kristen laughed at the absurdity. If Rebecca only knew that she'd been on the streets at every hour of the day, Rebecca would probably turn several shades of red. "I will not bump into anyone, so dinna fret."
    Rebecca hesitated, blinking with surprise. "I'm sure His Grace will take you there, mum."
    "No."  Kristen shook her head. "Ye don't comprehend. Where I came from 'tisn't very nice, and I dinna want Trevor tae go there. 'Tis bad enough he knows where I came from, but seeing the actual place is a different story." She bent down and picked up her empty purse. "If I hurry, I can get everything I need and be back here before Claremont returns. Ye'll have tae stall him if he happens tae return early, but I'm sure he won't."
    "No, mum!  You can't