Azalea by Brenda Hiatt Read Free Book Online Page A

Azalea. "'Cousin Alice,' is it? And
am I to be 'Cousin Marilyn'?" She shuddered delicately. "And her
accent! Why, simply to be seen with her—was she really dressed for
dinner, do you think? —may well lower me in Society."
    Her mama tut-tutted and reassured her, but
Marilyn seemed unwilling to clasp her new-found cousin to her bosom
as Lady Beauforth had hoped she might.

    Meanwhile, oblivious of the conversation
within doors, Azalea was enjoying her tour of the gardens
immensely. Led by her nose, she had discovered two late-blooming
roses of a variety she had never encountered in Virginia.
    Azalea appealed to Junie for information
about this rare strain. Junie was forced to plead ignorance but,
clearly not wanting to disappoint, volunteered to introduce Azalea
to the gardener on the morrow.
    "He knows every flower and bush in the
place, miss, and would dearly love to talk to someone what knows so
much as yourself, I know."
    "That would be lovely. Thank you, Junie,"
said Azalea. "But now, I suppose I had best hurry inside to comb my
hair before dinner."
    "Might I dress it for you, miss? I've been
taught how, and even did Miss Marilyn's once, when her abigail was
sick," Junie offered eagerly.
    "Could you? That's one thing I'm certain
Millie cannot do yet. Perhaps you can be my personal hairdresser,
as well as Millie's tutor."

    When Azalea descended to the dining-room
half an hour later, her confidence was bolstered by the knowledge
that her hairstyle, at least, rivaled that of her cousin Marilyn.
True to her word, Junie knew her business and had arranged Azalea's
hair beautifully, with curling tendrils escaping from a high crown
to frame her face.
    Junie had assured her that with a little
more time and a little less hair she could have done even better.
After seeing Junie's ability, Azalea had promised to have her hair
cut in the morning, even before visiting a dressmaker. She realized
that she would need her cousins' advice on these matters, and
determined to bring up the subject at dinner.
    Proceeding to the place at table indicated
by Smythe, Azalea was gratified by the slight widening of Miss
Beauforth's eyes, taking it as a compliment to Junie's skill. Lady
Beauforth was more outspoken, cheerfully greeting Azalea from her
place at the head of the table.
    "Why, what a difference that hairstyle
makes, my dear! I declare, you look like a new person. Don't you
agree, darling?" she asked hopefully, turning toward her
daughter.
    Marilyn responded with an insincere smile.
"Indeed, it makes you look almost English. A definite
improvement."
    Azalea had to bite her tongue to suppress
the angry retort that rose to her lips. If it were not so absurd,
she might almost think Marilyn was jealous of her. However, it
would not do to antagonize her relatives on her first evening in
their home.
    "Thank you," she forced herself to say. "I
thought perhaps tomorrow I might have it cut as well. Junie tells
me it is far too long and thick to be fashionable."
    "Junie?" Marilyn looked blank.
    "The upstairs maid. It was she who styled my
hair." Marilyn's glance slid negligently away to focus on her
mother, who had already launched into a stream of advice to Azalea
concerning the only hairdressers and modistes worth visiting.
    "I vow, you'll be quite a credit to us when
you are properly attired," she declared. "We'll have you betrothed
by the end of the Season, I doubt not. It is most fortunate that
you have come to us now, when we shall have all winter to bring you
smack up to the nines."
    "Mama, I was just thinking
about my wedding
clothes," Marilyn interrupted with a sidelong glance at Azalea. "I
saw a new watered silk yesterday that would do admirably for my
travelling dress."
    "Are you to be wed soon, Cousin?" asked
Azalea politely, to cover her dismay at Lady Beauforth's words. It
had not occurred to her that she might be expected to marry. She
didn't want another husband, at least not yet. Not after Chris...
She hurriedly thrust that