Love, Remember Me by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page A

other, and they hung below the neckline of her gown. She slipped two rings, one a pearl, the other a topaz, on the fingers of her right hand, and then closed the box. "Put it away, Tillie," she said. "I have what I need for today. It is not too much, is it?"
    Tillie tucked the box back into her mistress's trunk, saying as she did so, "Nay, Mistress Nyssa. 'Tis just right."
    There was a knock upon the bedchamber door, and Maybelle stuck her head in. Her eyes widened at the sight of Nyssa. "Ohh, and don't you look pretty, little mistress," she said admiringly. "Yer aunt is awaiting you downstairs. They're ready to go."
    Tillie picked up a light brown velvet cloak lined in rabbit's fur for her mistress, and handed Nyssa her gloves. "Come along, my lady," she said briskly, moving so swiftly that Maybelle was forced to give way at the door. Tillie winked at Nyssa as Maybelle, swept aside, sputtered irritably, running behind them to catch up.
    They moved quickly but carefully down the staircase. Nyssa took in every elegant bit of her aunt's attire. Bliss was, at thirty-three, still an outrageously beautiful woman. Her deep blue velvet gown, embroidered with gold and silver threads as well as pearls, matched her sapphire-blue eyes. In defiance of fashion, Bliss wore her daffodil-blond hair in a chignon, held by gold pins at the nape of her neck.
    "I see no reason to hide my beautiful hair beneath those ugly headdresses," she often said. Then she would turn and smile at her doting husband. "Owen would not like it," she would finish, as if his opinion in the matter were really of great import to her.
    This morning she carefully scrutinized her niece with critical eyes. Finally she smiled approvingly. Both Tillie and Nyssa let out a collective breath.
    "Very nice, my child. You look absolutely pure perfection. Elegant, but not gaudy. A young woman of means and good family; not some opportunistic little wench come husband-hunting to court, eager to attract the attention of some foolish gallant."
    Nyssa's eyes twinkled. "I thought I had been sent to court to find a husband," she teased her aunt, and her uncle Owen guffawed.
    "You have come to court to serve the queen," Bliss said in smooth tones. "Now, if you should just happen to find a gentleman who takes your fancy, steals your heart, and pleads for your hand in marriage, and if he is suitable, that is an altogether different matter, child."
    Nyssa laughed. "Is that how you caught Uncle Owen's fancy, at court?"
    "I met your uncle in your father's house," Bliss replied primly.
    "It was your mother's sixteenth birthday," the Earl of Marwood said, taking up the story. "Bliss and Blythe and your aunt Delight came to RiversEdge to celebrate the occasion. One look at your aunt, and I was lost to her, just as Nick Kingsley was as taken with Blythe."
    "You fell in love at first sight?" Nyssa had never heard the story, but it sounded so very romantic.
    "At first sight," her uncle said softly. His eyes swept to his wife. "Did I not, puss?"
    Bliss had a look in her eyes that her niece had never before seen. "Aye," she drawled. Then, remembering herself and where they were, she snapped, "Why are we standing here in this draughty hallway? We are due at court shortly." She turned to Tillie. "You've done well, girl. I'll give my sister a good account of you when I write her next. Heartha has trained you well and can be proud."
    "Thank you, m'lady," Tillie responded, bobbing a little curtsey. Then she put the cloak over Nyssa, settling it smoothly and turning her mistress about to fasten the gold frogs that held the garment shut.
    "Where are the boys?" Nyssa asked as they exited the house.
    "Awaiting us in the coach," her aunt replied. "Edmund and my Owen will ride with the coachman. 'Tis not far."
    Her two cousins scrambled from the carriage and climbed atop the coach box with their driver as the two women reached the vehicle's door. Nyssa saw her brothers, seated with their backs to the coachman.