A Magnificent Match Read Online Free PDF Page A

miss,” she pronounced. “I could hobstitch a length of deep lace around the borders of the bodice, but it would be an obvious addition and scarcely adequate, besides. I recommend that the thing be given away or put into the ragbag.”
    Megan looked at the dresser, then at Mrs. Tyler. “But then what is to be done, Gwyneth? I haven’t got another gown.”
    “Oh, dear. I had so hoped that Simpkins—” Mrs. Tyler cut off the rest of what she was about to say. She made a determined effort to smile. “It is very bad, of course, but we shall simply have to make the best of the situation. I shall convey your regrets to Lady O’Connell with an explanation and hope that you are not missed too soon.”
    The dresser cleared her throat. Her expression as haughty as ever, she said, “If I may make a suggestion, miss? I have in my possession a gown that may prove adequate this once. It is a style that will be simple to alter to your figure.”
    “I am very willing to put myself in your hands, Simpkins,” said Megan. “But will not my mother take exception to me wearing a gown that she commissioned for herself?”
    “The gown is one that Lady O’Connell took an unreasoning and sudden dislike to while we were still in London. I believe that her ladyship saw one of her acquaintances attired in something very similar,” said Simpkins woodenly.
    “Oh, I see,” said Megan. She smiled suddenly. “Thank you, Simpkins. I should like to try the gown.”
    The dresser nodded and let herself out of the bedroom. In short order, she returned, bearing a cascade of silk in her arms. She shook out the folds of the gown and addressed the maid. “You there, girl. Get that dress off and then help me throw this over your mistress’s head.”
    Megan’s maid nodded, not daring to say a word. The two servingwomen tossed the gown over Megan’s head and smoothed it down her body. The maid hooked it up the back swiftly while the dresser began to pleat and pull at the fabric.
    “Yes, I think that it can be managed,” said Simpkins thoughtfully. “If we take a tuck here and here, and a third one here, the extra fullness will not be noticeable. What do you think, miss?”
    Megan critically looked at herself in the mirror. She was standing in a ballgown of watered ivory silk that enhanced her red hair and fair coloring. Puffed at the shoulder, the long sleeves of the gown tapered over the hand. The bodice was cut low, but even so was not as revealing as her old gown, and the waistline was high. Rows upon rows of frothy bows and point lace decorated the bosom of the dress and the skirt.
    “It is lovely, except for these bows,” said Megan, touching one of the offending frills at the bosom.
    The dresser nodded. “Quite right, miss. But that is a simple matter to remedy. I took the precaution of bringing along my sewing basket.” As she was speaking, she brought out a pair of small sharp shears and began snipping off many of the bows. When she was done, she looked critically at the ballgown. “Aye, that will do. Now we’ll simply take it in and you will be suitably attired for the evening.”
    Megan watched the dresser work her magic with the gown. In a matter of half an hour, the ballgown had undergone a subtle transformation. The busy look of the bows had been reduced to discreet touches. The voluminousness of the skirt had disappeared. Megan could not quite believe how sophisticated she appeared. “You are a wonder, Simpkins,” she said quietly.
    The dresser’s face reddened, but she merely nodded.
    Megan turned to the dresser. She was touched by the dresser’s ministrations, for she knew that the discards from a lady’s wardrobe always became the property of the lady’s maid and actually constituted part of the tiring-woman’s income. “I cannot thank you enough, Simpkins, especially when I know that you have sacrificed this gown for me.”
    The dresser gave a dour smile. She closed her sewing box. “A rare oddity I would look