Lady Sarah's Redemption Read Online Free PDF Page B

with us at table,” he said abruptly,
ignoring Cecily’s dire prediction. He didn’t want to risk her dredging up the
past, yet again. “With her governess. That way we might better observe Miss
Morecroft’s manners.” Picking up a small plaster bust of a cupid wearing a
seraphic smile, his frown became even more pained. “If she proves unsuitable we
will have to find her another post.”
                               
    “Sit at table with my aunt and father!” With a shriek, Caro leapt up
from the nursery table and threw herself against the window sill, her hands to
her face. “Oh, that’s worse than anything!”
    Sarah’s smile faded. “But you’ll do them such credit.” She stepped
forward and put a reassuring hand on the girl’s unresponsive shoulder. “I’ll
teach you how to deport yourself with confidence. We’ll turn you into the toast
of the town.”
    “I don’t want to be the toast of the town!” Caro sobbed. “I want to
be left alone to read my books.”
    It took two days before Sarah finally persuaded Caro to submit to
her cache of beauty aids. Afterwards she cajoled Ellen into helping them both
with their hair using tongs, a jug of water laid before the fire, and sugar to
set the curls.
    Sarah had again been busy with her needle and thread. The little
girls had been her willing assistants, happily parroting French conjugations as
they handed her the various coloured threads and other tools she needed.
    Now it was the day of reckoning and she was ready. As the dinner
gong reverberated through the house Sarah allowed herself a moment of
self-congratulation. Then she hastened Caro to her own room to look in the
tarnished mirror which rested on the chest of drawers.
    “A credit to your father, don’t you think?” Her eyes raked her young
protégé with pride.
    Caro’s dull cheeks had been enlivened with a discreet touch of
Liquid Bloom of Roses. Her best dress, once a utilitarian and modest gown of
Pomona Green velvet, had been remodelled to resemble something in the first
stare.
    Sarah’s heart leapt with anticipation. She could not wait to present
her handiwork and earn her employers’ admiration.
    “Are you ready, Caro?” she asked, and was gratified by the spark of
wonder in the young girl’s eyes as she continued to stare at her reflection.
    “I don’t look anything like myself,” she whispered, her tone
indicating this was a good thing.
    “You look beautiful,” Sarah said, and meant it. “Just don’t spoil it
with poor posture. You need to make your entrance with pride and dignity.” She
gave the girl’s arm a quick squeeze. “Just you wait, your father will be
overcome!”
    As Sarah had anticipated, amazed silence greeted their entrance. She
smiled demurely at her employers as she sank into her seat. Lowering her eyes
to her plate she waited for the praise.
    Silence.
    Clearly, they were lost for words. She had obviously excelled at her
self-appointed task of transforming Caro into a vision of loveliness.
    Only as the silence lengthened did she feel the first stirrings of doubt.
She raised her head to glance, first to her left, where Caro was cringing with
unconcealed embarrassment, not daring to look at anyone, then to the head of
the table where Mr Hawthorne sat.
    Her heart missed a beat, then uncertainty turned to anger. What
father would look at his daughter with such undisguised recrimination? As if it
were a crime for a woman to try and improve herself.
    But it was Mrs Hawthorne, clutching her scrawny throat, who
shrieked, “Have you been using complexion enhancers, Caro?”
    The direct accusation stirred Caro to retaliation. Her cheeks took
on a feverish hue. “Do you mean like Mother?” she ground out. “Yes, I found
them once in her dressing table drawer and decided to use them tonight.” She
took an unsteady breath. “I did not realize Mother was considered such a harlot!”
    Shocked silence greeted her outburst.
    Caro gave a