Laurie Brown Read Online Free PDF Page B

yanked off the ribbons and the white egret feathers. She
     found a needle and thread in a side drawer of the dressing table, fashioned the bits and pieces into a hair ornament, and
     attached her creation to a comb.“We can sweep one side of your hair back and anchor it with this.”
    After all Amelia’s work and the destruction of the original hat, Josie felt obligated to cooperate. When she again stood in
     front of the mirror, she had to agree with the other women.The hair ornament was just the touch her outfit needed. Josie moved
     her head from side to side.The fancy comb didn’t restrict her freedom and therefore didn’t cause any claustrophobic panic.
    Emma helped Josie pull on long gloves that reached above her elbows and fastened the tiny pearl buttons at her wrists.Then
     the maid held up the fringed shawl. Josie eyed the large red and pink peonies in the pattern and shook her head.“I never wear
     those colors. Not with my hair.”
    “Nonsense,” Amelia said. “This will perk up your complexion.” She nodded to Emma who then draped the shawl over Josie’s shoulders.
    Josie turned to the mirror and, to her surprise, saw that the color did flatter her. She rubbed the luxurious fabric.
    “Wool challis,”Amelia said.“Quite handy in a castle where drafts seem to come from nowhere.” Another nod to Emma produced
     a flat box. “And now for a touch of elegance.” She revealed a magnificent necklace of luminescent pearls accented by tiny
     diamonds.Also nestled in the back velvet lining were the matching bracelet and earrings. “We call this parure the Young Queen’s
     Pearls because they were a wedding gift from Victoria to my great-great-grandmother, who was one of her ladies-in-waiting.”
    Josie stepped back. “I couldn’t...”
    “Of course you can. I’m only lending them for the evening, not giving them to you.”
    “But what if something happens to them?”
    Amelia clucked her tongue. “Don’t be such a Nervous Nellie. Sometimes you just have to relax and enjoy the moment.” She fastened
     the necklace around Josie’s neck and stepped back to admire her handiwork.“Lovely.”
    Emma added the bracelet and earrings and handed Josie a beaded reticule and a fan painted with violets.
    “I do believe we’re ready.”
    Josie jammed a small notebook and stub of a pencil next to the lacy handkerchief and tiny vial of smelling salts in the reticule
     dangling from her wrist. The assembly gong sounded, the signal to begin round two with the ghost.Deverell would be waiting
     for her—for them—at the bottom of the grand staircase.
    Deverell paced the wide foyer, unseen and unheard by the servants in the dining room.As he’d predicted, Amelia’s fear of revolt
     was unfounded. The servants appeared invigorated by the change in routine, except for one whiner. He entertained the notion
     of a quick materialization to scare the drudge witless, but he dismissed it as unworthy. Bad enough that, in his concern for
     Amelia, he’d eavesdropped on servants. He suppressed a shudder.
    The toll for his years of inattention to his duty was not pleasant, but then what else could he expect of a penance? Today
     he had taken the initial step to rectify the financial situation in a manner that would free him again to concentrate on his
     assigned task. Tonight would be the first test for Miss Drummond. Could she learn everything she would need to know in time?
     Would she honor her agreement when she learned the truth?
    No, he refused to think about that just yet.
    He tugged on the sleeve of his impeccably tailored evening coat. Although dematerialized, he retained a sense of himself,
     knowledge of his being. For the first time, he wondered why. He had always accepted his existence without questioning it.
     If he needed something, he concentrated his thoughts, and it appeared or happened or whatever.Over the years he had learned
     a few limitations and many shortcuts to conserve his energy.Yet he had never