Miss Merton's Last Hope Read Online Free PDF Page B

Melanie had been embarrassed and fled silently all the way outside the house. After that, she’d done her best to give them every chance for privacy.
    However, given the doorway was open wide, Melanie considered it safe enough to take a chance. She tapped on the wall as she moved along the hall, just loud enough to give warning of her approach.
    “Come in, Melanie dearest, and good morning,” Julia sang out.
    She took a few steps in and glanced around, relieved not to find her brother lurking about the bed. That bed was covered in Julia’s gowns and several had been tossed aside very carelessly. Julia herself was sitting at her dressing table twisting her head this way and that to see herself in the mirror, but her hair…
    Melanie moved toward her new sister. “What have you done to yourself?”
    “I wanted to try something new.” Julia had at last tamed every strand of her bright-red hair, forcing it back into the tightest of styles that could be managed. “Do you like it?”
    The style was very similar to the way Melanie wore her own straight hair but it didn’t suit Julia one bit. It was too severe and, with her fair complexion, she appeared so much older than her actual years. It was simply awful. She could not be seen like this.
    Julia had always been sensitive about her appearance though, even more so since the scandal, so she chose her words carefully. “What made you change styles?”
    Julia glanced up quickly and caught her hand in a quick squeeze. “I was thinking of the bargain we made with your parents. They expect me to be as ladylike as you, an asset to the family, and I thought I should make an effort.”
    The gown she wore was very plain and if memory served, was a gown rarely worn. It was a dowdy gown and all wrong for the vivacious Julia. Melanie had to stop this before the girl had no pride in herself left.
    Melanie smiled softly. “Ladylike behavior is what they expect, but how you style your hair and clothes are a completely personal matter, in my opinion. The way you’ve always worn your hair and dressed suits you better. Might I change you back?”
    Julia’s gaze dropped, but she eventually nodded. “That is very kind of you.”
    No doubt Julia was disappointed that her decisions had been unsupported, but in the long-term it would be for the best.
    Melanie made short work of releasing Julia’s hair from confinement then spent some time brushing the snarls created by her earlier treatment. Her sister-in-law had hair as independent as its owner, and the curls soon bounced back into place with a bit of effort. Then she twisted and pinned Julia’s hair into a loose chignon, noticing the immediate improvement to her beauty.
    When she was satisfied with her work, she lightly pressed her hands on Julia’s shoulders. “There. Back to your usual pretty self, the way my brother loves you best. Are you headed for the shop today?”
    “No.” A tinge of color swept over Julia’s cheeks at the mention of Valentine and his obvious affection, so Melanie rang the bell and then made a fuss of straightening her dresser into order again until the moment passed. “Mr. Faraday is expected to visit so Valentine suggested I could stay at home and allow them to talk freely.”
    “Stand up and let me help you out of that rag then.” She ran her gaze over the bed and picked out a pretty gown accented in pink ribbon and delicate lace. She would look very fine in that for morning calls.
    Their maid appeared and Melanie stepped aside so Julia could be changed. When Julia was free of the plain gown, Melanie requested it and rolled it into a ball. “Never wear this again. I cannot bear it.”
    “Yes, Melanie.”
    The maid suppressed a relieved smile and took the gown away when Melanie handed it over. When they were alone again, she caught Julia’s chin gently. “Beautiful. You have such a lovely figure and you should always wear the clothes that accentuate your beauty rather than hide it.”
    Julia’s