The Heiress Companion Read Online Free PDF

white, with worked flounces, a fichu
of netted silk, and rows of tiny crystal beads at the low neck and sleeves.
Frowning, Rowena rang for her maid.
    “Ruth, I asked that the green muslin be laid out,” she began
severely.
    “So you did say, miss,” the girl agreed broadly. “But her
lady said you was to wear the best you had, miss; called me special into her
room to tell me so, and never you mind about that Miss Margaret, for her lady’s
found her something ever so pretty,” the maid finished apologetically.
    “Machinations behind my back! Well, I shall have to scold
her for it, shan’t I?” Rowena said lightly. “Thank you, Ruth.”
    Hot water was poured from the tin can into the basin; the
fire was stirred up, and still the maid stood there, awkwardly. “Yes?” Rowena
asked at last, wondering what was coming now.
    “O, miss, do you think I could stay and help you dress? It
ain’t just for me, like; I know I’m a clumsy sort, but I’ve three little
sisters, and if I could tell ’em, on my next half-day —”
    “That you helped me prepare for the ball?” Rowena asked with
amusement. “Very well, you may stay if you like.” So when Miss Cherwood had
done washing, and had skillfully applied a touch of Pomade of Roses to her
cheeks, a light scattering of rice powder on her face, Ruth helped her to don
the lavender gown, and brushed out her long, chestnut-brown hair. At last
Rowena repossessed herself of the brush, and in a few quick motions twisted
the bulk of her hair into an intricate pile atop her head, fastened in two
amethyst combs, threw a light scarf across her shoulders, and declared that she
was ready. Ruth, conscious of the honor done her, was lavish in her praise of
Miss Cherwood’s appearance. Rowena laughed, thanked her, and dispatched her
back to the servants’ hall. After one more cursory glance in the mirror, she
left the room to join the party in the dining room.
    Dinner was planned as a simple meal that evening, since
supper would be served a few hours hence. Lady Bradwell, waiting with her sons
and Margaret in the library (and Lady Bradwell had indeed found a charming gown
for Margaret, although Rowena could not imagine how it had been done on such
short notice), complimented both the Misses Cherwood on their appearance, and
all went in to dinner in high spirits, to be entertained for the entire of the
meal by one of Lord Bradwell’s interminable hunting stories.
    Having organized the household for the party, Rowena now
deferred to Lady Bradwell, who looked to be enjoying the office of hostess
immensely. She and her sons stood at receiving for a short while, but the list
of guests was not long enough to make that an arduous task, and the spirit of
the evening was informal enough to allow them to cut the duty shorter still. On
the arrival of her dear friend and long-absent neighbor Anne Ambercot, Lady
Bradwell was content to sit and coze comfortably by the fire, adjured in search
of Margaret Cherwood and which left Lord Bradwell to make his way to the
library, where masculine noise proclaimed that the brandy was circulating.
    Margaret was to be found with her cousin, and was in fact
delivering a stern lecture. The effect of little Margaret scolding her tall
cousin was much the same as a spaniel hectoring a mastiff, and Mr. Bradwell had
to school himself to greet them both with equanimity.
    “Rowena, I wish you will not be so goose-ish,” Miss Margaret
was saying as he drew nearer. “You know that Lady Bradwell has told you that
you were to enjoy yourself this evening; you have worked hard enough, after
all. Now will you cease to act like such a — a —” She faltered.
    “A companion, Meggy? It is, after all, what I am. I have a
certain responsibility to Lady Bradwell, after all, and forgetting her is
exactly what I ought not to do. Besides which, I really am beyond the age and
the inclination to get myself up a flirtation.”
    Margaret blushed. “I never suggested that, Renna!