Page 13 of The Widow Wore Plaid

“But at what cost, my dear, if you are not presentable?” Maria walked around her, her gaze fixed on the wretched curls that had slipped their pins.

Smiling, Lady St. Just stepped forward. “Let me see if I can help.” The petite woman’s brow puckered. “You are rather tall, Miss Granger. Perhaps you could sit?”

Bella nodded and dropped onto a settee against the wall.

“I have always done my own hair, Miss Granger, so I believe I can act as well as any well-trained lady’s maid.” The woman had already taken down the remaining curls and thrust the pins at her friend. “Hold these please, Maria.”

“How long before Jane makes an appearance?” Clutching the hairpins in her fist, Maria peered down the corridor into the rest of the house.

“About ten minutes, I would think.” Lady Brack, another of Maria’s friends, appeared on the staircase. She stared at Bella, delicate brows lifting slightly. “What is the emergency?”

“Miss Granger’s hair slipped down on her way here.” Lady St. Just had already re-pinned a third of her hair. The lady did indeed have skills many a lady’s maid would envy. “I am attempting to remedy that before our hostess arrives. Pin, Maria. Elizabeth, why don’t you take the other side. Another set of hands means twice the work in half the time.”

“Aye, aye, Mrs. Captain.” Laughing, Lady Brack took her place on Bella’s left and began to wind up a long curl.

“Mrs. Captain, Georgie?” Maria’s puzzled look must mirror Bella’s. What an odd way of addressing a lady.

Lady St. Just laughed as well but kept up her deft pinning. “A title I’ve become quite fond of, Maria. Given to me by one of Rob’s younger sailors. I’ll have to tell you the story sometime.”

Together they hovered around Bella, pinning and smoothing the locks incredibly fast.

“There.” At last Lady St. Just patted Bella’s hair one final time and stepped back. “How are you doing, Elizabeth?”

“Just finishing up now.” Lady Brack slid a final pin in easily and came to stand in front of Bella. “A coiffure that would do a duchess proud, don’t you think, Maria?”

Her sister-in-law stood, an awestruck smile on her face. “I would never have believed it.”

Gingerly, hoping her hair would not suddenly come cascading down again, Bella fished in her reticule and pulled out her little hand mirror. With mounting trepidation she raised the little looking glass and peered at her reflection.

The image staring back amazed her. The straggling curls in front now lay in a neat row framing her face. The rest had been neatly tucked up on top of her head in a curly mass both elegant and yet riotous. The perfect likeness of a proper young lady.

Tears pricked her eyes. “I believe I have never looked so well in my life. Lady St. Just, Lady Brack, I cannot thank you enough.” She rose and without thought embraced Lady St. Just.

“You are very welcome, my dear.” With a quick squeeze the lady returned her embrace, then stepped back and said earnestly, “I am always happy to help. As are all of the ladies of the Happy Ever After Club.” She smiled widely and glanced at Maria. “Perhaps we can all help Miss Granger find her happy ending during the Little Season. At least the ones of us who will be in Town, Maria.”

“Jemmy and I will be chaperoning my youngest sister, Dorothea,” Lady Brack said, coming forward. “We will introduce you to her. A Season is always easier when you have friends to share it with.”

“I would be honored to meet your sister, Lady Brack.” Awed anew, Bella could scarcely take in everything that had just happened.

“Thank you, Elizabeth. And you too, Georgie.” Maria looked relieved, calm even, for the first time since they had arrived in London in April. “I have the feeling a joint foray into the marriage mart will make all the difference for dear Bella.”

A booming knock at the front door made them all jump and Lady St. Just let out a squeak. “Is Lord Kinellan expecting more guests?”

“I have no idea.” Lady Brack’s eyes widened.

The butler appeared and hurried to the door, opened it, and a muffled conversation ensued.

“Who do you suppose it is?” Bella whispered to Maria.

“A tardy guest, perhaps.” Maria shrugged. “I expect we will find out if there is a new face at luncheon.”

Lady St. Just had cocked her head, her face pinched as she seemed to try to hear the almost inaudible words. “I can’t make it out, but I believe I’ve heard that voice before.”

The conversation ceased and the butler opened the door wide. “This way, my lord.” He indicated a small room off to the right of the entry hall. “The gentlemen are in the field, but I will inform Lady John of your presence.”

“Apparently a late hunter,” Lady St. Just whispered, then caught sight of the tall gentleman as he headed into the receiving room.

He swept his elegant black hat off, revealing a mass of dazzling blond curly hair.