Selina walked around the screen and both women gasped. She turned and stared at her reflection in the mirror. “I look like . . .”
“A duchess,” said Kate with a grin.
“It is so beautiful.” Selina held out the skirt and then twirled.
“Now let Sally check the fitting.” Kate helped Selina up on the stool.
For the first time, Selina looked at the gown in a critical manner. It fit her almost perfectly. As if it had been made for her. But that wasn’t possible.
Sally checked the fitting and nodded. “Perfect. I just need to hem it.”
“I am a bit taller than she is, Sally,” Kate commented.
Hardly a bit, Selina thought. Kate was several inches taller and this dress only needed to be an inch or two shorter. Not to mention the most obvious difference, Kate was larger in the bosom than Selina. These two ladies were definitely up to something. Instead of confronting them now, she would wait until she could get Kate alone.
Of course, that was an impossibility. As soon as they had finished the fitting, the two ladies whisked her off for dancing lessons. They had even brought in a dance instructor from town today.
Mr. Bryant taught her several country dances and even the scandalous waltz, although the duchess frowned the entire time he danced with Selina. She was certain she would never remember them all.
“I shall be back tomorrow at four,” he said as he packed up his music. “We will review the dances we learned today and maybe have time for a few more.”
“More?”
“A lady must know all the current dances,” the duchess interjected.
“Yes, a ball will have many different sets. You must be prepared to dance them all.” Mr. Bryant added.
That would never happen. Already her feet ached and it had only been two hours. While Mr. Bryant departed, she glanced around. It was time to get Kate alone . . . except she had already left while Selina had been talking with Mr. Bryant.
“Your Grace, do you know where Kate went?”
“To get ready for dinner. You must go now too. A lady always dresses for dinner and after an exertion like dancing for two hours, you must wash.”
“Of course,” Selina mumbled. Even the duchess was acting oddly. Calling her a lady. Dressing for dinner. Oh dear God! They couldn’t possibly believe she and Colin were in love. But as she walked to her room, certain comments came back to her.
Kate had said Selina looked like a duchess when she tried on the ball gown.
The duchess has said a lady must know all the current dances. And had said something similar about dressing for dinner.
No, no no! She was not about to let them continue that line of thought. She quickly washed and dressed in her yellow muslin for dinner. Then she raced down the servants’ stairs to find Kate before it was time to eat.
She rapped forcefully on Kate’s door. “Kate, let me in this instant.”
The door creaked open but it was Sally who stood on the other side. “Lady Katherine has gone to the main salon for sherry before dinner.”
Frustration rolled in her. Maybe she could catch Kate before Colin and the duchess joined them. But just as she reached the last step, she heard Colin’s voice upstairs.
“Selina, let me escort you.” He hurried down the stairs.
“Good evening, Your Grace.”
A dark brow rose. “So formal.”
“Yes, we are about to have dinner. Your sister and stepmother will be there too so formality is to be expected.”
His full lips quirked. “Indeed.”
They walked into the salon and Kate’s eyes widened. Oh, she was up to something. But now Selina would have to wait to discover what Kate plotted.