An Unsinkable Love(16)
Their eyes met in the dressing table mirror. Elizabeth smiled 56
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
shyly and Bree was gratified by the astonished happiness on the older woman's face.
"Now, are you ready to show off at the captain's table?"
"Oh, yes. Eldon will be so pleased." She carefully turned and clasped Bree's hands. "Thank you so much. I never thought..." Her eyes brimmed with tears.
"Here, now. None of that. Don't go spoil the effect with red, puffy eyes."
Elizabeth dabbed the tears away with an embroidered handkerchief and pushed herself upright with the help of the tabletop and Bree's assistance. "Oh dear. Look at the time.
Eldon will be here any moment." Her brow creased as the woman lapsed into fear of not meeting her husband's expectations—the same expression she'd seen on her mother's face countless times. Bree thought of several appropriate Gaelic curses she'd like to apply to Elizabeth's husband, but kept her silence.
Instead, she said, "What wrap would you like to wear? It will be chilly on deck." Bree walked to the large armoire and opened it. A bounty of fabrics and colors spilled out, and a section of furs filled the corner. A long-haired gray fox matched Elizabeth's eyes and Bree pulled it out, seeing the older woman's fretting prevented her from making the decision on her own.
"This would be lovely with your eyes. And it has a matching muff—what fun! Now, what about a hat?" Bree chattered as Elizabeth watched her with a growing smile.
Hatboxes lined the top of the armoire and, with the help of a side chair, Bree hauled them down one at a time. As she 57
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
stepped down off the chair, she caught her heel in her apron hem and tore a section loose. Rather than risk tripping over it again, she slipped it off and folded it over the chair to mend later. In the third hatbox, she found a broad-brimmed hat with fox trim and fan of dyed gray feathers at the crown.
Rosettes of gray satin circled the brim. She quickly fashioned tiny leaves using small pieces of green silk she'd trimmed when altering the gown, adding them to the rosettes. White opera-length gloves in a dressing table drawer completed the outfit.
As Bree put the finishing touches on the hat, the door banged open and a big, blustery man strode into the room.
His ebony hair shone almost blue under the electric lights, distinguished white streaks running back from his temples.
"Well, if this isn't a sight." He looked intently at Elizabeth and the older woman held her breath as she waited for his comments. Surprise flickered across his features. He gave Elizabeth a tiny nod, just enough to bring a flush of happiness to his wife's face. "Have you found a new maid, my dear?" His voice was deep and mellow, but Bree didn't like it all the same.
"Eldon! You're early. We're almost finished," Elizabeth stammered. "This is Bree Barry. She's altering my gowns and helping me dress."
Eldon turned his back to his wife and Bree knew it was on purpose as he gave her a leer that sent shivers down her back. She had never been scrutinized in such a calculating manner, save perhaps by Lord Rothberry that last night.
58
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
"Since Eleanor took off and left you without a maid, I'm glad to see you've found someone who can make you presentable. I dislike all the questions when you show up looking like death warmed over."
Elizabeth blushed and hung her head.
"I can't believe your wife could be anything but lovely, and with her injury, she wasn't able to dress by herself." Bree refused to keep silent. It was all she could do not to snap the words out.
Eldon shot her a penetrating glance then offered a smarmy smile. "Of course I didn't mean it like that. I've been very concerned since she became ill." He gave Elizabeth a long, warning stare. "Some days she can barely drag herself out of bed, and she's gotten rather clumsy as well. I'm happy to see her looking and feeling better. If you've had a hand, I must show you my appreciation in some way."
He hadn't commented on the injury. If he'd been unaware of it, surely he would have asked what happened and expressed some concern about her condition? Bree took a deep breath and bit back words she longed to say, murmuring instead, "There is no need. I am simply performing my duties, and as I said, enjoying it." She directed the last comment to Elizabeth. It seemed to raise the older woman's spirit and she lifted her head, smiling timidly.