An Unsinkable Love(66)
She nodded and folded it back into the sacking. "Will you be wanting it wrapped in a nice box? I can fix it all up for you and bring it with me tonight."
"That would be fine, if it's not too much trouble." He bussed her cheek and she waved him down the hall.
"Off with you, you young rascal."
As Malcolm went back outside, a distinct bounce in his step now he'd found the perfect engagement gift, he wondered what the price might be, then shrugged. Teddy wouldn't have shown him anything too expensive without telling him. She'd send an accounting at the end of the month, along with the party costs.
Malcolm spent the rest of the day checking in at several of the mills. One of the finishing plants had tested a new dye process, with pleasing results. He stuck a paper-wrapped bolt of the fabric in the passenger seat of the car to show his mother then checked his pocket watch for the hundredth time. With a sigh of relief, he saw it was late enough to return home without being sent away again. He was anxious to see Bree—and his mother, of course.
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An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
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222
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
Chapter 34
After a hectic morning, Elizabeth decreed they were done with preparations. In a firm tone, she ordered her almost-daughter-in-law to bed for a recuperative nap, expressing her intent to do the same.
Bree lay in the big bed, her eyes closed. Memories of Malcolm looming above her in this very same bed caused a tightening and wetness between her thighs. The feel of his warm hands as they caressed her was so vivid her eyes flew wide, half expecting him to be there. But she was alone in the room. The windows were open and a fresh breeze stirred the lace curtains and brought the warble of bird songs to her ears.
She rolled onto her stomach, dragging the pillow that had lain under Malcolm's head to her cheek. She fancied it held a trace of his musky cologne. Her arms slipped around the crisp linen case and she clutched it to her breasts, wishing for a living, breathing, loving Malcolm to clasp. Soon. Her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep.
* * * *
A light knock on the door a few hours later roused her and she called out, "Come in."
The young maid giggled with high spirits as she helped Bree bathe, then styled her hair and helped her into the satin gown. "Oh, my lord, Miss Bree. Aren't you a sight!" Hannah gushed.
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"Thank you. You've done a wonderful job." Bree inspected herself critically in the full-length mirror, fearing she wouldn't stand up to the scrutiny of Malcolm and Elizabeth's friends.
Her thick auburn hair was piled high on her head, lending the illusion of height. The gown Elizabeth had designed fit like a glove at the sheer shoulders and sleeves. Shimmering caramel silk draped softly to the floor, trimmed in delicate ivory lace. A novel tassel gathered the gown's hem, exposing an ivory underskirt which allowed Bree to walk easily despite the tight hobble design. For modesty's sake, Bree had added a scrap of lace in the deep V of the plunging neckline. Tucks and folds accented the bodice, with more lace ringing the lower edges of the waist banding. Another tassel weighted the draped silk down until it puddled near her waist in the back and exposed a considerable amount of creamy skin. Tan leather tango shoes with crisscrossed ankle straps and a low, curved heel encased her feet. Pale ivory silk stockings were held with garters below her knees. Three strands of iridescent pearls graced her neck and matching drop earrings nearly brushed her shoulders. Hannah pinned a small spray of pearls into her coiffure.
Bree bit her lip. "I hope they like me."
Bree realized she'd muttered the words out loud when Hannah protested. "Not like you? Not likely, I say. They're going to love you just like Master Malcolm does ... and the rest of us too," she added shyly.
Bree hugged the young woman and sent her on her way with the admonishment to get some rest. Bree knew Elizabeth 224
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had exempted Hannah from work during the party after the maid toiled nearly nonstop the past several days.
Voices drifted in from the open window and she stepped over, hiding behind the drapes and gazing down. Guests already strolled along the graveled paths. Bree swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. What if the DuMonts' friends didn't like her? Would Malcolm decide he'd made a horrible mistake? Their lives were so different. He might tell Melody his fiancée came from wealth and power, but he knew it wasn't true. Instead, he would be saddled with an Irish country girl with a drunkard for a father and not even a pence to her name.