Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Aurelia was dressed in her simple gown, the lace overlay fastened over the top. She had done her best with her hair, but the looking glass in her chamber left much to be desired, and she resorted to the typical low knot she was used to wearing. She had not brought dancing slippers with her, either, so she felt inappropriately dressed and nowhere near prepared enough to make her debut as Ryland's next countess.

Countess . She sat on the edge of her bed and dropped her face in her hands. What would everyone think?

A soft knock came at the door.

She wiped at the moisture beneath her eyes and drew in a steadying breath before rising and opening the door. Tilly and Julia stood there.

Tilly gasped, reaching for the thin outer gown. "It is so lovely," she said with reverence. "You told me it was beautiful, but I did not imagine it to be like this ."

"I showed it to you weeks ago."

Tilly rolled her eyes. "It is different when you are wearing it." She reached forward and turned Aurelia so they could see her back. "I thought you might need our help, and I was correct. Come, sit. Julia will fix your hair."

Aurelia looked at her over her shoulder. "How?"

"I used to practice on my sisters in case Lady Ryland needed a new lady's maid."

Aurelia tucked that bit of information away for later. "Will you help me?"

Julia smiled wider than Aurelia had yet to see since coming to Tilton. "I would be honored."

They moved into the schoolroom, since Aurelia's chamber was too narrow for three people to fit comfortably. Aurelia sat down and Julia took her long, blonde hair out of the knot before getting to work.

"I did not expect either of you to speak to me again," Aurelia said quietly.

"We knew you were a lady before you came here, and we liked you then," Tilly said. "We'd much rather have you for the new countess than one of those women from Harewood like Miss Kimball." She made a face.

Aurelia had yet to meet any Kimballs, but she noted the name in case she came across them later that evening.

"How does everyone else feel? Christopher and Jasper? The Pikes?"

Julia and Tilly exchanged a look. "Some are more accepting than others. But you'll win them ‘round. Christopher is thrilled. He says you won't treat him ill. His last house wasn't as kind as this one, you see."

Aurelia could not help but feel grateful that the servants seemed to know her character well.

Julia giggled. "Christopher asked Tilly to walk to church with him."

"Clear to church!" Tilly said. "Can you believe it? We would have to start walking at sunrise."

"I think it's sweet," Aurelia said. She had noticed them sitting by each other more frequently ever since the Sunday afternoon Tilly had attempted to talk to the gamekeeper's son and found they didn't connect like she'd hoped. "I like Christopher."

Tilly harrumphed.

"Well," Aurelia said. "What did you say?"

Tilly shrugged, her cheeks pinking. "How could I refuse? His eyes were so round and pleading. You will save us a place to sit though, I hope."

Julia giggled again, and Aurelia could not help but notice that Tilly was fighting a smile.

"You're all finished," Julia said.

Aurelia stood and peered in the small looking glass on the wall. Her hair was piled high on her head, drawn up away from her face and making her cheekbones stand out. She felt beautiful for the first time in years. She had worn more extravagant gowns and had her hair styled more elaborately, with diamond combs and curling tongs, but never had she felt better than this moment, with friends helping her prepare for a ball and a man who loved her waiting to dance.

This was true happiness.

"Thank you, Julia," she said, turning to pull the maid in for a hug.

Julia nodded and stepped back, her face red with embarrassment.

"Would you . . ." Aurelia swallowed, nervous. "Would you be interested in accepting the position of lady's maid? After I am married, of course."

Julia beamed. "It would be my honor."

Aurelia bent and slipped on her shoes, hiding the smile threatening to take over her face. She was so happy, her cheeks were beginning to ache. She didn't have dancing slippers, but her gown was long enough to cover her shoes. She hoped no one would be looking at her feet when she danced.

Julia remained behind to gather the rest of the pins, and Tilly walked down the stairs with Aurelia. She left her at the first floor to continue down to the kitchen, where she planned to stay with Edmund. He was down there now, sampling the treats before they were sent up to the ball, but that would only distract him for so long. Aurelia stepped from the servants' staircase and nearly bumped into Mrs. Pike.

She drew in a breath and stepped back. "Forgive me, Mrs. Pike. I should have been watching where I was walking better."

The housekeeper's expression remained flat. She looked from Aurelia's hair to her gown and sighed. "You look lovely, Miss Beswick."

"Thank you. I…it was never my intention to fall in love with Lord Ryland when I came here."

Mrs. Pike's pinched expression softened. "None of us can help loving that man. He is the best of them."

They shared a moment silently. Aurelia felt she understood the older woman, and she hoped Mrs. Pike understood her as well.

"Better move on, or he'll be wondering where you are," she said, moving around her to let herself into the servants' stairs. Aurelia stepped aside to allow her room. It wasn't the most comfortable of conversations, but Mrs. Pike seemed to accept the new future, and she had made it clear she would not be difficult as they each tried to find their place once Aurelia was Lady Ryland, a countess.

"I thought you might be coming from there," Ryland's deep voice said from the shadows when she closed the door to the servants' stairs.

She turned to find him smiling at her, his dark coat and snowy white cravat so sleek. His hair was styled and pomaded, but it was his dark brown eyes that bore into her soul and made her shiver in eager anticipation.

"You'll have to use the main staircase once we're married, you know."

"I will use the staircase that means less steps, actually," she argued, fighting a smile.

He took her hand and squeezed gently. "You may walk wherever you wish. It is your house."

"Not yet, but soon," she said quietly.

Ryland pulled her forward. "Come dance with me."

"I would love to."

He led her into the ballroom. The men she recognized from the shooting party were spread about, milling around the locals, which were gathered in groups. For a cozy country ball, Ruth and Lady Helena had managed to create quite the crowd. Ryland led her directly to a small group with Ruth and his parents.

"You look radiant," Ruth said, her smile lighting up her blue eyes. A faint lemon scent wafted from her that was sweet and fresh. "I love this gown."

Aurelia smothered her amusement. Next to Ruth's elaborate gown, Aurelia looked quaint. "Thank you. It's nothing like yours."

"We need to take you to Madame Perreau, do we not, Mama? She will replenish your wardrobe entirely."

"She is a very talented seamstress," Lady Helena agreed. "Have you something to wear for the wedding?"

Aurelia swallowed her surprise, but when she glanced to Ryland for confirmation, he was looking at her with affection. She turned a more confident smile back on Lady Helena. "I planned to wear this."

"It is nice," Ruth said.

"But we ought to pay a visit to Madame Perreau," Lady Helena finished.

"Tomorrow?" Ruth asked.

"If Miss Beswick can get away."

Ruth took her hand, squeezing her fingers. "Bring Edmund. We'll leave him with Tom and Papa."

Ryland let out a warm laugh. "We are not even married and you've already commandeered my wife."

"She is not your wife yet," Ruth said smugly.

But Aurelia glowed as if she was. She looked from Ryland to his warm, welcoming family. To Eliza chatting with her husband and Oliver near the wall. To the gathering of mostly strangers. She felt nothing but contentment.

Ryland came beside her and slid his arm around her waist. "I love you," he whispered into her hair.

"I love you, too."

Nothing had ever felt so right.