Page 37 of The Duchess’ Second Chance

I’ll discover the truth eventually, if I can be patient. And in the meantime, I don’t think he means me any harm—so really, everything is fine.

She excused herself from the study and went back to her room, unable to deny the excitement that was beginning to build within her. She would go to the ball in a beautiful new gown, with her husband on her arm, as a duchess, and all of that would be wonderful.

And more than anything, Amanda realized, she was looking forward to seeing her father once more. To letting him see just how happy she was in the life she had found for herself.

I don’t know how he’s going to react to it…but there’s something in me that genuinely wants him to know it, nonetheless.

She spun around on her toes as she closed the door behind her, already dreaming of the ball and of the evening she was sure lay in wait for her.

CHAPTER 18

“This should be near to perfect, Your Grace,” the modiste, Mrs. Corian, declared. “I almost always get these things right on the first try. And yet, I find that a fitting never goes amiss. Will you stand there, please, and let’s see how the gown suits you?”

They were in Amanda’s bedroom. The modiste would never have come to her home before, but she supposed the rules were different for a duchess. Perhaps Sampson had paid extra for this visit. She was grateful if he had, for it meant that no one would get a look at her gown before the big night, and that was exciting.

She stood before the looking glass. The lavender gown hung just a bit too long, brushing the ground. It would need to be hemmed. But in every other way, the measurements had been correct. It fit her perfectly. She could hardly believe Sampson had gotten it so right without even involving her in the process, but the results could not be denied.

Mrs. Corian plucked at the sleeves. “Is it too tight here?” she asked. “We can let this out a little bit.”

“I don’t think so,” Amanda said.

“Move your arms for me. Hold them out to your sides. You don’t need to be able to lift them all the way above your head—no, that’s enough, just like that. Let me see.” She felt the material again. “That isn’t uncomfortable, Your Grace?”

“No, it isn’t.” No one had ever put quite so much attention into the fit of one of Amanda’s gowns before, and to be honest, it startled her a little to be so scrutinized. She was used to garments that fit her well, but Mrs. Corian seemed willing to settle for nothing less than perfection.

It’s because of my new title. It meant that people were going to go beyond what she was used to in order to try to provide for her. And she wouldn’t have been surprised, either, to hear that Sampson had insisted on some sort of extra special treatment in this case. His eagerness to see that she was taken care of seemed something like a fixation. And truly, there’s no way George was ever that concerned about it. I believe he wanted the best for me, but I don’t believe it could have caused him anything like this amount of distress.

“All right,” Mrs. Corian said. “If you’re sure the sleeves are all right, I’ll get to work on the hem. But you know, if you change your mind about the fit of anything else as I’m pinning this, you must be sure to tell me. We can always make changes.”

She dropped to her knees and began to fuss with the hem.

“Would it be easier if I took it off?” Amanda asked, feeling awkward. “I hate to see you down on your knees like that.”

“Don’t be silly,” Mrs. Corian said firmly. “I have to see how it hangs on you, don’t I? Just stand still, Your Grace.”

Amanda did so.

“Besides,” Mrs. Corian went on, a note of friendliness coming into her voice, “This gives us some time to talk, you and I, doesn’t it?”

“To talk?” Amanda repeated.

“Well, Your Grace, of course, we’re going to be seeing one another more often now that you are the Duchess of Mortridge,” Mrs. Corian said. “This is the first of many fine things you’ll need, I’m sure.”

“Did His Grace say something to that effect?”

“Only that if you were happy with my work, he would be able to offer more work in the future,” she said. “But that doesn’t change anything, of course. I always strive to make people happy when I design gowns for them. It’s my privilege to do so.”

Amanda nodded.

“Besides,” Mrs. Corian added. “I do so want to get to know the new duchess. What an opportunity.” She looked up and smiled. “You must just be beyond thrilled to have taken on this role.”

Did she mean to suggest that Amanda was a social climber? It would be best to assume good intent, Amanda decided. She smiled back. “I’m happy to be a part of His Grace’s household,” she said. “This is a wonderful home, and yes, there are lots of opportunities to do good things for people in this role.”

“What a wonderful outlook,” Mrs. Corian mused. “You know, everyone was talking about it when His Grace interrupted your first wedding. The whole city, I mean. People came into my shop full of gossip about what had happened.”

“Did they?” Amanda murmured, feeling awkward and uncomfortable.

“Well, I don’t like to gossip, as I’m sure you can imagine. You may not be the sort either,” Mrs. Corian said. “I consider it beneath me, and besides, it only leads to ugliness. But one can’t help what one overhears. Everyone said you looked just shocked when it happened. And who could blame you! If something like that had happened to me, I don’t know what I would have done! You truly had no idea he would do it?”