An Unsinkable Love - By Terri Benson Page 0,49

back as a man brought in her baggage, followed by a maid who immediately began opening the bags and sorting the clothing. Bree stepped forward. "Please, you don't need to do that. I can put everything away."

The maid looked inquiringly at Elizabeth, who nodded. The servants padded silently out.

"It's a beautiful room. I'm so very grateful for the opportunity to stay here," Bree said.

"Nonsense. I'm the grateful one. If not for you, I surely would have died on that ship."

"And I in the water," Bree reminded her, and they both laughed.

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Elizabeth walked toward the door. "I'll leave you to get settled. The bathing chamber is through that door, and we'll have a late tea downstairs when you're ready." She left the room, her gown swishing softly.

Bree unpacked. Even with all the new clothing, the dresser and closet were nearly bare when she finished. She stopped a moment to admire the lovely gowns lined up on their hangers. After spending years creating clothing for Lady Rothberry, she was amazed to have such finery of her very own. "I'll pay her back for every last one," she vowed quietly.

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Chapter 22

Bree descended the wide staircase, letting her hand slide down the smooth, polished handrail. She admired the intricately carved floral panels holding it up. The house was very well cared for and decorated with great skill. The colors were muted; a soft sage green, dusty rose and cream interspersed with touches of gold and black. The honey-hued parquet floor contrasted nicely with the darker wood trim.

Prisms of light sparkled on the walls from sunlight glinting off a large crystal chandelier centered over the foyer. When she first entered the house, she'd been so busy watching where she was going, she hadn't had time to admire the vast room.

If the rest of the house was finished in the same style, it would truly be a grand home.

Laughter and conversation from a room to the left of the stair trickled into the foyer. She made her way to the broad doorway and peeked in. She lost track of time as she listened to Malcolm and Elizabeth talking and laughing together. How wonderful it must be to have a family able to sit together and laugh, and talk about all manner of things.

"Come in, my dear," Elizabeth called as she noticed Bree.

Malcolm sat across from his mother on a short settee, while Elizabeth occupied a big wing-back chair. The room carried the same color scheme as the foyer. Floor-to-ceiling windows at the back of the room let in light and provided a close-up view of the same gardens Bree's room overlooked.

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Malcolm stood and stepped toward her with a smile. He took her arm and led her to the settee. The size of the seat required their sides rest snuggly together as he laid his arm along the seatback, his hand resting against her neck. She smiled up at him tentatively and was rewarded with a gentle squeeze of her shoulder.

Bree relaxed back into the seat and decided it was just where she wanted to be.

"Are you comfortable in your room, love?" he asked.

The endearment sent shivers down her spine. "It's wonderful. Lady Rothberry would hate the whole house. It makes hers look like a moldy farmhouse in comparison. And the colors are perfect."

Malcolm glanced at his mother and nodded. "Mother has an eye for colors and fabrics, which is why Father enjoyed her collaboration. The two of them would come up with our fashion designs all by themselves. Even after seeing the French couturiers, I don't think any of them have as much talent as she does."

Elizabeth colored at her son's compliment. "Malcolm, you do exaggerate. I was thrilled to see the new season's designs.

All I can do is make an attempt to copy them for our own clothing. I'll never be that good."

Malcolm shook his head and looked serious. "Don't sell yourself short, Mother. I'll bet your sketch book was filled with new, improved versions of what you saw there. It's too bad it rests on the bottom of the North Atlantic." He explained to Bree, "Mother is an excellent artist. She can sketch a dress 161

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faster than anyone I've ever seen. I'll take you to the office with me later and show you some of her sketch books."

"I would love to see them."

"Bree, dear, didn't you design the gowns for your employer?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes,