A Christmas Match (Landon House #4) - Rose Pearson Page 0,2
“And you will find yourself a handsome husband and be very contented indeed.”
Charity smiled back at her sister, a single tear trickling down her cheek.
“I must hope so, Maria. I certainly hope so.”
Chapter One
“Now, let me look at you.” Charity smiled rather self-consciously as Lady Hayward looked at her steadily, her eyes kind. “Your coloring is a little different to that of your elder sisters,” Lady Hayward continued, after a moment. “With your auburn hair, you will need to wear colors which show it off to its greatest advantage.” She tilted her head. “And your eyes…” A smile crossed her lips. “Hazel. I presume those were from your mother’s side of the family, rather than your father’s?”
“Indeed,” Charity replied, a little surprised that Lady Hayward recalled such details. “I believe I resemble her a great deal.”
Lady Hayward’s smile was gentle.
“Then she must have been a very beautiful lady,” she replied, as a faint blush warmed Charity’s cheeks. After a moment, she gave herself a slight shake. “Your father has stated that we are to purchase anything you require – which, given that it is the winter Season here in London, may be a good many things!” She chuckled and Charity could not help but smile. “Certainly, you will need a few more gowns. And, in addition, a very warm pelisse and cloak, for I fear that we will step outside into the ice and frost many evenings over these next few weeks!” A small flickering frown creased her forehead. “And mayhap a new pair of half-boots?” Charity hesitated. She knew very well that her father had a great deal of wealth but did not want to be excessive when it came to her use of it. “My dear,” Lady Hayward continued, smiling as she looked into Charity’s face. “There is no need to concern yourself about purchasing such items. It is quite reasonable for you to have an entirely new wardrobe, and your father has been very specific that no expense is to be spared, just as nothing was held back for your sisters.”
Letting out a breath she had not known she had been holding, Charity allowed herself a small nod.
“Then I would be pleased if we might purchase a new pair of half-boots also,” she said, as Lady Haywood nodded. “And mayhap a new muff?”
“Two, in fact!” Lady Hayward declared. “And certainly three velvet hats, in differing shades.”
Appearing quite satisfied, she turned to speak to the modiste, leaving Charity to look about the shop. Her measurements had been taken earlier, in the private rooms in the section of the shop reserved for that process, and now it as just a matter of finalizing the list of all that was required.
There was, in this establishment, to the point that Charity was a little overwhelmed by it all, practically everything a lady, or for that matter, a gentleman, might wish to purchase - for this modiste’s was unusual, in that it shared premises with a tailor. Leaving Lady Hayward to discuss her specific requirements with the modiste, Charity continued to look at all that the shop had to offer her, trailing her fingers gently down a long silk ribbon which caught her attention.
“I do not know why you are so downhearted.”
Charity could not help but glance up, seeing two gentlemen stepping into the shop, both stamping their feet to chase away some of the cold from their toes.
“It is not as though you are required to be in London.”
The second gentleman grimaced, his eyes roving around the shop – and Charity looked away quickly, not wanting to catch his gaze and make it apparent that she had overheard his companion talking.
“It is better for me to be in company than be back at my estate alone,” came the low voice of the second gentleman. “Although London is not a good deal better, I admit.”
A little surprised at the irritation in the gentleman’s voice, Charity turned away from the gentlemen entirely so that her back was to them. Thinking it best to make her way back to Lady Hayward, she began to slowly move back towards her chaperone, still permitting herself to study all that was there.
“There will be excellent company, I am sure,” came the voice of the first gentleman, making no attempt to hide his words from Charity or Lady Hayward. “London may be quieter in the winter but that does not mean that there will be any fewer opportunities.”
The hard, grating laugh which came from the second gentleman sent