the continuation of her masquerade as Aunt Haydie, to leave things to chance. As an actress, Blaine had learned that many times it was the small inconsistencies in a role that made the character unbelievable in the eyes of the audience. With a heavy heart, she determined that dying her hair would be the only possible way to prevent any possible comparisons.
Blaine turned away from the window and braced herself. Taking a deep breath, she told Tate her plan and, true to form, the woman was not silent in her disapproval. Much to Blaine's relief, the catalogue of dire predictions, pointed barbs and general disapproval did not last long. Once the woman had decided to help Blaine, she set to work with a vengeance.
They spent the afternoon dying her hair and fitting a dress Tate had borrowed from the wardrobe mistress at the theatre. They were uninterrupted since Fleur, with the indefatigable Puff in toe, was happily engaged for a day of shopping with one of the girls she had met in London. Timing things to a nicety, the dying was completed and Blaine's damp hair covered with a turban before Fleur knocked on her door and flew into the room with an armload of packages.
"Is there anything left in the shops after your adventurous day?" Blaine asked, from the comfort of her chaise longue.
"It was ever so much fun. Constance Flannery is such fun to be with. She knows everyone and is quite generous in her introductions." Fleur ignored Tate's sour expression as she dumped her packages on the floor. "No need to frown. Ellen will come to take these to my room."
"Since Ellen has become your Abigail your habit of neatness has become far too lax," Blaine chided. "I trust when you return to Wiltshire, you will not expect the servants to pick up after you."
"I won't," the girl assured her, coming over to sit on the foot of the chaise. "I am just taking full advantage of being pampered. Now, no more lectures. Just wait until you see what I bought you. I know you shall love it."
"Let me guess," Blaine said, entering into the light mood. "A new lace shawl and some caps for my role as Aunt Haydie. No? I have it. A tapestry reticule to hold my tatting supplies."
Fleur giggled and shook her head and even Tate's face turned up in a smile at their nonsense.
"A new cane? Or perhaps some more bombazine in a bright cherry red," Blaine continued.
"You may tease me all you like but I know you will love this." The girl pouted but her violet eyes sparkled with mischief. "You are right that it is for your role as Aunt Haydie but I think I have found something that will find approval with even your most exacting standards. It is a hat."
"Oh," Blaine said, torn between annoyance and laughter. It was true that she needed new things for her wardrobe but it was a most lowering thought.
"Give a look, Blaine, do." Fleur opened a bandbox, pulling at the paper that covered her present. "I know how you keep to your room so that you do not have to wear that horrid rig of a costume. Well, I have found just the thing so that we can go jauntering around and at least you won't have to wear that pasty white makeup and yet you will be perfectly safe."
Fleur pulled a black hat out of the depths of the bandbox, flourishing it before Blaine's bemused glance. It was black straw with a wide circular brim. The top of the hat was covered with yards of satin in puffy great bows. However the thing that made it so singular was the black veil that descended all around the brim of the hat to about shoulder height.
"The saleswoman called it a chapeau de morte . At least I think that's what she said. Constance was giggling so loudly I could hardly take in the woman's words." With a flourish, Fleur placed the hat on her head and flipped the veil down across her face. "Now this piece of satin is to be tied at the neck so that the veiling won't blow about in the wind."
Tate could not resist being involved in the project and took the band of black satin that the girl was waving about. She tied it around Fleur's neck then pulled and prodded the veiling until satisfied with the effect. She stepped back and Fleur danced over to the