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.You must never forget that you are the granddaughter of an earl.Please indulge an old woman and allow me to do this small thing for you." She gently squeezed Emily's hand.What could she do? How could she reject such a sincere offer? Emily knew that a rejection would hurt the old woman's feelings.She dropped her gaze to the floor as she considered her position.If she refused this offer, she would likely have to give up her position.She knew that the dowager was right, that her current pitiful wardrobe would not be appropriate for London.And she did so want to go to London.Perhaps just this one time she should swallow her pride and allow herself this indulgence.Emily raised her eyes and smiled at her elderly employer, blinking back the tears she was on the verge of shedding.How could she deny this sweet old termagant anything? She reached over and kissed the dowager's cheek."Thank you, my lady," she said as she reluctantly came to a decision."You are too kind to me.I shall never forget your generosity."Chapter 5The next day the dowager's barouche took Lady Bradleigh and Emily from Laura Place to Milsom Street to the establishment of Madame Dubois, one of Bath's most well-respected modistes.Madame's showroom was one of many bow-windowed shop fronts that lined the popular thoroughfare, tucked between a print seller and a plumiere.The dowager had long been a good customer of Madame Dubois.Emily was aware that the tiny Frenchwoman held the dowager in much awe due to her past association with the court of Louis XV and in particular her friendship with the Marquise de Pompadour.But today Madame seemed especially pleased to be asked to outfit Emily."Such a fine figure and graceful carriage," Madame said with heavily accented enthusiasm, as she circled Emily and eyed her from head to foot.As Madame tossed bolt after bolt of fabric on the counter for inspection, the dowager had unfailingly voiced her preference for the brightest colors and the boldest patterns.Emily, however, stood her ground.She had agreed to accept the new wardrobe, but she would not be bullied into colors that made her look like a circus tent.She was firm in her selection of clear blues and greens in fine cambrics or textured sarsnets.She had also selected one simple printed India muslin.As she and her employer perused the fashion plates in the latest issues of La Belle Assemblée, the dowager was wont to select those dresses with the most flounces, the most ruffles, and the most elaborate trimming.Again, Emily stood firm.She had no desire to be thrust upon the ton looking like a wedding cake.Ever conscious of her position, she preferred the simplest styles."Here is a lovely confection," the dowager said as she pointed to a hand-colored engraving of a very elaborate evening full dress of pink satin trimmed at the bodice with swags of seed pearls and with countless tiny ivory satin bows at regular intervals along the long sleeves."You would be just the thing in this dress, my dear."Emily studied the fashion plate and looked up to catch Madame Dubois's wary eye."I am sorry, my lady," she said to the dowager, "but I think I would prefer something much simpler.Like this, for example." She indicated a plate showing a soft green half evening dress trimmed at the neck and waist with pink ribbon embroidered with a green leaf pattern."Hmph!" the dowager snorted."You may choose as you like, my dear, although please remember that our purpose is to have you appear fashionable during the height of the London Season.""Mais, oui, my lady," Madame Dubois interjected."And this design," she said, pointing to the fashion plate in Emily's hand, "is la dernier cri.In the right fabric it will be stunning on Mademoiselle, accentuating her height and graceful neck." She pulled out a length of pale green silk and with a flourish swiftly draped it across a very startled Emily."Voilà! See how it matches the green of her eyes."Emily, amused at the Gallic enthusiasm of the modiste, raised questioning brows to the dowager [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]