Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series) Read Free Page A

immediately. I need help
dressing."
    Lucy scurried to her room. Her jumbled
thoughts clanged around in her head. She wished her dearest friend,
Lady Monique Cathdon, sister to Lord William Cathdon, Duke of
Glenhurst, was here to help her think things through. It had been
nearly ten months since she last saw her friend in Town. Lucy was
certain of only one thing. She couldn't let anyone know how serious
her brother's injuries truly were. That could prove disastrous if
she intended to run the business while Lucien convalesced.
    Lucy stared into the mirror and grimaced. She
reached up to touch the pale skin. Her usual rosy bloom was
missing. A dreadful shade of red tinged her green eyes. Perhaps she
should wear something other than black to lessen her paleness. It
certainly couldn't hurt! In fact, Lucy doubted anything could make
her appear any less attractive than the image staring back at
her.
    Lucy was nearing the end of her mourning
period. Surely no one would think it inappropriate to dispense with
the black attire she wore in honor of her father? The image of her
father's face floated appeared briefly before her and her hand flew
to her chest to massage the area around her heart. No, a change in
her wardrobe may improve her appearance, but it would not ease the
pain.
    Rifling through the contents of her armoire,
Lucy settled on a simple white muslin gown crammed into the back.
She pulled the dress out and held its pale fabric up to the light.
While she fretted over the suitability of the dress, Millie entered
her room without knocking.
    "Cedric said there was a caller and you
needed me." Looking her up and down, Millie said "Cedric was right.
You do need me. You're a fright."
    "Well, then, don't stand there, Millie. Help
me get dressed! I don't want to keep Lord Perdan waiting!"
    Lucy donned her chemise and petticoat. Millie
helped her into the gown, fastening the buttons and adjusting the
lacy chemisette over Lucy’s bosom. Millie then attacked Lucy’s
unruly curls with the hairbrush and hairpins to make her hair at
least somewhat presentable.
    Finished, Millie stood back, looked at her
appraisingly, and said, "I can't do anything about the redness of
your eyes, but I can fix the paleness." She leaned forward, reached
out with both hands and pinched Lucy's cheeks.
    "Ouch!" Lucy yelped, rubbing one cheek with
her hand.
    "Well, it might have hurt a little. But at
least you don't look like a cadaver now."
    Lucy glared at her. "You might have warned
me."
    Millie shrugged. "Best get downstairs
now."
    One last glance in the mirror assured Lucy it
was the best she could hope for on short notice. Millie could work
wonders, but she couldn't work miracles. "Thank you, Millie." She
turned and walked from the room and descended the staircase.
     
     
****
     
     
    Lucy stood outside the salon door, inhaled
and counted to ten before exhaling. She smoothed her skirt, squared
her shoulders, and swept into the salon, closing the door behind
her.
    "Lord Perdan, what an unexpected pleasure. My
brother is currently indisposed and unable to greet you himself, so
I felt it only proper I greet you in his stead."
    Cedric tapped on the salon door and
interrupted their conversation. He opened the door and walked into
the room carrying a tea trey. After setting the trey on a table in
the corner, Cedric turned and asked, "May I pour for you?"
    Lucy didn't lock her tea in a tea caddy as
most households did so Cedric had prepared tea for their guest. The
Goodwins always treated their servants well and trusted them
implicitly. Their father had often reminded them of their own
humble beginnings in the servant class.
    With relief, Lucy noted Cedric had the
foresight to set out the best china cups in the Cornelia Green
pattern by Mottahedeh. It was one of her favorites. The matching
plates were a pale green with colorful flowers that lined the rim
of the plate. Each plate had a single delicate butterfly that lined
the rim of the plate. It was an