Chapter 4
Chapter Four
“Lady Marie? It’s time to wake up.” The sound of drapes parting broke Marie out of her slumber.
Sunlight flooded the room, and Marie winced against the brightness. Since when did she have to be woken up from sleep? Her lady’s maid waited to be summoned before entering her bedchamber in the morning.
“Lady Marie, you have a full day ahead of you.” Someone pulled the blanket off of her. “Your father is determined that you will not be late to the luncheon. You’re meeting prominent ladies of the Ton.”
The chill in the room swept over her. Marie shivered and sat up.
She wanted to pull the blanket back, but the unfamiliar maid was already folding it.
Marie blinked as she took in the bedchamber.
It was covered in a pleasant rose color with splashes of yellow and greens positioned to enhance the room’s beauty.
This was so unlike the calming blues that she was used to.
She struggled to remember the things that had happened the previous evening. She’d gone to a ball and made a miserable impression on Edward. For goodness’ sake, she’d even fainted in the middle of a dance! Everyone would be talking about it today.
That was, of course, if she was still Miss Marie Kiefer. She took a good look at the maid. “Did you address me as Lady Marie?”
The maid nodded. “How else would I address you?”
Then the experiment Tove spoke of was in effect. Marie was now living a different life.
Marie slipped off the bed and ran over to the full-length mirror.
She gasped. For a moment, she didn’t think she was looking at her own reflection.
She had to touch the glass in front of her to make sure she wasn’t looking at someone else.
The lady standing in front of her had dark brown wavy hair instead of mousy brown hair, a brilliant shade of green for eyes instead of dull grey, skin free of the few freckles she was used to, and breasts that would fill out gowns much better. Marie looked like a different person.
She was…
She was…
Well, to put it quite frankly, she was exactly the way she’d always wanted to look. Breathtakingly beautiful.
The maid went over to her and opened the armoire.
“Your father purchased this new gown for you to wear for the afternoon’s outing.
Lady Diane and Miss Cornerstone will be here in an hour to get you.
We barely have time to get you ready.” The maid gestured to the tub and buckets of hot water that a few servants were bringing into the room.
“I waited for as long as I could before waking you, but I don’t dare let you sleep a minute longer. I hope you understand.”
Marie blinked the remaining sleep from her eyes. “Yes, I understand.” If she was going to have an outing with Lady Diane and Miss Cornerstone, she needed to get ready at once! To make sure she heard right, she asked, “When you said Lady Diane, do you mean the Duke of Welmond’s daughter?”
“Who else would I mean?”
Marie couldn’t believe it. In this new life, she was actually friends with Lady Diane!
The maid set aside the pretty green gown then waved her to the tub as the other servants left. “Come on then. I’ll help wash you up. We’ll start with your hair.”
Marie nodded and hurried to remove her shift. This was so overwhelming but also very exciting. This was really happening. She was going to experience the life she’d always wanted!
Marie’s thoughts swirled. What was she going to say to Lady Diane?
What was Lady Diane going to say to her?
She briefly recalled who Miss Cornerstone was.
She knew that Miss Cornerstone was in the same social circle as Lady Diane, but she faded into the background compared to Lady Diane.
Well, everyone faded into the background when they were near Lady Diane.
At the moment, she couldn’t fathom what she’d say to Lady Diane or Miss Cornerstone.
Would that change when she saw them? Did changing her appearance also change the way she conducted herself in public?
There were so many questions Marie had, and Tove wasn’t here to answer them.
But then, she probably couldn’t expect Tove to be able to anticipate everything Marie was thinking and feeling.
“This evening, you will have dinner with your father at seven,” the maid said as she washed Marie’s hair.
Surprised, Marie asked, “Don’t I always have dinner with my father?”
“Most of the time, you aren’t even here.” The maid gently combed the tangles from her hair. “Your social calendar is full.”
It was? “What events are on my social calendar?”
The maid chuckled. “I suppose it’s hard to remember everything when you’re busy all the time.
Today you have the luncheon. Tomorrow, you go to the museum with a gentleman who just might be a future suitor.
I will be your chaperone unless your father is able to go with you.
That evening, you have a dinner party. You’ll be attending with Lady Diane, and her aunt will chaperone you both.
The next day, you will need to do some shopping.
I will go with you for that. Then there will be Mr. Robinson’s ball that evening. ”
Marie’s mind began to swirl as her lady’s maid went on to add what would happen the day after that, so she stopped her.
“I don’t think I can remember all of these things.
Just knowing what I need to do today is sufficient for now.
” She paused. “I’ll go to the luncheon, and I’ll have dinner with my father. ”
“Yes, that is on your calendar for today. Of course, you never know if a calling card will arrive from a gentleman who wishes to visit you.”
Really? So this gentleman who was coming by tomorrow wasn’t the only one interested in her?
She bit her lower lip. She didn’t realize Tove was setting her life up in a way where all of these things she’d wanted were already happening for her.
She had assumed she would begin with no friends and no suitors.
But she had to admit this was easier. She wouldn’t know how to go about making friends or getting gentlemen interested in her anyway.
She felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension rise up within her. Just what would this new life be like?
“Lady Marie!”
Marie turned to the two ladies as soon as the footman helped her down from the carriage.
Lady Diane and Miss Cornerstone hurried over to her.
Marie’s heartbeat picked up. This was it.
She was about to speak with two ladies who were already her friends in this new life.
Now, if she could just be careful so as not to ruin things.
“What a beautiful gown,” Diane gushed as her gaze swept over her. “It complements you perfectly. Don’t you agree, Maxine?”
Maxine nodded and touched the sleeve of Marie’s gown. “And it’s as expensive as it looks.” She winked. “If there’s one thing I know, it’s fabric that’s worth wearing. You’re fortunate that you have a father who spoils you.”
“You are,” Diane agreed. “I wish my father spent even half the money yours does. But,” she sighed, “we can’t control who our parents are.”
Marie bit her lower lip. She hadn’t considered the possibility that this new life might mean she wouldn’t have the father she was used to. She’d just assumed that her real father was a duke in this particular life. But what if he wasn’t?
Oh, that was silly. Of course, she had the same father.
One couldn’t just switch parents at whim.
They could only be born to the same people, regardless of the kind of life they were living out.
Tove was just placing her and her father in a position of financial affluence, along with a better peerage.
Before she could give it serious thought, Diane waved for her and Maxine to walk with her. “We are having our luncheon at The Opulence.”
Marie’s eyes grew wide. That particular restaurant only catered to people like the Cadwaladers. Was an association with Diane’s family really so meaningful that she could now dine here?
“All thanks to you,” Diane added with a smile in Marie’s direction.
Marie pointed to herself. “Me?”
Diane nodded. “Who else has a family that’s in such favor with Lord and Lady Cadwalader?”
Marie had to look at Maxine to make sure she understood Diane correctly.
They were able to secure a luncheon at The Opulence because of her own family?
She had no idea Tove was going to make it so that her father was this impressive to the Ton.
She wondered if her father remembered anything from the other life.
It was a shame she hadn’t thought to ask.
Marie followed Diane and Maxine into the restaurant.
At once, the staff was attentive to them.
They made it a point to compliment the three ladies so as to make them feel like royalty.
Marie thought she even heard one of the staff whispering that she was so beautiful it was no wonder gentlemen were seeking her hand.
Marie felt heat rise up her neck and spread all through her face. No one had ever said something like that about her before. So, this was how beautiful people felt. All they had to do was show up, and people commented on how lovely they were. She could get used to this!
Once the ladies were left alone at the table, Maxine asked, “Are you two looking forward to tomorrow’s dinner party?”
Diane pretended to yawn. “Nothing interesting ever happens at Richard’s dinner parties. I only hope he chooses gentlemen who aren’t boring this time.”
Maxine giggled. “That’s not nice, Diane. Richard is pleasant.”
“Pleasant, maybe. But if I have a pillow when he’s in the room, I might fall right to sleep.” Diane sipped her water then gave Marie a grin. “I hear that Lord Gilbert is highly sought after, but he has chosen to visit you tomorrow.”
Marie almost dropped the glass she was holding. Lord Gilbert was the gentleman who was taking her to the museum tomorrow?