It was identical to the shoe he’d hidden upstairs in his office.
“You made this?” His voice was a hoarse whisper.
“Aye. Do ye like it? Do ye think yer boss would be interested in manufacturing them?”
Andrew Prince likely wouldn’t care one way or the other, but Max didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm. “I think it’s amazing. Women wear these sorts of things?”
“Aye, of course. Women’s fashion—especially among the wealthy—is all about showing off. When we wore these to the ball last week, they caused quite a sensation. My sisters already have ladies clamoring for their own pair.”
When we wore these to the ball.
Ember had been at the ball.
Max stared at her, his pulse hammering in his ears, suddenly understanding why her hair had tugged at his memory. He’d seen it before, loose and curly, and hanging down her back. Her back, encased in a white gown unlike any he’d ever seen before, and which had been decorated in a delicate design of gears and machinery, which has also matched the ornate mask she’d worn over her eyes.
Ember was the lady in white from the ball!
She wasn’t a serving lass at all, was she?
Chapter 6
“Oh! Oh, that was just delightful, eh?”
“I am mortified you lot used the ball to spy on something so intimate.”
“Oh, come off it, Evangeline. It was important to move the story along, was it no’? Besides, it was a nice kiss.”
“Nice, Broca? It was perfect.”
“Grisel, stop encouraging her. And I’ve noticed the story still isn’t on track, sisters.”
“I think… I think things are working out though.”
“What do you mean, Willa dear?”
“Well…Max—I mean, Mr. DeVille—has learned who Ember is, right? So now Ember just has to figure out who he is, and that should push them together…”
* * *
“Did ye have a big luncheon then?” Ember grunted as she yanked Vanessa’s corset ties. “There’s nae way I’ll fit ye into—”
“Tighter! Less talking, more pulling,” gasped Vanessa.
At her own dressing table, Bonnie tsked. “There’s nae need to torture yerself, Vanessa. Ye’re lovely just as ye are, and yer waist is small enough.”
“Nay!” Vanessa was gripping her bedpost. “I have to look my best for my charming Prince, and ye ken that means my lavender tea dress.”
“Ye had that made two years ago,” Ember reminded her.
“Are ye saying I’ve gained weight since then?”
Ember exchanged an amused glance with Bonnie in the mirror, then one side of her lips curled wryly. “I’m saying yer tits are bigger, Vanessa.”
“Oh. Well.” Her stepsister blushed. “Thank ye.”
“Ye’re welcome. Are ye certain ye’ll no’ wear something else?”
Bonnie turned in her chair. “The pale blue one is perfect for yer coloring, Vanessa.”
Their sister preened. “It is, is it no’? Fine, I’ll wear that one. And I’ll be able to breathe. Fetch it please, Ember.”
Ember sunk into a deep curtsey. “I live to serve, milady.”
“Oh, shut up.”
When Vanessa stuck her tongue out, Ember chuckled and rose, heading for the wardrobe. “Ye’re still certain the man ye danced with at the ball was Roland Prince?”
“Aye!” Vanessa sounded excited as she settled her corset more comfortably. “I asked Mrs. Oliphant to ask Mrs. Oliphant at Newfincy Castle—ye ken they’re sisters—and she spoke with Mrs. Oliphant the housekeeper, who said Roland had been in Inverness for the week at his father’s behest, but he’s home now.”
“And the verra first thing he did was request permission to call on us for tea,” Bonnie finished with a smile. “He must certainly have an eye for ye, sister.”
Vanessa patted her coiffure. “And who wouldnae, after all? If he offers to take me for a walk, Bonnie, ye must be our chaperone!”
“Me? Why?”
“Because I trust ye to bring a book and be completely distracted.”
“She’s right,” Ember called, as she pulled the blue gown from the wardrobe. “Ye’d be the perfect chaperone if Vanessa’s planning shenanigans.”
Bonnie gasped. “Are ye planning shenanigans? Are ye going to let him kiss ye?”
“Why no’?” Vanessa lifted her chin proudly. “He’s the most handsome man on Oliphant Land, and I’m the most beautiful woman. Why would he no’ want to kiss me? Maybe I’ll kiss him!”
“Oh, Vanessa,” Bonnie tsked, but Ember couldn’t tell if it was because she was shocked or because she disapproved.
Carrying the tea gown, Ember stepped up beside Vanessa. “Arms up.” As she helped her sister dress, she said casually, “Ye ken, if ye think ye might have a future with Roland, kissing him now might be a good idea.”
“What do ye mean?” Vanessa called, spitting out a mouthful of lace.
Ember shrugged as she pulled the skirts straight over her sister’s petticoats. “I just mean, it’d be good to ken now if ye have that spark, that attraction. It’s important—”
“Ember Oliphant.” Vanessa spun out of her reach; her eyes bright with excitement. “Have ye experienced that spark with someone? Ye speak as if ye ken what ye’re talking about.”
Refusing to be embarrassed, Ember lifted her chin and shrugged nonchalantly. “Maybe.”
Bonnie gasped again. “Who is he?”
There was no need to lie. “Just a man. A guest.”
“Oh, Ember.” Vanessa sighed, clasping her hand to her chest. “Is he handsome? Is he a good kisser? Are ye in love with him? Will ye marry him and let him sweep ye away from Mother and the inn and all this drudgery?”
Will ye marry him?
Ember hadn’t realized it, but that was what she’d been considering, wasn’t it? Even before she’d kissed him she’d been thinking about a future with him. Which was silly because she’d barely known him, still didn’t really.
But seeing the plans for his modest, cozy home, she could picture herself sitting there in the parlor with him. When he laughed, she wanted to make him laugh for years to come. When he expressed interest in her, she knew he’d support her dreams.
Ye cannae marry the man. Ye dinnae even ken his last
