Silent Revenge (24 page)

“Thank you, my lady,” Jessica answered. “I will tell the earl you said so. He will no doubt need reminding upon occasion.”

Lady Burnhaven laughed politely and nodded in agreement. “You are so right. All husbands need reminding on occasion.” She reached for Jessica’s hand again. “I can tell you have a sense of humor. It is undoubtedly an attribute the earl finds charming.”

“I’m not sure. There are times when I’m certain it is a confusion to him.”

Lady Burnhaven patted the top of Jessica’s hand. “I would keep it that way if I were you, my dear. A little confusion is always an advantage.”

Jessica could not help but smile. “I will remember you said so.”

Lady Crestwall made a slight movement, and Jessica turned her attention to her. The cool smile on her face appeared haughty and judgmental, her wary scrutiny visible. She stiffened her demeanor and graced Jessica with a most condescending look. “You cannot imagine our surprise, my lady,” she said, hardening the fixed look on her face. “Your marriage to the earl came as a shock to the entire
ton
.”

An uncomfortable pause followed. Finally, Lady Crestwall lifted her pert, patrician nose and continued. “Considering your husband’s past disastrous relationship, we did not think he would ever marry.”

Jessica stiffened. Melinda’s hand lightly touched her in warning.

Lady Crestwall was not content to stop there. The malicious glint in her eyes told how much she enjoyed causing such agitation. “You are, of course, aware of the scandal surrounding his last attempt at marriage. Those of us who know him are surprised he took a wife so rashly.”

Jessica met Lady Crestwall’s malevolent glare. “I doubt Northcote considers our decision to marry rash,” she said, raising her chin. “As you know, choosing a woman…or man…with whom you intend to spend the rest of your life is not a decision one would make without careful consideration.”

The slight curve of Lady Crestwall’s lips threatened to crack her face. “Of course.”

Lady Burnhaven may have said something. Jessica chose to ignore any comment she might have made because she didn’t want to look in her direction. She would not be the first to shift her gaze from her adversary. The Marchioness of Crestwall would have to look away first.

She did.

She lowered her gaze, giving Jessica’s outdated gown a scathing look. Her perusal was meant to intimidate and embarrass her.

As Jessica watched the cold, haughty glare, she realized that even the most beautiful outside covering could not hide or change such ugliness on the inside.

“Have you come to see Madame Lamont?” Lady Crestwall asked.

“Yes,” Jessica answered, bringing a small smile to her lips—a smile she far from felt. “My husband is not overly fond of my wardrobe.”

Lady Burnhaven laughed. The movement turned Jessica’s attention to the elderly lady. “Do you have an appointment?” the countess asked.

Jessica shook her head.

“Oh my. I wouldn’t be too disappointed then if you are not able to see Madame today. It’s nearly impossible to see her without an appointment. Lady Crestwall has had to wait two weeks to see Madame. Haven’t you, Lillian?”

A deep color darkened Lady Crestwall’s cheeks as she struggled with an excuse to the question. “Our schedules did not match. That was the problem.”

Lady Burnhaven spotted an assistant coming toward them. “You had best inquire, then, my dear,” she said to Jessica.

Jessica watched a young shop clerk make her way to where they were standing and steeled herself for another confrontation. Lord, but she was growing tired of this. Simon was demanding too much of her. She only wanted to sit in her room with her sketch pad and pencil and get lost in her creations. She only wanted to live a quiet, peaceful life without having to watch every face to see who might be speaking to her. She only wanted to escape to someplace where she would not be subjected to such constant scrutiny.

Jessica looked at Melinda and lifted her chin proudly. “We should go—”

“Oh, miss,” Melinda said, raising a graceful hand to gain the girl’s attention. “Would you tell Madame Lamont that the Countess of Northcote is here to see her?”

“Does the countess have an appointment?” the girl asked, looking at Jessica.

“Please, tell Madame Lamont that the Countess of Northcote is here and requests a moment of her time,” Melinda repeated.

“Yes, my lady.”

The assistant turned away, and the lift of Lady Crestwall’s shoulders drew Jessica’s attention. “I’m afraid you are in for a disappointment, Lady Northcote,” she said, curling her lips sardonically. “Madame Lamont will not see you without an appointment. Perhaps she would make an exception for the duchess,” she said, nodding in Melinda’s direction, “but she will hardly give up her time for—”

“Lady Northcote,” Madame Lamont said, rushing across the storeroom floor. When she reached them she clasped her hands together as if elated to see her. “What a surprise. It is indeed a pleasure to welcome you to my humble dress shop.” She clasped her hands together again and bowed her head. “Have you found everything to your satisfaction? Is there anything I can show you? I am, of course, completely at your disposal.”

Jessica smiled. “I’m in need of a gown, Madame Lamont. In fact, I need several gowns.”

Madame Lamont clapped enthusiastically. “Oh yes.”

Jessica leaned closer to the dressmaker. “Perhaps you have something by that new designer all of London is talking about?” she said, keeping her voice loud enough to be heard.

Madame Lamont bowed slightly. “I think I have just the gown for you, my lady. If you will follow me?”

Jessica turned to the other ladies. “If you will excuse me.”

“Of course,” the countess answered, a pleased look on her face.

The marchioness, however, only gaped at her in astonishment.

“Close your mouth, Lady Crestwall,” the countess said, tapping her lightly on the arm with the tip of her parasol. “It is most unbecoming.”

Without another word, Jessica turned her back and followed Madame Lamont across the wide room and through a door marked
PRIVATE
. She wanted to turn around and relish the stunned look on Lady Crestwall’s face once more, but she didn’t. She couldn’t. Her legs trembled so violently she was lucky they had enough strength to carry her across the room. If she stopped, she would more than likely fall fat on her face.

“Thank you, Madame,” Jessica said as soon as the door had closed behind her. She released a huge sigh and leaned a hand against the back of the floral divan that sat in the middle of the room. “I was afraid I wasn’t going to last another minute out there. There were so many people. I didn’t know who would be speaking next.”

Melinda rushed to her side. “You were wonderful, Jess. No one suspected a thing. Did you see the look on poor Lady Crestwall’s face when Madame Lamont greeted you? We’re lucky she didn’t swoon on the spot.”

Jessica fisted her hand against her mouth. “She was so angry, she’ll never speak to me again.”

“She was about to give you the cut before Madame came out. Your reception gave her second thought.”

The room swam before her, and Jessica closed her eyes and gripped the cushions of the divan tighter.

Madame Lamont put her arm around her shoulder. “Come, sit down, my friend. I can tell it has been a most exhausting day for you.”

Jessica sat down on the end of the divan and Melinda sat next to her. Jessica gripped her hands in her lap and pressed her knees together to keep them from shaking.

“I am so proud of you, Jessica,” Madame Lamont said with a clap of her hands. “You can’t imagine my surprise when Corrine told me you were here.”

“I had little choice,” Jessica said, taking a deep breath. “My husband insisted I come. In fact, if it had not been for pressing business, he would be sitting here with me instead of Melinda. He is quite determined I improve my wardrobe.”

“Your new husband obviously has excellent taste. From what I see,” she said, staring at Jessica’s navy gown, “your wardrobe is in dire need of improvement. I cannot wait to meet him to tell him how much I agree with his decision.”

Madame Lamont moved a chair in front of Jessica and grinned a broad smile. “At first I could not believe the wonderful news. That my dear, dear friend, Jessica Stanton, had become the Countess of Northcote. How very lucky the earl is that he married you.”

Jessica smiled. “It all happened so fast I’ve barely had time to adjust to the change myself.”

“Have you told him you cannot…I mean, does he know…?”

“Yes,” Jessica answered. “Northcote knows I cannot hear. It’s hardly something I could keep from him for very long.”

Madame Lamont laughed. “My dear, dear friend. If you wanted, I do not doubt you would be able to hide your deafness forever. You are that good at reading what people say. I had met with you in secret for more than two years before I realized. And only then because the breeze from the window blew out the candle and we were in the dark.”

Jessica nodded, remembering that night. She hated the dark. Not being able to see or hear terrified her. It was as close to being totally helpless as she ever wanted to find herself. “But you did not seem surprised when I told you,” Jessica said.

“The knowledge was like a door that opened to answer all the questions that puzzled me. Why we had to meet in secret. Why the room was always so brightly lit. Why I always had to sit facing you.”

“I was afraid you would not want my designs if you found out I was deaf.”

Madame Lamont laughed. “It’s not necessary to hear to create. Your fabulous gowns come from in here.” The dressmaker pointed to her heart. “Such talent has nothing to do with here.” She pointed to her ears. “But you did not come here to talk of when we first met. What can I do for you?”

“I need your help,” Jessica said, leaning forward. “I must have a special gown made for this Friday. Is it possible?”

“For you, my lady, anything is possible.” Madame Lamont leaned closer. “Have you brought me anything special?” she asked. There was a twinkle in her eyes.

Jessica reached her hand to her pocket and pulled out one of the papers hidden there. She handed it to Madame Lamont, and Melinda stood to look over the dressmaker’s shoulder.

“By all the saints,” Madame Lamont said, clasping a hand over her mouth. “This is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen. Oh, what perfection. What exquisite detail.”

“It is remarkable, Jess,” Melinda said, sitting down beside her and reaching for her hands. “What color do you see for your gown?”

Jessica cleared her throat. “White. A creamy white with an underskirt of the softest shade of apricot satin.”

Madame Lamont bobbed her head up and down, clapping her hands in front of her. “Yes. Oh yes. The overskirt will be beaded with thousands of tiny pearls and the only other color on the gown will be an apricot velvet ribbon entwined through the lace. It will be magnificent!”

Melinda turned Jessica’s head so she would not miss her words. “Very special, Jess,” she agreed.

“Do you think Simon will be pleased, Mel?”

“I’m sure he will. You will be the most beautiful woman at the ball.”

The emotion in Melinda’s eyes forced Jessica to lower her gaze. “I hardly think I will be the most beautiful, but it’s important that I do not embarrass him.”

Melinda placed her finger beneath Jessica’s chin and lifted. “You will not embarrass him, Jess. You could never embarrass Northcote.”

Madame Lamont gained Jessica’s attention when she tapped her on the arm. “When I heard you had married, I was not sure I could look for any more creations from you. The Countess of Northcote, after all, may not have the need to create more designs.”

The breath caught in Jessica’s throat. “I will always have the need to create gowns, Madame. My designs are who I am. It’s what I do. Except now, it’s more important than ever that I keep what I do a secret.”

Madame Lamont smiled widely and bowed slightly. “Your secret is safe with me, my lady.”

Jessica took a deep breath just as the door opened and a girl in a gray and maroon-striped skirt stepped into the room.

“Excuse me, Madame. But the Duchess of Stratmore is here to inquire about her gown, and you said when she came you wanted to speak with her.”

“Yes. Oh yes.” Madame Lamont rose from her chair. “I will only be a moment,” she said, nodding to Jessica and to Melinda. “Explain to Mary which fabrics and colors you want, and she will bring them to you. I’m sure you already have your gown pictured in your mind’s eye,” she said with a twinkle and a bright grin.

“I do,” Jessica answered, fingering the design for her gown.

Madame Lamont turned when she reached the door. “I will be back as soon as I take care of the duchess, and then I had best meet with Lady Crestwall. She is a most frustrating and impatient woman, as you have probably already surmised.” She motioned for the assistant to come closer. “Mary is completely at your disposal until I return to you.”

When Madame Lamont exited the room, Jessica selected the material and accessories for her ball gown. Then she pored through volumes of Madame Lamont’s private gallery. She recognized many of the creations she had designed and picked out a few of her favorites, making notes to alter them with a few minor changes so no one would recognize having seen them before. A neckline here. A collar and sleeves there. Epaulets of lace and ruffles replacing netting and gauze.

The simplest of the designs would be made into day dresses or gowns she would wear when she spent quiet evenings at home. The more elaborate of the designs would be changed into the special gowns Simon would expect the Countess of Northcote to wear when they went out.

After an hour of looking, Jessica had found eleven designs she would have Madame Lamont make for her. The twelfth was her special design of white silk moiré and soft apricot satin. She sighed gently when she looked at it again. It would indeed be very special.

With loving gentleness, she placed it to the side and turned back to her other gowns, losing herself in the kaleidoscope of fabrics and designs and colors placed before her. She set samples of finished satins and smooth silks and soft velvets beside the picture of each gown. Mixing and matching and comparing some of the finest materials she had ever seen, from rich brocades to versatile linens to exquisite laces, nothing skipped her notice. She hardly realized she was not alone. Each time a clerk brought more bolts of fabric into the room, she sifted through them with the enthusiasm of a child in a candy store.