Read Always Have Hope (Emerson Book 3) for Free Online

you.”
    “No, not at all.”
    “Lady Jane wanted to be here but Master Daniel needed
her – that’s her new babe. He’s quite handsome he is, but needs to be fed constantly.
Just like a man.” She smiled and Win could tell the Kellingtons were quite
good at picking servants. “Lady Jane said to tell you she’d be here shortly.
In the meantime, I’m to help you dress.” She laid out the simple black gown,
along with the appropriate petticoats and a shift. “She said you’re not to
wear a corset or be laced too tight until you heal.” Mrs. Rigg added quietly, “I’m
sorry about what happened to you.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Rigg.” It was a new experience to be
treated with such kindness from everyone. “Who lent me this gown? I would
like to thank her.”
    “Her grace had it made for you since, fortunately,
there’s been no cause to wear mourning in the Kellington family recently.”
    “But how could she possibly have done that? I didn’t
get here until late last night.”
    Mrs. Rigg grinned. “She sent a footman to her
favorite modiste shortly after you arrived, asking for this gown. She
had to guess at your sizes, but her grace said we needed it right away – and it
only just arrived. They’ll come measure you for the others as soon as you’re
up to it.”
    Win could not believe the trouble Rosalind had gone to
for her. “This is too kind. I barely even know her grace.”
    Mrs. Rigg shrugged. “’Tis just who she is. And, of
course, there’s no shortage of modistes anxious to receive a commission
from the Duchess of Lynwood, so there was no question this would be done on
time.”
    “I am so glad the gown arrived,” said Jane from the
door. “How do you feel?”
    “Much better, thanks to you. I cannot begin to
express my appreciation.”
    “It is nothing. But if you’re up to it, my daughter
Violet would like to meet you.”
    Win put her hands to her face. “Are you certain I
won’t frighten her?”
    “She has been anxious to meet you since she learned of
your arrival. You are most fortunate she didn’t sneak in to watch you sleep,
as she does with baby Daniel. At least I hope she didn’t. May she come in?”
    Win nodded, though she braced herself for the girl’s
reaction.
    But she needn’t have worried. A smiling,
seven-year-old girl with blonde hair and green eyes entered, holding an
assortment of flowers.
    Jane beamed at her daughter. “Lady Winifred, may I
present my daughter, Violet Kellington? Violet, this is Lady Winifred.”
    “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady,” said Violet
with a curtsy. “Aunt Rosalind and I were in the hothouse and I picked out
these flowers for you.”
    Win took the dozen flowers, no two alike. “Thank you
so much, Violet. They are beautiful. It is a great pleasure to meet you.”
    “Are you really Anna’s aunt? She’s my friend and we
met at Gunter’s. Do you think she’ll come back to London soon? Lord James
said she would, but I was hoping she’d come and your sister Letty, too.”
    “I hope they’re coming, too.” Though Win dreaded
having them see her this way. “You’ll also like my sister Rose, though she’s
older than Letty and Anna.” Win wasn’t sure what it would be like to see Rose
again, whether the girl would forgive her for ignoring her all those years.
    “Poppet, Mrs. Rigg and I are going to help Lady
Winifred get dressed now,” said Jane, as she smoothed her daughter’s hair. “Would
you be so kind as to tell Lord James and Miss Wallace that she’s awake? I know
they’re most anxious to see her.”
    “Yes, Mama.” Then Violet curtsied to Win again. “If
you want to come see my room later, you can.” Then she left, closing the door
behind her.
    “You have a lovely family,” said Win, as she eased out
of her night clothes.
    “I am very blessed, though I hope the newest addition
did not keep you awake last night. My son Daniel still hasn’t learned the
habit of sleeping through the night. And we have him