Chapter 21: Preparing for Dinner

After Derek left her to prepare for dinner, Meredith pulled on her dressing gown, and padded to the window, dropping onto the settee and pulling her knees up. She rested her head there briefly, gathering her thoughts. So much had happened in the last few days, she barely had time to comprehend it all. She was marrying Derek, and she would be Duchess. She closed her eyes, wishing that her mother was still alive to enjoy the wedding – she would have been so proud. Meredith's eyes misted briefly, willing herself not to cry. This was the happiest time in her life, and she vowed not to shed any tears.

Her eyes swept the sumptuous suite – the crystal vases, the roses, the silken bedding – it was all so elegant. Was she really ready to take the role of Duchess, she wondered? She would need to rely on Amelia for so much. Thank god Derek's sister was so warm and welcoming, or the situation could have been so difficult.

Speaking of difficult, Meredith wrinkled her nose in disgust at the thought of Lady Addison Montgomery. How could Derek have thought himself in love with such a nasty woman? Addison must have been very different before, or she had been acting differently with Derek in order to get his attentions Meredith had seen too many ladies of that kind during her time working in the shops in London. Spoiled and bored, they assumed everyone else was under their control.

She looked up at the tiny clock ticking silently above the fireplace. With a start, she realized it was getting late, and dinner would be upon her soon. She jumped up and rang for the maid, feeling slightly strange to be doing so. A soft tap on the door was almost immediate, and then Rose, one of the younger maids, popped her head in. "Yes, my lady?" She curtsied, and Meredith almost giggled.

"Rose, I need to freshen up before dinner. Will you please bring some heated water?"

"Of course." She bobbed her head and bustled out, leaving Meredith to check the contents of her closet as she waited. She threw open the doors and held her fingers to her mouth in shock. A row of elegant and beautiful dresses hung there, in different hues and materials. Meredith shook her head, marveling at the efficiency of the seamstresses. Beneath the dresses, she found various shoes and slippers, with laces and bows, to match the dresses. A chest of drawers beckoned her, and she slid them open to find stockings, garters and belts, along with other various undergarments.

"Oh, my word," she breathed, hardly unable to believe how quickly Amelia had pulled this together for her. She must find some way to thank her properly.

Rose bustled back in with pitchers of steaming water, preparing the basin in the dressing room, laying out the towels and fragrant soaps for Meredith. "Will you be needin' my help dressing, ma'am?" she asked. "I'm very good with the tiny buttons, and I do hair very well, my Mum says. I'd be ever so pleased to help you."

"Oh," Meredith replied, "that would be lovely. I have to admit, Rose, I am not quite accustomed to all of this. Please stay."

"Of course, my lady. Which gown will you be wearin' tonight then? I can get it ready for you."

"I had not decided!" Meredith laughed, turning back to the gowns. One in particular, in lavender silk with lace overlays, and deeper mauve accents along the skirt, caught her eye. It had long fitted sleeves, with lacey cuffs and tiny buttons up along the inside of the sleeve. "Wait, this one!"

"Very good, ma'am."

By the time Meredith was ready for her, Rose had the gown laid out on the bed, with the matching shoes, stockings and undergarments. Quickly, she helped Meredith, lacing up the corset and helping her with the dress, doing up the many buttons quickly and efficiently. "You are very good with that," Meredith said, taking a seat in front of the mirror.

Rose brushed her hair, smoothing out the tangles from Derek's passionate hands. He did love to pull her hair, Meredith mused, blushing slightly at the thought. As much as she loved it when he did it. Then Rose fussed with the pins and some tiny beads, working them into a smooth arrangement. She chattered as she worked. "You have lovely hair, ma'am. And you look so lovely in that dress. Lord Derek will be most pleased when he sees you. You are very lucky, my lady. He is very handsome, isn't he?"

"Indeed, Rose."

"Now, I think that's it," Rose said happily, tucking in strand here and there. "Do you have some jewels?"

"Nothing to go with this beautiful gown, I'm afraid," Meredith said, looking at her reflection. The gown fit her perfectly, the deep décolletage displaying the soft swell of her breasts, then nipping in tightly to her tiny waist. She stood up, and turned, examining it from every direction.

"Never you mind, ma'am. You look good without 'em anyway," Rose said, nodding her head. "Better than that other old witch that came this afternoon. Poor Belinda – the Lady Addison is running her ragged."

Meredith's lips twitched in amusement. "Thank you, Rose. You may go - I will ask for you next time."

"Oh, very good, ma'am. I would be ever so pleased to attend to you. I think it's so romantic, you and the Duke, marrying and all." She curtsied again. "Oh, I'm sorry, my Mum always says I talk before I think."

Meredith laughed. "That's fine."

Rose bobbed her head again and hurried out of the room. Meredith picked up the small fan on the dressing table, when there was another tap at the door. She opened it and found Eleanor's maid standing there. "Yes?"

"I was sent to give this to you, from Her Grace." She held out a small velvet bag, and Meredith took it in surprise.

"Oh, well, tell Her Grace thank you, then."

"Very good."

Meredith opened the small bag, and a beautiful amethyst and filigree silver necklace tumbled into her hand, along with a matching pair of earbobs. She gasped in delight at the sparkling jewels winking at her in the light of the candles Rose had lit for her. Her fingers trembled as she fastened it around her throat, where it nestled against her skin warmly. Adding the earbobs, she turned her head back and forth, watching the gems catch the light. How did Her Grace know it would match the dress so well?

Smiling happily, she picked up the fan again, and turned to head out the door. She could hardly wait to find Derek now, and she hurried along the corridor. They had agreed to meet in the great room, but as she paused at the head of the stairs, she found him waiting for her. He had his head turned and she took the moment to admire him, his lean body looking elegant in the fitted dinner jacket, his hair swept into a semblance of order, the snowy white of the cravat setting off the light tan on his skin. Then he turned, and caught sight of her, and the smile on his face took her breath away. Meredith descended the stairs, holding her skirts carefully, her other dainty hand trailing along the banister.

Derek felt his heart racing at the sight of her, in the lavender gown, her hair up artfully, a small tendril curling down her cheek. As she reached the bottom step, he took her hand and kissed it sensuously, pulling her closer. "I just fell in love with you all over again, sweet girl," he said softly, the passion flaring in his indigo eyes. He captured her lips softly, and she arched up against him, her breasts pushing against his hard and solid chest. His tongue lured hers, coaxing it into sensual play, and her moan was lost against his mouth.

He pulled away from her reluctantly, still holding her tiny waist in his hands. "I see my mother has sent you a gift," he smiled, looking at the necklace. "She really must approve of you."

Meredith touched the warm stones. "It is so beautiful, Derek."

"You are beautiful, beloved." His voice was low and demanding, as he tucked her hand under his arm, and escorted her into the great room. "Come, I need a strong drink to fortify myself before this dinner. We can wait for the others here."

"Do you suppose Her Grace is talking to Lady Addison now?"

"I truly hope so," Derek said quietly.