Six

      “But I can’t.” Annie faced Katherine and Vicki over the pile of fresh peas she’d been shelling for Katherine’s dinner. It was 5:00 p.m. and Vicki should have been getting dressed for the dance.

      “Let me guess, you have nothing to wear.” Vicki crossed her arms over her chest.

      “Not just that. I’m not invited, and I don’t …” She hesitated, not really wanting to say it out loud.

      “Don’t belong there?” asked Katherine, with perfect accuracy. “Nonsense. It’s a party, and it’s huge. Over five hundred people. Sinclair can’t go alone because it’s a couples theme and they have all these silly activities planned.”

      Annie’s eyes widened. Romantic activities? Was Sinclair’s mom actually trying to set her up with him?

      “Of course you and Sinclair won’t do anything romantic.” She laughed at such an outlandish idea. Well, that answered one question. “But I’m sure you’ll have a good time. I know he’ll refuse to go if he isn’t required to escort anyone, and why shouldn’t Cinderella go to the ball for a change?” She laughed again, obviously delighted with the idea Vicki had planted in her mind. She turned to Vicki. “Do you need more aspirin, dear?”

      “Probably. Maybe I should just take the whole bottle.” Vicki had been complaining of a headache since mid-afternoon. “Then again, when I get these headaches no medicine even helps. I’m out of business for the rest of the day.”

      “Poor thing. Why don’t you go lie down?”

      “Oh, no,” Vicki said quickly, then held her head. “Helping make Annie gorgeous will take my mind off the pain.” She flashed a smile at Annie that made an entirely different kind of pain shoot through her. Why was Vicki trying so hard to humiliate her?

      “I really don’t think it’s a good idea.” Annie wished she could put her foot down. Surely attending a big, fancy party couldn’t possibly be described as part of a housekeeper’s duties. “I’m sure Sinclair would rather go alone.”

      She knew that part was true. He wanted to pretend he’d never kissed her. Never made crazy, unexpected love to her and breathed hot moans in her ear. Bitter disappointment trickled through her—again.

      “Nonsense. And you’ll enjoy it, Annie. It’ll be the party of the summer. They’re probably spending two million on it. Think of it as an experience, rather like an adventure vacation. Now, we need to find you a dress. I think I have a loose-fitting Zang Toi that’s a bit big for me …”

      “We won’t need that.” Vicki put a proprietary arm around Annie, who shrank from her. “She can wear one of the dresses from the abandoned trousseau.”

      Katherine looked doubtfully at Annie’s waist, which she instinctively sucked in. “I’m not sure those will fit.”

      “I suspect Annie’s a lot trimmer than her usual attire would have us believe. Let’s go have a look.” Vicki marched purposefully down the corridor, with Katherine in hot pursuit, leaving Annie no choice but to slouch after them.

      She couldn’t even begin to imagine the look she’d see on Sinclair’s face when they paraded her in front of him wearing one of the dresses that had already caused so much trouble. He’d be appalled. He’d probably think it was her idea. Some crude scheme to ensnare him.

      Maybe he’d point-blank refuse to go.

      “I think the silvery gray one will look lovely against her complexion.”

      Did silvery gray look good against beetroot? Annie avoided looking in the large mirror on the front of the wardrobe. Vicki held up the long dress with its low-cut princess neckline and huge skirt.

      “Of course, they would have worn it with a crinoline and loads of extra petticoats, but we’ll spare you that. Especially since we don’t have any. We’ll wait outside while you put it on.”

      Annie was grateful for the slight nod to her modesty. She climbed out of her familiar shirt and khakis with a sinking feeling. If this didn’t fit, they’d only make her try on another. Worst-case scenario, she’d end up in the peacock dress she’d worn already, with them wondering why it looked so crumpled.

      The dress was quite heavy, with built-in boning at the waist and yards of expensive silk. The short, puffy sleeves hugged her arms quite tightly, but there was no way she could do up the long line of buttons down the back by herself. “Um …”

      “Need help?” Vicki was right outside the door. She opened it without an invitation. “Oh, yes.”

      Annie felt hot and flustered under their rather stunned gazes. “I must look very silly.”

      “Nonsense. You look lovely.” Katherine frowned. “What are we going to do with her hair?” Her eyes raked over Annie like she was a mannequin.

      “Got to be an updo.” Vicki squinted at her. “I have some pins and hairspray in my room. And some earrings.”

      They buttoned her into the dress, which fit almost perfectly. The original owner must have been quite chunky by Victorian standards, if this fit her corseted waist. The bodice hugged Annie’s cleavage in an embarrassing but flattering way, especially after Katherine convinced her to abandon her bra. Vicki fussed over her hair, creating tiny finger coils that framed her temples, and Katherine lent her a pair of pewter ballet flats.

      “Won’t I be overdressed?” The silk skirt fell to the floor.

      “A lady can never be overdressed.” Katherine eyed her with approval. “Especially not when she looks fabulous. Goodness, I’d never have guessed you had such a lovely figure. You should show it off more.”

      Great. Now they’d probably get her a French maid’s uniform to wear while performing her duties.

      “Maybe we’d better make sure Sinclair looks presentable.” Vicki glanced toward the door.

      “Oh, don’t worry about him. He always looks good. Horribly unfair. I don’t know how he stays so tanned, either. He always seems to have his face in his laptop.”

      “I