Almost Perfect by Denise Domning

and forceful, lacking any girlish curlicues.
    We’ve gone to walk the park. I had to borrow your bonnet. Aunt Philana says there’s one for you to use in her room if you’re up in time to join us. Take heed! Your bonnet is much improved with that bright yellow ribbon of mine.
    Cassie smiled, almost hearing Eliza’s voice as her sister declared Cassie’s bonnet improved. Eliza didn’t hold with the notion that a widow should shun bright colors. She’d been trying for months to get Cassie to exchange her bonnet’s dove gray ribbons for something brighter.
    Rising, she went to the window and looked down into the earl’s garden. Just as Eliza promised the house guests strolled about the park in twos and threes. A fine lily pond not far from the house had collected a small crowd of admirers, one of whom was Philana. There was no mistaking her bonnet; a mass of curling gray plumes sprang from its band. Wearing a paler shade of lavender today, Philana ambled along the pond’s shoreline a little ahead of Eliza.
    Cassie recognized her sister’s yellow-striped gown and short brown jacket. Striding alongside Eliza was a soldier, with a tall, black hat trimmed in gold braid. Colonel Egremont. His short, dark blue jacket, the gleaming gold braid on his shoulders, his pale blue pantaloons with their golden stripe offered startling contrast to his black as night boots.
    The colonel had his gloved hands folded at the small of his back, but he leaned his head near Eliza. His attitude screamed of intimacy, or at least the desire for intimacy. The possibility of Eliza’s heart being broken lent even more urgency to Cassie’s already frantic purpose. The sooner she had her money back from Lucien, the sooner she could get Eliza to America and into her new life.
    In reaction to her thoughts Cassie’s gaze dashed across the gentlemen on the lawn. She didn’t expect to identify Lucien, not with all the men except the soldiers dressed in the same, tall hats, brown tailed coats and fawn breeches. Yet, Cassie’s gaze locked on a lone gentleman making his way back toward the house against the tide of guests strolling deeper into the parkland.
    Lucien. She wondered how she could be so certain then decided it was the aggressive set of his shoulders and the swift forceful way he moved. But if Lucien was reentering the house while so many guests were still strolling then it was the perfect time to catch him for a private moment. All she needed was a moment in which to offer her unorthodox wager.
    But she’d only have her precious opportunity if she was quick about dressing, and he took his time doing whatever he intended within doors. In that case what Cassie needed was Philana’s maid, Betty, to tie her corset and hook her gown.
    Dashing water on her face, Cassie ran a hasty brush through her hair but left it loose. Not eager to traipse about Ryecroft Castle in her dressing gown even if the occupants were all out-of-doors at the moment, she went to the wardrobe and chose her garments for the day. Unlike Eliza, Cassie couldn’t bear chaos. She lay her petticoat, small corset, stockings and garters in a neat row along the bed’s end.
    Pulling on her drawers, she returned to the wardrobe to don her green-sprigged day dress and slip her bare feet into her shoes. Then, with her shawl over her shoulders to hide her loosened attire assuring at least the appearance of decency, she opened her door.
    And, came face-to-face with Lucien.
    “Oh!” she gasped, not certain which to do first: gather up her hair, pull her shawl over her bodice to hide lack of corset, or reach behind her to hold her dress closed.
    Lucien carried his hat and gloves in one hand. His honey-brown hair tumbled in careless disarray about his sun-browned face. His clear gray eyes were cool. If he noticed her dishabille there was no sign of it in his expression.
    “Good afternoon, Mrs. Marston,” he said, offering a small bow.
    “Is it afternoon already?” Cassie stuttered,