Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick

Miss Gilway asked
    quickly. Why so soon?"
      Personal business," Lavinia said coolly. She smiled at the three.   I
    will say my farewells now, as you will all no doubt be asleep when I
    depart."
      I wish you a very pleasant journey, madam." Pierce made another
    graceful little bow.   And remember what I said earlier this evening
    when you went downstairs to the ball. I would be delighted to take
    you on as a client. I feel I could do wonders with your hair."
      Thank you, Mister Pierce, I will bear that in mind." She hooked her
    hand under Tobias's arm and then hesitated.   By the by, speaking of
    the business of hairdressing, I have a question for you, sir."
      I am at your service, madam," Pierce said gallantly.   Would this
    question by any chance be in regard to the events of this evening?"
      Just a minor point," she assured him.   In your career you are

  
    required to have a great expertise with wigs and false hair and the
    like, are you not?"
      Every fashionable young lady simply must possess a false
    chignon or two at the very least," he said in a voice that rang with
    absolute conviction.   After a certain age it is imperative that a
    woman invest in a variety of full wigs. There is simply no alternative available if she wishes to remain in style."
    You watched the guests go downstairs to the costume ball
    tonight. Did you by any chance spot any ladies wearing blond wigs?"
      Blond?" Pierce gave a shudder.   Good God, no, madam, I did not.
    Indeed, I should have been positively horrified if I had seen such a
    sight."
    Tobias scowled.   Why the devil would you have been shocked? You
    just said no fashionable woman should be without a couple of wigs."
    Yes, but not blond ones." Pierce raised his eyes to the heavens,
    evidently seeking to be delivered from such stupid inquiries.   Really,
    sir, it is obvious that you know nothing of style. Allow me to inform
    you that when it comes to wigs, switches, puffs, and the like, blond
    hair is very nearly as unfashionable as red."
    There was a short, heavy silence. Everyone looked at Lavinia.
    Her very red hair gleamed in the light of the wall sconce.
    It occurred to Tobias that the hairdresser had just insulted her.
    He fixed Pierce with a hard look.
      I happen to think that Misses Lake's hair suits her perfectly," he
    said quietly.
    Although he had not raised his voice, Miss Richards and Miss
    Gilway both flinched. Each took a step back. They were still staring
    at him, but not with the same peculiar interest they had been
    displaying. Now they looked as though he had turned into a raven
    ing beast before their eyes.
      Tobias," Lavinia hissed in a low voice," stop this at once."
    He was in no mood to stop. He was annoyed. It had been a long,
    extremely difficult evening.
    Pierce seemed oblivious to the fact that he was in some danger.
    His attention was concentrated on Lavinia.
      Madam, you really must allow me to pay you a visit after we all
    return to London," he urged with what appeared to be genuine
    concern.   There is so much I could do with you. I vow, you would look
    splendid in a dark brown wig. Such a dramatic contrast with your
    green eyes."

  =  
    Lavinia frowned and raised a hand to touch her hair.   Do you
    really think so?"
      There is no doubt about it." Pierce folded one arm across his
    chest, propped his elbow on it, and stroked his chin in a thoughtful
    manner. He contemplated Lavinia in the manner of a sculptor
    studying a half-completed statue.   I can envision the results, and
    they would be astounding, I assure you. I believe I would use some
    puffs and a bit of frizzing to add height, of course. You lack the
    stature required for true elegance."
      Bloody hell," Tobias growled.   Misses Lake is just the right size, as
    far as I am concerned."
    Pierce spared him only a fleeting look that somehow managed to
    sum up every aspect of his appearance and dismiss him out of hand.
    The Cut Direct, Tobias thought, grimly