Written in the Stars Read Online Free Page B

unsettled about Will than when she had entered Laurel’s chamber, Elizabeth
     waited, hiding her trembling hands in the folds of her gown.
    A servant appeared from behind a heavy, crimson-colored curtain. Across her arms was
     draped a sapphire velvet gown with long, pointed sleeves and round décolletage edged
     with a thick ruffle of gold lace.
    “Here at Dunham Castle we have heard many tales of the rich beauty of your celestial
     girdle. This gown matches the jewels. It will bring me great pleasure if you wear
     it tonight to the banquet to celebrate your betrothal to Carlyle.”
    At mention of her betrothal and all tonight meant, an icy chill spread from a deep
     coldness inside her. Again she fought it.
    I shall not falter in my duty. I must forget Will Grey and remember I have seen kindness
     in Carlyle.
    She clasped Laurel’s hand and smiled. “This gown is as beautiful as you are generous.
     I shall wear it with pleasure tonight.”

    As promised, Alice had marshaled as many of the duke’s servants as were needed to
     install an enormous copper tub in Elizabeth’s new chambers. There, before the roaring
     fire, they heated buckets of water to fill the tub to half its depth. Above the imposing,
     steaming tub, placed neatly in a row on the mantle, were crystal jars of lavender,
     herbs, flower petals, fresh cream, and an odd-colored mixture which Alice breathed,
     “is known only as Granny Cybil’s elixir of youth.”
    The duke’s servants studied all the preparations with eyes round with either awe or
     curious speculation.
    “Now off with all of you! I’ll be attending Lady Elizabeth myself.”
    Amidst little gasps and shrieks of surprise, the other servants scattered away like
     dust in the wind.
    Once alone with Alice, Elizabeth dropped her robe and stepped into the deep tub. Sighing
     with pleasure, she lay back, allowing the hot water to soothe her knotted muscles.
    “Well, now, that’s the bit. Relax while I wash your hair with Granny Cybil’s formula.”
     Alice frowned while mixing into a silver-rimmed bowl the proper parts lavender and
     her granny’s magic elixir.
    The concoction delighted the senses, a riot of floral scents that smelled like sunshine
     in the meadow, a fragrance Alice’s nimble fingers picked up while massaging Elizabeth’s
     scalp. Alice then poured cup after cup of water over Elizabeth’s head until both were
     satisfied her hair was indeed clean and shining.
    Her long, dark curls wrapped snugly in warm flannel and Alice scrubbing her body with
     rose petals and cream, Elizabeth at last allowed herself to reflect more calmly on
     her duty and the banquet ahead of her.
    “Tonight will be a great celebration. I hope I do not disappoint the court,” she murmured,
     gazing at Alice through hooded eyes.
    “I have seen none at this court to compare to you. Even before I finish with you,”
     Alice added with a grin.
    Fatigued in body and spirit, Elizabeth gave herself over to Alice to scent her every
     curve and hollow. At last, she rose from the cooling water and dried in front of the
     fire. As she stared into the flames, her mind wandered to the duties she must perform
     tonight and how she must forget all else. Obediently, she allowed Alice to help her
     dress, standing before the long mirror as Alice patiently and skillfully wove sapphire
     velvet ribbons through her hair and coiled the famed celestial girdle around her hips.
    They both stared at her reflection and Elizabeth admitted to herself that indeed the
     sapphire gown scooping low across her breasts, hugging her arms, and flowing down
     her thighs did cause the jewels of her girdle to sparkle with life.
    As Alice had prophesied, no potion to enhance beauty could disguise the bluish shadows
     beneath Elizabeth’s eyes from her restless night. She tried to mask the shadows with
     a smile and stood very still as Alice rubbed red rose petals into her lips to darken
     their color.
    “Never seen you look more