Page 58 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

“I am,” her sister called out and came to thedoor.

They went back to the washroom and Emily, once again, began her work ofreconstruction.

After an hour of instruction and trial and error, Emily stood back and took a long look at what they hadaccomplished.

“Hmm. Not too bad,” Emily said, herself frazzled but Teresa looking trulytransformed.

“Now if only there was something we could do about your eyeglasses. Keep them off for the time being and let us go and see what Motherthinks.”

Teresa was studying herself in the mirror. “Will I need to go through all of that work each day?” she asked with somehesitation.

“No. We had a lot of restorative work to get you here, but if you do a little maintenance each day, it should not be a great chore. But you will have to commit yourself to doingit.”

Teresa smiled. “I think I can dothat.”

“Come,” Emily held out her hand and, taking Teresa’s, led her to the kitchen where Mother was conferring with Cook over the evening’ssupper.

“Oh my,” Cook exclaimed, being the first to seeTeresa.

Mother turned. “Introduce me to your new friend,” she said, “Is this one of His Grace’sassistants?”

Teresa shrieked, “No, Mother. It isI?”

Mother gasped and took a step backward. “Oh, Emily, what have you done toher?”

Emily laughed. “Do you not like thechange?”

Mother stammered, “I ah… oh, my… Well, it certainly isdifferent.”

She went over and took Teresa’s hands, and studiedher.

“My dear, you look lovely. Who would havethought?”

Teresa’s hair was no longer drab and greasy, but was lustrous and pulled back, revealing a lovely freshly scrubbed visage with a touch of color that relieved her usual looking pallor. And while not a ravishing beauty, she was greatly transformed into a handsome, sturdy youngwoman.

Teresa turned in a circle, her arms spread wide. “Am I not a queen?” Then she went to Emily and gave her a hug. “Thank you, dear Sister—you have freed me from eternaldrabness.”

Emily took her by the shoulders and said, “And do not forget what I taught you. You must make an effort if you want to maintain your newlook.

“But where are her glasses?” Motherasked.

“I need to find a new pair. My old ones made me look like an owl.” Teresa turned again to Emily. “Might we go shopping for new eyeglasses thisafternoon?”

“Sorry, my dear, but I must practice. I have my audition on Thursday. Perhaps Mother can takeyou.”

Teresa looked stricken. “But she was the one who got me these old ones. I need you to choose them for me or I shall end up looking like my oldself.”

“Very well, but not until after my auditions areconcluded.”

Chapter 17

The Duke was greeted by Mr. Dunn the morning of the audition. Papa had not gone in to work early, as he wanted to see his daughter off for her most importantaudition.

Emily was dressed very smartly in a lilac colored, form-fitting dress, a simple set of pearls, a small hat, gloves, and a pale blueshawl.

“Good morning Miss Emily, are you all ready?” Mark asked as he gave Emily a largesmile.

“As ready as I canbe.”