CHAPTER 28
THE GOVERNOR’S BALL
Lillian knew she had succeeded in creating a gown to be the envy of every other lady when she descended the staircase and found Nicholas rendered speechless. She had chosen a tulip-bell skirt in deep-red velvet. The leg-of-mutton sleeves were enormous and she had selected the most unforgivingly tight corset and a stiff crinoline petticoat to accentuate her waist. She already felt light-headed but was determined not to let Cora or Florence and their shop down.
‘Remarkable,’ Nicholas said at last.
‘Do you like it?’ She twirled slowly before her husband.
‘You are breathtaking, my dear.’
She kissed him. ‘You look very handsome in your tails and top hat, too.’
‘Why thank you. Shall we go?’
Lillian placed her hand in the crook of Nicholas’s arm and let him
