Apologies!

For anyone who ordered A Christmas Quintet on Amazon and received the wrong book, Amazon has advised us to (1) Ask for a refund on the order page and (2) if that doesn’t work, call 888-280-4331. Simply explain that you purchased the book, it was the wrong book, the book is no longer on your Kindle, and you require a refund.

The correct book is available at [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPNMGWV5] at the same price.

We humbly apologize for the error and the inconvenience it has caused you.

We are still working on a solution with other vendors.

Della’s Gown for the Lauds’ Christmas Ball

You may know that I am an avid collector of fashion prints. I have a ton of them! When I was writing Della’s Christmas Gift, I started looking around for a ball gown for her to wear at the Lauds’ Christmas Ball in 1801. This is the one I chose for her. You can read about it in this excerpt:

Madame Celeste Modiste

Leicester, Leicestershire

12 December 1801

“Well, I do think the white satin trimmed in gold would become you well, Della, with your dark hair. White is the fashionable color these days. Mama says white is the only appropriate color for young girls to wear in the evening.”

Helena held up the shimmering fabric against Della’s chest while an employee obligingly carried the remainder of the bolt.

“I told you I shan’t wear white,” Della insisted, pushing the fabric away. “White isn’t even a color. I prefer the lavender sarcenet.”

Stepping off the small stool, she selected the lavender bolt and held it under her face in front of the mirror.

Helena took a step back and studied her for a moment. “I must say, it does flatter your coloring. Perhaps with a delicate white handkerchief tied about the neck.”

Della frowned at the white handkerchief idea, but eventually agreed that white was the best trim color for the dress. Necklines for evening were lower than she was accustomed to, and she wasn’t eager to show off too much décolletage. She found her full breasts somewhat embarrassing, not to mention inconvenient when she was out tending the stock. She was secretly envious of Helena’s more elegant figure that better suited the current styles. Her bosoms didn’t jiggle when she moved quickly or danced, nor was she ogled by members of the male sex wherever she went.

After hearing her grumble about this, Helena laughed. “My dear, you don’t know how many young ladies envy your-er-fullness.” She glanced down at her own meager chest. “Mama kept telling me mine would fill out in time, but I haven’t seen evidence of it so far, and I’m a full year older than you are.”

Della’s eyes widened. “But… why? They are so… unwieldy! I’ve tried binding them to my chest, but it’s not at all comfortable, and Thomas and the farmhands laugh at me behind my back.”

A shocked gasp came from behind her. “Oh mademoiselle, you must never do such a thing again! You have lovely high bosoms that should be cherished and prized, even exploited!”

Madame Celeste grinned at Della’s white face. “Poor dear, it is such a dommage you have had no maman to guide you. For she would have advised you that a chest such as yours is highly attractive to gentlemen. Your husband will convince you of that, when you are married.”

Well! Della couldn’t understand that at all. In any case, she didn’t want a husband, unless it could be Toby Boxworth. But he seemed to prefer Helena’s more modest figure.

While she mulled over this contradiction, Madame Celeste and Helena discussed a way of using boning under the breasts in her short stays to provide more support. Following this, the young ladies sorted through ribbons and trims for the neckline and sleeves, purchased a small length of white satin for the headdress, and headed for the haberdashery next door for a few sprigs of silk lavender flowers to dress it up.

“As for slippers,” Helena suggested when they entered the ladies’ shoe shop across the street, “Purchase at least two pairs if you plan to dance. I’ve had mine shred to pieces at a ball and would have had to return home in my stockings had my maid not brought along a spare.”

“Perhaps they should be made sturdier,” Della mumbled as the proprietor approached with a bow. Helena gave her a warning glance before she smiled and spoke to him.

“My cousin wishes to be measured for two pairs of white silk dancing slippers, if you please. They’ll be needed soon, for a Christmas Eve ball.”

“Ah, for the ball at Laud Manor. Come this way, miss. We will get you fitted up in good time for the event.”

“Please, do make them as stout as you can. Miss Paget is extraordinarily fond of dancing, you see.” Helena smiled wickedly at Della, who rolled her eyes.

The shoemaker clenched his jaw. “Our footwear is always sturdy, miss. We serve the best families in the shire, and they never have cause to complain.”

“Perfect. When should we return for a fitting?”

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A Review, Perhaps?

I hesitate to ask this in view of the inconvenience I’ve caused by uploading the wrong file for A Christmas Quintet; however, if you could contribute a review to any book vendors or sites like Bookbub, the Belles would be exceedingly grateful! I never realized a simple mistake could cause such an avalanche of bad publicity!