After splashing water on her face in the bathroom,
Cordelia continued with her maid duties. When her aunt summoned her to Josephine’s room, she sighed. Upon arriving, she suppressed a laugh. Her aunt and Becky the maid, were tugging at Josephine’s corset lacing.
Her aunt looked up, flushed. ‘Cordelia, thank God. Give us a hand, would you?’
With enormous effort, they managed to contain Josephine’s body in her corset. Next they helped her into a pink floral dress, and pinned up many orange curls.
Josephine turned to the mirror triumphantly. ‘What do you think, ladies? Do I look like a duchess?’
Aunt Agatha applauded. ‘The picture of aristocratic grace, darling.’
Cordelia glanced at Becky, and they shared a brief look of amusement. To any reasonable viewer, Josephine looked like an over
