The day of the baptism finally arrived. The Countess had arranged to send one of her carriages to pick up her guests from the Muscat house at midday. This was needed as the estate where the event would take place was 4 miles from town walls. The Countess herself had moved from her town house to her estate several days ago.
Jasper delayed her own preparations for as long as possible. After rising early (did she ever sleep?) she fed and bathed the babies. Then while Betsy dressed the children in their christening gowns, Jasper took the opportunity to clean and polish the baby carriage (which would somehow fit in the Countess's carriage). Patricia's hair dresser acquaintance showed at 8 and began to work on the Mistress. Betsy and Chelsea got themselves into their new uniforms then fussed over Damon. The boy actually scrubbed up nicely and Jasper realised she had never seen him with a clean face before. The boy was apparently growing rapidly and his muscles were beginning to develop. Simon's old suit actually fitted the teenager well.
Then Jasper found herself sitting in the Mistress's parlour while the hair dresser washed, dried and styled her hair. Patricia must have informed the woman that "Jasmine" was a natural redhead, as she made a comment about the red roots now showing. Indeed Jasper was shocked when the woman whispered 'Don't worry your highness. Your secret is safe with me. I served the late Duchess for many years. I am a staunch royalist and have vowed to do whatever I can to see these murderous rebels from our lands' Jasper wondered how many other people were aware of her royal heritage? At least the woman did not suspect she was actually the Crown Prince.
With her hair done in the latest fashion, the woman then began to apply pastes to Jasper's face including a red paste to her lips. Jasper was used to her concubines being "made up" but it was still a shock when the woman held a looking glass to Jasper's face and she saw for the first time her reflection. She realised "Jasmine" was indeed a great beauty.
Then it was Jasper's turn to be set upon by Betsy and Chelsea. She was dressed into her petticoats and had to explain her brassiere to the curious Betsy who was fascinated as to it's function. Jasper demonstrated how the cups on the brassiere could be released then fed the babies once more, relieving her now aching breasts. When the babes were once more sated Betsy laced her into the gold dress. Her only jewellery was the locket around her neck.
The countess's carriage arrived, drawn by 6 horses and driven by two footmen. It was huge, much larger than the smaller carriage the Countess regularly arrived in. All the neighbours were out on the street to watch the Muscat family as they were escorted into the carriage. Jasper wasn't sure how she felt as she walked from the door to the carriage, being careful to keep her long skirts off the mud. The cheering reminded her of standing on the palace balcony with her parents. She shed a tear thinking of her mother.