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Chapter 10

Tick. Tick. Tick.

The chaos of preparations for the ball buzzed in the background, but Honoria’s mind concentrated on the ticking of the clock.

Two hours until the ball.

Surprisingly, everything was ready. Yet Honoria still rushed through every room, making certain every little thing was in its place. She could not believe they were able to organize a ball in a week. A week!

She paused under the staircase, rearranging the flowers nervously. Everything needed to be perfect tonight.

“They’ve arrived!” Elise leaned over the banister, her voice bright with excitement. “Three dresses from Madame Deville have arrived. Would you come see them?”

Honoria dusted her hands on her apron and smiled. “Of course.” She glanced at her timepiece. “It’s just about time for my fifteen-minute break.”

“Perfect!” Elise disappeared from view, the tapping of her feet marking her retreat back into her room.

Honoria followed her, a peculiar weight settling in her chest. She would miss the camaraderie she had with Elise. She would miss not seeing her conquer the ton. She still hadn’t told the children that she would be leaving soon; the timing was never right.

She glanced at her timepiece again. Now wasn’t the right time either.

Perhaps after the ball. Once things settled down.

She entered Elise’s bedchamber, and the three new gowns of pale blue, light green, and blush pink were carefully laid out on the bed. Trish, Elise’s lady’s maid, sat by the bed, waiting patiently.

“Aren’t they magnificent?” Elise sighed, running her fingertips reverently over the delicate beading on the bodice of a blush pink gown. “Madame Deville has outdone herself.”

“They’re beautiful,” Honoria agreed, taking a seat in the window alcove. “You must try them on.”

Elise needed no further encouragement. She disappeared behind the dressing screen with her maid, and Honoria listened to the rustle of fabric and quiet instructions as the young woman was helped into the first gown.

Elise stepped out from behind the screen in a gown of celestial blue satin. The cut was exquisite, emphasizing her slender waist and graceful neck. With her golden hair and fair complexion, she looked like a painting come to life.

“You look radiant,” Honoria said softly. “That color is perfect on you.”

Elise beamed and twirled, the gown’s skirts flaring out around her. “I feel like I’m floating! Like I could dance all night in this.” She spun again, laughing with pure, unabashed joy.

Honoria watched her, thinking of the grand ballrooms where Elise would soon make her debut. She would be a sensation, of course. With her beauty, her natural charm, her wit, and her dowry, she would have suitors lining up to dance with her, and to court her.

Elise tried on the second gown, a light green that made her hazel eyes glow, then finally emerged in the soft pink day dress. She perched beside Honoria on the window seat. “I think I’d like to wear this one for our walk tomorrow. The other ones I will save for more formal occasions. Perhaps the blue one would fit well for the theater engagement next week.”

“An impeccable choice,” Honoria confirmed.

“I can’t wait to make my come-out.” Elise clasped her hands in front of her. “I wish I could do it tonight! I know Uncle Caldwell wants what’s best for me, but I am so impatient.” She clapped her hands nervously, then paused, a smile frozen on her face. “And I am also incredibly scared.”

“Of what?” Honoria peered into Elise’s vulnerable eyes.

“That no one will like me,” she said quietly. “That no one will court me. That I will be a complete disaster.”

“Impossible.” Honoria offered a reassuring smile.

But Elise lowered her eyes, her fingers tracing an invisible pattern on her skirt. “You don’t know that. I might be. I might make an embarrassment out of myself.”

Honoria licked her lips. “Didn’t you hear what Lady Somerville said the other day at the modiste? You shouldn’t rush into marriage your first Season. You should not worry about things like that.”

“How can I not? There are limited men on the marriage mart, and I should be so lucky as to marry one of them.”

“No,” Honoria emphasized firmly. “They should be so lucky to marry you. And you should be more discerning.”