Pity I’ll have no use for it after tonight.”
“We can keep it here for you, and then when you visit, you’ll have something beautiful to wear.”
Connie studied her reflection in the mirror. The buttery yellow garment was cut from the finest silk, with beautiful inlays in the overskirt that allowed for glimpses of delicate lace. The original bodice had been cut low and square, but Aunt Phinny had arranged for her dressmaker to fashion a more modest décolletage. Connie turned to see the back of the gown as best she could. The bustled train fell in a waterfall effect of gathered silk and lace, spreading out behind her in a most appealing fashion. “Maybe I’ll take it with me. There’s bound to be some formal occasion.”
“You might get married. It would make a lovely wedding gown.”
Connie chuckled. “I have no plans for that, Auntie. I see no reason to wed. I have plenty of friends who keep me from growing lonely, and with no one to share my bed, I don’t have to worry about sharing my covers either.”
“Goodness, child.” Aunt Phinny laughed. “I’ve never heard of a young woman who had such an aversion to marriage.”
“It’s not an aversion. More simply put, I like being in control of my own life. You and Uncle have taught me that a woman can fare well enough for herself if she gains the knowledge she needs to navigate life. Thanks to you both, I feel I have that.”
“Well, I can’t help but believe that one day a young man will come along and sweep you off your feet. Now, turn again.” Connie did as instructed. “You’re absolute perfection, and I like the way the maid arranged your hair with those tiny white roses. Quite stylish yet subdued.”
“I wish you and Uncle were coming tonight.”
“I do too, but we’d already committed to dinner with the Hamiltons. Besides, I have a feeling this ball will attract more young people than elderly folks like us.”
Connie laughed and went to kiss her aunt’s cheek. “There is nothing elderly about you and Uncle. You do far more work than many people half your age. I caught Uncle in the garden just yesterday, down on his knees, pruning the roses.”
“Keeping busy keeps us youthful,” her aunt admitted. “But ballrooms hold little interest for me these days. Your uncle cannot dance as he once could, and I’ve no desire to dance with anyone else.” She smiled. “Now, you run along and have fun. I’m sure Thomas and your friends will be much better company than Uncle or I could be.”
“Speaking of friends, Sallyanne asked for a ride to the ball, so I suppose I should hurry.”
“There you are. You’ll have Sallyanne as your ally.”
But Connie knew that once they arrived at the fund-raiser, she’d be left to the mercy of dozens of would-be suitors. Tom couldn’t devote his entire evening to her. He was, after all, a very eligible bachelor. Sallyanne loved being seen, so she would be dancing as much as possible.
Connie sighed and gathered her wrap. “I doubt we’ll be all that late getting home. Tom and I have so much to do before we leave next week, and we need what sleep we can get.”
“Knowing Sallyanne as I do, I doubt she’ll want to come home early,” Aunt Phinny said in a sympathetic tone.
“Her folks are coming late, so they’ll take her home. She only asked for our help in getting there so she could spend as much time dancing and flirting as possible.”
“Then you’d best hurry. It’s nearly eight.”
Connie glanced at the clock. It seemed only moments ago it had read seven. “Goodness, the minutes are just flying by.”
“So are the years.” Her aunt sighed. “I shall miss you so much, my dear. You came to us when we had suffered such great loss. Having laid Regina and Millicent to rest only months before, we were so grateful to have you stay with us. Then, when Monty went off to West Point just weeks after your arrival, I was even more grateful to have you. I think I would have died of loneliness and sorrow without you.”
“Perhaps you should invite another family member to come and keep you company. My cousin Meg, Grace Armistead’s daughter, is nearly fifteen. Perhaps she would like to attend Mount Vernon Seminary for Girls.” Connie shrugged. “She might not be immediate family, but she is family, in a rather extended way.”
“Well, your uncle has promised me a trip West, although