her hair and wrapped an emerald ribbon about her head. “I know that he usually comes in from the country later than the others, but he knew that I would be here tonight and that might just be reason enough for him to make an early showing.”
She stood, and let Juliana help her into the green ball gown she had left behind her on the bed. It was of a deep emerald silk with stunning fringe trim around the edges and a wide bodice. Juliana took the time to lace it up along Penelope’s trim figure, and then gave her sister a quick spin in the mirror to show it off.
“Just the sort of statement you want to make on the first night of the London season,” Juliana said with a smile. “Bold, but serious. Beautiful, but no longer childish or indulged in fripperies.”
“And what statement are you going to make?” Penelope asked with a smile.
“As subtle a statement as I can,” Juliana answered back. She pulled her own gown out and, with Penelope’s help, stepped into it and waited while her sister fastened the seed pearl buttons on the back. It was simple cream, with a square-necked bodice and delicate embroidery. Something pretty and sweet certainly, but also something that would fade into a sea of other women in white and cream gowns who would be flitting around the dance floor.
“You’re a vision,” Penelope said quietly when she had fastened the gown. “And Elsie will be astonished that we completed our toilet so thoroughly without her oversight.”
“I am sure she has her hands full with preparations for the next few months,” Juliana said with a smile. “If we can help with something as simple as our own wardrobe, I’m sure she’ll be more grateful than alarmed.”
“That is the lovely thing about you,” Penelope answered with a grin, sitting gingerly on the edge of the bed to tie on her satin slippers. “You are always thinking the best of other people. Willing to help support even those who are not your responsibility to support.”
“If we’re being quite particular about language,” Juliana corrected her sister, “as part of humanity it is our responsibility to support whoever we can. Or at least to have compassion for their plight.” She slipped on her own shoes and drew a pale green embroidered shawl about her shoulders before putting on the gloves she would wear to the ball.
Penelope finished tying on her shoes and leaned back on her elbows to preserve the line of her gown. “See, dear sister, I do not know why, when you speak so beautifully and with such noble intentions, you could ever fear that you would not catch a man’s eye. Surely there are men aplenty who would treasure the opportunity to have for themselves a bright and kind wife.”
Juliana smiled again, but only because she hoped that Penelope would drop the subject for the remainder of the evening. In truth, she felt the pressure to marry more than she cared to admit. She loved her little sister and wanted her to have every happiness. It bothered her more than she could say that her “little Penny” had to wait for a beautiful marriage because Juliana had the misfortune of an ugly scar to dissuade suitors. If she had to marry, she wanted a husband of her own choosing. But in her heart, not even the romantic ideals of youth remained even a seed of hope in her any longer.
She felt certain that, even if she were to find a man who wanted her for herself and not for the wealth of her father, she would be an eventual disappointment to such a man. For how could anyone, even the kindest of people, look long on a face such as hers with love?
Chapter 2
“The first ball of the season? To what do we owe this honour, Lord Vincent?”
Horatio turned in the direction of the voice, and saw his long-time friend, Lord Alistair Wilford, leaning against the beautiful banister of a staircase at the front of the ballroom. Horatio smiled widely and crossed the room quickly to his friend’s side.
“You know me,” he said with his grin still in place. “I wouldn’t deny the lovely ladies of London the chance to see Lord Horatio Vincent on the first night of the season. Just as you have chosen this particular place to wait for me so that you might show off the latest fashion from Paris in that tailored overcoat.”
Alistair shrugged nonchalantly.