Mrs. Breese. “You older girls must strive to be noticed, dance with those who ask, and do all you can to win a heart or two.”
“Sounds boring to me,” Rachel moaned, “and too hot to do anything.”
“Then be sure to wear plenty of powder, and stay in the shade,” said Mrs. Breese.
“Anything else we should know?” Mr. Breese folded his paper again.
“Well, I have not finished reading the invitation.” Mrs. Breese held the letter up to her eyes. “It says young Mr. Rhendon has brought a party with him from England. It does not list the names, but it says he brings two ladies and a gentleman.”
“The English cannot keep themselves away, can they?” Darcy said.
Mrs. Breese gave her a sidelong glance. “It says here, the gentleman is an exceptional rider and will make inquiry into Captain Rhendon’s thoroughbreds.” Again, she set the letter down on her lap and sighed with delight. “How interesting is that, my girls? Two ladies and an English gentleman.”
Mrs. Breese folded the invitation and set it on the side table next to her.
Darcy went from the room out into the hallway. She stepped out the door, sat down on the stone stoop, and stroked the dog’s ears. What would happen if she caught the eye of some gentleman at this gathering? He would have to have excellent qualities for her to like him, and she doubted if there was such a man alive, for her expectations were much too high.
She wanted a man like her uncle, kind, generous, with a sense of humor that matched his sense of duty. Could there be such a man searching for a girl like her?
She listened to the chatter coming from upstairs where the girls had gone to sort through their clothes. Missy, their housemaid, came down the stairs with an armload of frocks, stockings, and laces, all in need of washing and repair.
Her aunt appeared on the upstairs landing. “Darcy, come look at your gown. It is important.”
She did as she was asked, and when she drew out the best dress she owned from the armoire, she held it out before her and looked it over. Her aunt stared at it, tapped her forefinger against her chin, and huffed, “It will have to be made over.”
The gown in question opened down the back and closed with hooks and eyes. The bodice seams were piped with narrow cording of matching fabric, and the deep hem was faced with heavier fabric to protect it from wear.
“I think it is fine the way it is, Aunt. But if you think it needs altering …”
“Oh, indeed it does. We will alter the sleeves and add ribbon and trim. And we should remove the lace. It is so out of fashion.”
“Seems like too much work for one day’s outing.”
Mrs. Breese took a step back and squared her shoulders. “I dare say, Darcy, I have never known you to have a lazy bone in your body. Believe me, altering this gown shall be well worth your time. Besides, the cloth was too dearly acquired to abandon, and too many hours went into the original stitching to cast it off.”
Darcy agreed. She was not in the least bit slothful, but sewing made her fingers sore. Yet, she would follow through. “I did not mean we should cast it off, Aunt. I just happen to like it the way it is.”
“Then keep it as it is, if it pleases you.” Slapping her hands together, her aunt let out a little giggle. “I am so happy that full skirts and tight bodices are out of fashion, as well as highdressed hair and painted faces.”
Darcy smiled at the image in her mind. “I cannot picture you with your hair piled high and powdered, or your face painted.”
“Never!” said her aunt. “A tight bodice yes. But the rest, I cared not. For it was so vain and made a woman look clownish.”
Expecting such an answer, Darcy laughed. “Then I, too, am happy.”
Her aunt leaned toward her. “Now, we have four days to complete our tasks. Saturday shall be here before we know it.”
“Yes, Aunt.”
“Missy shall take care of the rest of the chores so you girls can work without interruption. Now you should be glad for that. No feeding the chickens. No collecting eggs. Isn’t that grand?”
“I like feeding the hens and collecting eggs.” She glanced at her aunt with insistence. “I can still do my work and finish my dress.”