Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,90
for one night?
“Do not fight it any longer, Sophie. I know you wish for this, even if you are half-tempted to deny yourself an evening as the belle of the ball.” Hurrying to the bedchamber door, Mama called for a servant to fetch her lady’s maid, before returning to her daughter’s side. “I shall need Bisset’s assistance if we are to manage this properly.”
***
In the weeks leading to the Nelsons’ house party, Victoria had spent much of her time reflecting on what the month would bring. With tonight’s ball serving as the crowning moment of the festivities, she had thought it would serve as an engagement celebration. The Caswells couldn’t afford such a grand gathering, but the Nelsons were enough like family that Victoria could’ve pretended the evening was intended for her. Perhaps it was silly to fantasize so, but this ball would’ve marked the end of her husband hunt, the end of her family’s financial woes, the end of the fretting for her sisters.
Instead, Victoria stood with her friends in a gown intended for a much grander purpose while the end of the house party crept closer. No engagement. No security. Nothing but a false smile and a heart ready to burst beneath the strain of it all.
And it really was a shame, for the gown was Victoria’s greatest work. Many thought deep crimson too bold a color, but there was a regality to it if styled properly. And Victoria had done just that.
Embroidery was not something she often employed in clothes; it was far too much work and too distinctive, making it near impossible to rework and restyle the piece into something new—to say nothing of the additional cost for the unnecessary thread. And the gold thread had come at a dear price. Yet the effect of the vines and scrollwork edging the pleats of her skirts and the bodice was divine, taking the shade from scandalous to sumptuous and contrasting beautifully with her dark hair and pale complexion. A gown fit for a soon-to-be bride celebrating her forthcoming nuptials.
If only.
Victoria would never do something so ridiculous as growl, but she was struck by the impulse because of her ridiculous self-pity. Bemoaning the past served no purpose and only distracted from the here and now. Here she was at a grand ball and dressed in her finest gown with the perfect coiffure. Now was the time for her to evaluate her options and choose the best.
Phyllis clung to Victoria’s arm, barely concealing the giddy sparkle in her eyes as the pair examined the ballroom. Like the rest of Hardington Hall, this chamber was a tad small for the intended purpose, but the Nelsons had opened up all the adjacent rooms for dining, games, and chatting, drawing away many of the guests and leaving the ballroom free for only dancing. And what it lacked in size, it made up for in elegance.
The ceilings and walls were covered in frescoes as fine as any Victoria had seen in London. Gilded scrollwork separated the panels, catching the candlelight and adding to its glow. On its own, the ballroom was ornate and needed no additions to be fit for any gathering, but Mrs. Nelson had placed magnificent arrangements of flowers all along the walls of the rooms. Altogether, it was a tad much for Victoria’s tastes but impressive nonetheless.
“You should be proud,” said Victoria as Hettie came to stand on Phyllis’s other side. “Your family has outdone itself. The neighborhood will be speaking of this ball for months to come.”
“Most certainly,” echoed Phyllis. “Though I suspect I shall remember this evening for the rest of my life.”
Victoria’s brows rose. “Is your Mr. Dosett so soon to propose? When did you begin courting?”
Phyllis replied with a smile and a lift of her chin. “He spoke with Papa, though I have kept him on tenterhooks concerning a courtship. Yet still, Mr. Dosett has been hinting at a proposal for several days now. I think he may forgo a proper courtship altogether.”
“Such wonderful news,” said Victoria, whose well-wishes were echoed by Hettie.
But Phyllis turned to face her friend, her brows pulled tight together. “I apologize for being so callous, Victoria. It is not kind of me to crow over my victory when things have not fared so well for you.”
“It is not callous,” said Victoria with a shake of her head. “I wouldn’t wish for you to forgo your celebrations for my sake. I am overjoyed that my selfish actions did no damage to your