Laura looked up from her Minerva Press novel as an unfamiliar maid bobbed her a curtsy. “Lady Maria sent me to help you dress for the ball, miss. I'm good at doing hair.”
“That's kind of Lady Maria but there's no need. I have my own maid. Bessie has always attended to me.”
“It's all right, my lady. Lady Maria asked me before sending Lucy. I don't mind,” Bessie said, coming in from the dressing room.
Laura smiled. They were lucky in Gareth's choice of a bride. Lady Maria was all that was good and pleasing. Though it was merely three days since she had become acquainted with them, she understood that Bessie was more than her maid; she was her childhood playmate and companion.
Bessie asked, “Shall we go up to your room, my lady? It's nigh time you were getting ready.”
Loath to put aside the novel in which the intrepid heroine was hanging outside the hero's window by her fingertips, Laura made a face. “There's time enough for that.”
“I must wash your hair before curling it, miss. Begging your pardon, we must hurry!” Lucy said, and along with Bessie, hustled Laura out of the room.
Lucy set to work immediately. Bessie helped her and kept asking questions, trying to learn as much as she could. While Laura was satisfied with her limited skills, Bessie feared her ineptness could cause her mistress to appear inferior to other young women.
“Do you have a plain strand of pearls for hair?”Lucy asked, removing the curlers.
“There is a pearl necklace. Will it do?” Bessie asked.
Lucy shook her head and Bessie’s face fell.
Laura laughed. “I’m sure Lucy will think of something else. We have enough ribbons and trinkets to decorate a shop window!”
Lady Catherine came in, holding a narrow velvet case. She had been in earlier, to see what Laura would be wearing for the ball. And then she had spent an hour delving into her jewel box for ornaments to complement the gown.
“I found this. It’s a strand of pearls. I don’t know the current fashion but it used to be quite the rage,” she said, opening the box.
Bessie swooped down upon it. “This will do very well, my lady!”
“Mama, please stay until Lucy does my hair,” Laura said, and blushed.
She knew why her mother kept coming into her room. She wanted to be with her. Laura also wanted her mother near her even though she found herself tongue-tied in her presence.
Lady Catherine smiled brightly and sat down. Laura ignored the sheen of tears in her eyes. She prayed the evening would go well. It wasn’t her debut alone. Her mother and aunt would be appearing at a ton event after sixteen years. Her mother would draw the most attention. She could be at the receiving end of malicious talk.
Gareth had tried to dissuade their mother but she had insisted on their coming to London. She was determined that Laura take her place in society. She also wanted to get to know her son’s betrothed.
Lucy twined the rope of pearls into Laura's hair. Bessie tried to follow her deft fingers. “How did you do that?” she asked.
“You can do the same with a little practice. I'll show you later if you want,” Lucy said, smiling at her enthusiasm.
“Bessie is a quick learner. She also has a neat hand. Living in the country, we never had a need to keep abreast of fashion,” Laura said, even though it wasn’t true. They need not have rusticated. Her father was an earl. They could have entertained other notable families. Her grandparents had done so.
“Do you like it, Lady Laura?” Lucy asked.
Laura looked at her image. Was it really her? Her golden hair was piled high on top of her head, with one thick curl left to caress her shoulder.
Lady Catherine murmured, “Beautiful. You look beautiful, dear.”
Laura suddenly realized her mother was not yet ready. “Mama! I have delayed you!” she exclaimed, contrite.
“Don’t worry, my dear. I shall be ready in time,” Lady Catherine said, and left.
Lucy lightly dusted Laura’s face with white powder. She also teased a few curls out of Laura’s coiffure to frame her forehead. The style was very becoming. Bessie handed her the gown of white satin trimmed with fine lace and overlaid with a gauzy material of pale gold. Lucy slipped it over Laura without disturbing a single hair on her head. A necklace of pearl and topaz, with matching bracelets, and white dancing shoes completed her toilette.
“You look lovely, my lady!” Lucy said, standing back to admire her handiwork.
Laura smiled. “Your mistress helped me choose the gown. She has good taste.”
“That she has, my lady, and a kind heart, too. She helped my sister when she got into trouble.”
“What trouble?” Bessie asked, but Lucy looked stricken and said nothing.
A maid scratched on the door. “His lordship wants to know if you are ready, Miss.”
“Is it already time?” Laura asked and with a last glance at the mirror, darted downstairs. Her mother, aunt, and brother were waiting.
Lord Daventon looked up and smiled. “I would never have expected you to clean up so well!”
Laura made a face and punched him in the arm. “I wanted to thank you for the pearls and the flowers but now I shall not!” she declared.
Lady Catherine smiled at this display of sibling love and Laura basked in the moment. Her mother loved them. Not knowing the truth, she had believed her mother had abandoned them because she didn't care. Now every loving gesture and kind word thrilled her to the core.
***
Maria’s grandmother, the formidable Duchess of Severn had decided that they would enter the ball as one party. The arrangement suited Laura and allayed her fears to some extent.
The ride to Severn House was short as the house was on the same street. The Duchess of Severn and Lady Maria were waiting. Lady Maria looked striking in a burgundy colored gown. Lady Severn, though visibly old, looked regal and imposing.
Before they left for the ball, Laura confided her fears to Lady Maria. “I'm worried there will be whispers and Mother will get upset.”
“Lady Daventon is strong. She knows the ways of the ton. Moreover, my grandmother will keep her by her side and so will Lady Helena. What else is troubling you?”
“I'm nervous!”
“It feels overwhelming when you are newly come to the social scene. I'll make some debutantes known to you. It is important to have acquaintances of your own age otherwise you will feel left out on picnics and house parties.”
“Will it be bad ton if I sit out the dances?” Laura asked and added hopefully, “Perhaps no one will ask me to dance.”
“Have you looked into your glass? You are by far too lovely. You will be deluged with dance partners.”
“What if I stumble or... or forget the dance steps? I've never attended a house party or a village assembly. This is a ball.”
Lady Maria took her hand. “Laura, you dance well. I've seen you practice the steps. It will take a ball or two for you to feel confident. Until then I shall present you to young men who are also newly come or are rather shy. There is nothing worse than a partner who will chatter while you are struggling to count your steps!”