Caroline stared at her gowns lying on the bed and huffed. Not one of them suited her mood, or in fact, the occasion.
She and Julian had spent several pleasant afternoons taking Midas for a walk in Hyde Park. There were benefits in having formal permission to court, one being that she was able to venture out with only a footman and maid in tow. A coin had been slipped into the hand of each of the Saunders family servants to encourage them to lag behind and out of earshot.
A week from now was a formal society ball. She and Julian were to make their social debut as a courting couple. They would dance together with more than just friendship between them. Everything she did that night would be publicly and privately scrutinized by London society.
No doubt tongues would wag, but the matrons of the ton would get the message loud and clear—she intended to marry Julian Palmer and become the next Countess Newhall.
The gowns, however, were not suitable. A pale blue one, a pretty pink gown with white embroidered flowers, and an elegant silver one all failed to pass muster.
Adelaide knocked on the bedroom door and came to stand next to Caroline. She looked at the gowns. “They are rather beautiful. Do none of them appeal to you?”
Caroline pursed her lips. She needed her mother’s counsel at this critical time. In order to get it, she would have to make a personal revelation. “They are the gowns of an innocent, young woman. After my stay at Newhall Castle, I am no longer that.”
She stilled, waiting for her mother’s response. Adelaide reached over and placed a kiss on her daughter’s cheek. Caroline gave a sigh of relief, grateful for having a supportive mother.
“Well then, if that is the case, we need to find you something with more color. Something that a young woman on the cusp of marriage would wear. One which makes a clear statement,” said Adelaide.
“I tried Eve’s room, but all her best gowns are gone,” replied Caroline. She had searched her sister’s wardrobe earlier, hoping to find something which she could use. Eve had always been one for wearing stronger colors and gowns which skirted the edge of propriety. But she had taken all the most elegant gowns with her when she eloped.
“The ball is still a week away. We shall make an early morning visit to the modiste and see what she has that can be readily made up for you. We should also commission a gown for your engagement ball, since it is now merely a matter of time before an announcement is made,” said Adelaide.
The following morning, Adelaide and Caroline were on the doorstep of the modiste an hour before she was due to open. Adelaide had sent word as soon as she and Caroline had spoken the previous day, and being one of the modiste’s best customers, she had been granted a special appointment.
“Being out of season, my seamstresses have been able to catch up on making stock. I have a selection of gowns that you might find suitable,” said the modiste.
Caroline and Adelaide stepped into the showing room of the salon. Before them were five gowns, draped over low sofas. Caroline’s eye was immediately drawn to a crimson gown. She looked to her mother and Adelaide nodded. The deep, rich red was the color of a fiery summer sunset. It held the promise of passion and love.
Taking the gown and draping it over her arm, she knew it was the perfect one to wear at the ball. A night when she would finally show the world that Julian had captured her heart, and she was ready to take her place by his side.
She was counting down the days until they appeared together as a couple at a formal event.
“It’s perfect,” she whispered.
“Try it on,” replied Adelaide.
In the fitting room, the modiste and her team of seamstresses pinned the gown to hug Caroline’s figure. While they worked, she stood and watched herself in the mirror. In her face she saw someone she did not recognize. Gone were the hard edges of her lonely existence. In their place were the beginnings of the warmth that came from newfound happiness.
“You have the look of a woman in love. I am so proud of you for having opened your heart,” said Adelaide.
“Ow, you, foolish girl!”
Adelaide and Caroline looked at one another as they heard the outburst from the adjourning fitting room. The modiste made her hurried apologies and left the room.
“It is not good enough. If you cannot afford to employ skilled seamstresses, you should not expect my custom.”
“I am sure it was an accident, your highness. All my girls have been highly trained. But I shall make sure a discount is added to your bill,” replied the modiste.
“Some women do not know how to behave. I am sure the seamstress did not mean to prick her,” said Adelaide in a hushed tone.
Caroline and her sister had been taught from an early age to remain still while their gowns were being pinned. The occasional accidental prick from a dressmaker’s pin was a minor inconvenience in the creation of a new gown.
“Whoever she is, I would not want to cross her,” replied Caroline.
When she returned, the modiste was red-faced and wiping away tears.
“Who was that?” asked Adelaide.
The woman composed herself. “The Countess of Lienz. She arrived unannounced just after you and demanded a fitting. Most of her luggage is apparently still on board her husband’s yacht and she needs clothes. I could not refuse.”
Caroline frowned at herself in the mirror. She should have recognized the voice, but Julian’s mother had sailed for the Continent weeks ago; so, what was she doing back in London?
As quickly as good manners would permit, she and Adelaide finished with their appointment. Once they were seated in the privacy of the Saunders family town carriage, Caroline confided the truth of the house party to her mother.
“That could have been very embarrassing if Lady Margaret had not been so quick to smooth things over. And Lord Newhall does not know the countess is in town?” said Adelaide.
“No. I am certain he would have made mention of it to me if he did. The countess has a priceless piece of estate jewelry with her, and Julian is most keen to retrieve it. If he knew she was in town, he would be knocking on her door and demanding the return of his property,” replied Caroline.
“Well then, you shall have to speak with Lord Newhall when next you see him,” said Adelaide.
As soon as they returned home, Caroline retrieved Eve’s favorite black cloak from her wardrobe. She had no intention of wasting any time to see Julian.
The cloak had been used many times when Eve and Francis had slipped out of the house and gone to secret parties without their parents’ knowledge. But Caroline knew her mission for later this evening was more important than attending an illicit gathering of the younger members of the ton.
She had to warn Julian that his mother was back in town.