by Abby Ayles
* * *
“I don’t know, honestly. But even if he had the means, I would not want to ask such a thing of him. It doesn’t seem right to me.”
* * *
“Nor I,” Lady Louisa agreed. “But perhaps if, after you are properly engaged, of course, you tell your mother he doesn’t have the means she will be at peace and hopeful curtail her spending.”
* * *
“I can not bear to tell my mother things she will not like. You have only seen a small portion of how severe she can really become. My only hope, I hate to say, is if Elisabeth does secure the Duke this night. If she is able to accomplish this task, my mother will not care who I marry knowing she will be secure with Elisabeth’s choice.”
* * *
Lady Louisa found the logical truth in Miss Mary’s words, but she still didn’t like it. No matter how much she rather detested the Duke’s methods and ideals for marriage, she still would not wish her cousin Elisabeth even on him.
* * *
Miss Elisabeth had been nothing short of insufferable the last two weeks. Twice she changed her fabric choice, and once she insisted that Lady Louisa complete remove a hem of her skirt and redo it with smaller stitches. She claimed it was nowhere near the quality that she was used to.
* * *
It was infuriating. But all the while that Lady Louisa worked, she did so with her mouth clamped shut. She would do all that she could to please her aunt and cousin. At the end of the ball, she would return home to London knowing that she had done everything in her power for the sake of her own mother.
* * *
Now that the night of the ball was upon them, Lady Louisa couldn’t help but feel a sigh of relief that this whole ordeal would finally be over. She would be sad to leave Miss Mary and Mrs. Vance and the Colonel, but outside of those few new friends she made there was little that she would miss of her time in the country.
* * *
She was sure that if she were to live in her family’s London house the rest of her days she would be more than satisfied. She had also considered the words of the solicitor about her brother. Perhaps he would stay in the Colonies permanently. If that was the case, then she would brave the wild ocean and join him there.
* * *
Traveling to the Americas was something she never would have considered in the past. The one great thing that came out of her time her in the Lake District was all the things she had accomplished on her own. She rather thought of herself as a very independent woman and had little fear about crossing the ocean on her own.
* * *
“And now for the mask,” Bess said waking Lady Louisa from her own thoughts.
* * *
She picked up the white silk covered mask and placed it on Miss Mary’s face and wove the ribbons through her hair for secure placement. Decorating the mask was delicate white feathers with the black outline of swan eyes. She looked absolutely exquisite in her delicate matching white silk dress gathered and ruffled to match a swan’s plume.
* * *
“I would not doubt if the Colonel proposed on the spot tonight when he first sets eyes on you,” Lady Louisa exclaimed.
* * *
“Do I really look alright?” Miss Mary asked as she spied herself skeptically in the looking glass.
* * *
“Mary you look like an angel. Now hop on out of that chair so I can work my magic on Lady Louisa’s hair before you must leave,” Bess said in a playful tone.
* * *
“Do not worry yourself too much. If you can make it as half as beautiful as last time that will be sufficient for me,” Lady Louisa said as she took Miss Mary’s place in front of the looking glass.
* * *
Lady Louisa hadn’t had much time to prepare herself for the ball. For that reason, she had chosen to wear the same golden yellow dress that she wore to Bassen on her last visit. She quickly created a mask by covering it in feathers dipped in gold paint.
* * *
She didn’t care much to stand out at large partied events and was sure she would be the least dressed of the night, and she was fine with that. Her only wish was to enjoy the night and the final ball before she returned home to London.
* * *
Finally, she was ready. Bess had yet again done her magic to wrap in her hair a length of linen fabric in white with a gold print of fleur de lis. Between the material and the golden mask, Lady Louisa scarcely could recognize her own self.
* * *
Both ladies came downstairs and waited for just a moment before they were joined by Lady Hendrickson and Miss Elisabeth.
* * *
Though Lady Hendrickson was technically still in mourning, she had chosen to wear a cream silk dress with green silk embroidery ivy all along the front of it. Lady Louisa’s fingers tingled as she looked at each intricate embroidery stitch she had used to make the gown. Her mask was a compilation of green and blue ribbons folded to look like leaves.
* * *
Behind her, Miss Elisabeth stole the focus of the whole room with her dress. It was made of the most elegant blue and green and purple silks all layered and ruffled on top of each other. Around her lace trimmed neckline was an array of ostrich feathers encircling her like a halo.
* * *
Her mask was all gold, and unlike like the others who couldn’t remove theirs, hers was on a stick for her to hold to her face when desired. She wanted to make certain that the Duke would single her out and know for a surety that it was Miss Elisabeth Hendrickson that would be taking his breath away this night. Along with the gold mask and stick was another plum of ostrich feathers she held in her hand to complete the whole look.
* * *
“Before we leave, let us all have a sherry. I fear my nerves are quite unraveled from the stress of all this preparation for tonight,” Lady Hendrickson announced.
* * *
Mr. Johnson quickly appeared with four small glasses of sherry wine and each was taken in turn.
* * *
“A wonderful idea, Mother,” Elisabeth said. “I am so nervous I have been shaking like a leaf,” she added.
* * *
Lady Hendrickson, who stood between Miss Elisabeth and Lady Louisa, leaned over to her daughter to give her a pat of comfort with her hand. While doing this, she ever so subtly reached out her glass in the opposite direction and tipped it down the front of Lady Louisa’s dress.
* * *
Lady Louisa who hadn’t noticed the movement, jumped and gasped as the cold ran down the front of her soaking her yellow dress with the red liquid.
* * *
“Oh my dear, I am so sorry,” Lady Hendrickson said righting her cup again as if she had not noticed the motion while comforting her daughter. “Please do forgive me. As I said, my nerves are just all over the place. I am beside myself.”
* * *
Immediately Mr. Johnson reappeared with a wet rag.
* * *
“That won't due at all,” Lady Hendrickson said. “Your dress seems to be stained.”
* * *
“We can wait while Louisa changes,” Miss Mary chimed in almost completely sure it was not an accident.
* * *
Her mother had no desire for Lady Louisa to attend this ball and contend with the Hendrickson daughters for eligible bachelors.
* * *
“I am afraid the carriage is already waiting. We can’t be late. The night is far too important. I’m sorry Louisa,” Lady Hendrickson said. “I suppose you can’t go.”
* * *
“We can give her just a few minutes to change, Mother,” Miss Mary insisted.
* * *
“How can you be so selfish,” Miss Elisabeth said to shut down her sister. “This could very well be the most important night of my life, and you wish to ruin it?”
* * *
“Forgive me, your ladyship,” Mr. Johnson said who still held the rag. “Perhaps I could take Lady Louisa in the cart once she is read
y.”
* * *
He turned to Lady Louisa.
* * *
“I know it would not be a fine carriage, but it would do the job of getting you there,” he added humbly.
* * *
Lady Hendrickson opened and closed her mouth a few times having not anticipated her own staff turning against her plan.
* * *
“Do whatever you want,” she said handing over her now empty cups to the butler and waving her daughters to follow her.
* * *
“Hurry and change,” Miss Mary said in a whisper. “I have plenty of dresses in my room to choose from if you didn’t bring any more. You may have your pick of any of them,” she reached forward and gingerly hugged her cousin without their dresses touching.
* * *
Lady Louisa, though still shocked by it all, was at least a little relieved to have Miss Mary there and the butler to fight on her behalf. She couldn’t imagine having gone through all the work the past two weeks to prepare for the ball, given up so many of her trips to the village to help any sick in need, all to not be able to go to the masquerade herself.
Chapter 21
The Duke of Rowland couldn’t have possibly dreaded this night any more than he already did, that was until the guests started to arrive. With every greeting and introduction, he gave standing in the foyer he was growing more and more dissatisfied with the whole silly idea that his uncle had concocted.
* * *
On the contrary, Mr. James Vaughan was very proud of himself as he watched lady after lady enter the house. He was sure tonight his nephew would feel that quick and temporary rush that was love. It would be enough, and Mr. Vaughan could finally rest easy knowing he had done right by his brother and sister-in-law and preserved the dukedom.
* * *
“Lady Hendrickson, Miss Elisabeth Hendrickson, and Miss Mary Hendrickson,” the footman announced as the three ladies walked up to greet their host.
* * *
Rowland was a little surprised to see that their cousin, Lady Louisa, was not accompanying them this night. He rather thought it had much to do with the conversation they had shared last. Strangely he was disappointed by her absence.
* * *
“Good Evening Lady Hendrickson, Miss Hendrickson,
* * *
Miss Mary,” he greeted each one in turn. “Is Lady Louisa not here with you tonight?” He couldn’t help but ask.
* * *
“Unfortunately she was not feeling well enough to come,” Lady Hendrickson replied not at all happy that the first words out of the Duke’s mouth were to inquire over Lady Louisa.
* * *
Rowland had to forcibly stop himself from opening his mouth in shock when Miss Elisabeth stood before him, and he set eyes on her for the first time. He had seen his fair share of overdone women this night, but surely Miss Elisabeth was the most so.
* * *
“You look very lovely tonight, Miss Hendrickson,” he said in as steady of a voice as he could possibly muster.
* * *
He waited till the trio had left his hearing before leaning over to his uncle.
* * *
“Perhaps it was a right thing to pass on Miss Elisabeth,” Mr. Vaughan said before Rowland even got a word out.
* * *
“I swear I thought I was looking at a painting of Queen Elisabeth dressed as a giant bird,” Mr. Vaughan added as his eyes followed the trio of ladies as they entered the rest of the throngs of people.
* * *
Once a man far too close to her turned and got a face full of feathers. It was a struggle for both the Duke and his uncle not to laugh.
* * *
Lady Louisa was feeling rather jolted and still hadn’t quite caught her breath from the rush of everything. After Lady Hendrickson left the house, Lady Louisa immediately ran up the stairs while tears of frustration stung her eyes.
* * *
She was sure that her few months living with her aunt had far surpassed any teasing and taunting she received as a child. For a few moments, she had entertained the idea of just staying home.
* * *
It was after all what Lady Hendrickson intended by her little stunt. It was also what she was expecting. Lady Hendrickson was hoping Lady Louisa to be spineless and stay home. She would not do so this time.
* * *
For once Lady Louisa would not wait for her brother to come to her rescue and stand up for her. She was going to stand on her own two feet for herself.
* * *
Perhaps it was because Colton was so far away and she no longer had the crutch of knowing he would come to her aid. Perhaps it was after all these weeks of going on her own and making use of herself with the ill and injured that she had gained more courage. More than likely, she had just simply been pushed too far by her aunt, finally.
* * *
Lady Louisa no longer cared if her appearance at tonight's ball would upset her aunt. She would not even consider the ramifications it might have for any future relationships between her family and her aunt’s family. She was tired of being used by Lady Hendrickson and then thrown to the side as if she didn’t matter.
* * *
With this deep determination, she rushed to Miss Mary’s room. Bess seeing the commotion was already there and getting another evening gown prepared. It was dark forest green with matching ruffles along all the hems. Under the silk along the neckline and flowing from the sleeves was delicate cream lace.
* * *
“It’s not Miss Mary’s. It’s Miss Elisabeth’s actually. I snuck it out of her room when I saw what Lady Hendrickson did to you. Just horrible. This will look beautiful on you. It will match perfectly with the gold and bring warmth to your skin. Now hurry, and let's get you changed.”
* * *
Lady Louisa didn’t say a single word, only took the lady’s maid hand and squeezed it tight in gratitude. It was an exquisitely made dress, though they both agreed to remove several silk ribbon bows that were found at every hem and cross-section of the dress. Miss Elisabeth did tend to do things on the gaudy side of things.
* * *
With her new dress on, and a cloak to protect her from the night air in a cart, Lady Louisa descended the stairs for the second time. She found the butler seated in the cart already hitched with a horse and ready to go.
* * *
“I fear I will be so late as to make a spectacle of myself,” she said to the butler as they started their way towards Bassen Park.
* * *
“Oh, I dare say you will be a spectacle tonight, your ladyship. I don’t think it will have anything to do with the time, however,” he said giving her a fatherly wink.
* * *
Lady Louisa felt no comfort in his words. She would have rather not made a spectacle of herself in any way. She certainly did look like an entirely different person in Miss Elisabeth ’s dress and her hair done so beautifully by Bess.
* * *
He pulled up to the front of Bassen Park with the door already shut. In the night air nothing but silence seemed to permeate. The glow of the house was the sole light. No longer were guests filtering in.
* * *
She took a deep breath, Mr. Johnson wished her luck, and she gingerly exited the seat next to him on the wooden cart.
* * *
Lady Louisa walked slowly up the stone steps wondering if it was wise to arrive so late. Before she had a chance to change her mind, however, the doors opened to her. At least she took solace in the fact that a butler was still present to welcome the last few straggling guests.
* * *
“Good evening, Ma’am.”
* * *
She nodded politely to his bow and entered the room. With the opening of doors had come a burst of light and the sound of rapid speech from all sorts of people. She found the foyer empty, and the butler motioned with his hand for her to continue forward.
* * *