A strange look flashed across his eyes, yet it was quickly replaced by a smile once again. “Absolutely.”
The dance finished with applause from the rest of the guests, and Lily found herself being ushered off the dance floor and toward the table of refreshments.
“If you do not mind, my lady, I would like to have a quick word with Benedict. He is overseeing some of the renovations for our new home. Would you mind?” He waited patiently for a reply.
“Of course, not, my lord. I shall catch my breath before joining you again. I am practically parched after our dance.” She offered him a reassuring smile before turning to the splendidly decorated table and reaching for a glass of champagne as he walked off.
“Oh! Lady Barnard, you have ripped your dress!” Eleanore Everet came forward with her mouth agape as she lifted her hands to her cheeks.
Turning around with a start, Lily attempted to look back, but could not see anything at all. “Where?” She felt a pang of disappointment at having ripped such a fine dress.
Coming forward, Eleanor stepped behind her. “It is here at the back. It must have happened while you were dancing, but do not worry, I shall pin it in place so that nobody will notice.” She began to fidget with the back of the dress while Lily looked around.
Thankfully, nobody else seemed to have noticed as they either danced or chattered away happily.
A loud rip made Lily freeze as she slowly turned to Eleanor.
Looking a little bashful, Eleanor chewed the inside of her cheek. “Oh, dear, I seemed to have made matters worse. I am not sure we can pin it in place now. I did not realize that the fabric was that delicate. I am ever so sorry, Lady Barnard…”
“What happened? I heard a rip.” Arabella came rushing over and gasped when she caught sight of Lily’s dress.
“Is it that bad?” Lily asked as her heart began to race. The day had been so perfect that she had thought nothing could go wrong.
Arabella glanced at Eleanor before forcing a smile. “I am afraid that it is. We will have to take up upstairs and change. Luckily, your mama and aunt brought a similar colored dress just in case.”
“That is a good thing.” Lily turned toward Eleanor. “Thank you for attempting to help me, Miss Everet, but I shall go and change.”
Taking a step back, Eleanor nodded gracefully. “I should have been more careful when trying to help. My apologies again, Lady Barnard.”
Arabella quickly whisked Lily away, taking care to hide the back of her dress as she muttered under her breath. “She really ought to have been more careful.”
Lily led the way up the stairs and into her bedchambers.
“Did you see how big the tear was before Miss Everet came to help you?” Arabella asked in an even tone.
“I am afraid that I did not. It must have happened while we were dancing. Why do you ask?” She walked to the floor-length mirror in the corner of the chambers and gasped when she saw the size of the tear.
A torn wedding dress is a bad omen.
She quickly pushed the thought aside and turned to her friend.
“No matter, I shall quickly go and fetch the extra dress. I know exactly where it is. I do think that Miss Everet should have been more careful, but I guess there is no sense in pressing the matter now.” Arabella slipped from the room, leaving Lily to her thoughts.
Pressing the matter?
The statement seemed off to Lily as she watched her friend hurry from her chambers. It was not as if Eleanor had done it on purpose. She did not know the young woman very well, but it did not seem as if she would be so blatantly cruel.
Looking around the chambers that were no longer hers, she quickly spotted her valise that had been neatly placed in the corner.
Making her way over, she opened the clasps and reached for the stack of letters at the top. There were a few letters of congratulations, yet the writing on one note made her heart stop. Her fingers trembled violently as he unfolded the parchment.
Dearest Lily,
I have arrived safely in Liverpool and will be arriving in London within a few days. Please find it in your heart to meet with me. There is much that we must discuss.
Your forever,
Oliver King.