“Easton, I’m glad to see you this evening. I wasn’t sure you would attend.”
“Mother, you’re looking well,” he said, kissing her cheek.
“Miss Parker, you look lovely this evening,” Lady Devon said.
Mia curtseyed. “Thank you, Lady Devon.”
“Easton, may I steal you away for a moment? There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
“Of course. Miss Parker, if you’ll excuse me?” Easton said.
Mia curtseyed. “Lord Easton, Lady Devon.” She watched the handsome lord walk away with his mother. When he’d cometo Dandridge Manor when she was younger, she’d never really paid much attention to him. He was merely the brother of Lady Kathryn. Now that she was older and in London for the Season, she had to admit that Lord Easton was one of the most handsome men she’d ever met. She thought Lord Berkeley was handsome as well, but there was something about Easton that drew her to him.
She wondered who Lady Devon was introducing him to and looked around the drawing room before spotting Lady Victoria.
When this year’s debutantes had been presented to the queen, Mia noticed that the queen’s gaze had lingered on Lady Victoria a lot longer than anyone else before she said, “Lovely, my dear.” It was the first time the queen had spoken to anyone.
Mia had been terrified when it was her turn to be presented to the queen. Would the queen remark on her appearance? Unfortunately, she merely nodded at her. Mia had been disappointed not to receive any comment, but most of the other young women hadn’t gotten a compliment either. What was it about Lady Victoria that had captivated the queen? Granted, Lady Victoria was quite beautiful and had an innate grace about her. Something that Mia knew she was lacking.
The two young women were opposite in coloring—Lady Victoria’s raven-black hair to Mia’s blond, her forest-green eyes to Mia’s cornflower-blue. Lady Victoria was also the epitome of style and grace, while Mia was the exact opposite—impulsive, with an ever-eager laugh she wasn’t afraid to release.
After Mia was presented to the queen, she and her sister moved to the outer room, where Lady Victoria and her mother were also waiting for their carriage.
Mia curtseyed to the young woman. “Lady Victoria, I wanted to compliment you on your dress. It’s quite lovely,” she said.
The young woman turned around. “Thank you. I do apologize; I did not catch your name earlier.”
“Miss Parker,” Mia said. “I’m very pleased to meet you.” She turned to Audrey. “May I present my sister, Lady Fletcher?”
Audrey curtseyed. “Pleased to meet you, Lady Victoria.”
“I’m pleased to meet you both.” Lady Victoria looked at her mother. “Lady Wright, may I present Lady Fletcher and her sister, Miss Parker?”
Both Parker sisters curtseyed. “Lady Wright, pleased to meet you,” Audrey said.
Lady Wright smiled. “Lovely to meet you both.”
“Miss Parker. I do hope we can be friends,” Lady Victoria said. “Being out in Society can be terrifying without a friend to confide in.”
“I would love that as well.”
Lady Victoria turned to her mother. “Mama, can you send a note to Lady Fletcher about our next engagement? I would be most pleased if we could meet them there.”
“Of course. I would be happy to.” Lady Wright turned to Audrey. “I know my daughter has been quite anxious about the Season.”
Audrey nodded. “My sister has voiced the same concerns.”
“I hope to see you soon, Miss Parker,” Lady Victoria said.
“As do I,” Mia agreed.
“Come, my dear, I see our carriage is pulling up,” Lady Wright said. “Good day, Lady Fletcher, Miss Parker.”
There was no chance for any further conversation. The Wright family carriage pulled up to the door, the ladies departed, and the footman handed up mother and daughter into the carriage.
That had been a week ago, and Audrey had received a note from Lady Victoria that they would be attending the Cartersoiree this evening. When Mia first arrived, she hadn’t seen Lady Victoria or Lady Wright, but they arrived moments later.
When they walked into the room, Lady Victoria saw Mia first and hurried over to her. “Miss Parker, I’m so very pleased to see you.”