“Dearest, we must be frugal,” Audrey had said when they visited the modiste a few weeks before the Season began.
“But there are so many beautiful colors to choose from. How can I choose only a few?”
“I understand how tempting all this is, but we must not take undue advantage of Fletcher’s generosity. He doesn’t like to say no to you, but I will say it for him. The renovation costs have added up to more than he expected. We’ve put the renovations at Dandridge on hold for a bit, but let’s not be reckless with his funds.”
“Of course, you’re right. Forgive me. I would never want to take advantage of his generosity. He’s done so much for us already.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. The colors are beautiful, but let’s limit our selections to three ball gowns to start with.”
“Thank you for that. It’s most generous.”
“Let’s go pick some patterns, shall we?”
Mia nodded. “Yes. That would be delightful.”
She was well aware that her sister didn’t like to be away from her nine-month-old son, William, for too long and madesure not to linger overlong picking a pattern she liked for her ballgowns.
She’d been thrilled when they returned to London in March after spending most of the winter at Dandridge Manor. Their country home was nice but boring, in her opinion, although learning to ride had been the highlight. She wanted to have fun, and London was the place for that, not a manor house near Reading.
“Do you think we’ll be invited to any balls? Do we even know anyone?”
“As a matter of fact, we’ve received our first invitation—to the Thompson ball.”
“We have? How thrilling! Will one of my gowns be ready in time?”
“We’ll tell the modiste. There’s plenty of time—the ball is in three weeks.”
She’d been beyond thrilled to hear they’d been invited to her first ball, and true to her word, the modiste had finished her first gown in time.
Her musing was interrupted when she noticed Lady Devon walking toward her with two gentlemen in tow. Lady Devon was an excellent judge of character, and Mia knew anyone she brought for an introduction would be of the best character.
“Good evening, Lord Fletcher. May I introduce to you Lord Webb and Mr. Cook?” Lady Devon said.
Fletcher inclined his head. “Good evening to you both. Gentlemen, this is Lady Fletcher and Miss Parker.”
“Good evening,” both gentlemen said to the ladies, bowing.
“Good evening,” Lady Fletcher said with a curtsey.
Mia followed suit with her own greeting and curtsey.
“Miss Parker, may I have the honor of a dance?” Lord Webb asked.
“Of course, my lord,” Mia said, holding out her dance card.
He scribbled his name down for the first waltz of the night.
“May I?” Mr. Cook asked.
“Mia nodded, and Mr. Cook wrote his name in the only space left. “I look forward to our dance, Miss Parker.”
“As do I, Mr. Cook,” she said.
Both gentlemen bowed and left to find their next dance partner as the musicians began to play.
“See, my dear, I told you your dance card would be filled this evening,” Lady Devon said.
Before Mia had a chance to respond, her partner for the next dance appeared. “I believe this is our dance, Miss Parker,” Mr. Thompson said.