“It’s my pleasure, my dear. You should have something that’s uniquely yours. I thought the stone matched your eyes perfectly.”
“It’s perfect,” Mia said, hugging him.
She turned to her sister. “Audrey, will you help me put it on?”
Her sister took the delicate necklace and fastened it around Mia’s neck. The stone lay perfectly in the hollow of her throat. “There you go. You look stunning.”
“Now, if my ladies are ready, shall we head out?” Fletcher asked.
Mia led the way as they walked out to the foyer, where Beckwith handed Fletcher his hat and cane and the ladies their shawls before opening the front door. “Enjoy the ball,” he said.
“Thank you, Beckwith,” Mia said.
Fletcher handed the women up into the carriage before climbing in and sitting next to Audrey.
“Dearest, I must remind you—” she began
Mia sighed. “Oh, I know what you’re going to say. Don’t be overly loud, don’t wander off, and under no circumstances be alone with a gentleman.”
“Mia, these rules are for your benefit,” Fletcher said. “We want you to enjoy yourself without causing a scandal. Otherwise, we’d be planning a quick wedding.”
“I understand. No one wants that, especially me. I promise I won’t leave the ballroom.”
“Good,” Fletcher said with a nod.
It didn’t take long to reach their destination, but the area around the Gardner townhouse was packed with carriages unloading their guests. It took another ten minutes before their carriage reached the front door.
A footman opened the carriage door, and Fletcher jumped down before helping the ladies descend the two steps.
They walked up the steps and into the foyer, leaving their outerwear with another footman before making their way to the line to greet their hosts.
“Good evening, Lord and Lady Gardner,” Fletcher said with a bow. “May I make known to you my wife, Lady Fletcher, and my sister-in-law, Miss Parker?”
Both Audrey and Mia curtseyed. “Good evening,” they said.
“Good evening, Fletcher, Lady Fletcher, Miss Parker. May I present my wife, Lady Gardner, and daughter, Lady Arabella?” Lord Gardner said.
“A pleasure to meet you both,” Fletcher said.
“Lady Arabella, perhaps we’ll have a moment later to chat this evening,” Mia said. “That is, if you’d like that?”
The young woman visibly relaxed. “Miss Parker, I would like that very much,” she said. “This is my first ball, and I have a touch of nerves.”
The two young women shared a smile. “I understand. I’ll see you later,” Mia said.
After greeting their hosts, they moved into the ballroom. Mia was star-struck as she looked around the grand room. Massive twin chandeliers hung from the ceiling, each aglow with dozens of candles. There were also lighted sconces along the wall, illuminating the room. Vases of flowers were placed on every surface, and their sweet scent wafted through the air. Against one wall were chairs for matrons and wallflowers, and the orchestra was positioned at the far end. It was a spectacular room.
“It’s so grand,” Mia exclaimed. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”
Scores of people were already crowding the room—gentlemen in their evening kits and women in a wide range of silk dresses, from the purest white to the most gorgeous jewel tones.
Mia didn’t know where to look first as they moved farther into the room, but then she saw Lady Wright and Lady Victoria at the doorway. She turned to her sister. “May I go see Lady Victoria?”
“Where is she, dearest?” Audrey asked.
“They’ve just entered the ballroom.”
“Of course, we’ll all go,” Audrey said.