The trio made their way back toward the ballroom entrance.
Lady Victoria saw her first, and a smile lit up her pretty face while her mother greeted them. “Good evening, Lord and Lady Fletcher, Miss Parker.”
Mia and Audrey curtseyed, and Fletcher bowed. “Good evening, Lady Wright, Lady Victoria,” Fletcher said.
“Your dress is quite beautiful, Miss Parker,” Lady Victoria said.
“Thank you. Yours is stunning as well and looks lovely on you.”
Everyone moved farther into the ballroom to avoid blocking the entrance.
“Have you ever seen anything so grand?” Mia asked Lady Victoria.
She shook her head. “No, the Gardners have outdone themselves this evening.”
Before they had a chance to talk further, Lord Chandler made his way to their group. “Lady Wright, Lady Victoria, Fletcher, Lady Fletcher, Miss Parker. I’m pleased you could attend my sister’s coming-out ball.”
“Thank you, Chandler. It’s quite the crush,” Fletcher said.
He nodded. “M y parents don’t entertain often, so when they do, everyone wants an invitation.”
“I’m glad to see Lady Gardner looking so well,” Lady Wright said.
“Yes, I agree. I do know that your visits brightened her spirits greatly when she wasn’t feeling well.”
“It was my pleasure to visit one of my oldest friends,” Lady Wright said.
“I just met your sister, my lord. She’s quite lovely,” Mia said.
“That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you, Miss Parker. I would be honored to sign your dance card, now that you’re here.”
Mia held out her dance card attached to her wrist, and he signed his name next to the supper dance.
Chandler turned to Lady Victoria. “May I have the pleasure of a dance, my lady?”
She smiled. “Of course. I’d be delighted.”
“I look forward to seeing you both later for our dances. Good evening,” he said before moving on to talk with other guests.
“He’s quite charming,” Audrey said.
“Yes, he is,” Mia said, watching him walk away.
However, her attention wasn’t riveted on Lord Chandler but on the man he’d stopped to talk to—his friend, Lord Easton.
Lord Easton looked especially handsome tonight in his evening wear, she thought as she watched the two friends talk.
Mia leaned toward her sister. “May I take a turn around the room with Lady Victoria?”
Audrey looked at Lady Wright, who nodded. “Of course, but do not leave the ballroom.”
Mia linked arms with Lady Victoria, and the two young women walked along the perimeter of the ballroom.
“I’m so excited. I’ve never seen such a spectacle,” Mia said.
“I agree. The Gardners have spared no expense for Lady Arabella’s coming-out ball.”
“They’ve just entered the ballroom. Shall we go see how she’s faring?”