‘We will be turning tradition on its head,’ Mantheria assured her. ‘With such stunning hair as yours, it would be a pity for any colour to compete with it.’
She watched Becca and Helen dig through a chest of jewellery that looked like a pirate’s hoard, with many jewels of all colours set in different metals.
‘Garnets?’ Becca asked.
Helen shook her head. ‘No, rubies. Nothing cheap for Louisa’s first party.’
Frederica held out her hand. ‘Give them to me.’
Louisa sat still while Frederica clasped a ruby necklace around her throat. One large ruby was surrounded by small diamonds and two more additional small rubies. It had to be worth at least a thousand pounds! The Stringhams didn’t seem to notice or care for its value. Then Becca placed two ruby earrings in her hand, and with shaking fingers Louisa put them in her ears. Helen added two diamond combs to her red curls.
Chandler helped Louisa put on long, white satin gloves. Becca wrapped the lace shawl that Mrs Barker had given to her around her shoulders. It was the only item of clothing she had that was exquisite enough to go with the clothes the Duchess had bought her.
‘One last touch,’ Mantheria said, adding diamond bangles to Louisa’s wrist.
Frederica smiled at her. ‘You look stunning.’
Louisa glanced down at the bangles on her wrist and fiddled with one. She was not used to compliments and had to bite her lower lip to stop herself from decrying their kind words. How she loved being with them. It felt like belonging to a family.
Helen tugged the shawl into the right place. ‘Beautiful.’
Becca gave her a tight hug around the waist. ‘You’ll dance wonderfully. Just remember everything we said and try to let the man lead. Even if he is dreadful at it like Helen.’
Dancing.
Louisa’s growing confidence deflated like the flying balloon she’d once seen pictured in a book. ‘But I’ve only had a few lessons with you and the dancing master. I can’t possibly dance. I will make a fool of myself.’
‘You can’t waltz until an Almack’s patroness gives you permission, so don’t worry about that,’ Frederica said, hugging her with one arm around her shoulders. ‘And you’ll be fine during the country dances. Simply follow the lead of the person in front of you. No one will notice if you make a mistake on a figure.’
‘We are already unconscionably late,’ Mantheria said, pointing to a clock on the mantel. ‘Come, Louisa, before my sisters overload you with more well-meaning advice that makes you feel quite ill.’
Louisa’s heart beat against the rubies on her breast as she walked down the stairs with Mantheria. Wick was standing waiting at the bottom. She caught her breath. Everything about him seemed polished and sparkling. The brass buttons on his blue coat reflected the lamplight. He wore the tails over knee breeches, which showed his defined calves to admiration. Even his brown hair seemed to glint and shine.
His coffee-coloured eyes stared at her intently. She could have happily lost herself inside them. His lips looked as if he’d just licked them. Blushing, she thought of how muchshewould like to lick his lips.
Wick bowed to them. ‘My ladies, you both look too exquisite for mere words.’
Mantheria rapped his knuckles playfully with her fan and then linked her arm with his. He turned and offered his other elbow to Louisa. She placed her hand on his muscular forearm. She noticed that the dark blue coat fitted him so well that it looked a second skin.
Wick led them out to the carriage. They didn’t speak much on the way to the ball. Louisa’s throat felt too constricted for words. But once the vehicle stopped in front of a grey stone townhouse she found her tongue. ‘What if they refuse me entry because I don’t have an invitation?’
‘I don’t have one either,’ Wick admitted. ‘They will not ask for one at the door.’
‘You are with me,’ Mantheria said with a reassuring smile. ‘And no one says no to a duchess.’
Wick took Louisa’s hand and helped her out of the carriage. ‘Not even our father.’
The young Duchess giggled behind her. ‘Papa may be eccentric, but he isn’t stupid.’
He assisted his sister out next, and escorted them both into Lady Dennard’s home. Mantheria had been right. Lady Dennard didn’t even raise an eyebrow at her extra lady guest, and her smile was all too wide when she saw Wick entering behind them.
‘Lord Cheswick,’ the lady said, fawning. ‘I am deeply honoured that you have chosen to attend my small party. You are a rare guest at such events. This is quite a social coup for your hostess.’
Louisa almost laughed at the look of chagrin on Wick’s face.
But he bowed over the lady’s hand. ‘I wouldn’t have missed your party for the world.’
Lady Dennard tittered with laughter and they walked on. They were among the last guests to arrive, and it seemed to Louisa that an enormous number of aristocrats had been squeezed into several small rooms. Wick nodded to acquaintances as they weaved through the ballroom, which was as hot and crowded as a country fête.