PoetsandPromises by Lucy Muir

to Elisabeth.
    “Percy and I are settling in Marlow, Miss Ashwood. It is
very near London. You must come and visit us. My husband likes solitude but I
am fond of company and would be very pleased to have yours.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Shelley, I shall be most happy to call upon
you in Marlow,” Elisabeth promised, pleased to know her company was desired by
such a beautiful and charming woman. The invitation eased much of the hurt
Elisabeth had felt after noting Lord Sherbourne’s and Mr. Earlywine’s
admiration of Evonne Thibeau but could not remove it entirely.

Chapter Five
     
    Peering around one of the profusion of potted palms that had
been placed about the ballroom, Elisabeth observed the company that was gathered
for Miss Earlywine’s come-out ball. Guests milled about the room, some standing
and exchanging greetings, others settling into the chairs that had been placed
around the perimeter of the room. The elaborately trimmed ball gowns most of
the women wore looked quite fine en masse , although Elisabeth still
preferred the simpler styles for herself. It appeared that Miss Earlywine’s
come-out ball was set to be a success, Elisabeth decided, although she supposed
she was not the best judge given that this was the first London ball she had
attended. She turned to Lady Parker, who was seated beside her.
    “I think Miss Earlywine looks very fine,” she commented,
thinking how comely the pretty, slightly plump young woman had appeared in her
white ball gown trimmed in blue fabric ruching. A matching blue fabric sash
tied at the front of the high waist and Miss Earlywine’s merry blue eyes and
light brown hair reminded Elisabeth strongly of her brother James.
    “Yes, she looks charmingly,” Lady Parker agreed. “And there
is quite a crush for a ball held so early in the Season. Lady Earlywine will be
pleased.”
    “Miss Earlywine is not the only one who is charming. I am
convinced I am sitting with two of the most exquisitely dressed ladies at the
ball,” Sherbourne said gallantly from his place to the other side of his
sister. Lady Parker was looking exceptionally fine in a simple lavender silk
gown, a matching bandeau around her fair hair and a necklace of beautifully cut
amethysts encircling her graceful neck.
    “The country dances will begin before long,” Sherbourne
added to Elisabeth. “I hope you will do me the honor of partnering me for the
first set, Miss Ashwood?”
    “Thank you, Lord Sherbourne,” Elisabeth agreed, pleased. She
knew she was looking her best in her new ball gown of white muslin, accented
with a fine white lace stole, her soft brown hair arranged in curls at the side
of her face. White was the one color a person with plain medium-brown hair
could wear to advantage, Elisabeth thought, so it was fortunate that convention
demanded young women making their debut confine themselves to that color for
ball gowns. Lady Parker had also insisted on lending Elisabeth a simple but
beautiful necklace of pearls and Elisabeth felt that she had never appeared to
better advantage.
    When Sherbourne led Elisabeth out to join the set on the
dance floor a few minutes later, taking their places about a fourth of the way
down the line, Elisabeth felt she had never been happier. She was enjoying the
evening far more than she had thought she would and did not feel in the least
out of place. Her pique at Lord Sherbourne’s admiration of the artist Evonne
Thibeau had vanished, leaving her slightly ashamed of her jealousy. The set
began and Elisabeth flashed a happy smile at Lord Sherbourne as the first
couple marched down the center of the line, followed by the couples in their
turn.
    Lord Sherbourne restored Elisabeth to Lady Parker’s side
after the long set ended but Elisabeth had no time to rest before she was asked
to stand up with a Mr. Bayfield, whom Lady Ellsworth presented to Lady Parker
as a suitable partner for her protégé. Mr. Earlywine claimed Elisabeth’s hand
for the third