The Unaccomplished Lady Eleanor by Wendy Burdess

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      ‘ Don’t you know, miss, that Lady Ormiston ’s garden party is one of the most top-lofty events of the Season?   All them grand lords and ladies coming and you not giving so much as a by-you r-leave about what to wear.  I ain’t never heard the likes of it. ’
      In the end, amidst much protesting from Elean or, Milly had insisted on taking one of her old summer dresses so she could ‘ do it up a bit ’ .  So strongly had the girl felt about the matter, that Eleanor had not dared resist. 
     
    The morning of the garden party dawned clear and bright, resulting in a collective sigh o f relief from all those in the c astle.
      As Milly dressed Eleanor’s hair she was practically dancing with excitement.  ‘ Ooh , miss , what a rare treat me being able to see it all.  We don’t get to see nothing stuck down in them kitchens. ’   With the l ast curl in place, she stepped back to admire her handiwork.  ‘ Now if you ain ’t the prettiest one there , ’ she declared, reaching over to pinch Eleanor’s cheeks , ‘ then my name’s not Milly Maguire. ’
      Eleanor gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She had to admit that she did look quite… well… pretty .  Milly had dressed her hair in the fashionable Grecian style , threading t he soft curls with a green silk ribbon .  Her old round sprig muslin gown had undergone something of a transformation with a new green tiffany sash and green trimming ar ound the puff sleeves.  T he shade accentuated Eleanor’s emerald eyes and c omplimented her peachy skin perfectly.
      ‘ Gosh, Mill y, you’ve done a marvellous job. ’      
      ‘ Well off you go then, miss, ’ beamed Milly , gesturing to the door. 
      ‘ W ell … actually, ’ said Eleanor, rising to her feet . ‘ I thought we might just w atch from the window for a while. I have no wish to stand around making hideous small talk for a moment longer than I have to. ’
      Milly rolled her eyes and shook her head.  ‘ W hat I wouldn’t give to go to such a fine affair and there’s you doing all you can to stay up here with me. ’
      ‘ Oh , believe me, ’ giggled Eleanor , ‘ it is much more fun up here with you, Milly. ’
      The two of them hung out of the bedchamber window, observing the proceedings.  A steady stream of town coaches, barouches, landaus and phaetons made th eir way up to the gates of the c astle where their exquisitely dressed occupants disembarked and made their leisurely way into the grounds .  On the lawns, an array of refreshments had been laid out on long trestle tables, covered with gleaming white cloths.  A swarm of immaculately dressed, overheated waiters flitted about the rapidly increasing throng with trays of c hampagne.
      T he first person Eleanor recogniz ed as she surveyed the crowd was Derek Lovell, chatting animatedly to a pair of serious- looking gentle men.  Thankfully, she had seen little of the odious creature since the incident in the mu sic-room .  James was standing a little way f rom Lovell, dressed impeccably , as usual, in biscuit- coloured pantaloons, white shirt and stockings, gleaming Hessians a nd an exquisitely tailored dark- blue jacket.  He was surrounded by a giggling group of debutantes , who were all obviously hanging , doe-eyed, on to his every word.
      ‘ Heavens ! ’ exclaimed Eleanor .  ‘ If you ever see me acting like that in front of a man, Milly, you have my permission to shoot me. What on earth is it about him that seems to turn wome n into complete idiots ? ’
      ‘ Oh, miss, ’ whisper ed a blushing Milly.   ‘ He’s awful handsome and very charming, don’t you think? ’
      Eleanor flashed her a disbelieving look .  ‘ Indeed I do not .  H e is the most rude, arrogant, conceited, pompous man I have ever had the displeasure to meet. ’
      Milly giggled.  ‘ Well , that’s the first time I’ve heard that said about him.  Oh, look , t here’s them Carmichaels arriving .