“We are just about done, miss,” the seamstress said, taking her measuring tape and draping it around her neck. "We just need to choose our outer fabric, and we will be able to get started on assembling the gown, as well as a matching mask.”
Victoria nodded. “Excellent. I am excited to see what it looks like when it is done.”
“I can assure you, miss, it will be one of the finest gowns I have ever created,” the seamstress said with a proud smile. “You will be dazzling at the ball.”
Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, Victoria felt a swelling of eagerness build within her.
She felt like she was standing on the precipice of something. Something great. A life that she had thought she would never have again.
A life filled with love. A life with Edward.
***
Emily
She sat in the drawing room, working on her needlework…or, at least, pretending to. In truth, she was eagerly awaiting Victoria’s return. Emily did not know what mysterious errand her friend had gone out on, but she had a strong feeling that it had to do with Edward.
The day Edward had returned from the country, he, Victoria, and Lily had come back from the park altogether. Edward and Victoria had been all smiles and barely restrained excitement, but they would not say why or what had happened. No matter how insistent Emily had been that they told her, they had refused. Edward had said that they would reveal on in time, but there were certain arrangements that needed to be made first.
Emily had a sneaking suspicion that she knew what their secret might be. They gave it away when they looked at each other. Neither attempted to hide the love they held for each other anymore.
Emily had thought that they were falling for each other for some time, but to see them displaying their feelings so blatantly meant that something had changed between them. Something that made them both believe they no longer had to hide not only from everyone around them but from each other as well.
She was convinced they were engaged. She wanted to push Victoria to confess it to her, but Emily held herself back. It was their secret to share, after all, and even though Emily was brimming with impatience, she was doing her best to respect that.
When she heard the front door open, though, she perked up like a hound catching a scent. Soon, the familiar clip of heels walking down the hall reached her ears, and she quickly pretended to be absorbed in her needlework so that when Victoria walked into the room, it did not appear as though Emily had been waiting for her.
When Victoria came into the drawing room, Emily looked up and gave her a bright smile.
“Oh! Victoria, are you back already?” she asked. “I did not hear you come in. How was your outing?”
Nodding, Victoria replied, “It was very good. Very productive. Emily, there is something I would like to speak with you about. Do you have a moment?”
“Of course,” Emily nodded, putting her needlework aside and patting the seat next on the settee next to her. “What is it?”
Victoria settled next to her before taking a deep breath and saying, “I am afraid I have something to tell you, and I hope you are not too terribly disappointed.”
Emily felt a shot of worry. Had she been wrong? What if things had not gone well during Victoria and Edward’s conversation in the park?
“Oh dear,” Emily murmured. “What has happened? Are you all right?”
“Yes, I am,” Victoria assured her. “More than all right, actually. However, I cannot tell you quite yet everything that has developed. I am afraid, though, that…that I will no longer be able to accompany you to the Caribbean.”
Emily’s eyes widened, and she was momentarily shocked, but then she realized there was only one reason Victoria would turn her down after how excited she had been to go to the Caribbean.
It has to be that Edward has made a promise to her. Likely a proposal.
“I am so sorry, Emily,” Victoria continued. “I am so grateful that you wanted me to go along with you, and I would happily go, but...circumstances have changed. I am afraid I cannot tell you exactly what those circumstances are at this moment, but I promise you that I will tell you as soon as I can.”
Slowly, Emily smiled and held Victoria’s gaze. She was convinced that Edward and Victoria were indeed engaged, but clearly, they did not wish to say so yet. Emily did not know why they were keeping it a secret, but she wanted to respect their privacy…as difficult as it was to do so.
Reaching out, she took Victoria’s hand in hers and squeezed it, giving her a knowing smile.
“You need not be sorry,” Emily assured her. “If you have found something worth staying here for, I am happy for you. Happier than you could possibly know.”
Victoria appeared caught off guard a moment, but then her cheeks turned pink, and her lips curled up into a shy grin.
“Me too,” she murmured. “Happier than I have ever been.”
