Lydia smiled at her betrothed. “There was never anyone else, my dear. You look quite handsome yourself.”
“Are you ready for tonight?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.”
Lord Surry handed out the glasses. “Come now, my dear. We’ll all be standing with you. I’m so very proud to be able to welcome you to the family.”
“Thank you, Grandfather. You cannot imagine how very pleased I am to be part of your family.”
“I must admit, I’ve received so many acceptances for our ball that it will be a crush if everyone attends,” Lady Surry said.
Lydia inhaled. “Oh, dear. That makes it even more scary.”
George squeezed her hand. “Not to worry, darling. We’ll be right there with you.”
“Absolutely,” Lord Surry said.
A half-hour later, the butler returned to announce dinner.
“My dear girl, may I have the honor of escorting you in to dinner?” Lord Surry said.
“Thank you, Grandfather. That would be lovely,” Lydia said, placing her fingertips on his outstretched arm.
“Lady Surry, Mrs. Kennedy, may I escort you both?” George asked.
Both women linked arms with him, and they walked into the dining room.
Lydia felt so at home with her grandparents. They were wonderful people, and she loved hearing stories about her mother growing up. It was good to learn about her, especially since her father rarely talked about Joanna. It was like she’d never existed. Perhaps that was his way of burying his pain, but Lydia craved any and all information about the mother she never knew.
After dinner, they made their way to the ballroom, Lydia holding tight to George’s arm for moral support. Her grandparents went to the foyer to greet their guests, who’d already started arriving. It didn’t take long for the ballroom to fill up.
Her aunt tapped her arm and whispered, “My darling, I shall sit with the matrons. I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to be standing with you when Lord Surry makes his announcement.”
“Aunt Agnes, youshouldbe standing with me. It’s because of you that I’m here at all.”
Agnes shook her head. “Don’t worry about me. This is your night to shine. I won’t be far if you have need of me.”
Lydia nodded and bussed her aunt’s cheek. “Thank you for everything. I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
“Your aunt is a very special woman,” George whispered after Agnes had walked to the chairs along the side of the ballroom.
“She is indeed.”
As Lydia looked around the ballroom, wondering if Helena had arrived yet, she couldn’t help but cringe when she saw Lady Knight and Miss Darvey enter, especially when she saw Miss Darvey looking around the ballroom. She was sure the young woman was searching for George. “My darling, be on your guard—Miss Darvey and Lady Knight have arrived.”
George looked around and saw them. “Don’t worry about her. Soon, no one’s opinion will matter but yours and mine.”
She wanted to believe that all would be well, but Miss Darvey had been dogged in her pursuit of George and Lydia had no doubt she would try to corner him again this evening. When Richard and Helena finally arrived, she breathed a sigh of relief. It would be good to have her friends near her.
“Good evening, Lady Evans, Lord Evans,” she said with a curtsey when her friends joined them.
“Miss Weston, good evening,” Helena said. “How are you faring?”
“I’m well, thank you, but I’ll be glad when all the announcements have been made.”
“Yes, I agree. I saw Miss Darvey and Lady Knight enter the ballroom ahead of us.”
