Colin gazed at him, eyes narrowing in thought. “I can’t see you and Lady Cressida together. I know Aunt Elizabeth hopes you will make a match, but I just can’t see it.”
He stopped to throw a stone into the water and watched it skim across in a rise and fall motion.
“Of course, it’s obvious. I just didn’t see it, I’ve been so focused on Jocelyn to see another romance developing in front of my eyes.”
“I wouldn’t put it quite like that Colin. Merely that I’m interested in seeing more of the lady and working out the feelings I experience when I’m close to her.”
“I knew it,” laughed Colin “You’re smitten as well!”
“I most certainly am not!” denied Marcus. The trouble was, he was unsure if he believed his own words. “Now I believe we have time for that swim.”
“I thought after finding Carstairs...” said Colin.
“The opposite in fact. I suggest we go for a swim and make the most of the day. Well after I call on the Duchess of Cattersby to offer my condolences, and reassure her I believe he died a painless death. It’s the least I can do.”
“I’ll join you in that visit, Marcus. You’re not doing that alone.”
“I’d rather neither of us needed to pay that visit, but I admit that I’ll be glad of the support.”
He stared off into the distance. A pall of sadness had fallen on the day. The life of the Duchess of Cattersby would never be the same again. Such a sad waste of a young man’s life.
Chapter 11
In the days leading up to Jocelyn’s coming-out ball, excitement began to build, both at Swanbourne, and Maybury Crescent, the London townhouse of Lord and Lady Leighton. Although Jocelyn’s ball would take place at Maybury Crescent, Uncle Harold had proven unusually generous in allowing his household to flow between establishments.
“Uncle has a soft spot for you, Marianne,” said Olivia. “Don’t you think so Jocelyn?”
“Well, he always agrees to anything you suggest. There’s been no difficulties with any of the gowns or bonnets you recommended, yet whenever Olivia asks for gowns for me, he is always very reluctant.”
“Well, if you say so,” Marianne said, ticking something else off her list. “Mr. Parker is delighted to have the support of your very experienced household staff.” She twirled around the room. “We’re going to make this ball a society event of the season.”
“And Uncle Harold told me he is considering attending my ball, and he hardly ever attends social events. In fact, I don’t ever remember him attending a recital, let alone a ball, before.
“Now, Jocelyn, I need to go through some of the final arrangements with you,” said Marianne. “I haven’t put in asit-down dinner as there are too many guests to do that comfortably, so there will be refreshments all evening, and a hot buffet as we approach midnight.”
Marianne continued, almost without pause. “The orchestra is booked, the household and outdoor staff are organized. It’s my first ball at the townhouse since I married Charles last summer, but his mother has hosted many balls and the staff are very experienced at what is needed,” finished Marianne, having completed summarizing all the arrangements.
Olivia and Jocelyn could only stand there, bemused and in awe, as Marianne then moved on to the next thing on her list.
“So, my dears, we can discuss themes and decorations now, which are the nice parts of planning a ball. Do you both know what you are wearing?” she asked. “That might help with deciding on a color theme for the decorations. Jocelyn, have you decided which dress? I know you couldn’t make up your mind.”
Jocelyn looked a little quiet for a second or two before announcing her choice. “I think Mama would want me to look traditional and wear white for my first ball. So, I think that simple white muslin gown which Madame made for me.
The only thing I’ve asked Madame to do, which is individual, is to add a diaphanous overskirt, embroidered with silver thread, which will be open at the front. I shall wear Mama’s sparkling diamonds in my hair, rather than plain ribbons, so in a way, shewill sort of be there with me. I’ll have something of Mama’s to wear that day.”
“I remember Aunt Mary’s diamonds,” said Olivia. “I think you will look beautiful in white with a silver threaded overskirt.”
“Good, that’s settled, and we can have silver themed decorations in the ball and support rooms. It’s your ball Jocelyn, so I want it to be based around what you wear,” pronounced Marianne.
“Could we have starlight as the theme? Papa used to tell me the names of the stars,” asked Jocelyn.
“Astronomy was certainly one of Frederick’s interests,” agreed Olivia. “It is why you are called Jocelyn Andromeda Mary Sherwyn. He wanted you to have a name linked to the stars.”
“Well then, we shall have a silver stars theme for your coming out ball. That’s settled,” said Marianne. “Now Olivia, what have you chosen to wear?”
“My honest answer, Marianne, is that I don’t know. I think either my new coral colored silk or my green muslin dress with diaphanous sleeves and bodice. I can’t decide.”
“I am going to suggest the green, because you can borrow my emeralds to go in your hair and the pendant will look lovely with that dress,” proposed Marianne.
