“But Marianne I can’t possibly borrow your emeralds.”
“Why not? I shan’t be wearing them. I shall be in blue for the ball. I think the sparkle will draw attention from your face and that self-consciousness.”
Olivia lost herself in thoughts about a forest glade and a strange meeting with a mysterious stranger.
All the greens of the forest. It seems appropriate somehow.
***
The evening of the ball was warm and pleasant, so the terrace doors of Maybury Crescent had been thrown open to allow guests to use the terrace.
Jocelyn and Olivia were staying with Marianne, and Olivia was delighted at seeing her niece's excitement as the decorations went up, and the furniture began to be moved around.
“Marianne, I don’t know how to thank you for what you have done to make this evening so special for Jocelyn. Truly, you are a special friend.”
“You know I enjoy planning events and I love being Jocelyn’s sponsor, though I’m not old enough to think of myself as one of those ‘tabbies of theton,’ a chaperone of advanced years!”
Olivia began to laugh at the very idea.
They were interrupted by Mrs. Jennings, who was on loan from Swanbourne the day.
“Can I check that you both have all you need? And very importantly that you have eaten since breakfast time. I can easily bring you some bread, cheese and cold cuts.”
“I’m fine,” said Marianne “How about you Olivia?”
“I think I will eat about 4 o’clock, before I dress for the evening,” said Olivia.
“I’ll make sure you have a plate of food brought to you,” Marianne said, “Everything seems to be in order for this evening.”
***
The first guests began to arrive around 6 o’clock. Mrs. Jennings put them in the music room until they could be greeted by Jocelyn and family.
Olivia and Marianne waited at the bottom of the staircase with Viscount Leighton and Uncle Harold as Jocelyn descended the staircase.
Olivia’s breath caught in her throat, and Marianne reached out to hold her arm, as they exchanged glances. Jocelyn was a vision of loveliness in her white gown with a silvery, floaty, sheer overskirt. Her Mama’s diamonds sparkled in her hair, and a large pearl drop diamond, simple enough for a young lady to wear, nestled around her neck.
In the way things in life are often unexpected, Uncle Harold, Lord Sherwyn, rose to the occasion like a truly genteel aristocrat. He’d greeted Olivia with a kiss on her cheek and complimented her on her gown.
“You look very elegant, my dear,” he told her. “I believe my brother, your father, would have been very proud of you.” He rather spoiled it by adding, “I’m sure you will manage to find a husband if you try hard enough.”
However, as it was Jocelyn’s special evening, Olivia merely curtseyed and thanked him for his compliments.
It happened again as Jocelyn reached the bottom of the stairs. Uncle Harold stepped forward and offered her his arm.
“My dear great niece,” he said with formality. “You look a vision of beauty. Let us go and greet your guests.” And they set off to walk to the place where they would greet those attending the ball.
“What have you done to him Marianne?” asked Olivia in a whisper. “Are you an enchantress with a book of spells? He is almost likable this evening.”
“Hush Olivia,” said her friend, “just be thankful he isn’t being a miser this evening.”
As the orchestra played for the procession to the dance floor, Olivia felt the happiest she had felt since the night of the fire. It brought a tear to her eye to see Uncle Harold leading the procession out to the dance floor with Jocelyn. She followed on the arm of Lord Leighton, as Marianne had stepped back to allow the Sherwyn’s their moment in the spotlight, at this ball for Jocelyn.
There was a slight break in tradition as Uncle Harold refused to dance the quadrille (which he called a new-fangled dance) and insisted the first dance was a traditional reel. Olivia stared open mouthed as he guided Jocelyn through the steps.
After the first dance, the floor filled with their guests and Olivia, Jocelyn, Charles and Harold re-joined their hostess Marianne, who had lemonade and madeira wine ready for them in a quiet corner of the room.
Charles beckoned Lord Ludlow and Lord Hatfield over to join them, introducing them to Uncle Harold.
