It hurt that she would do so, but Max said it was understandable and natural and that I should not take it personally. ‘Lucy is about to embark on a new adventure as a married woman,’ he said sensibly. ‘Remember, Fliss, the contract we signed guaranteed that for her. And she is embracing the opportunity to the fullest now that there is no threat of her reputation being ruined. You have to let her live her life.’
So I had tried to understand and did not press her. But observing her around Freddie since she’d been here, I saw that her face brightened whenever he climbed on her lap for a cuddle or called her Lu Lu and that her eyes followed him as he toddled around the room. I realised that her feelings for him were still as strong as ever and staying away was ‘protection’, not ‘forgetting’.
I was standing on a low stool, wearing my ball gown, and Annie was kneeling with a mouth full of pins, hemming it,when there was a knock at the door.
‘Yes?’ I called. ‘I’m a bit busy.’
Harriet poked her head in. ‘It’s only me.’
‘Oh, come in. I won’t be long.’
‘What a lovely dress,’ said Harriet admiringly, sitting on the bed.
Made of purple brocaded silk, the gown had cap sleeves, was fitted around the bust, and graced the hips, with two panels of silk falling from a gathering in the back to give it a medieval look.
‘You’re so lucky to have regained your figure.’ Harriet pinched the flesh on her waist. ‘I’m still carrying baby fat from Evie no matter how many long walks I go on.’
I wobbled a little, remembering that I had not had to lose any baby fat. Annie placed a cool hand on my ankle, and I breathed again.
‘Max and I ride frequently,’ I said smoothly. ‘And I’m trying not to indulge in too much cake.’
Harriet laughed. ‘Good for you!’ She picked up my matching purple mask, which was lying on the bed, and held it up to her eyes experimentally. The ribbons trailed down either side of her face.
‘I don’t have a mask, I’m afraid. Unless I make one out of paper and tie it on with string ...’
‘It is a folly,’ I said. ‘I doubt many people will wear masks.’
‘You are ... and Max, as well as Evan, Lucy, Harry, Aunt, and Papa. So everyone we know is.’
‘Oh. Well, we may be able to fashion something.’
‘Forgive me for interrupting, but I have some leftover fabric from your gown, Mrs Fitzroy,’ said Annie from the floor. ‘I could make a mask for Mrs Pringle, though it will not be anything fancy.’
Harriet clapped her hands. ‘Oh, thank you! What fun!’
I made a mental note to pay my seamstress extra for the service.
When Annie had left to visit Lucinda in her room to make some final tweaks to her wedding dress, I slipped out of my gown quickly with my back to Harriet in case she noticed something was off—like perhaps that my breasts did not droop from feeding.
‘Oh, by the way, Rosalind and her fiancé will be attending the ball,’ said Harriet casually, lounging back on my bed, propped on her elbows. She dangled a slippered foot off the edge.
‘Pardon?’ I said. ‘You don’t mean Rosalind Whiteley?’
‘Yes, Evan’s cousin. You remember her, don’t you?’
How could I forget?
‘I do,’ I said flatly. ‘She flirted with Max at the Ashbury ball. She told me touse the foul shack outside when there was a perfectly good privy inside, and she tried to stop Evan from marrying you. So yes, I remember her very well indeed.’
Harriet flushed. ‘Er, yes ... Well, she was younger then and a bit silly, but she has matured since. And she is newly engaged!’
‘Gosh,’ I said snidely. ‘And inviting herself to my ball, how honoured we are.’
‘You did say we could invite anyone we wished, Fliss. And she’s visiting friends in the area with her fiancé, so I thought she might like to come and bring him as well,’ Harriet said defensively.
I pursed my lips, not really wanting Rosalind to attend the ball. But Harriet had already invited her, and shewasEvan’s cousin.
I threw my hands in the air. ‘Very well, more the merrier!’
