Sophie rose from her chair and opened her arms so that Betsy could remove her robe. The maid held her dress in position, and Sophie stepped into it, then slipped her arms into the sleeves, the silk whispering over her sensitive skin.
She winced as Betsy grabbed the ties at the back of the gown and yanked on them, wrestling the gown so that it was as tight as possible around Sophie’s torso, displaying her slim waist.
“I need to breathe,” Sophie muttered, and Betsy loosened the ties slightly.
Once the gown was secure, Sophie checked her reflection again. The blue suited her nicely, giving her a faint flush rather than washing her out as many pale colors did, and it complemented the sapphires in her hair.
The waist nipped in right beneath her bosom, and the sleeves were short and puffy. The gown might have been plain if not for the floral detailing near the bottom hem.
Betsy knelt and helped Sophie into a pair of matching blue silk slippers, then passed her a shawl that she doubted she’d need, since it was a pleasantly warm night.
Lady Carlisle rose from the ottoman and extended her arm to Sophie. “Shall we depart?”
Sophie looped her arm through her mother’s, and they strolled together along the corridor, down the stairs, across the foyer, and out the house’s large front entrance. The Earl of Carlisle’s formal carriage awaited, glossy black with the Carlisle crest on the door and dark curtains framing the window.
A footman assisted them into the carriage, and they trundled the short distance to Viscount Blackwell’s townhouse, where Kate was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, wearing a gown in a soft shade of sage green that made her friend look even more beautiful than usual, which wasn’t an easy feat.
They slowed and a moment later, the door opened.
“Are you sure you wish to accompany us?” Sophie called to Kate as her friend used the makeshift stairs to enter. “You wouldn’t rather remain home with Lord Blackwell?”
Kate settled opposite them and stacked her hands on her lap. “I’m looking forward to the ball. Theodore isn’t much for social occasions, and I’ve been waiting for an excuse to wear this gown.”
“It’s lovely,” Sophie said earnestly.
“One of your designs?” Lady Carlisle asked.
Kate ducked her head as if embarrassed by her own accomplishments. “I saw the fabric at Madam Baptiste’s and simply knew I must design a dress for it.”
“The color suits you perfectly.”
That said, it was a rare thing that would not suit Kate. She was that kind of person. It was fortunate she was so sweet, or Sophie might have hated her for it.
They chatted about the events of the day until they reached the Hampstead residence. They joined a line of carriages and waited their turn to disembark.
As the oldest of the three, Lady Carlisle took the lead, with Sophie and Kate walking arm in arm behind her. They entered the foyer and paused outside the ballroom to exchange pleasantries with Lord and Lady Hampstead.
Lady Hampstead was renowned for her love of shrubbery and her view that one could never have enough flowers at a social engagement. Sophie could already tell that she’d stayed true to form tonight. A thick, heady floral perfume permeated the air, and she thanked her good fortune that she’d never been the type to sneeze in gardens.
Once inside the ballroom, they paused to get the lay of the land.
“I see Lady Sylvestor,” Lady Carlisle said, motioning to the dowager baroness. “I’m most eager to hear about herexperience at the new modiste’s shop. I’ll find you again later.”
Sophie and Kate exchanged a scandalized glance as her mother glided toward Lady Sylvestor.
A new modiste?
Who would dare challenge Madam Baptiste’s claim as the premier modiste to theton?
“Oh, look, it’s the Duchess of Arundel,” Kate exclaimed, nodding toward an elegant brunette perhaps ten years their senior. “There’s something I’d like to discuss with her.”
Sophie allowed Kate to lead her to the duchess, who was drinking a glass of lemonade and watching the crowd with a slight curve to her mouth, as if she found something amusing but had no intention of letting anyone else in on the joke.
When they reached her, Sophie and Kate both curtsied deeply, showing the duchess due respect.
“Your Grace,” Kate murmured, tilting her head up and smiling. “You look very nice tonight.”
Lady Arundel gave a light curtsey in return. “Lady Blackwell, Lady Sophie, it’s a pleasure to see you both.”
