“At least you are prompt!”
“Thank you, your Grace,” Eva sank into a curtsy.
“For pity’s sake, girl, call me Grandmother!”
“Really?” Eva felt her cheeks flush with pleasure.
“Really what?” the dowager snapped, taking a seat.
“I may call you Grandmother?”
“I have said so, have I not?”
“Thank you, Grandmother, it will be an honor.” Eva moved to the elder woman’s side and brushed a kiss on her cheek.
The dowager harrumphed and muttered something about it not being the done thing to be so demonstrative, but secretly, Eva felt the old lady was pleased with the attentions and suddenly she was not so afraid. Daniel had given her a grandmother.
“Come, I will show you the ballroom.”
Before she could offer her assistance, the woman had stalked from the room. Eva quickly followed. They walked down stairs, along halls and up more stairs until Eva was thoroughly lost.
“We will have a formal ball. None of this silly theme and mask-wearing carry-on, Granddaughter.”
“Of course.” Eva looked around her. The ballroom in the dowager’s home was huge - surely it could house hundreds of people without them even touching each other. The floors were of beautiful polished wood, and along one side, a row of white doors led to a large balcony.
“My husband and I entertained often when first we wed.”
“And of course you were one of those hostesses everyone speaks of,” Eva said wistfully as she walked slowly down the room.
“Yes, I was a grand hostess - everyone begged for an invitation to any party I hosted.”
Eva sighed as she touched one satin curtain. “I fear I shall fail,” she whispered.
“You most certainly will not fail!” the dowager declared. “We shall ensure that, in fact, you are a great success.”
Eva looked at her new grandmother. Their eyes held, steely determination in one set and uncertainty in the other. Something passed between them in that moment and Eva wondered briefly if this was what having a mother felt like. Someone who looked out for you, took you to task when required, but cared if you succeeded or failed. She saw acceptance in the elderly woman’s gaze.
“In that case, Grandmother, tell me what you wish me to do.”
“I will have my staff clean and polish this room till it sparkles. Plenty of flowers I think. I will also have the menus drawn up, since you will have no idea what is required yet.”
Eva nodded.
“We will take tea now and work on the guest list.”
“Well, I have two friends to put on the list,” Eva said wryly.
“Perhaps I will have your husband look over it.” The dowager snorted.
Eva followed her as she strode around the room, pointing out this and that. Daniel was so like his grandmother. They were both big and blessed with the belief that wherever they walked, others would follow.
“You will need a new gown for the night and I shall leave that in your hands. Just make sure it is not too revealing - I will not tolerate the new Duchess of Stratton looking like a trollop.”
“I shall make sure that is not the case,” Eva vowed solemnly.
“Tea is served, my lady,” a servant then announced.
Eva took the dowager’s arm as they retraced their steps through the huge mansion. After taking her seat, she watched, enchanted, while her grandmother prepared the tea in a long, drawn-out ritual she had obviously undertaken many times.
