“But why do you have to wear drab hideous colors and style your hair pulled back so tight you appear to be constantly squinting?”
No one was listening to them, as they were talking in hushed voices. But still, it was not the place for a discussion like this.
“How I dress is of no concern. This is my last foray into society. I may wear a sack next if I wish it, and no will see.”
“I will see.”
Ivy looked at the pastry she’d put on her plate beside the eggs. She would eat that last, as it would be delicious. She always saved the best food for last.
“You’re not going to add anything further, are you?”
“No. Now eat your food, Thea. You’ll need your strength to flirt and giggle.”
“Very amusing. And I am exceptional at giggling already. Flirting, I have yet to master, but I will.”
Ivy snorted out a laugh.
“I cannot believe that Lady Osborne wanted both of us here. Mother said the invitations were addressed to us individually.”
“I’m still not sure why I was invited, Thea. I don’t believe I have ever spoken two words to Lady Osborne.”
“Perhaps she saw how desperately in need of style guidance you are and brought you here to stage an intervention?”
“You are an evil little baggage.”
“Thank you.” Thea smiled widely.
“It is likely because it would have been rude not to invite me. She must remember me from my time in society and not want to insult your parents.”
“Very likely,” Thea said.
Looking down at the eggs, she thought she should have tried a great deal harder to refuse attending this house party. Surely she’d only been invited out of pity. The thought made her stomach clench. Ivy hated pity; she’d had so much of it since her parents died.
“Stop bouncing in your seat,” Ivy whispered. “Remember, you are everything that is proper and correct. Bouncing does not play a part in that.”
“You are not this staid at home.”
“We are not at home, and I am here to help you transition into society, so you should listen to me.”
“You loathe society.”
“But know a great deal about it, as I have mostly spent my time in it observing from the sidelines,” Ivy added.
“Good morning, Lady Dorothea, Miss Birdwhistle.”
“Good morning, Miss Wainwright,” Thea said.
Ivy nodded. The beautiful blond-haired young woman now seated beside Thea was not someone who would usually converse with her. However, as Thea was seated beside her, it seemed she was now acceptable.
“Is Nightingale Hall not a wonderful place?” Miss Wainwright said.
“Wonderful,” Thea said.
Ivy ate sparrowlike bites, as she had no wish to finish too soon and have nothing to do with her hands.
“It is my first season also,” Miss Wainwright said. “I have hopes of securing a match.”
Ivy looked down the table, but no one was listening. Surely it was not the done thing to discuss something like this at the breakfast table.
