A book lay in her lap, waiting to be read. Normally, she would have devoured it, but her mind was tortured by the day’s events.
The dismay of wearing the gray dress.
The excitement of feeling like a woman again in the midnight blue silk.
The disappointment of leaving without it, and the acceptance of her place in this world, especially as Joshua’s sister.
Then, all of the above were followed by a surprisingly insightful conversation with Daniel, and a physical connection that made alarm bells ring in her head and her heart race with total abandon.
The ride home with Victoria and Richard had somewhat brought her back to her senses. She had to remind herself that she had once imagined a connection when she danced with Daniel. It could well be a case of a polite duke and a repressed lady.
Shame washed over her as she thought about it some more.
But before she could further contemplate her shame, a knock sounded at the door. A footman entered, carrying a large package that was wrapped in expensive, cream paper. Her heart flipped when she saw that the silk ribbon tying around it was midnight blue.
“This was delivered by hand for you, My Lady,” the footman announced, handing the package to her before bowing and retreating.
Lucy tore the paper with trembling fingers, eager to see whether her suspicions were correct. True enough, hidden under the tissue was the midnight blue dress she had tried on at Madame Cecile’s shop. She had called it improper, even though it had made her feel alive. A small but heavy card lay on it.
The penmanship evoked a strong personality, one that of restlessness. It was slanted as if it tried to change its own sense of direction. From just a glance, she could tell that it was the penmanship of an explorer.
“The horizon will be better in midnight blue, with depth and singular energy. A beautiful caged bird should be set free instead of being forced to wear a crow’s feathers.—D.”
It was from him.
A blush rose from Lucy’s chest to her cheeks, blooming hot. She was grateful that she was alone in her room with nobody to witness the effect of the gift and the note on her. The gesture felt stronger than his reaction to her at the dressmaker’s shop. It defied what was expected of her and served as a challenge.
Would she wear it against her brother’s wishes? Against general expectations?
Panic replaced her embarrassment and pleasure. What if Joshua had entered her room at that moment? Her brother seemed to be keen on entering whenever he wanted, despite her fierce protests.
She rose to find a hiding place for the dress and the note in her wardrobe. It was a shame to hide it behind drabber clothes, but she didn’t have the agency then. The cage should remain locked for the moment.
A few days later, Lucy and Joshua left the house to attend a ball at Redmoor Hall. The Marsleigh carriage pulled up the long drive.
Lucy could not help but admire the ivy that rose and curled around the red brick. It seemed that the plant had more freedom than she, climbing upwards and sideways.
The estate was admirable on the whole, but she was not surprised at all. She wished that she could have worn the midnight blue dress instead of the pale yellow one she had donned, which would have been fashionable perhaps two or three Seasons ago.
“Remember that we are here to make connections with some of the most influential families in England,” Joshua reminded her. His voice might be smooth and light, but she could hear the warning in it. “Find your way to other high-ranking ladies. Make friends with more than just the Duchess of Hawksford. But do be wary of the men, even those with titles. They tend to get carried away during parties. They might take liberties, what with the lack of supervision.”
Lucy thought that she at least did not lack for supervision. In fact, she was being treated like a toddler.
“I understand,” she replied meekly, even though her mind rebelled.
Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Daniel, whom she suspected was the true object of Joshua’s warning. She could not help but think back to the dress she wished she were wearing.
Soon, she became part of the guests being settled into their activities. The gentlemen were led to the sprawling lawn for a friendly game of archery. Meanwhile, the women were ushered into Elizabeth’s studio.
The Duchess of Redmoor’s studio was every bit as impressive as the rest of the estate. It had high ceilings and large French doors that let in sunlight and breeze, making it just as pleasant as the gardens.
Easels, canvases, brushes in jars, and palettes of watercolors adorned the room.
Lucy could not help but gasp at the displays in the room. There was arteverywhere. Her eyes darted from the paintings hanging on the walls to the large canvases to the smaller sketches.
Any other day, she should have been fine with being in the studio. Yet her eyes strayed to the window, beyond which the men stood in the lawn. They seemed relaxed, their coats either discarded elsewhere or collected by servants. Their eyes were fixed on the target they had to hit.
Daniel stood out in the group, perhaps because her eyes searched for him. She noticed how his muscles bulged against the white linen of his shirt. He stood with effortless command and power.
