Not quite sure what they had in common beyond coming out in the same season, Dory nodded her acquiescence. At least her greeting by Lady Rose was warm and sincere.
“Rose. Do remember your manners and greet Lord and Lady Sommerset.”
With a quick lift of her brows, Rose let go and did as her mother bid.
It was easy to see that the two families were well acquainted over many years, which was to be expected since Lady Sommerset’s family lived nearby. As the others exchanged news briefly, Dory took the opportunity to view her surroundings. Much like many great country houses, this one boasted a central stair that spilt at the top. The house itself went off in opposite directions from where they stood. To the left was an open archway into what appeared to be a dining room, but to the right were two closed doors, which may signal a parlor, but it could as easily be a room for recitals and such. Her family had such a room, though it had rarely been used. She was acceptable at the pianoforte but not accomplished enough to gather a crowd.
If Rose was well accomplished, she would most likely give a recital during the party. At least, Dory thought so, but having never been to a house party, she wasn’t entirely sure. She’d meant to ask Elsbeth about them but had wandered off tracklast they had spoken. If only she could keep her thoughts on one subject for more than two minutes.
“I’ll show Lady Dorothea to her room.”
At the mention of her name, she quickly looked to Rose, who grinned at her.
“Truly, Rose. We have servants for that.” Lady Enderly shook her head as if corralling her daughter had long been a battle.
Dory found that odd, since Rose had behaved with the utmost decorum at the few events where she’d seen her. In fact, Rose seemed quite calm and serene. Her fine, straight, chestnut hair, which was never out of place, framed a square-shaped face with round, blue eyes, and a wide forehead. It could be she was different at home with few strangers present.
“Very well. Then I will show her tomyroom. Send someone to fetch her when it’s time.” Then, without giving Lady Enderly a chance to reply, Rose grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the stairs. By the third step, she had the presence of mind to look back at her chaperones in question. Lady Sommerset caught her gaze and waved her off.
As they reached the split in the stairs, Rose pointed to the right. “The other guests will be in that wing, but the Craufords are such close friends, they will be over here in the family wing and so will you.”
Since Rose had let go of her hand before racing up the left set of stairs, Dory picked up her skirts and followed along quickly.
“This is my room. If you ever need me, I’m the fourth door down on the right. My brother stays in the room on the left, so don’t mix them up.” She shivered, as if that would be the worst event in the history of mankind, then opened her door.
Half-expecting a room covered in rose-colored wallpaper with tiny roses after her hostess, Dory was a bit taken aback by how yellow it was. The room was covered in a yellow wallpaper with tiny, yellow rose vines. The golden upholstery on the twochairs Rose pulled her toward matched the counterpane on the bed.
After taking the seat required by the slight push, she watched as Rose closed the door, locked it, and pocketed the key.
Immediately, the bubbles in her stomach started again. She truly hoped Rose didn’t plan to impart any secrets to her. She wasn’t the best at keeping them, as she sometimes gave them away without meaning to.
Rose returned and pulled the other armchair closer. “I can’t tell you how excited I am that you came.”
Quite flattered, she smiled warmly. “And I’m quite excited to be here. I’ve never been to a house party.”
Rose’s brows, which were truly the most expressive part of her face, rose high. “This is your first? Then we will make it the best. I will explain everything there is to know, but first, I’m hoping you can tell me all about the Belinda School for Curious Ladies.”
The school? “Why do you wish to know about the school?”
Rose leaned in as if anyone could hear them. “My father has promised that if I receive no proposal this fortnight, then I may attend the school.”
Pure pleasure ran through her at the thought of having another classmate. “Oh, Rose, that’s wonderful.”
“Isn’t it? But I must avoid a proposal—not that I expect any. That’s why I must attend the school.”
Not a little confused, she frowned, as most of their mothers had threatened to pull them from the school if one of them didn’t marry by the end of the season. Fortunately, Elsbeth had saved them all. Still, she wasn’t sure attending the school could help Rose. “Why do you think the school will help you find a husband?”
Rose slumped back into her chair, as if all her excitement had drained from her like the juice of an orange for orange biscuits.“This was my second season and no one has had an interest in me beyond dancing. I am quite convinced that I’m boring.”
Her heart immediately sympathized. “I’m sure that can’t be true.”
“No?” Rose pulled her knees up to hug them. “All I know to talk about are tasks of running a household and the weather.” Her lips quirked up a bit. “My first season, the weather did provide quite a bit to discuss, being so cold, but then it stayed cold, so even that became tedious.”
Dory couldn’t imagine staying with only those subjects. She had so many topics swirling around in her own head, she could never seem to choose and so wandered from one to the next without stopping. “What about plays you’ve attended or recitals or museums, or other activities you’ve participated in? You can discuss those.”
Rose seemed to squeeze her legs tighter to her chest. “I do mention them, but I don’t know what to say about them beyond that I saw them or accomplished them.” Rose rested her chin on her knees in defeat.
She stared at her hostess, not a little in shock. Did the woman not cogitate on her own experiences? How did one go through life without, well, thinking? “Let’s try something. What did you do yesterday?”
