In the weeks leading to the Nelsons’ house party, Victoria had spent much of her time reflecting on what the month would bring. With tonight’s ball serving as the crowning moment of the festivities, she had thought it would serve as an engagement celebration. The Caswells couldn’t afford such a grand gathering, but the Nelsons were enough like family that Victoria could’ve pretended the evening was intended for her. Perhaps it was silly to fantasize so, but this ball would’ve marked the end of her husband hunt, the end of her family’s financial woes, the end of the fretting for her sisters.
Instead, Victoria stood with her friends in a gown intended for a much grander purpose while the end of the house party crept closer. No engagement. No security. Nothing but a false smile and a heart ready to burst beneath the strain of it all.
And it really was a shame, for the gown was Victoria’s greatest work. Many thought deep crimson too bold a color, but there was a regality to it if styled properly. And Victoria had done just that.
Embroidery was not something she often employed in clothes; it was far too much work and too distinctive, making it near impossible to rework and restyle the piece into something new—to say nothing of the additional cost for the unnecessary thread. And the gold thread had come at a dear price. Yet the effect of the vines and scrollwork edging the pleats of her skirts and the bodice was divine, taking the shade from scandalous to sumptuous and contrasting beautifully with her dark hair and pale complexion. A gown fit for a soon-to-be bride celebrating her forthcoming nuptials.
If only.
Victoria would never do something so ridiculous as growl, but she was struck by the impulse because of her ridiculous self-pity. Bemoaning the past served no purpose and only distracted from the here and now. Here she was at a grand ball and dressed in her finest gown with the perfect coiffure. Now was the time for her to evaluate her options and choose the best.
Phyllis clung to Victoria’s arm, barely concealing the giddy sparkle in her eyes as the pair examined the ballroom. Like the rest of Hardington Hall, this chamber was a tad small for the intended purpose, but the Nelsons had opened up all the adjacent rooms for dining, games, and chatting, drawing away many of the guests and leaving the ballroom free for only dancing. And what it lacked in size, it made up for in elegance.
The ceilings and walls were covered in frescoes as fine as any Victoria had seen in London. Gilded scrollwork separated the panels, catching the candlelight and adding to its glow. On its own, the ballroom was ornate and needed no additions to be fit for any gathering, but Mrs. Nelson had placed magnificent arrangements of flowers all along the walls of the rooms. Altogether, it was a tad much for Victoria’s tastes but impressive nonetheless.
“You should be proud,” said Victoria as Hettie came to stand on Phyllis’s other side. “Your family has outdone itself. The neighborhood will be speaking of this ball for months to come.”
“Most certainly,” echoed Phyllis. “Though I suspect I shall remember this evening for the rest of my life.”
Victoria’s brows rose. “Is your Mr. Dosett so soon to propose? When did you begin courting?”
Phyllis replied with a smile and a lift of her chin. “He spoke with Papa, though I have kept him on tenterhooks concerning a courtship. Yet still, Mr. Dosett has been hinting at a proposal for several days now. I think he may forgo a proper courtship altogether.”
“Such wonderful news,” said Victoria, whose well-wishes were echoed by Hettie.
But Phyllis turned to face her friend, her brows pulled tight together. “I apologize for being so callous, Victoria. It is not kind of me to crow over my victory when things have not fared so well for you.”
“It is not callous,” said Victoria with a shake of her head. “I wouldn’t wish for you to forgo your celebrations for my sake. I am overjoyed that my selfish actions did no damage to your courtship with Mr. Dosett.”
Phyllis stepped back to Victoria’s side, waving away the words with a tisk before taking her two friends by the arms. “There is no need for us to return to that tired subject. No harm was done, and I do not fault you for your actions. Had I been in your shoes, I don’t think I would have been so circumspect in snatching him away.”
Though she’d received such reassurances over the past sennight and a half, Victoria’s conscience would not leave her be. Whatever else, she wouldn’t allow this desperation to twist her into a heartless monster, even if the weight of it threatened to crush her. Steeling her spine, Victoria kept herself upright, her gaze traveling through the crowd for the eligible bachelors.
Chapter 32
“Good evening, ladies!” Lily Kingsley swept into their group with her usual smile and burst of energy. Light shone in her eyes, and she fairly danced in place when she joined Victoria and the others. “The ball is magnificent, Hettie. I’ve never seen such gorgeous decorations.”
Hettie’s lids lowered, and she nodded her thanks but remained silent. For her part, Phyllis looked at anyone other than the young lady standing before them, though her hold on Victoria’s arm tightened.
“You are in high spirits tonight,” said Victoria, her smile broadening; it was impossible not to smile when presented with such a picture of excitement.
“Tonight may be the most perfect night of my life,” said Lily with a sigh.
Victoria’s brows rose, though her grin did not falter. “That is a strong claim.”
Sucking in her lips, Lily bit them, her cheeks glowing cherry red. Her eyes sparkled and that frenetic energy threatened to lift her right off the ground. “I have an admirer.”
Victoria blinked at that announcement. It took far too long for her thoughts to coalesce, but releasing Phyllis’s arm, she swept Lily into an embrace, her heart lifting at the news. “Congratulations, Lily! You must tell us all.”
Once free of Victoria’s hold, Lily blushed again. “I’m not ready to speak of it. I had thought myself beneath his notice, but he left me a note and a token that spoke of his feelings. I have reason to hope he will renew his addresses in person tonight.”
“You must introduce us,” said Victoria, glancing around as though a mere look would produce the gentleman.
Biting her lips together in an attempt to control her beaming grin, Lily said, “You are already acquainted with him.”
Eyes widening, Victoria took Lily’s hands and squeezed them tight. “He is a guest of the Nelsons’?”
Lily’s lips twisted as she nibbled on them. “I’ve said too much already—”
