ChapterNineteen
Anna
“Our shades are so complementary,” I said to Ginny, who twirled in her apricot-colored gown just outside my door. Mine was blue with white embroidery.
“This one makes me feel like a queen,” Ginny sighed, watching her skirt fly out. How she’d changed these past few days. No longer the defensive, huffy thing from our first acquaintance. She’d softened, sharing secrets instead of keeping them.
Mariah adjusted my shawl, a soft, sheer gold that matched the flowers on the hem of my dress. “A rose for your hair?” she asked, motioning to the bouquet Mr. Cross had sent. He’d been one of the few gentlemen Papa had approved at the beginning of the Season. He’d escorted me to the opera once early on, and out for a ride in his gig. It had been some time ago, but I could not for my life think of why I’d ultimately chosenMr.Lennoxover him.
“No. Thank you, Mariah.” Though I bent over for a last sweet inhale of the blossoms.
Ginny and I had spent the day preparing. We cleared our faces of any imperfections and moisturized thrice over, duringwhich I’d given her tips on how to engage when conversation stalled. Then, since we were nearly the same size, we’d tried on every dress in my armoire.
“Are you certain you do not want to wear the pearls?” I called to her. We’d pilfered through my jewelry as well.
“Yes, but thank you. I’d rather like my neck plain. Mama said its long and lovely and that men take notice of such things.”
I tried not to laugh at her seriousness. “Oh, indeed.”
I dabbed perfume on my neck, chest, and wrists, and just as I set down the vial, the door to Graham’s room opened.
“So handsome!” Ginny crooned, and I looked up.
I’d seen Graham dressed well before. But this time, instead of blinking away, my gaze washed over his slicked-back hair, his smooth, muscled jaw, then lingered over his broad shoulders in a finely cut coat. Graham tugged at his sleeves, straightening them, and I imagined those arms, firm and strong, inviting me in, pulling me close enough to where I could breathe in the spice of his shave.
I touched my hair. Heavens, how much perfume had I inhaled?
Regardless, I could not deny the swift uptick of my pulse. Something within me fancied Graham Everett. I chewed on my lower lip. Was that so terrible?
He smiled at his sister while she spun a final time, his entire countenance brightening. Then his gaze met mine.
His smile faded; the light in his eyes softened.
“Handsome, indeed,” I said, stepping forward. I offered him a smile and a little curtsey, like we were already in a ballroom and not the cramped hall of his second floor.
He grinned and bowed in return. His eyes grazed over my hair, my face, my gown. “Miss Lane. You are ...”
“Isn’t she lovely?” Ginny grabbed my arm, hugging it to her side, beaming up at me.
Her features were so similar to Graham’s, so happy and excited. I wanted good things for her. I wanted her to dance with her favorite gentleman and to be admired all night long. I wanted her to shine.
“Extraordinary,” Graham said, and I blushed, realizing he was still watching me. He cleared his throat, a faraway look on his face. “Shall we?”
“Mama is already downstairs,” Ginny said, releasing me and running ahead.
Graham waited at the top of the stairs for me. He hesitated, then offered me his arm. “I am aware that you can safely descend the stairs alone, but—”
I laced my arm through his. “Thank you, Graham.”
He smiled to himself, carefully taking each step as he led me down to his waiting mother and sisters.
Tabs’s cheeks were still puffy from the fit she’d thrown at being left behind, but her eyes were alight with the excitement of it all.
We kissed her goodbye, promising to tell her all in the morning, then settled in the carriage for the short drive to the assembly hall in the center of Brighton.
The setting sun cast a shadowy glow on the pathway leading up to the Assembly Rooms. It was a tall building made of light-colored stone and ensconced with lamplight. A servant awaited us at the door, and we were greeted by a boisterous sound and music carrying from inside.
“Mr. Everett!” An older man strode over.
