Page 237 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“It is true, my lady,” Mrs. Jenkinson said. “Miss de Bourgh has always done better with plain food.”

“Then she shall have it.”

“Your cook has already solved the difficulty.” Anne reached for another piece of toast. “I have eaten more since coming here than I have in years.”

Lady Helen studied her niece. Anne's face was no longer quite so thin, and there was more color in her cheeks.

“You look much better, my dear.”

“I am also becoming expensive. Mrs. Allen informed me yesterday that the blue gown she fitted only two weeks ago must be altered again.”

“I am pleased to hear it.”

Anne laughed and glanced down at herself. “Mrs. Allen did not seem at all pleased to be making more alterations in such a short period of time.”

Richard entered the breakfast room and wished them good morning.

Anne was pleased to see him. “Good morning, Richard.”

“Good morning, Annie.”

He went to the sideboard and filled his plate. When he came to the table, he took the chair beside Anne.

“You are looking better, little cousin. There is more color in your cheeks, and you do not seem nearly as tired as you did when you first came to us.”

“I feel better, Richard. I had become so accustomed to feeling unwell that I thought it was simply how I was.”

Richard looked at her for a moment. “I am glad you came to stay with us, Annie. I have enjoyed having you here.”

Her expression softened. “I am glad I came too.”

* * *

Several days later, Lady Helen mentioned the Worthingtons' ball while they were taking tea.

“It is a large gathering every year, and I thought you might like to go with me, Anne. Shall I send our acceptance?”

“I would like that very much, but I have never attended a ball. I learned several dances when I was a child, but after I became ill, Mamma did not allow me to dance.”

Richard looked up from his newspaper. “I can practice with you. Mother can play for us, and we can dance in the ballroom.”

“I would like that, Richard.”

“We will begin tomorrow morning,” Lady Helen said.

The following morning, Lady Helen sat at the pianoforte while Richard and Anne took their places in the drawing room.

Richard held out his hand. “We will begin with something familiar.”

Anne placed her hand in his.

They practiced the country dances first. Anne remembered more than she had expected, and after Richard led her through several of the figures, the steps began returning to her.

“That was much better,” he said when they finished. “You will have no difficulty at the ball.”

Lady Helen began another piece.

Richard recognized the music. “Do you know the waltz?”