“You are so very diverting, Miss Bonnet, and I am so happy that you and Miss Gentree were able to attend the cotillion as our guests with our daughter. Our Penelope has written of nothing but your lecture tours, Miss Bonnet. No reading, writing, or ciphers—”
“Except as they pertain to a lady’s life,” Siusan added.
“Yes, yes, quite right!” Lady Philamont shot her husband a knowing glance. “The entire tone of Penelope’s letter has matured and become more elegant. The change was so great in such a short time that we were compelled to come in from the country this night to see if our daughter’s transformation from child to a woman is as complete as her letters would indicate.”
Lord Philamont smiled approvingly at his daughter. “I must say, she appears quite the lady this eve.”
Lady Penelope blushed becomingly, then lookedto Siusan for encouragement. Siusan glanced at her charge’s white muslin gown as a prompt. “Mother, I vow you will be so proud when you learn that I directed the mantua-maker in the construction of this gown myself. I am honored that I am able to wear it before my parents to my very first public ball—even if I am not yet out.”
“My dear, that glorious day may arrive sooner than you imagine,” her mother said, adding, “thanks to Miss Bonnet’s clever lessons.”
Lord Philamont wasted no time excusing himself to enter the card room, leaving the ladies to their own devices. Unfortunately, that meant leaving Siusan and her charges sitting on the benches, while Lady Philamont chatted with anyone who would listen to the tale of her daughter’s miraculous transformation under the tutelage of Miss Bonnet.
Siusan watched the couples on the dance floor with no little amount of envy. It was so long since she had danced that she was sure her legs had gone stiff with lack of proper use. Mayhap a lecture tour to the baths themselves would be advisable, though, after taking the water in the Pump Room, she was not certain she could withstand the sulfur fumes in such abundance.
“I know, since I am not yet come out, I cannotdance this night. But why are you not dancing, Lady Siusan?” Lady Penelope asked. “A notable number of gentlemen have sought your notice.”
“The cotillion is a public ball, my dear. Were this is a private ball, I would be free to dance with any gentleman who requests the set. Here, I may only dance with someone I have been formally introduced to—and since I have no acquaintances in Bath, except your mother, who is entirely engaged with her friends, I am forced to remain a wallflower.”
“Oh.” Miss Gentree sighed. “Then shall the three of us stroll the perimeter as a diversion?”
Siusan echoed Miss Gentree’s bored sigh. “The crush is too much. I think it best that I remain here and protect my gown, but the two of you may rehearse your promenade. Remember, though, do not allow your eyes to stray to the few young gentlemen in attendance. Neither of you is out.”
The two girls jumped to their feet, giggling in their excitement to begin their promenade around the room.
Siusan calmed them instantly with a scolding look. “But mind your manners. You are elegant young ladies.”
The girls nodded and, to Siusan’s surprise, honored her with suitable curtsies before beginning their stroll around the ballroom.
Siusan sighed. This was not what she had hoped for. Not at all. She glanced around the crowded room, then pinned her gaze on the double doors, wishing someone she knew from the London
ton
would enter, looking for a diversion after a day spent at the baths. But she knew her wish was futile. The weather was too miserable to hope a refined member of the London
ton
would make the trek to the Upper Rooms.
She sighed again, feeling very sorry for herself.
Then, something snared her notice. She straightened her back and focused. A tall, broad-shouldered gentleman entered the room through the double doors and stopped, as if looking for
“Except as they pertain to a lady’s life,” Siusan added.
“Yes, yes, quite right!” Lady Philamont shot her husband a knowing glance. “The entire tone of Penelope’s letter has matured and become more elegant. The change was so great in such a short time that we were compelled to come in from the country this night to see if our daughter’s transformation from child to a woman is as complete as her letters would indicate.”
Lord Philamont smiled approvingly at his daughter. “I must say, she appears quite the lady this eve.”
Lady Penelope blushed becomingly, then lookedto Siusan for encouragement. Siusan glanced at her charge’s white muslin gown as a prompt. “Mother, I vow you will be so proud when you learn that I directed the mantua-maker in the construction of this gown myself. I am honored that I am able to wear it before my parents to my very first public ball—even if I am not yet out.”
“My dear, that glorious day may arrive sooner than you imagine,” her mother said, adding, “thanks to Miss Bonnet’s clever lessons.”
Lord Philamont wasted no time excusing himself to enter the card room, leaving the ladies to their own devices. Unfortunately, that meant leaving Siusan and her charges sitting on the benches, while Lady Philamont chatted with anyone who would listen to the tale of her daughter’s miraculous transformation under the tutelage of Miss Bonnet.
Siusan watched the couples on the dance floor with no little amount of envy. It was so long since she had danced that she was sure her legs had gone stiff with lack of proper use. Mayhap a lecture tour to the baths themselves would be advisable, though, after taking the water in the Pump Room, she was not certain she could withstand the sulfur fumes in such abundance.
“I know, since I am not yet come out, I cannotdance this night. But why are you not dancing, Lady Siusan?” Lady Penelope asked. “A notable number of gentlemen have sought your notice.”
“The cotillion is a public ball, my dear. Were this is a private ball, I would be free to dance with any gentleman who requests the set. Here, I may only dance with someone I have been formally introduced to—and since I have no acquaintances in Bath, except your mother, who is entirely engaged with her friends, I am forced to remain a wallflower.”
“Oh.” Miss Gentree sighed. “Then shall the three of us stroll the perimeter as a diversion?”
Siusan echoed Miss Gentree’s bored sigh. “The crush is too much. I think it best that I remain here and protect my gown, but the two of you may rehearse your promenade. Remember, though, do not allow your eyes to stray to the few young gentlemen in attendance. Neither of you is out.”
The two girls jumped to their feet, giggling in their excitement to begin their promenade around the room.
Siusan calmed them instantly with a scolding look. “But mind your manners. You are elegant young ladies.”
The girls nodded and, to Siusan’s surprise, honored her with suitable curtsies before beginning their stroll around the ballroom.
Siusan sighed. This was not what she had hoped for. Not at all. She glanced around the crowded room, then pinned her gaze on the double doors, wishing someone she knew from the London
ton
would enter, looking for a diversion after a day spent at the baths. But she knew her wish was futile. The weather was too miserable to hope a refined member of the London
ton
would make the trek to the Upper Rooms.
She sighed again, feeling very sorry for herself.
Then, something snared her notice. She straightened her back and focused. A tall, broad-shouldered gentleman entered the room through the double doors and stopped, as if looking for
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