“They have arrived!” Emily’s voice was full of excitement as she rushed into the room, holding several boxes that had just been delivered.
“What has arrived?” Jane asked.
She was sitting in her bedchamber, frowning at the window. All night, she had lain awake, thinking of her exchange with the Duke.
“Prove it.”
Those two words seemed to follow her.
“Our dresses for the ceremony!” Emily handed Jane a box.
“Oh.” Jane felt a tug of excitement as she began to undo the wrapping.
Beside her, Cressida and Emily were both chattering excitedly. Emily’s dress was so very Emily. A velvet blue with silver lace trim, cut in a daring French style. She looked radiant.
Cressida’s dress was sheer perfection. It was a most delicate muslin in yellow, her favorite color. The embroidery was divine and told the story of all of the things she held most dear. Her favorite flowers, fruits, and animals were all present on her dress.
“Well, Jane, now you must try on yours!” Cressida beamed at Jane.
Jane glanced at the fabric in the box before her.
Has it always been this boring?
She could barely remember choosing it. Carefully, she slipped into the gown.
Upon closer inspection, the fabric was nice if not plain. It was a deep shade of green. The cut was entirely unremarkable. She had foregone any embroidery or embellishment. It was perfectly appropriate.
“You look wonderful.” Emily smiled at her sister, but Jane sensed something else in her tone.
“Thank you.” Jane tried to smile back, but there was an odd hollowness in her chest.
What is wrong with me?
She glanced around at the other women. There were six of them in total, though only she and Emily were staying at Kenton with Cressida. Every other woman had a dress that spoke to a unique style. While none were as attention-grabbing as Cressida’s, they were beautiful.
It might have been a more daring neckline, a dash of color where one would expect something else, embroidery that was flamboyant and courageous. All of the dresses had personality. All of them save Jane’s.
Silently, she changed back into her clothes. She could barely remember the visit to the modiste when she had had the dress made. What had she asked for? Could it be that she had really chosen something so… boring?
“Jane?” Emily’s voice broke into her thoughts.
Jane tried to smile at her, but it was more of a grimace.
“Are you well? You have seemed rather off-kilter since last night.”
“I am fine. Just… distracted, that is all.” Jane tried not to think of her exchange with the Duke.
You have lost sight of who you are.
“Why don’t we go for a walk in the gardens? I feel like some fresh air will do us both a world of good.” Emily looped her arm through Jane’s and led her out into the gardens.
Jane did not bother to put up a fight. She was barely aware of anything around her as the Duke’s words played over and over in her head.
“Prove it.”
A sudden stop brought her back to reality, and she glanced around in confusion. Then she caught sight of two men fencing across from her. The Duke of Caden and the Marquess of Glastonbury.
“We can turn around. I know that you and the Duke—” Emily began, but Jane shook her head.
