Caleb opened his mouth to no doubt contest that point, but his mother continued. “And, yes, Anette is a proper young lady,” she said firmly, casting her son a disapproving look.
Her brother smirked. “Perhaps the more we all say it, the more we will come to believe it.”
Anette appreciated what her brother was doing with his attempt at humor but she knew that she was the odd one in her family. Everyone else seemed to accept their duties with grace, but she couldn’t seem to fall in line. To do so would mean that she was casting aside everything she hoped to one day be.
The coach came to a stop in front of a three-level, whitewashed townhouse and a footman stepped off his perch to open the door. Her brother exited first and reached back to assist the ladies out of the coach.
Once on the pavement, Anette withdrew her hand and clasped her hands in front of her as she stared up at the grand townhouse. She would go inside and force herself to be someone she was not. She was a terrible dancer and even worse at making polite conversation. But she would try her best, which was all she could do at that moment.
Caleb offered his arm. “Shall we go inside?”
She placed her arm on his sleeve and he led them inside. Once they were in the receiving line to greet their hosts, Anette slipped her hand off her brother’s arm and admired the tapestries that hung on the wall. Her eyes traced the gold thread as it wove throughout the floral damask print. No doubt, there was a story behind this tapestry and she would love to uncover it.
Her mother’s voice drew her attention. “Anette,” she said. “You are holding up the line.”
Anette glanced over her shoulder and saw the impatient faces of the other patrons. She mumbled an apology as she went to catch up to her mother and was surprised to see that her brother was nowhere to be seen. She wondered how he had been so lucky to skip the line.
An older lady with silver hair caught her mother’s eyes and smiled. “Elizabeth,” she greeted politely, but there was no warmth behind it. “I am so glad that you could come this evening. It has been far too long since we have seen each other last.”
She watched as her mother offered a faint, forced smile in response. “I agree,” she replied. “We must catch up over a cup of tea.”
Anette resisted the urge to smile behind her gloved hand. Her mother had no intention of having tea with this woman. She could hear it in her voice.
“I heard your daughter has made her debut this year,” the woman said, appearing oblivious to her presence next to her mother.
“Yes,” her mother said, turning towards Anette with her hand out. “Lady Chester, allow me the privilege of introducing you to my daughter, Miss Bolingbroke.”
As Lady Chester surveyed Anette’s appearance, her lips thinned in dissatisfaction. It was clear that she did not feel Anette lived up to expectations. “I see that she must take after your husband,” she remarked. “I wish you luck this Season.”
And with that, Lady Chester shifted in her stance to greet her next guest, effectively dismissing them.
While they walked off, Anette tried to pretend that Lady Chester’s reaction didn’t bother her, but it hurt, nonetheless. She knew that she was no great beauty like her mother, and it hurt when other people confirmed it.
Her mother leaned closer to her and whispered, “Do not let Lady Chester upset you. She is just a cantankerous old woman.”
“She isn’t wrong, though.”
“You are a beautiful young woman.”
Anette let out a disbelieving huff. She was many things, but beautiful was not one of them. Her mother always had a blind side when it came to her.
“It is true,” her mother pressed. “Do not let other people’s opinions define who you are.”
They stepped into the crowded ballroom and Anette willed herself not to cry. Not in front of all of these people. It would ruin her reputation if she were to do so.
Her mother must have sensed her desperation because she extended a handkerchief. “Dab your eyes and hold your head high. You have no reason to feel inferior to any of these people.”
Anette accepted the handkerchief, and as discreetly as she could, she dabbed her eyes. “Thank you, Mother.”
Her mother smiled at her. “I am not just a pretty face, my dear.”
A giggle escaped her lips at her mother’s unexpected remark. “I know and I am grateful for that.”
Her mother’s eyes left hers and roamed over the room. “Now, where did your brother go?” she asked. “There are a few young women that I would like to introduce him to this evening.”
“I am sure that is why he ran far away from you.”
Her mother didn’t look amused. “I hope he isn’t in the cards’ room with the other gentlemen shirking their responsibilities.”
