“All I did was smile and curtsy when directed. It was hardly praiseworthy,” Delphine responded.
Lady Dallington gave her an understanding look. “That is what one does in your position. You are to ensure that your guests feel welcome.”
Elodie spoke up from next to them. “Whoever came up with the idea of having a receiving line should be drawn and quartered.”
“It isn’t that bad,” Lady Dallington argued.
“It is exhausting, considering no one cares if I am here to greet them,” Elodie said.
Lady Dallington placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “I care,” she assured her.
Elodie huffed. “Then you are the only one.” She turned her head towards the crowd. “Where did Melody wander off to?”
“I don’t know, but she has seemed rather preoccupied as of late,” Lady Dallington responded.
“That is just Melody,” Elodie said. “She has always preferred to be alone, but it has only gotten worse since we returned from boarding school.”
“Well, that won’t do when we go to London for theSeason,” Lady Dallington stated. “She needs to be seen by theton, as do you.”
Elodie clapped her hands together. “Oh, hooray!” she exclaimed. “I love nothing more than being on display for strangers.”
Lady Dallington shook her head. “You are impossible, Child.”
Winston came to a stop next to them and asked, “Why is Melody speaking to Lord Emberly?”
“She is?” Elodie asked as her eyes roamed over the room. “That man is far too serious for my liking. He once told me that I was being utterly ridiculous.”
“That was not very nice of him,” Delphine said.
Elodie shrugged. “I was speaking of the war and expressed my opinion that if Wellington was a woman then we would have already declared victory.”
Winston chuckled. “I agree with Lord Emberly. That is a ridiculous notion.”
“Is it?” Elodie asked. “Why can’t women serve in the military? We would bring unique perspectives to the war.”
“War is a serious endeavor, and you are hardly serious,” Winston said, giving her a knowing look.
Delphine had to admit that Winston did have a point, but she refrained from mentioning it to Elodie.
“Regardless, Lord Emberly would make a fine husband for Melody,” Lady Dallington stated. “He is wealthy and lives in the next county over.”
Elodie made a face. “Surely she could marry someone else. Anyone else, really. He is far too dull for my tastes.”
The sound of the half-orchestra warming up could be heard in the ballroom, drawing everyone’s attention.
“It is time,” Lady Dallington said as she gestured towards the ballroom.
As Delphine turned to follow Lady Dallington, a tap came at her shoulder and it was followed by, “My lady.”
Delphine shifted her gaze and saw a young maid was holding a note up to her. “Miss Eden asked for me to deliver this note at once,” the maid informed her.
“Thank you,” Delphine acknowledged as she accepted the note.
She opened the note and read:
I am truly sorry for what transpired between us and I don’t wish to leave until I have a chance to apologize… again. Please meet me in the gardens.
Bennett’s voice came from next to her. “What is wrong?”
