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“Is all well?”
“Yes, yes of course,” Rosaline said, her smile suddenly in place. “It is just that I have never had the fortune to wear a gown like this before, Chloe. Who knew it could bring such happiness?”
“In my experience, it is the simple things in life that bring the greatest happiness,” Chloe said with finality, turning to look at Rosaline’s reflection.
It does indeed suit her very well.
The silk was bright ivory white, so much so that it practically gleamed in the fading sunlight beyond the windows. Across the neckline and the bust of the dress, small red stones had been embroidered into the brocade. The effect was dazzling, for those red gems picked up the light, making them glisten. It complimented the brightness of Rosaline’s hair quite perfectly.
“Now, it is your turn, Chloe. What gown will you wear?” Rosaline turned away from the mirror and hastened Chloe with a wave of her hands. “We do not have much time left, after all.”
Chloe glanced at a mantelpiece clock, which hung over one of the tables that was full of their sewing things. Realizing how close they were to the ball, Chloe hurried toward a stack of gowns on the far side of the room, hunting down a dress that she could wear.
“How many gentlemen will be there tonight, do you think?” Rosaline asked with enthusiasm, following behind her.
“Many.” Chloe cast a glance her friend’s way as she continued searching the racks. “Though something tells me the question you really wish to ask is how many handsome gentlemen will be there?” Her words made the other two girls laugh as they finished putting on the jewelry Chloe was lending them for the evening.
“Perhaps,” Rosaline confessed, trying to adopt an innocent expression.
“No need to look so innocent, Rosaline. Every young lady will probably be thinking the same thing tonight.” Chloe stopped by a particular dress at the back of the rack, with her hand tarrying over the silk.
Perhaps I could wear this one, even if it is a little bold.
She lifted the gown off the rack, admiring the Pomona green silk.
“Oh, will you wear this one, Chloe? It is quite stunning. It will match your eyes perfectly.” Rosaline hurried Chloe into the gown before Chloe thought much about it. With the laces at the back of the dress fastened, she turned to the nearest mirror and held her breath.
The dark green silk did indeed bring out the color of her eyes, but the design itself was what stood out. Taking inspiration from continental designs, Chloe had made a dress with a column-like shape, with barely any petticoats beneath it at all. The narrowness under the bust, designed to hitch high on the waist, extended a little lower as well, emphasizing the petiteness of her waistline.
“Chloe, it is quite stunning!” Rosaline said, standing behind her where she clasped her palms together.
“No doubt you will be asked by many gentlemen to dance tonight,” Elizabeth said, coming up behind her.
“Many? Oh, I hope not too many.” Chloe shook her head. “I enjoy dancing, but I would not wish to dance all night. I’ll be exhausted. Not to mention I could perspire all over the gown and quite damage it.” Her words made her friends giggle once again.
“Perhaps a dance with just one man would be what you desire then?” Rosaline asked. Her words seemed quite nonchalant, as if she didn’t know the effect they would have on her friend.
Chloe froze, staring in the mirror, allowing her eyes to dart back and forth over the dark green material.
Will Leo ask me to dance? Will he like this gown?
She felt quite breathless at the mere idea. The last time she had danced with him came back to her.
What I would give to relive the happiness of that moment.
She could still remember how as he had nearly tripped over her feet, and she had clung to one of his hands, keeping him standing as his other hand had held her waist a little tighter. She presumed it was to stop himself from toppling over, yet the intimacy of that touch had heightened all of her senses. Never had she known such a thrill.
“Oh, it is time, Chloe. It is time.” Marianne waved a mad hand at the clock. “We promised the Duchess we would go down now.”
Chloe nodded in agreement. It was quarter to eight, and in fifteen minutes, the ball would start.
“Right, is everyone ready?” Chloe turned to her friends, surveying them. Rosaline was so excited that she could not stand still, Elizabeth kept pulling at the neckline of her gown, and Marianne would not stop gazing at her skirt. “Rosaline, something tells me you’ll have to burn off some energy with dancing. Elizabeth, don’t fidget, you look beautiful. Marianne, you’ll stop staring at your own gown once you see all the other wondrous things in the ballroom to gaze at.”
They all exchanged amused grins before nodding in agreement.
“Wonderful, let us go.” Chloe led the way out of the room. She hurried down the hall with her friends following behind her. She couldn’t join in their excited chatter as she would usually do. She was much too nervous.
All of this is for me? For the chance to announce my gowns? It is too much!
