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What would it be like to dance tonight with a gentleman?
“And maybe you will be asked to dance if I introduce you to enough men?” Chloe said, tugging on Rosaline’s arm to draw her attention back. “Clearly, it is what you hope for.” Chloe smiled, showing she was being playful.
“No, I do not.” Rosaline shook her head.
“Why should you not hope for it? You have just as much right to dance with a gentleman here as any lady does.”
She is kind to me.
Rosaline was drawn away by Chloe, following in her wake. It wasn’t long before Rosaline found herself amongst the wealthiest of the guests.
She stood near the entrance as Chloe was introduced to many approaching ladies by the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk. Rosaline hung just behind them, trying to listen into every word with keen interest, yet she kept growing distracted.
The group of ladies she had noted earlier kept drawing Rosaline’s eye. Turning away, she watched them for a few minutes, then recognized what was afoot. Whilst some were admiring the gowns on display here tonight, others were turning their noses up, quite literally, and angling their chins away, in derision.
They are gossiping!
More than one lady whispered to a friend behind a cupped hand or a fluttering fan, then gestured rather subtly in the direction of another amongst them, before sharing a giggle with their friend. They seemed to take delight in putting another woman in their group down.
Why must some ladies behave this way?
It all rather reminded Rosaline of being a child and playing in the streets of Covent Garden outside of her father’s shop. When he was hard at work, creating gowns or fine suits, he would urge her outside to play with the other shopkeepers’ children. Some children were welcoming, others were fond of belittling each other, pulling at hairs tied up with ribbon. Rosaline could remember once being belittled for the color of her hair, for it was so red, and having a white ribbon tugged out of her locks by another girl, who had left the ribbon in a dirty puddle.
It riled at Rosaline so much to think that some ladies had not changed with age, it meant she was so fixed upon watching them, she quite forgot to pay attention to the introductions by the door to the ballroom. She was aware of Chloe speaking with a lady, someone Rosaline didn’t recognize, then the Duchess abruptly moved to Rosaline’s side.
“Rosaline, how are you enjoying your first ball?” the Duchess asked.
“Oh, your Grace.” Rosaline hurried to curtsy, catching the glimpse of humor in the Duchess’ eyes. The Duchess was never one for great reverence. She had hired Rosaline as one of her seamstresses shortly after marrying the Duke and had often been known to come and sit with Rosaline and the other seamstresses to talk.
I do not imagine many duchesses do that!
“It is quite spectacular,” Rosaline whispered in a hurry to the Duchess. “Thank you so much for inviting me, your Grace.”
“Do not thank me. It is we who should be thanking you. After all, you are wearing one of Chloe’s gowns. I have so long hoped to help my friend with her career. Now, we have our opportunity to do so. It gladdens me, more than I can say.”
“Me too, your Grace.” Rosaline looked at Chloe a couple of strides away. Her long dark hair was curled delicately at the back of her head, and as she turned to smile at two people she was talking too, the light in her eyes was visible.
Chloe was always like this, full of life, wit, humor, and kindness. Rosaline had much to thank Chloe for, as she had helped Rosaline with her own work when it came to being a seamstress. She would be glad to see Chloe do well.
“Who is Chloe talking to?” Rosaline asked the Duchess.
“The lady beside her is Lady Shrewsbury, a friend to me and particularly to Chloe.” At the Duchess’ words, Rosaline recognized the gown. It was the last gown to be designed by Chloe for the evening. She had heard of Lady Shrewsbury before, talked of by Chloe and the Duchess, who was a keen supporter of Chloe’s designs. “The gentleman you see is the Earl of Gloucester, Simon Bingley.”
With these words, the Duke moved an inch to the side, revealing fully the Earl of Gloucester to Rosaline.
Oh my…
Rosaline felt her mouth turn dry at the very sight of the gentleman. She had seen enough handsome gentlemen here tonight, but she had not expected one to have such a piercing stare. He was looking straight at her, with his dark green orbs unrelenting. Then he smiled, such a lovely smile that Rosaline couldn’t help returning it.
“Perhaps I should have started by introducing him,” the Duchess whispered with a smile. Rosaline tried to look away from the earl, as if she had not been staring so openly at a gentleman so startlingly above her in position.
He’s moving this way!
The Earl of Gloucester must have said something to Chloe, for the next thing Rosaline knew, Chloe and Lord Gloucester were walking toward her, away from the others.
“Rosaline?” Chloe called. The Duchess quickly whispered to Rosaline that she’d leave her alone for this introduction and left. “May I introduce the Earl of Gloucester to you. He has been admiring your gown.”
Rosaline was so busy staring at Lord Gloucester as he approached in surprise, that she quite forgot her manners. She thought of his tall height, the athleticism there, and the dark auburn hair that was coiffed so neatly. His features were long, and handsome for it, emphasizing that lovely smile.
