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Chapter 1
London, England 1810
“Your debut, darling. Be sure to smile and keep your chin lifted. Remember, do not hide your face. It must be seen.”
Annie lifted her chin as per her mother’s words once their names were announced and they walked into the ball.
“People are looking,” Annie whispered, so quietly she rather thought her mother wouldn’t hear her, but Barbara had, and her smile widened.
“It is as it should be,” she said with glee. “Give them something to admire, dear.” Barbara led the way forward down the stairs. Annie followed, slowly, trying to keep her carriage tall and her smile easy. It was as her mother had taught her to do.
One must always walk as if the eyes of the room are upon you.
Annie repeated one of her mother’s lessons in her head, determined to keep to it. It was the way of the world, she knew that. Each person gathered at the ball that evening was on display, paraded round for the sakes of their reputations. If she was to be accepted as part of theton,then she must perform to their standards.
Smile, walk smoothly, never raise your eyes too far, nor lower them too much….
She continued to quietly chant her mother’s lessons as she descended the stairs. At the bottom, she and her mother were greeted by their hosts, Earl and Countess Rushmore, before they were moved on.
“Well, dear, I think that was a very successful entrance,” Barbara whispered in Annie’s ear as she took her arm. “Even now, despite the fact others are arriving, there are people still looking at you.”
Annie was unsure what to make of it. She wished to perform to her mother’s standards and make her proud, yet she couldn’t help feeling a little like an exhibit at the Tower of London menageries. With white feathers pressed into her hair to contrast the dark blonde strands, she felt as if she were a bird pressed behind the bars in that menagerie, staring back at those looking at her.
Amongst the stares, she saw someone looking straight at her, waving eagerly.
“Now, who shall we speak to first?” Barbara asked, looking back and forth. “I am most determined to introduce you to Lord Hibberd. He is searching for a wife.”
“Mama, when I said I was ready for a suitor, I do not remember saying he should be your age.”
“I am hardly that old, thank you very much,” Barbara said, turning such pursed pink lips on Annie that she struggled to stifle her laugh. “But yes, I see your point. Remember our deal, Annie. You cannot stay at home much longer. By the end of the Season, you must have found a husband!”
“Is it that simple to find a husband? Oh, yes, with a click of the fingers, it is then done,” Annie said wryly, earning a glare from her mother.
“I found a husband fast when it was needed, now it is your turn, Annie. For your future happiness and comfort, it must be done.”
Annie nodded, despite the unease within her. She had long ago accepted that when she found a husband, it would be an agreed thing, more of a business deal between cordial acquaintances, for those were the marriages she had always seen. She had not expected there to be a deadline for being wed, but her mother had introduced one regardless.
“Let the introductions wait for a minute, Mama. I see someone I wish to talk to.” Annie took her mother’s hand and drew her across the room. Shifting her dance card to her other gloved wrist, they carved a quick path through the crowded room, moving past standing candelabras with flickering flames atop the tall stems, and moving around gentlemen that were drinking and laughing heartily.
The closer Annie got to her destination, the more her friend disentangled herself from her own conversation and hurried forward.
“Annie!” Peggy said the moment she was close, reaching out to take her hands. “Goodness, I am glad to see you. Another minute in my cousin’s conversation, and I feared the boredom would turn me into a statue,” she whispered, bringing a smile to Annie’s cheeks.
“Miss Grove, one should not say such things,” Barbara warned, but Peggy shrugged off the words.
“I agree that one should not be heard to say such things, but I know Annie will not repeat it to anyone.”
“I quite agree,” Annie said, linking her arm with Peggy’s.
“I think I will leave you two for a moment. Annie, dear, I will find some people to introduce you to. Now, be careful, and do not drink too much punch.”
“Yes, Mama,” Annie said, waiting for her mother to depart. Barbara wandered off, her tall frame rather formidable as she cut a path through the room, heading toward her friends. The moment she was out of earshot, Annie turned swiftly back to Peggy. “So, what do you wish to tell me so eagerly?”
“How can you tell I have something specific to tell you?” Peggy asked, lifting her dark eyebrows and pushing the black curls back from her forehead.
“You think I cannot read your manner by now?” Annie asked. “You get a wrinkling to your temple, just here, when you wish to speak to me.” She pointed to her own temple. “Plus, you are clinging to my hand so much at this moment, you would think your life depended on it. Loosen your grasp a little, or I will lose the power of my fingers.”
“Oops, I’m sorry,” Peggy said hastily. “Very well, as you can see, I am bearing a secret, then I will tell it to you.” She glanced back and forth, clearly deciding their position was not the best one for which to impart a secret, as she took Annie’s hand and drew her toward the side of the room.
