First Season / Bride to Be by Jane Ashford

not?” murmured Christopher. But he took her proffered arm and led her into the dining room.
    Only a few streets away, the ladies of the Goring household were putting the finishing touches on ball gowns and toilettes before also sitting down to dinner. Anabel, surveying her reflection in a full-length glass, was very pleased with the effect of the ball gown that had arrived yesterday from her dressmaker. It was of deep blue satin with an overskirt of creamy Mechlin lace. The bodice and short puffed sleeves were also overlaid with lace, and it was belted with a matching blue velvet ribbon. She had got out the sapphire pendant Ralph had bought her in Paris, with its companion earrings, and her soft brown hair had been done in a cloud of curls. The overall impression was of exquisite fragility, and she smiled a little before going along to the nursery, as she had promised to show the children her gown.
    Georgina’s feelings were far different. She, too, had a new dress, of fine pink muslin trimmed with knots of darker pink ribbons. But her silhouette was anything but fragile, and as Lady Goring’s maid applied the hot curling tongs to her pale blond hair, she frowned at her pudgy features in the dressing-table mirror. Everyone would laugh, Georgina thought. It was silly to fuss over her hair and to buy new gowns. She would be miserable at the ball, as always. She wished that she dared get out her box of chocolates in front of the maid. Dinner was late tonight, and she was hungry.
    When Lady Goring, splendidly dressed in purple satin and amethysts, met her two charges in the drawing room some minutes later, her thoughts echoed theirs. She reveled in her daughter’s beauty and despaired at Georgina’s bulk. But she said merely, “We must hurry. What have you been doing, Anabel? You are late.”
    â€œThe children kept me, admiring my lace.” Anabel smiled. “Susan wants a gown exactly like this one for her birthday in September.”
    â€œAnd doubtless she will get it,” answered her mother dryly. “I shudder to think what that child will be like at her come-out if she is demanding quite unsuitable dresses at the age of six.”
    â€œSusan will be a belle, of course. She is already pretty enough.”
    â€œAnd capricious enough,” countered Lady Goring. “Come in to dinner.”
    * * *
    The line of carriages beneath the glittering windows of the Rutland town house stretched far down the street as each halted briefly to deposit its elegantly dressed passengers, then moved on to make way for the next. The Goring party arrived in good time and, after greeting their hosts on the landing, made their way up to the half-filled ballroom. “Look at the flowers!” exclaimed Anabel at once.
    â€œVery beautiful,” responded her mother, surveying the great garlands of pink roses and greenery that festooned the walls. A trellis had been erected in one corner, and it looked remarkably natural.
    â€œI have never seen so many roses in my life. Isn’t it wonderful, Georgina?”
    The younger girl nodded, but her eyes were on the other guests. Several were looking in their direction, probably talking of who they were and how dreadful she looked.
    â€œI wish I had worn pink, as you did,” added Anabel in an effort to cheer her.
    Georgina merely looked disgusted.
    â€œThere is Jane Danvers,” said Lady Goring. “Let us go and join her.”
    The room filled rapidly, and in a very short time the duchess gave the signal to begin the dancing. Anabel was asked at once, but Lady Goring had to summon a partner for Georgina, who accepted him with as little grace as he had showed at the command. When the first set ended, she escaped to the supper room, ignoring all frowns cast her way and hiding when Lady Goring came to search for her. Anabel, glowing from the country-dance, was delighted when the orchestra struck up a waltz, and more so when Sir Charles