Just a Kiss by Ally Broadfield

certain you’ve heard that I am from Russia, though my mother was English. My sister is here with me, and of course my aunt and uncle, but aside from my cousin, who is away at school, there is no one.”
    “The children are a great comfort, especially my eldest niece, Amelia. She is but two years younger than I and anxious to come out.” Charlotte spotted her abandoned embroidery on the settee and moved it to a side table.
    The princess glanced at the snarl of thread on the cloth and raised her brows, but was too polite to comment. “She is of an age with my sister, who is also anxious to make her debut, but Uncle Henry insists she wait until I am married.”
    “If she is anything like Amelia, I expect she resents having to wait. Perhaps we should introduce them.”
    The princess beamed. “That is a wonderful idea. Natalya would be thrilled to have someone with which to commiserate about her mistreatment.” They both laughed.
    She leaned toward Charlotte. “Would you mind terribly if I asked you to call me Anna? I do tire of the formality.”
    “I would be delighted, as long as you’re willing to return the favor and call me Charlotte.”
    “Of course.” Anna picked up her reticule and loosened the string. “This is the snood I mentioned the other night.” She pulled out a small, delicate net that glistened with diamonds. “I know it appears quite delicate, but the thread is strong. I think if you wore this underneath the flowers in your hair, everyone would take notice.”
    Charlotte straightened in her chair. “Oh, Anna, I’m certain you are correct, but I cannot borrow that from you.”
    “Good, because I don’t want you to borrow it. I want to give it to you.”
    Charlotte shook her head in disagreement. “You are very kind to offer, but I cannot accept such a gift.”
    Anna smiled. “Let’s try it and see how it looks.” She stood and walked behind Charlotte. “May I?”
    “If you insist.”
    “We don’t need to worry about securing it properly. I just want to see if it will match your style.” Anna slipped the snood over Charlotte’s chignon and secured it with a few pins she pulled from elsewhere in Charlotte’s hair. She went to the vase of flowers on the mantle and selected a few.
    “Let’s put one here,” she said as she slipped it into Charlotte’s hair, “and here.” She fiddled a bit more before pulling a small looking glass from her reticule and passing it to Charlotte, who was convinced that Anna’s bag must have been bewitched. She sat frozen. The transformation was amazing. Tiny diamonds sparkled when the light caught them, lending her an enchanted air.
    Anna added a few more flowers and repositioned others. She met Charlotte’s eyes in the looking glass. “What do you think?”
    “You mean aside from the fact that there appears to be a camellia growing out of my head?”
    “Yes, aside from that,” Anna said with a straight face.
    “It’s even more beautiful than I imaged, but I cannot accept such a generous gift.” Charlotte turned to meet her gaze.
    “Nonsense. It’s not as valuable as you might think. The diamonds are very small, and I haven’t worn it in many years.”
    “I must insist,” Charlotte said firmly.
    “Charlotte, please let me make this small gesture. My family owns several gemstone mines, so it is really of no matter. I would try to give you some of my jewelry as well if I thought you would accept it.” Anna squeezed her shoulder, and Charlotte returned her smile.
    “Thank you.” Tears threatened to spill. No one had been this kind to her in such a long time. Anna’s wealth and status were beyond the realm of Charlotte’s imagination, and yet she was kind and considerate and so unlike the women who had spoken ill of her at the ball. She blinked back her tears and stood. “I’m being a wretched hostess. Would you like tea?”
    “Thank you, but we’ve come so early, I’m not yet hungry. Perhaps later.” Anna waved toward the duchess.