Page 15 of Forget Me Not

The evening would be endurable, even if it wasn’t her preference. She told herself that again and again as Jane undertook her ministrations. There was no avoiding the ball, but she could make the best of it.

“Would you care to have a look, miss?” Jane motioned to the mirror on the dressing table behind Julia after she’d finished.

“I would rather not.” So long as she never actually saw herself, she could almost believe she looked the way she would like.

Father stepped inside through the ajar door. He was quite regal in his jacket of deep purple and embroidered waistcoat of soft yellow silk. He, of course, wore his white, powdered wig. All in his generation did. Many inhersdid as well. Many more wore their own hair styled high and powdered to within an inch of its life, not unlike hers at the moment.

His gaze fell on her and a tender smile touched his face. “You look beautiful, my dear.”

“Thank you.” It wouldn’t do to argue with him.

He sat on the edge of her bed, facing her. “I wish your mother were here with us tonight. And Stanley. And Charlotte.”

Julia rose and crossed to him, sitting on the bed beside him. Jane dipped a quick curtsy and slipped from the room.

Father seldom spoke of the family members they’d lost, and the sadness in his voice pricked at Julia’s heart. His gaze settled on her high pompadour hairstyle. “The powdering looks very elegant. Jane did well.”

“You know I don’t care for hair powder, Father.”

He shook his head, donning the familiar look of humor he wore when they discussed her ideas on this matter. “The powder gives you an air of sophistication. That is of particular importance at this ball.”

Father placed a great deal of significance on that evening’s festivities. He had indicated as much again and again, but she wasn’t certain why. He valued his friendship with Lord and Lady Lampton, but they had hosted any number of gatherings that he hadn’t anticipated so fervently. Something was different about this night.

He rose. “Let us make our way to Lampton Park.”

She stood and linked her arm through his. “Do we have to stay for the entire ball?”

“Julia.” He sighed her name in weariness.

“I will not be a bother or cause difficulties,” she said. “I was simply... hoping.” She didn’t wish to stay any longer than was necessary but hadn’t been told how long “necessary” was. Father, no doubt, defined “as long as necessary” as “the entire night.”

They made the short journey from Farland Meadows to Lampton Park in silence, which had become increasingly normal between them these past years. He kept to himself. She lived inside her own heart and mind.

Lampton Park was full to bursting when they arrived. The Season had ended in London, but winter had not yet made the roads impassable. And, therefore, many had accepted the invitation to the Lampton ball.

Julia stepped into the entry hall with Father. This was by far the largest social gathering she had ever attended. She was not the least prepared for it.Oh, Father. Why are you requiring this of me?

He dipped his head to a couple as they approached. “May I introduce you to my daughter, Miss Cummings. Julia, this is Mr. and Mrs. Overton and their daughter, Miss Overton.”

Bows and curtsies were exchanged, as well as the expected verbal pleasantries. Miss Overton had powdered hair. Julia knew better than to think Father hadn’t noticed. He likely thought seeing such a fashionable young lady sporting that coiffure would convince Julia to be pleased with her own current appearance.

She kept her peace as they waited their turn to be welcomed by Lord and Lady Lampton. As the ball was being held in Lucas’s honor, he was likely to be offering welcomes to guests as well.

He had wagered only a few days earlier that he was capable of making this evening not miserable for her. Did he realize he was beginning his efforts at a deficit?

They reached the front of the reception line, and Father greeted his dear friends. Julia took a deep breath. All the expected bows and curtsies were exchanged.

Lucas smiled at her. He did have a lovely smile—she’d always thought so. Despite everything, she enjoyed seeing it again.

“You’ve powdered your hair,” he said.

She tilted her chin at a confident angle. “I was not given a choice.”

“I think it looks lovely,” he said.

“Considering the state ofyourhair, I find your taste suspect.”

He leaned in a touch closer. “I feared you would be required to powder your hair. I am sorry.”

---