Page 44 of A Lady's Beastly Duke
Chapter 16
“You’re quiet, Anny,” Lily murmured as they stepped neatly around the empty ballroom. The high windows let late afternoon sunshine filter down and dust danced in the columns of light as they whirled. There was no music, and Anastasia had set the rhythm by humming a few bars of their favorite waltz. It was the sixth time they had practiced together since Mr. Halloway and Anastasia had argued and Lily was starting to relax and enjoy herself again.
“Mm,” Anastasia replied, a little distracted.
“I can’t wait for this evening,” Lily commented as they stepped neatly around the corner.
“Mm,” Anastasia answered again. She was lost in a haze of daydreams, the meeting with the duke recurring in her mind again and again. She had stowed the ribbon away in her dressing table, waiting to wear it at a ball or some special occasion. His sweet words whirled through her thoughts and her lips lifted in a smile.
“Anny!” Lily giggled as they reached the top end of the ballroom and stopped dancing.
“What?” Anastasia asked, blinking. They had danced for two or three minutes, and her mind had barely left the duke.
“You’re so distracted. What are you thinking about?” Lily asked. A grin tugged at the edges of her full lips. “I daresay! You must have encountered your gallant suitor. Am I correct in my assumption?”
Anastasia went bright red. “I...” she stammered. She could not deny Lily’s comment, though she hesitated to confirm it either, lest her sister press her on who the man was. She still had to be careful and keep the entire matter as secret as she could.
“You have!” Lily yelled delightedly. “Oh, how wonderful.” She whirled in place, one hand holding the corner of her white muslin skirt so that it billowed as she moved, the little pattern of pink roses on it flaring out as she danced.
Anastasia chuckled. “I...” she began.
“I would love to find my own gallant suitor,” Lily told her, a rapt smile on her face. “I would dance from dawn to dusk, and we would walk in the midnight gardens. I can’t wait to be in society soon!”
Anastasia grinned to herself. She had been worried that Lily would want more details, but her imaginative younger sister was clearly wrapped up in her own wonderful imagination.
“You will be at the musical evening this evening,” Anastasia reminded her gently. Their mother hosted the event annually, so that meant that Lily would be there too—it wasn’t a ball, and so exceptions could be made. Lily grinned.
“And there won’t just be ladies there?”
“No.”
As if summoned by Anastasia’s remark, Rachel appeared, their mother just behind.
“Lady Anastasia! Lady Lily!” Rachel called urgently. “It’s time to prepare for the musical evening.”
“Oh!” Lily exclaimed. “Is it already so late? Come on, Anny!”
Anastasia just smiled. She gazed at Mama, who looked a little flustered.
“We must begin the preparations for the assembly room,” Mama commented, a frown between her brows. Anastasia smiled. She knew her mother well, and knew that, though Mama looked troubled, she was always delighted to be organizing the musicale. It was a popular annual event in London, and they would host at least fifty people, mayhap more. Her stomach fluttered at the thought. Performing was something she both loved and dreaded. She glanced around the room. The footmen were already bringing in chairs and she smiled at her mother.
“I must prepare myself,” she said softly, to explain why she would not stay to help supervise the setting up of the room, as she usually would if were to be a ball or soiree.
“I know, dear,” Mama said gently. “I will hurry to do so too as soon as I have told Mr. Simons where the chairs must go.” She gazed around the room. “There’s a lot to do.”
“It will be capital,” Anastasia told her mother warmly.
Lily beckoned to her. “Come along, Anny. We must make haste. I shall don my new white gown. How delightful! I can scarcely contain my excitement.”
Anastasia smiled warmly as she walked briskly up the hallway behind Lily. They reached their rooms almost at once. Rachel would assist Anastasia and Lily’s new maid, Debbie, would help her. Since it was almost the beginning of her first social season, Lily needed a maid of her own now to help her prepare.
Anastasia reached for her gown, which had been hung on the wardrobe to air. It was a pale blue, the satin fine and shimmering, and she was tempted to wear the new ribbon in her hair. She hurried behind the screen to get dressed. Rachel would help her with the buttons and style her hair.
“Very fine, milady,” Rachel murmured as Anastasia stood in front of the looking-glass twenty minutes later. She turned, watching her skirt flare slightly, gazing at the outfit more than usual. At a ball, it was not as though all fifty pairs of eyes would be trained on her, after all. But when she performed, they would all be looking at her.
“Thank you,” Anastasia replied softly. Her long blond hair was arranged in ringlets and the chignon was bound in place by a blue silk ribbon. The thick ribbon showed across the crown of her head, her curls tucked into it. She had chosen to wear no other adornments in her hair.
“As pretty as a picture. Enjoy the evening, milady,” Rachel said in a warm, quiet tone. A smile blossomed in her eyes.
