Lovisa smoothed the skirt of her dress once more as she sat perched elegantly on the edge of the forest green velvet settee.
Practice is essential for womanly improvement. Her mother’s voice repeated in her head.
And so she sat, perfectly poised to attract the type of suitor her parents expected of her, in the middle of their empty-except-for-her-mother sitting room.
She fought back a yawn, knowing her mother would immediately spot it and lecture from her very comfortable chair by the fire. Hours of sitting would be followed by unnecessary practice of walking and tilting her head just the right sort of way to be flirtatious without being provocative.
Scandal was not to be tolerated. Gossip was inelegant. Slouching was unladylike.
From the time she turned eight Lovisa had begun training. At first, it had been boring but not intolerable; a little posture improvement here and some style tips there.
Now, as she neared her social debut, her entire day was devoted to training; etiquette, form, elocution, poise, and more. Whatever her mother deemed necessary. Her father had long since disappeared into his study to ‘deal with financial matters’ as he did every day.
“Lovisa.” Lady Treston’s voice was laced with disapproval. “Your attention has wandered and your posture is slumping most inappropriately. You will never catch a proper husband if you do not take the time now.”
“Yes, Mother.” Lovisa quickly corrected her already perfect posture and tried to look as if she were paying attention. She still hadn’t quite figured out how to pay attention when no one was talking and nothing was happening to pay attention to. Yet her mother was adamant she learned.
Lady Treston had given her quite the set down the last time she had asked why. Apparently it was good practice for when she was in conversation with a man who was a wealthy bore. Her mother hadn’t actually said those words because she would not insult anyone by making such a broad claim but the heavy implication was there.
“As you know, Father has made arrangements for your debut this evening.” Lady Treston stood. “Come. It is time to make you ready to present yourself to society. Such details cannot be left to the last minute.”
Lovisa inwardly wilted, having hoped that they might have a small respite before getting ready for the evening. However, it appeared that food was the lowest priority of the day.
“Yes, Mother.” Lovisa glided across the room to follow her mother.
Hours of poking, primping, hair pulling, and more happened before Lady Treston was satisfied with the results.
“You’ll do.” Was her final compliment to her only daughter.
The pale empire-waisted gown and corset was tight but that was nothing new to Lovisa. In fact, it was slightly looser than her mother usually insisted upon, saying she would need to be able to breathe more when she dancing.
Descending down the stairs, an excited thrill shot through her. Surely she would be able to have some fun tonight. At the bottom of the stairs her father stood there, looking bored.
“Now Lovisa, your mother has assured me that you have memorized the list of men deemed suitable to your station and rank.” Lord Treston addressed his daughter without bothering to do more than nod in greeting.
“Yes, Father.”
Better to be meek and unassuming than endure a 15 minute tirade while standing in heels and formal wear.
The carriage ride was quick and relatively painful. Lovisa spent the ride making sure her appearance was perfect, her posture did not waver, and her parents did not feel the need to chastise her.
Stepping out of the carriage her mother didn’t give her a chance to arrange her skirts, moving in and immediately setting Lovisa to rights. Once satisfied, she slipped her hand into her husband’s arm and walked up the steps.
Lovisa silently followed.
In mere minutes her mother had not only maneuvered them to a very prominent spot next to the dance floor but had also filled her dance card with the eligible men her father would approve of. Her only empty slots were the waltzes, since Lady Treston considered them far too provocative for a new debutante.
The whispers going on around her hushed suddenly as a man in a spotless black evening coat and starched white necktie casually sauntered their way. He bowed to Lovisa’s mother first.
“Lady Treston. A pleasure to see you here.” His voice sounded bored as his gaze turned to Lovisa.
She dropped her eyes to the floor.
And for the first time in her life she heard her mother giggle. “Oh Lord Wharton. I am stunned to see you here. It has been far too long. May I introduce you to my daughter, Miss Lovisa Treston.”
His bow was elegant and Lovisa struggled to maintain the pleasant and mildly flirtatious smile that had been drilled into her head for years. Anything more would be simply mortifying
“Miss Treston. An honor, to be sure.”
He turned back to Lady Treston. “Is there a dance free for Miss Treston this evening?”
Lovisa watched as her mother coyly shook her head. “I’m afraid not, my Lord.”
“Nothing?” His eyebrow arched. “Surely a vacancy can be found for an old friend.”
“Only a waltz, my Lord.” Again, Lovisa was stunned as she watched her mother give a low curtsey to match his bow before tapping himcoyly on the arm.
He hesitated as he glanced at Lady Treston’s hand. “Indeed. Then I find I must beg you to allow me to claim one of those waltzes.”
At her mother’s nod Lovisa gave a small shocked smile.
With another bow Lord Wharton sauntered off.
Instantly her mother turned to her. “Lord Wharton is to be considered an utmost priority. Your father will be thrilled to hear that you were able to dance with one so prestigious. Usually he is so aloof and distant when at these sort of events. Do not mess this up.” That last part was delivered in an urgent whisper.
“Yes, Mother.” And for the first time she didn’t mind agreeing, for she was intrigued to learn more of this Lord Wharton. After all, he had easily provoked my mother to a fit of giggles.
And he wasn’t even on her much-vaunted list.
