“Lavinia Cartwright, it is unacceptable for you to be late for a meal. Your father specifically stated that luncheon would be at 11. As a young lady of good breeding you are expected to adhere to the mandates set by your father and I vb.”
Mother would have continued to drone on in a sleep-inducing lecture if Father hadn’t interrupted. Father was the law and to be listened to and obeyed promptly and without question.
He cleared his throat. “Lavinia.Your appalling lack of manners aside. Your mother and I are having a dinner party here tonight with several business associates. I have just been informed that several of the men are bringing their sons with them to acquaint them with my business practices. You will be expected to attend and be on your best behavior.”
With a curtsey and a nod I tried to fade back into the background. Being late for anything was inexcusable and I had no excuse for it. Being lost in the pages of a book would hold no ground. I was grateful that he had chosen to look past my faux pas and still allow me to join the dinner party. In truth, this would be my first one. Whenever Father had people over I was excused and escorted to my room so as not to disturb anyone. On those nights I had dinner alone in my room.
After 18 years of knowing only my Father and Mother and the occasional tutor as company, the thought of meeting someone new was thrillingly terrifying. I had been schooled in how to behave but I had never been able to put it all into practice. Father said that society was unbecoming of a lady of my station.
“You are excused to prepare yourself, Lavinia. The gown you are to wear will be laid out on your bed. Clara will dress your hair.” Mother decreed as she settled near Father. Again I curtseyed and silently made my way out of the parlor. My tardiness to luncheon meant no food for me. I had to prepare myself to receive company instead.
As I entered my room I avoided the overly pink fluff of a dress and went straight to the window. Sinking into the plush pillows of the window seat I gazed down the long drive, trying to imagine what could possibly lay beyond. Trees blocked my view of anything more than more trees. The world beyond them was a mystery.
Yet tonight there would be guests filling the front yard and I would be meeting them. My first glimpse at the outside.
Enduring the drudgery of getting my hair done, I was ready to descend into the sitting room to await the arrival of any and all guests with plenty of time to spare. Mother stood outside my door as I exited, looking me over as if checking to make sure none of my flaws were showing. Once I gained her slight nod of approval I forced myself to walk sedately into the heavily brocaded sitting room.
I took several minutes to carefully arrange the frothy dress just right so that it would not wrinkle. Any wrinkles would earn my mother’s immediate disapproval and possibly even being dismissed from the dinner party altogether. Resisting the urge to adjust the uncomfortably low neckline of my dress I focused on the door, hoping someone would arrive who could distract me from my own thoughts.
Mother and Father arrived in the room with barely a glance my way. They met an odd looking man and woman at the door. While my dress was similar to my mother’s, hoops and all, this woman was wearing a mere slip of a dress that was quite form fitting and rather revealing. And the man seemed to have forgotten his waistcoat. I had to blink to maintain and smooth away any shock I felt. Both mother and father seemed unsurprised, which shocked me even more. They were always going on about my wearing proper attire. Even my neckline was a new development, when usually my dresses came straight to my throat.
I stood and curtseyed from my vantage point but was unnoticed. I sank back into my chair only to have to stand right back up again as more people entered. As people steadily made their way into the large room I gave up trying to sit and remained standing, ready to curtsey.
I received some odd looks and no one else seemed inclined to curtsey back. I was flabbergasted. Had they no idea of manners?
It wasn’t until a young man who looked to be much nearer to my age came in that I had any trouble keeping my calm demeanor. He strode in as if he owned the room, dressed in the same sort of clothes I saw my father wear when he left for work. I stared. He spotted me and instantly made his way over. I nearly stumbled back.
He flashed a rather roguish smile my way. His bow was far too deep but I wasn’t going to call him out on it. In fact, I could scarce breathe with him so near.
When he leaned in further I nearly fainted. “Jason Dunway.”
I dropped my most elegant, graceful curtsey. “A pleasure to meet you Mr. Dunway.”
The pause after I spoke was awkward as if he were waiting for me to speak further.
Another smile suffused his face, making him even more handsome and my heart beat faster. “And your name?” He prompted.
“Oh.” I blushed hard. “Miss Lavinia Cartwright.”
“Old Cartwright has a daughter?” His short bark of a laugh startled me as well as several others nearby. I stepped back. I had never heard my father spoken of with such a lack of respect.
I could only nod.
“Well Lavinia, I hope I get to sit by you. My father has been trying to groom me to take his place when he retires so he dragged me along.” He leaned in again. “Between you and me, I don’t know if that’s for me. I’m thinking software engineer. I took an extra class this year at Berkeley focused on programming and I loved it. What about you? Heading to college soon or already there and just home for a visit?”
I could tell he was waiting for an answer but I had none. I had no idea what he was talking about.
Mother joined our conversation then. “Jason. So good to see you. Your father regals us of your soaring grades at school. He is so proud you are following in his footsteps. And I see you have met my daughter. Your father has asked to speak with you for a moment.”
And just like that I was deprived of my first acquaintance and I found myself rather put out. The look mother gave me didn’t help. As if it were my fault that he had approached me. Yet I wanted to talk to him more. Ask him what college was, and software engineering.
