One Look

Chapter 40

As Charles lead me down to the ballroom, I could not help but self-consciously look down at my dress, my mind flashed back to getting ready with Clara and my ladies in waiting. They had been a little unsure about my whole look, but I let them know that it was what I had wanted to wear.

"Are we certain about the blue?" Margaretta had asked, her head to the side as she took in my gown. "I believe it may not be as nice a gown as the one you wore to the last ball". I shook my head quickly; I was certain about the blue.

"It's the prince's favourite colour", I said gently, and Margaretta's lips formed into a delighted smile. I glanced down at the deep blue gown that spilled out around me. The tight, sparkly bodice looked wonderful against the skirt that billowed and tumbled out around my waist in a mix of netting and silk. Sparkles were scattered throughout it, and it was a gown that could easily make anyone who wore it feel like royalty.

"My biggest concern is the hair", Clara had added tentatively. After much arguing I had finally persuaded them to let me wear my hair down, with the sides pinned back in a braid. Margaretta had complained about how it was most improper and scandalous, but I had insisted that this was what I wanted. I did not mention how Nathaniel preferred my hair down, how he would absentmindedly tug on the ends of it as he spoke. I wanted him to look at me tonight. I wanted him to see all his favourite things when he looked at me.

"Imagine being able to afford to be brazen", Elaine spat bitterly. "I mean either the prince chooses you, or you go home with your father who would obviously do anything for you".

"So let me do these things", I said gently.

"We will be there if you need us", Elaine said after a moment of hesitation. I smiled at her before I took a deep breath.

"Before we go down there tonight, I just want to thank you all for being there for me on this journey. Either it ends tonight, or new adventure begins. I just want to thank you all for being there for me, even if I made it quite difficult at times".

Now, Charles squeezed my elbow gently as we met my ladies in waiting outside the ballroom.

"Thank you", I whispered when he dropped my arm.

"Knowing you has been the greatest pleasure", Charles said softly before he headed into the ballroom. The remaining debutantes were gathered outside, waiting for our entrance to be called.

"Do I still look okay?" I asked Elaine.

"Yes. You look spectacular", she stated, and the certainty in her voice put me at ease. I could not help but allow my eyes to stray to the other debutantes. Much to my horror, all the other debutantes were also wearing blue gowns.

"Everyone's wearing blue", I hissed to Margaretta.

"I know. I told you the green dress would be a better choice, but nobody ever listens to me", she complained. I was about to say something else when Charlotte joined us in a gown the colour of spilled blood, to match the rouge on her lips. Jealousy hit me like a knife, and I stumbled back a few steps. I was not going to stand out tonight. I was going to look foolish, like a child with her hair down.

"What's the problem?" Elaine asked me. I nodded to Charlotte, and she let out a little gasp. "Oh".

Finally, the horn sounded, and we were called in one by one. When my name was called out, I let out a breath when I entered. The crowd in the ballroom was huge. My eyes still found my fathers who had pushed himself to the front. He smiled when he saw me, and I let myself soak in the calmness that surrounded him. My heart eventually slowed when I reached the last step.

"You look perfect", my father said gently as he gave my elbow a squeeze.

"Glad you didn't lose your spirit", Patrick said from beside me. I grinned widely at the two of them before I caught movement in the corner of my eye and turned to catch my fiery friend approaching us.