The American and the Duke

Chapter 3 Katerina

I stared at my reflection. My handmaiden, Roselyn, had outdone herself. Her and I had become close over the past fortnight. Her mother was a well known seamstress. She often made Talia's dresses. And Talia demanded that we both see her exclusively for our gowns. And today was the day Talia was being presented to society. We all would be traveling to the palace at Whitehall. That is where Talia would be presented to the queen and to society. I learned that the king we had rebelled against was not well. That there were rumors of madness. I had no doubts that he was mad. Therefore the queen had taken to doing many of the social events on her own. My aunt had made it very clear that I would not walk with Talia to meet the queen. She thought it was offensive and tactless. To have an American escort her daughter to meet the queen. I would be in the audience along with my brother and Uncle. My uncle and brother had grown close over the past fortnight. James being the son that my uncle never had. It was well known that the Lady Seabury would not let my uncle into her bed. My uncle Edward admired my brother’s ambition. James met several professors at the gentlemen’s club they attended regularly. Most wanted James to attend Oxford, and to be their pupil. James and our uncle spoke about James attending Oxford after the social season, if papa allowed it. And so James wrote to our father, and he was waiting for the reply. Though I had no doubts papa would approve. Papa wanted us to follow our dreams. To pursue our ambitions. Though I knew that my ambitions were not in London. They were back in Boston.

Roselyn had me in a stunning light blue gown. The sleeves were trimmed with lace that flowed to my elbow. My neckline was also trimmed with the same lace. A pendant of sapphires adorned my neck. My hair was styled on my head with a sapphire pin in it. The pin was shaped in the form of a dove. I refused to wear gloves, as I felt they were too restricting. And I also wore a golden bracelet that once belonged to my mother.  I also had a necklace, but that was on the table. My father gave both to me on my 15th birthday. I did not want to lose them.

“Well dear sister, you are a true beauty,” James said. I turned in my seat and smiled at my brother. He had his hat in his hands. Standing in the doorway. He looked sleek in his suit. His hair slicked back, he would be breaking English girls in no time.

“Thank you, Talia helped me pick out the fabric. She thought it would compliment my complexion. She is the sister I have always wanted,” I replied. He laughed and walked over, placing his hands on my chair. 

“Our dear cousin has a fine taste. And that wounds me dear sister. For I always wanted a little sister,” he said. I laughed at his remark. We often bantered back and forth. Talia and I had spent the last few nights speaking of this day. At this event, all of London’s society would be there. All their eyes on the girls who were being presented to the queen. Once they were presented, they would then begin searching for husbands. Some were as young as 18. I wondered what my life would be like if I lived in London like this. If my father would be the same as all the other fathers in London. If my aunt would be as she was toward me if I was another English girl and not an American. Talia was nervous, but she was more excited about the opening ball this evening. We both were excited about the ball. I had never attended a ball. Parties yes, but balls no. The notion of attending a ball excited me.

“Come, let us go downstairs. Talia is almost ready. And we know that our aunt will make any excuse to leave you here,” James said. I nodded knowing full well of our aunt’s intention.  I stood up and took my brother’s arm. My aunt had not warmed to me since my arrival. In fact she had only grown colder toward me. She often spoke of the inferiority of Americans. And how many would turn away my brother and I. Or turn us away from major social events. She did not like the idea of Americans attending London balls. The disdain for who we are was clear. Though I wish I knew why she thought such things. Though both James and my uncle have contradicted her on several occasions, her opinion did not change. As we made our way down the stairs I noticed Mr. Hudson talking with Uncle Edward. I smiled, I had not seen him the past two weeks. He had apparently been very busy with his law practice.