Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
.
CHAPTER FOUR Glamour Party
.
The air was filled with a sense of excitement and nerves as Lady Catherine prepared for her journey to the Penting Estate. The prestigious "Glamour Party" was a weekend dedicated to refining the manners and etiquette of young ladies from noble families. Led by the legendary Miss Penting, a formidable woman of seventy-two with an impeccable reputation, it was a coveted opportunity for all young noblewomen. Catherine had been looking forward to this for weeks, especially because she would be traveling alongside her best friend, Rosalie.
On the morning of their departure, Catherine’s family gathered at the front entrance to bid her farewell.
Duchess Eveline adjusted the collar of Catherine’s traveling cloak, her gaze filled with a mix of pride and affection. “Remember, dear, Miss Penting has a sharp eye for detail. Every gesture matters. This weekend is a chance to show the kind of lady you are becoming.”
Catherine smiled and nodded. “I’ll do my best, Mother.”
Her father, Duke Edmund, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Enjoy yourself, and know we are proud of you, no matter what.”
Evander, who would never miss an opportunity to tease, leaned closer with a smirk. “Don’t let Miss Penting see your clumsy dancing, sister, or she’ll send you back here on the first carriage out.”
Catherine shot him a playful glare. “I’m a much better dancer than you, Evander!”
Their parents exchanged amused looks as the siblings bickered lightheartedly. Eventually, they bid her a warm goodbye, watching as the carriage rolled away down the path. Catherine waved, her heart filled with excitement for the days ahead.
The carriage arrived at the Penting Estate on Saturday morning, and Catherine and Rosalie stepped out into a world of refined elegance. The sprawling grounds were filled with manicured gardens, elegant fountains, and looming statues that seemed to watch over the estate.
Miss Penting herself awaited their arrival. Despite her age, she stood with a formidable air, her silver hair pulled back in a severe bun. She wore a crisp black dress and held a long, ornate cane, which she didn’t seem to need but used to emphasize her words with a sharp tap.
“Ladies,” she began, her voice as sharp as the cane she held, “welcome to the Glamour Party. This weekend, you will learn what it truly means to be refined young women of noble standing. You will wear black gowns at all times, speak only when spoken to, and carry yourselves with dignity.”
