“Whatever for?” Charity said and stopped by her side. Sweetly, her mother tapped her cheek in the doting way Emily had always loved. “You are simply nervous, love. Have no fear. We will be there with you.”
Emily tried to smile, but it did not last long. She knew the truth of the matter. Tonight, she would be a disappointment to her beautiful family.
Once more, she could not bring herself to lift her eyes and look in the mirror, for she knew what she would find there. The plump form, the dark auburn hair that was so mad with its curls, that rarely ever wanted to stay in any updo, and the big blue eyes. So large, that her eyes sat unnaturally in her face.
“Come, Emily. Let us get you into this gown.”
Not wanting to disappoint her family’s excitement, Emily stood to her feet again once her hair was scraped back into an updo and stepped into the dress. When all was done, she turned to her family, finding Charity in near tears once more, with Grace at her side practically jumping up and down, and Julia bestowing a wide smile on her.
“Oh, Mama,” Emily said with a smile and passed her a handkerchief. “If you cry much more, there will be no tears left in your body.”
“These are happy tears, love. How beautiful you look!”
Emily winced. Her mother had to say that, didn’t she? Mothers loved their children unconditionally.
“We will be late,” Julia cried with sudden panic. “Come on, we best prepare ourselves. People will be arriving any minute for the event.”
Emily nodded along with the others and followed them out of the room, still being careful not to look in a single mirror as she passed onto the landing. Julia and Grace looped arms and hurried off in front, descending the main staircase in the house quickly, whilst Charity hung back, taking Emily’s arm in her own.
“Do not be nervous, love. It is a time for celebration. Tonight, it is the mark of you taking on your own life. Is that not exciting?”
“Very exciting, Mama, but…” Emily chewed her lip nervously before lifting her eyes to her mother. “What if I do not marry as quickly as the rest of you did?”
What if I do not marry at all? What if no one wants me and I will be a spinster forever?
“Time does not matter.” Charity shook her head. “What matters is that you marry for love. Remember that.”
Emily let her mother lead her down the stairs, feeling her nerves take increased control of her body. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Charity hurried off to help with the preparations for the ball, leaving Emily standing alone and staring at the floor.
You can do this, you fool. All it really takes is standing in a room full of people, which is it. Even if their eyes will be looking at you…
“I see shaking hands.” Arthur’s voice made Emily look up to see her brother approaching her. He at once took her hand in his, trying his best to stop her trembling fingers. “You would go back to your chamber and hide under the bed with an enjoyable book, wouldn’t you?”
“Do you think anyone would notice if I did?” she asked teasingly.
“Something tells me our mother may notice.”
“She will be too distracted with dancing herself once the ball starts.”
“Very true!” he said with a laugh. He looped her hand through his arm and escorted her toward the ballroom. “Do you wish to tell me why your hands are shaking so? I have a feeling it is more than just nerves.”
“Are you capable of reading my mind these days, Arthur?” she said tiredly. “Please do not. How am I to have any secrets left?”
“I know you well. That is all. So, come on, tell me what is in your heart tonight.” Arthur’s kind ways were impossible to escape. As they stepped into the ballroom, she turned her eyes away from the fine summer decorations, filled with roses and wisteria petals strewn across tables, and looked at her brother.
“What if I break the chain, Arthur?” she asked in a whisper.
“What do you mean?” he said softly.
“You were quite reputed in the ton. Do not bother denying it, for you know it is true. Whilst I will admire your modesty, it will not help what I am trying to say.”
“Very well, continue,” he said with a smile.
“Grace is talked much of too. Look out our own parents, they were quite the talk of the ton. Then…look at me.”
“Yes? What am I supposed to see?”
Emily gestured down at the ivory white gown she was wearing, thinking much of the curvy figure.
