“When I get an invite, you get one too, my sweet.” he teased her to pacify her fire. It worked when she sighed and smiled at Prudence.
Her mind began to spin with what she was going to wear for the occasion. Since it was the talk of the ton, several influential members of the society would be present. Aside from that, this was her first official ball since she became a Duchess. She would have to be elegantly dressed to give the people a good first impression. None of the clothes in her wardrobe could effectively achieve this.
Will I get a new dress? What color would it be? Who will sew it?
“Nonetheless, I won’t be attending the ball.” Colin’s words punctured a hole in her thoughts, dragging her back to reality
“Why?” Jane shot at him. He couldn’t be serious, right?
“No reason…” he drawled. “I do not feel the urge to be surrounded with silk and velvet fabrics blowing around and sweeping the floor. Neither am I keen to engage in conversations with other men when I should be handling my estate issues.” He finished with a flourish of his hand. Shaking the cup he held without spilling the contents.
For someone who said he had no reason, he had a lot to say. Jane turned to Prudence again, hoping to recruit her assistance. But Prudence rolled her eyes at her and shrugged. She found it amusing. But, Jane was in no mood to laugh.
Why would he get an invite and not tell me? Why should he decide not to go?
If he wasn’t going. She wasn’t going to either. She could imagine herself standing alone in the big ballroom. The thought didn’t boost morale.
Instead of chastising Colin, Prudence focused on Jane. “You should still go, regardless.” She dropped her tea cup and saucer back on the table. Her expression was a manifestation of her determination to guide the new Duchess. Jane knew she pleased the dowager. But she knew there was much more she needed to do and learn as a Duchess to fully gain the dowager's approval.
“I can go without my husband?” Jane asked incredulously.
“Yes, you can,” Colin answered beating Prudence to it.
Jane wondered why he didn’t tell her about the invite and was now urging her to go. She sometimes wished she could see into his mind. Maybe then she would know what sometimes plagued him and understand his actions better.
“But I don’t want to go anymore,” she muttered under her breath
“Going to a ball alone doesn’t mean anything. You are already a titled woman. Your position in your household is secured. However, your position in society isn’t just yet.” Prudence lectured, cutting the air with her hands as she spoke.
Jane listened attentively as she went on.
“You must attend this ball. Especially as your husband won’t be going. You’d have to adequately represent him,” she finished.
“That, I do understand, however, I do not wish to go to my first ball as Duchess alone,” she said to Prudence but shot an accusatory stare at Colin who was busy drinking his tea.
“But you have to. And you won’t be alone, you’ll be surrounded by men and women of caliber.” Prudence assured her.
That was what she feared. But she smiled and agreed to go to the ball.
“That’s splendid!” Prudence exclaimed and winked at Jane. “Tomorrow, we go shopping for an elegant ball gown befitting you, Your Grace.” She let out a smile on the last statement.
She would get a new dress after all. One good thing out of all these. She smiled at the thought.
