Evelina’s heart soared at the sound. “There now, you see? Even the most proper ladies have their moments of impropriety. The key is to handle such situations with grace and good humor.”
“Did you truly fall into a rosebush, Miss Balfour?” Eliza asked, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
“Indeed, I did.” Evelina chuckled. “I emerged with twigs in my hair and scratches on my arms, but I managed to laugh it off.My mother always said that a lady who can laugh at herself will never want for friends.”
Eliza’s smile grew a fraction wider. “I should like to hear more of your stories, Miss Balfour.”
“And I shall be delighted to share them,” Evelina replied warmly. “But for now, let us return to our lesson. Shall we practice our curtsies once more?”
As their lesson continued, Evelina noticed Eliza’s shoulders relaxing, her responses becoming slightly less hesitant. They moved on to discussing the proper way to hold a fan, the intricate language of flowers, and the importance of good posture.
“Remember, Eliza,” Evelina said, demonstrating a regal stance, “a lady’s bearing can speak volumes before she utters a single word. Straighten your spine, lift your chin—but not too high, we mustn’t appear haughty—and let your arms rest naturally at your sides.”
Eliza attempted to mimic Evelina’s posture, her face a mask of concentration.
“Very good,” Evelina encouraged. “Now, try walking across the room as if you were entering a ballroom.”
Eliza took a deep breath and began to glide across the floor, her steps measured and graceful. As she neared the far wall, however, she stumbled slightly.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
“No need to panic,” Evelina reassured her quickly, moving to her side. “Even the most graceful of swans may stumble on land from time to time. The key is to recover with dignity. Now, let us try again.”
By the time the clock on the mantel chimed the hour, Eliza had mastered the walk and even ventured a small, genuine smile.
“You’ve done marvelously well today, Eliza,” Evelina praised. “I look forward to our next lesson.”
“Thank you, Miss Balfour,” Eliza replied, her voice a touch stronger than before. “Will you… will you be returning soon?”
The hopeful note in the girl’s voice tugged at Evelina’s heart. “Indeed, I shall. With your father’s approval, of course.”
As if summoned by her words, a knock sounded at the door. The Duke’s valet appeared, bowing slightly. “His Grace requests Miss Balfour’s presence in his study.”
Evelina turned to Eliza. “Until next time, Eliza. Remember to practice your curtsies and your regal walk!”
She followed the valet through the winding corridors of the sprawling mansion, her mind racing. The Duke’s study was located in a quieter wing of the house, its double doors as imposing as the man himself.
The valet announced her presence and ushered her inside before quietly withdrawing. The Duke sat behind a massive mahogany desk, his quill scratching across a piece of parchment. He did not look up immediately, leaving Evelina standing awkwardly in the center of the room.
After what felt like an eternity, he set down his quill and fixed her with a soul-searching stare. “Well, Miss Balfour? I trust you have a full account of today’s lesson?”
Evelina straightened her spine, refusing to be cowed. “Indeed, Your Grace. Eliza proved to be an attentive and capable student. We focused primarily on the finer points of etiquette, particularly in regard to proper greetings, deportment, and the art of conversation.”
The Duke leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “And did you find my daughter’s manners lacking in any way?”
“Not at all, Your Grace,” Evelina replied quickly. “Eliza possesses a natural grace. With some gentle guidance and practice, I have no doubt that she will become the very model of propriety.”
A flicker of something—pride, perhaps?—flashed across the Duke’s face before his stern mask fell back into place. “I see.And what of her… shyness? Did you find it a hindrance to her learning?”
Evelina chose her words carefully. “The young miss is indeed reserved, Your Grace, but I do not believe it will impede her progress. In fact, I found that as our lesson progressed, she became more at ease and even smiled once or twice.”
The Duke’s eyebrows rose slightly at this. “Indeed? That is… unexpected. And how did you manage such a feat, Miss Balfour?”
“I simply encouraged her to speak on subjects that interest her, Your Grace. Eliza has a fondness for literature, particularly adventure stories. We had quite an engaging discussion about a novel she recently read.”
“I was not aware Eliza had developed an interest in adventure stories,” the Duke mused, almost to himself. Then, his gaze sharpened. “You seem quite certain of your assessment, Miss Balfour, despite having spent but a few hours in my daughter’s company. I wonder, do you always form such hasty judgments?”
Evelina felt her cheeks flush. “I assure you, Your Grace, my observations are based on years of experience with my own sisters. I merely?—”
