CHAPTER TWO
“Margaret, if you keep fidgeting like that, how are you supposed to dance with any gentleman tonight?”
“You are forgetting, Evelina, that no man has asked me,” Margaret hissed under her breath.
The last three days at her sister’s house had been somewhat pleasant, even if Margaret had put up with numerous whispers about her, and walking into rooms to find they suddenly fell silent, meaning they had to be talking of her mere seconds before. She had looked forward to this last night, as Gabriel had thrown a ball for them.
Not only were the guests from the last three days here, but many others, too, who had come especially for the occasion. The ballroom was filled with people; the fine-dressed ladies packed together like sardines on a fish stall, and the gentlemen laughing so loudly it was rather like the catcalls in a market.
In the middle of the hall, a space had been cleared for dancing. Hurriedly, ladies and gentlemen took to the floor, some bumping into one another for it was so busy.
It was quite the event of the season, and Margaret didn’t want to taint it for her sister. That was why every time someone came to talk to Evelina, she hid herself behind Evelina.
“This will not do, you know,” the sudden deep voice of Gabriel declared. He took Margaret’s arm and steered her forward. “Sister, for that is now what you are, you should not hide so.”
“I’ve been telling her that for too long, but she will not listen to me,” Evelina protested. “Margaret, please stop fidgeting with the dress.”
“I cannot help it. It keeps falling down.” Margaret tried to hide the fact she flicked up the sleeve again.
Something had gone wrong with the old gown, of that she was certain. It was an old dress of Evelina that Margaret had already worn more than once to balls and assemblies in London. Judging by the way Lady Sedgwick and other ladies cast glances at the dress, they all recognized it. She just prayed they could not see in the candlelight how much it was fraying, or the fact that the sleeve may have been broken.
“Come, let me introduce you to some more gentlemen. Perhaps they will dance with you.” Evelina tried to take Margaret’s hand again, but she’d had enough.
Her face instantly heated red, so badly so, that she could feel her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
“Evelina, you have been pushing me into the company of gentlemen for the last three days. It’s plain as day they want little conversation with me. It’s even plainer to me that they will not dance.”
Evelina chewed her lip, evidently wanting to argue with her, though she could not.
“Come, dance with your husband and enjoy yourself. Do not worry about me.” Margaret forced a smile to make her sister more comfortable. “I can look after myself. Now go, smile, and have fun!” She lightly pushed the two of them away.
Clearly needing no other encouragement, Gabriel took up Evelina’s hand and drew her toward the dance floor, though Evelina looked back repeatedly.
Dearest sister, do not worry about me anymore.
The guilt raged inside Margaret’s heart, practically making her chest ache.
It felt as if Evelina’s whole life had been spent looking after Margaret and their younger sisters. Though the bird had flown the nest, she was still doing it.
It’s time you live your life, sister.
Smiling to herself, Margaret turned away and reached for a glass of wine, but she was intercepted by Lady Sedgwick who took the glass from the table before Margaret could.
“Ah, there you are, Lady Margaret. I must say what a good sport you are for coming to support your sister. You have even made somewhat of an effort this evening.” Those beady eyes looked down at Margaret’s gown again. “Though I fear you may embarrass her yet.”
“Embarrass her? Whatever do you mean?” Margaret tried to take a different glass off the table but a passing gentleman snapped it up, seemingly not noticing what he had done before he swept off.
“I mean that your gown…” Lady Sedgwick looked around, apparently horrified at what she was about to say. “May be about to break, dear. Do you wish to reveal your stays to all who are here tonight?”
Margaret reached for the sleeve she had been fussing with all night. It was hanging on by a single thread. As she fiddled with it, she felt that thread snap.
Oh no…
Her dress was about to become undone!
Without another word to Lady Sedgwick, she swept away, heading for the nearest door in the ballroom, doing her best to ignore the cackling laughter of Lady Sedgwick as she followed.
The moment she was out of the door, the merriment and laughter from the ballroom faded a little, but it was not enough for Margaret to feel like she had truly escaped.
