“Well, that’s quite a long time, really,” Aunt Tabitha said. “You’ve grown up so much since then. And now it’s time for your first Season! You’re sure to make an impression.”
“Thank you, Aunt Tabitha,” Esther said, bemused. She was certain she remembered her aunt being less pleasant and more difficult than this. Maybe the years since they had last seen one another had changed her.
“Of course you remember your cousin,” Aunt Tabitha said, stepping back so that Eugenia could move forward.
“Of course.” Esther embraced her cousin. “How have you been keeping, Eugenia? It’s wonderful to see you again.”
“I’m happy to see you, too,” Eugenia said, blushing. Unlike Esther, who was slim with curly red hair and bright green eyes, Eugenia was rather thickset and had her mother’s dull brown hair and brown eyes. But where Aunt Tabitha’s features were striking, Eugenia’s were plain.
It was clear that one thing, at least, hadn’t changed—Aunt Tabitha was still pouring a lot of energy into trying to make Eugenia pretty. Her cheeks were heavily rouged, and her hair was pinned up into an elaborate style that was much more fancy than was strictly necessary for the occasion.
It always made Esther sad to see Eugenia so desperately dolled up. Her cousin might not have been a natural beauty, but there was a sort of quiet loveliness to her, for those who wanted to look closely enough to see it.
Unfortunately, Eugenia’s mother had never seemed to see what her own daughter had to offer.
Now Aunt Tabitha wrapped her arm around Esther’s shoulders, completely ignoring Eugenia. “I assume you brought servants of your own along with you?” she asked.
"I have my lady’s maid, of course,” Esther said. “And a footman as well.”
“Very good,” Aunt Tabitha said. “My housekeeper will direct them to the room where you’ll be staying. Why don’t you join me in the sitting room, dear, and we’ll have some tea?”
Esther allowed herself to be led into the Manor, aware that Eugenia was trailing along behind them.
“This is your first Season too, isn’t it, Eugenia?” Esther asked as they sat down, determined to bring her cousin back into the conversation.
Eugenia brightened slightly. “It is,” she said. “Mother has had new gowns delivered every single day.”
“I’d love to see them,” Esther said, pleased to see her cousin so excited.
It must not be that often that Eugenia gets to feel beautiful.
“I can show them to you after dinner, if you’d like to come to my room,” Eugenia offered.
Esther was just about to take her up on the suggestion, but Aunt Tabitha laughed and shook her head. “Now, Eugenia,” she said, with a merriment that didn’t reach her eyes. “We don’t want to show all your lovely gowns to Esther before you get a chance to wear them, do we?”
Eugenia looked perplexed, but Esther understood.
You mean you don’t want me to see what I’m up against. Is that it, Aunt Tabitha?
She had been wrong to think that her aunt might have changed. Her warmth when she had greeted Esther had been nothing but a charade. She was the same conniving, opportunistic woman she had always been. Esther’s parents had been right to worry about her intentions.
The only surprise is that she’s more clever than I thought she would be. I’ll have to work hard to remain one step ahead of her if I want to make sure she doesn’t sabotage my prospects.
Aloud, she simply said, “Perhaps you’re right, Aunt Tabitha. Perhaps it will be more fun if Eugenia and I wait to show one another our gowns on the occasion of the first ball.”
Aunt Tabitha frowned, and Esther felt a surge of satisfaction.Two can play at this game.
Guilelessly, Eugenia said, “Oh, thatwillbe fun. We’ll be able to get all dressed up and surprise each other.”
Esther smiled. Eugenia’s innocence was, in her opinion, a part of her charm. “When is the first ball to be held?” she asked.
“In just three days!” Eugenia enthused. “Isn’t that exciting? I feel as if I’ve been waiting for months, and now it’s finally almost here.”
“The ball will be held at Bolton Manor, home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Bolton,” Aunt Tabitha said. “Their son, the Earl of Oxbridge, will be looking for a young lady to wed this Season.”
An Earl. Esther made note of that in her mind. Perhaps he would be a good match for her.
Eugenia giggled. “The Earl of Oxbridge is bald, Mother.”
