New beeswax candles had been placed in the crystal chandeliers, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. The walls were adorned with exquisite oil paintings, while the plush carpeting underfoot made them feel as though they were walking on clouds. From within the ballroom music sounded and when they passed it, she saw couples already dancing, smudging the carefully crafted chalk drawing she’d watched the artists apply earlier in the day.
Near the front door, Sally craned her neck, scanning the sea of faces entering in search of Joanna.
“Are you looking for Prince Charming?” Rosy teased beside her.
“No, looking for Joanna - you know that. And I know you want to see her as much as I do. I can’t believe it’s been three weeks since we saw her,” Sally said and shook her head. She adored her sister Joanna who was also her dearest friend.
It hadn’t bothered her that her younger sister was married before her because Sally had known how much her sister loved Kenneth, the Duke of Wells, to whom she’d been wed for almost two years now.
What had bothered her was the separation. They’d always been like birds of a feather, the best of friends as well as sisters. Losing her to marriage had been difficult.
Fortunately, they did not live far apart and even after her wedding Sally had seen her sister regularly - until this month when Joanna and Kenneth had taken in a second child from the orphanage of which they were patrons. Their older son, Peter, was a charming little boy who was cherished by all. A few weeks ago, they had also taken in a little girl, a two-year-old named Louisa - although none of the family had met her yet because she’d arrived rather ill.
“I know,” Rosy admitted. “I want to see her too. What poor fortune that Louisa was so ill when she arrived home.”
Sally shrugged, “They knew she was ill, it is one of the reasons they took her in. She will be well soon with the help of the physicians Kenneth hired. I am certain we will hear an update today. She must be better, after all, if she was not Joanna would not have agreed to come. Birthday or not.” The truth was, Sally needed Joanna to get better because she desperately missed her. There was nobody like Joanna in Sally’s life. Nobody understood her and in whom she had full confidence.
“I hope soon we will all be back to normal with them visiting us often. I miss Peter, that little rascal.” Rosy smiled and then winked at Joanna. “And Maisie misses Rudy.”
“Goodness do not tell Mother that, she will forbid you from having Maisie and Rudy in the same room for fear of more puppies,” Sally replied but Rosy only laughed.
“Father will let me have all the puppies I want, you know that.”
Sally couldn’t deny this was so. Their father, in his eagerness to please the family, would allow them to have just about anything, which was why he’d refused to entertain their mother’s plan for Sally’s future. Lady Carlisle rushed over to Sally and Rosy, her eyes widening with concern. “There you are! I’ve been looking for both of you. The ball is in full swing, and the guests are asking about you.”
Sally, feigning innocence, flashed a charming smile. “Oh, Mother, you know how it is. The dress was a challenge to put on, but it’s certainly worth it, isn’t it?”
Her mother’s eyes sparkled with approval. “Indeed, my dear. You look absolutely stunning. I’m sure you’ll catch the eye of a fine gentleman tonight.”
Sally nodded, the corners of her mouth twitching with a hint of wry amusement. Inwardly, she mused about her mother’s sudden eagerness to see her settled. It was as if Joanna’s marriage had ignited a fervor within Lady Carlisle to ensure the romantic futures of her remaining daughters.
As Rosy voiced her impatience about Joanna’s delayed arrival, Lady Carlisle stepped in with a knowing smile. “Joanna is already here, my loves. She went upstairs to the library to return a couple of books.”
Sally’s surprise was evident. “The library again? I was just there, and I didn’t see her.”
Before she could inquire further, Rosy grabbed Sally’s hand, excitement gleaming in her eyes. “Come on, Sally, let’s go see her!”
Their mother, however, had other plans. “Not so fast, Rosy. I need you to come with me. Lady Millstone’s son, Gregory, is here, and I must introduce you. He is to inherit the title Marquess of Millstone once his father passed. And he is a keen dancer and excellent in fencing. It’s a wonderful opportunity.”
Sally rolled her eyes discreetly, exchanging a knowing glance with Rosy. Lady Millstone’s incessant gossip had long been a source of amusement and irritation among the ton. However, Rosy’s admiration for Gregory seemed to outweigh any concerns.
“Very well, Mother,” Sally acquiesced with a resigned tone. “I’ll go see Joanna on my own, then.”
“Please, do. She asked me to make sure you know where she is. I am so pleased she could make it, what with little Louisa ill,” their mother said.
“But she must be better, since she did come,” Rosy said, and their mother nodded quickly.
“Of course, of course. Now, come. Let us not leave him waiting,” she said and placed a hand on Rosy’s back while smiling at Sally. Pleased that her younger sister had taken their mother’s attention for at least a little while, Sally made her way across the ballroom and up the stairs to the library. She scanned the area for Kenneth, her brother-in-law. Usually, he could be found with Sally’s father in the billiards room but Lord Carlisle had been delayed and was forced to miss his wife’s birthday. Thus, Kenneth’s whereabouts were rather more obscure.
Sally hurried up the stairs, her hand gliding along the banister. Upstairs, she made her way down the hall past the portraits of their ancestors before arriving in the library. She paused an inhaled, the way Joanna always did. As usual she did not detect the scent of leather, age, and wisdom that Joanna always claimed she could smell.
Chuckling, she burst into the library. “I always knew your mind was playing tricks on you for I smell not a thing whenever I enter into …” she stopped in her tracks, for the library before her was empty.
“Jo? Are you here? Joanna?” she called, hands on her hips.
The grandeur of the room, adorned with rich tapestries and polished mahogany, seemed to echo her calls. The grand chandelier overhead cast a warm glow, illuminating the rows of books standing sentinel on the shelves. She made her way past them, peering down each row only to find one as empty as the next.
Where was she?
