Joanna nodded in agreement. “It’s going to be a grand event. I’m sure you’ll impress all the patronesses.”
“I certainly hope so. I want to make a good impression. The patronesses need to see that I can draw the upper crust.”
Sally couldn’t deny a certain nervousness at the prospect of hosting her first ball as Duchess. Since it was clear she had failed at convincing Leonard they could give their marriage a chance to grow into something real; she’d decided to focus on another goal instead - becoming a patron of charities and improving the lives of others.
To that end, she had invited the patronesses from all her favorite charitable organizations, such as the Wounded Mariners Society, the Child Welfare Society, and, of course, the orphanage Joanna and her husband supported. By pulling a dazzling ball that drew all the finest lords and ladies in their society, she hoped to impress. Ideally, she wanted to be invited to join one of the organizations by the evening’s end.
Joanna put a hand on Sally’s arm. “You’ll do just fine. You’re a natural when it comes to hosting events.”
Sally shrugged off the compliment. “I suppose. But I just want everything to be perfect.” She sighed deeply, her shoulders rolling forward as they crossed the road toward the milliners to order their new hats and bandeaux.
Joanna looked at her with concern. “Is everything alright, Sally? You seem a bit down.”
Sally hesitated for a moment before replying. “It’s nothing. Just a little tired, I suppose.” She didn’t really want to talk about the reason for her solemn feelings, feelings she’d hoped would not be too evident to her sisters. Alas, they weren’t fooled. And how could she have thought he might? They, especially Joanna, knew her all too well.
Joanna spoke up. “Is it Leonard? Are things still not going well between you two?”
Sally sighed. “It’s just...awkward. He is to go to Portugal in a few days, and I must say I will be glad when he is gone, even though I know it will look badly at the ball if he isn’t there. It isn’t pleasant always stalking around the house in fear of running into him.”
“I wish he weren’t so mutton headed? It is vexing. He has a beautiful wife who will go to great lengths for him but he can’t even see it. What a fool.”
Sally smiled at Rosy. Her younger sister didn’t know the details of her and Leonard’s complicated relationship. However, she knew enough to understand all was not well. Rosy, a romantic at heart, had dreamed of Sally finding love with the man she was forced to marry and was disgruntled. This hadn’t come to pass.
Sally gave her sister a small smile. “It’s fine. I’ll manage. Not everyone gets to have a great love. Some of us just get to be great Duchesses,” she slung her hand around her sister, forcing a smile.
Still, as they walked, Sally couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness as she thought about her marriage. She’d given in to Leonard’s desires and stopped trying. There was only so much rejection any one person could take before they were entirely depleted. Instead, she’d acted the way he always had. Distant, quiet, and reserved.
Oddly enough, this seemed to only draw him out, for he would, on occasion, ask her to walk with him, join him for a meal, or ask to listen as she played the pianoforte. She’d always decline, not wanting to be drawn in again. Still, she couldn’t help but quietly observe him whenever he didn’t know she was looking at him. In those moments, she longed for more because she knew the man he could be. Gently, kind, protective - qualities she’d always wanted in a husband.
If only she could find a way to remove whatever barrier was keeping him from allowing himself to be vulnerable. She hadn’t succeeded in finding out any more about his parents and how they might have shaped the complicated man their son had turned out to be, and perhaps she never would.
“And remember when we used to pretend we were hosting balls? You were always the perfect hostess.” Rosy’s voice drew her from her contemplation, and she turned around.
“Yes, Sally was always the one who’d tell us what went where and what we were supposed to wear,” Joanna added.
“And the order of the dances had to be strictly adhered to!” Rosy giggled.
“Order is important,” Sally said with a chuckle when ahead of them, a sudden bell chime drew Sally’s attention. She looked up just as a familiar figure stepped out of the Tea and Spice shop.
Lady Millstone.
Sally stopped in her tracks, her stomach contracting. This dreadful woman had caused all of her troubles. Without her interference, Sally would have been able to court and marry someone who loved her. Or ended up an old maid. Either way, it would have been her choice. Lady Millstone took that from her. Well, Lady Millstone and Sally’s own mother.
Her hands curled into fists, but she told herself she had to stay composed. This woman, dreadful as she was, wielded influence. Sally couldn’t afford to alienate her now, especially with her upcoming ball. She forced a smile as Lady Millstone approached, her heart racing.
“Lady Millstone, how lovely to see you,” Sally greeted her politely. The older woman curtsied before her, a small victory for Sally.
“My dear Duchess, what a pleasure it is to run into you. And Lady Rosemary, and Your Grace,” she acknowledged Rosy and Joanna. “I see you’ve been indulging in some shopping. Anything special for the upcoming season?” Lady Millstone asked, her eyes scanning their purchases.
“New gowns for Sally’s ball,” Rosy said, her tone defiant.
“Ah yes, the grand ball. I heard all about it. I am sure my invitation will soon arrive as well,” Lady Millstone said with a sweet smile that reeked of insincerity. Sally hadn’t invited her, of course. But now, she realized, she had no choice but to do so.
“I am sure it will; I will follow up with the messenger service post haste,” Sally assured her with equal insincerity.
“Please do. I would not want to miss it. I hear all the lady patronesses from London’s best-known charities are coming. What a grand affair. I am, of course, familiar with all of them.”
Sally’s heart skipped a beat. She knew exactly where this was going. Lady Millstone had a way of turning any conversation into a power play. Sally would stand for it, not now.
