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hands.  I do worry that you do not get enough time to spend with friends and people
your own age and engage in amusement, rather than all the responsibilities that you
weigh yourself down with. You must get out to meet that young man who will find you
one of these days. Anna could not suppress a blush and her mother raised a quizzical
eyebrow.
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Match Made by Moonlight
Attempting to deflect any further questions on that front, Anna asked the question
that had been plaguing her since the deliveries that morning.  Mama, I know that you
are feeling so much better but I think that I have heard of a new preparation, something
stronger, from the Americas, that might help more than what we ve tried in the past& 
Margaret sighed and walked over to the settee and sat and thought for a moment,
playing with the folds of her mauve day dress.
Anna continued,  I ve yet to come up with a complete formulation, so it would be
some time before I would be ready to try anything. I m also worried that it might be
rather dangerous and I might try a little on myself to make sure there are no ill
effects&  Margaret looked up sharply.
 You ll do no such thing young lady! I remember your mamgu s lessons as well,
don t you forget and if there is to be any experimenting going on, I will be a part of it. It
is just& you have tried so hard Marianna, I don t want to disappoint you again.
 Oh Mama, you don t disappoint me. I only wish to help you.
 I know, poppet. You are such a wonderful girl and I wonder if I have simply been
hiding in here and letting you take care of me because I am scared to face the world
without your father.
 But this started before Papa& 
 I know but I have not fought it as much as I might have. I think I will like to try
this new potion. Anna wrinkled her nose at the word.  Yes, potion, you know I only
say it because it bothered both you and your grandmother so. Margaret smiled.  You
work on it as best you can and maybe I ll feel fit enough to come to London with you
and fend off the worst of Harriet s excesses.
Anna nodded emphatically, relieved that her mother had understood her unspoken
plea. Margaret laughed,  All right dear, but I m afraid that tonight you are on your
own. You must go and get ready or the foundations will shake with Harriet s
displeasure!
Anna laughed and hugged her mother and made her exit. Mary helped her don a
pretty checked muslin that had been dyed a warm peach, with matching pale peach
gloves and helped arrange her waist-length hair in a simple chignon, with a few artful
curls around her face. Anna felt she looked respectable. Besides, she could think of no
gentlemen who would be there tonight whom she had not known since she was a child.
As she descended the stairs, Aunt Harriet again clucked over the color of her gown,
which was not the fashionable white and complained about the extra petticoats and
thick stockings that she wore. It was January and she had no desire to catch a chill!
Another minor tiff ensued over which pelisse was appropriate, Anna opting for the
warmest wool over the fashionable silk and a frown graced Lady Harriet s face for the
bulk of their carriage ride to the Oswestry Assembly Rooms.
The frown was replaced with a simpering smile as they were announced and Lady
Harriet descended upon the other matrons of the local gentry to indulge in the latest
gossip. Anna made her way about the small room, amazed at how hot a small ballroom
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Elaine Lowe
could become even in the midst of winter. She chatted with her neighbors and friends
and when Lady Horatia and her party were announced, gleefully made her way to
Isabella s side.
Anna gave a polite nod to Lady Horatia and the fashionably dressed woman
accompanying her and then moved to greet Isabella. They embraced happily and
Isabella blushed at the small attention they drew from the room. She drew Anna into a
window alcove and Anna chuckled over the intense shyness of the daughter of one of
England s consummate politicians, Sir Frances Eversmith. Isabella s mother, Lady
Horatia Eversmith, was one of the accomplished hostesses of the ton. An invitation to
one of Lady Eversmith s balls was as sought after by matchmaking mamas as a piece of
prize horseflesh at Tattersall s was for the menfolk those mamas were hunting. The
Eversmith s country seat was in Overton, some ten miles from Oswestry and Sir Frances
had been a good friend to her father when he had been alive. Their daughters had been
bosom friends since they were still in the nursery, Isabella being only one year Anna s
senior. The girls had not seen each other since the prior winter and there was so much
to talk about.
After the initial pleasantries were done with, Anna related her news of her
upcoming Season in London.
 Isabella, I rely on you to help see me through it. I am quite sure I will end up
giving Lady Jersey or some other noted notable some grave offense and I will never be
allowed to cross into Almack s or dance the wicked waltz.
 Oh Anna, I am so happy. I cannot tell you how dreadful my first Season was for
me. I so wished I could have had a friend like you with me. I m sure I did not say three
words together in public for an entire three months. Mother was livid with me. This
next Season will be marvelous. Or at least, you might make me brave enough to speak [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]