“We talked a while ago when Edward was still here,” Sonia said, trying to evade the topic.
“That’s not true,” Horatia laughed. “I was the one who put forward the subject, but you didn’t say anything.” She placed a hand on Sonia’s arm. “Don’t worry. I know that you are nervous. I also spent some time being nervous until I met my husband at a dance and knew he was the chosen one of my heart. Something similar will happen to you. You just have to wait and try to look even more beautiful than you already are. Although, you don’t have to worry about that. I will take care of everything,” she said confidently.
Sonia wished it were as easy as her cousin explained that everything would happen, but when the debutante had no interest in getting married, the story was very different.
CHAPTER 3
Her cousin planned to pick her up the next day so they could go out together to see some sites and maybe take a stroll around the park. They went to the dressmaker who saw Horatia and was all smiles and very attentive.
“Good evening, Lady Exeter.”
“Good afternoon, Augusta. I brought you, my cousin, Sonia Hearst today. She is a newcomer from America and is here for the season.”
“Of course, the season ...” she sighed. “The most anticipated moment for the young people. She’s a beautiful girl. She’ll look great in one of my dresses,” Augusta said proudly.
“Augusta, do you have anything in Lamè that we can see for Sonia?” asked Horatia.
“I have Lamè fabric in various colors, but in dresses already made I have only one, that I must deliver today. I can show you some other fabrics. Or if you like, I can take Miss Hearst's measurements. If you need the dress soon, I can work with my seamstresses all night and have ready in two days,” Augusta said anxious to please the Viscountess.
“In fact, I would like two evening dresses in a color that favors her skin tone. I would also like for you to make a presentation dress. She brought hers and it is beautiful, but it’s not elegant enough to see the prince. I want for her to wear a stunning dress that highlights her beauty.”
“Very well, Lady Exeter. We have just enough time to take care of that beautiful dress. Please accompany me so that we can see the fabrics that I have in mind and then I will take down the measurements for the young lady.” Augusta beckoned them to enter another part of the room. There was a changing area with a curtain to maintain privacy and outside was a huge armoire full of precious fabrics, next to a small table with two chairs where she supposed, sat the customers Augusta attended at the time.
“Come on, dear,” Augusta called, “you have a slender body. I am sure you will look beautiful. I would like to draw what I have in mind and if you agree I’ll take some measurements and we will get to work.”
“Oh yes, of course, but I thought the evening dress would be first.”
“Of course, dear. That will be one of the dresses that we will deliver in two days, but the court dress for the presentation takes much more work. Some pieces will be embroidered according to the design that I have in my head and for that reason, we must start immediately. Do we have your approval and that of Lady Exeter?”
The two women stayed at the dressmaker's for about three hours. Sonia was surprised at Augusta’s efficiency and at how fast she worked. More people came to try on dresses or have some made and Augusta never panicked. She attended to everyone, spoke with everyone for a brief moment, and had two girls who were her apprentices. While Augusta attended her cousin Horatia and herself her apprentices took great care of the other clients. When Sonia left the dressmakers, she was happy with the designs of the dresses that she would receive in a few days and although they were not at all cheap and she already had a wardrobe brought from America, Sonia thought she would not save her father a dime. If he wanted her married to a nobleman and wanted to sell her to one at all costs, then Sonia would spend whatever she wanted and for that, she knew she had the support of her cousin Horatia.
*****
They arrived at Sonia’s house and went up to her room to look closely at everything she had and the things she needed. They talked for a long time and her cousin made her try on all the dresses that she had bought before she arrived in England. While they talked in the small sitting area in Sonia’s room Horatia showed her a beautiful bracelet that her husband had just given her.
“Is it not beautiful?” Horatia asked, showing the bracelet off with pride. “It has two intertwined hearts.”
“It’s beautiful,” Sonia remembered the viscount; a man who was not too handsome, but not ugly either. He was tall, had an athletic body and an easy smile. He was an elegant man and when he looked at her cousin Horatia, Sonia could see the love in his eyes. Sonia liked to see that Horatia had married well and was happy. Horatia always said that all that was needed to complete her happiness was a baby. That was the only thing that cast a shadow over her cousin's beautiful face. Every time that Horatia remembered that in three years she had not been able to have a baby. She felt guilty for not being able to give her husband the heir she was obligated to provide.
“Did he give it to you for any special occasion?”
“Today is our anniversary.”
“Congratulations, my dear.”
“Thank you. I think I’ll be going home shortly because Ralph told me he had a surprise for
