‘Hmm.’ Nellie suspected the lady’s maid had dark colouring and it was she, not Miss Lockhart, who suited pale colours. Like most mistresses, Miss Lockhart no doubt passed last Season’s gowns on to her lady’s maid, so the maid was making sure those dresses suited her by giving Miss Lockhart false advice.
‘Well, I’m sure you’ll look lovely in it. But perhaps we should liven it up a bit. Do you have any jewellery or scarves in a stronger colour?’
Miss Lockhart looked through her jewellery box and removed a dark red garnet necklace and frowned. ‘This belonged to my mother, but I never wear it. The colour always seemed a bit bold for me.’
‘Nonsense. You’re a very bold young woman and everyone at the ball tonight should be made to know it.’ She put the necklace round Miss Lockhart’s neck and clipped it closed. ‘See how the gems bring out the colour in your cheeks. Do you have the matching earrings?’
Miss Lockhart rustled through her jewellery box and brought out a pair of stunning garnet and diamond earrings.
‘Perfect,’ Nellie declared and attached them to Miss Lockhart’s ears.
Miss Lockhart smiled. ‘Oh, Miss Regan, you’re a gem as well, they look perfect. Even if this ball is as boring as every other ball I’ve been to this Season, this one will be different because I’ll be the envy of the other women. When they see my hair, they’re all going to be so jealous and wish they had a lady’s maid who can create the latest French fashions with such flair.’
‘You find balls boring?’ Nellie had always liked the idea of dressing up in a beautiful gown, listening to wonderful music and being whirled round the dance floor by a man dressed in formal clothing. But, she supposed, if it was something you did all the time, it could perhaps become boring.
Miss Lockhart nodded and sighed. ‘Deadly. The men are all dull and the women are such snobs. When I came out at eighteen I was really excited, but I soon realised that the men weren’t interested in me and that Season was just horrible. And the women were just as bad. They saw it as a chance to let me know I wasn’t really one of them. Each Season has been worse than the one before and now the only way I can endure it is to get the polite chit-chat over as quickly as possible, then find myself a quiet corner where I can sit out the horrid thing.
‘And tonight’s ball is going to be even worse than all the rest. Dominic is going to expect me to land myself a husband before the end of the Season. After all, one more Season and I’ll be officially on the shelf. That’s why he’s hosting this ball. He’s invited just about every eligible titled man in the land. It’s all so demeaning, really, like being inspected at a cattle market.’
Nellie smiled at the sad face reflected in the mirror. ‘It doesn’t have to be demeaning nor does it have to be boring. There’ll be music and dancing, and, as you said, the other women are going to be envious of your new look. Just have fun and enjoy yourself. And don’t see the men as there to inspect you, see it the other way round. You’re a wonderful catch, you’re beautiful, intelligent and vibrant. Any man who’s got a brain in his head will realise that. So, tonight is your chance to make a careful inspection of what’s on offer to see if any of these men are worthy of you. And if none of them are, well, who cares? It’s hardly your fault if you’re too good for them, but that shouldn’t stop you from having fun.’
Miss Lockhart looked at her as if she had just said something outrageous. ‘But Dominic really wants me to find a husband.’
‘Who cares what Dom...what Mr Lockhart wants? You, too, are an independent woman. So, all that’s important is what you want. And tonight, if I’m not mistaken, you want to have a good time and not worry about all this foolish husband-hunting business.’
Miss Lockhart’s restrained smile soon turned into a full, beaming grin. ‘You’re right. I am an independent woman and I will enjoy myself. After all, what do I have to lose? I’ve had a miserable time at every other ball and not found a husband. If I have a good time and still don’t find a husband, it will make no difference, but I’ll have had a good time anyway.’
‘Exactly.’
Miss Lockhart stood up and took off her day dress. Nellie gave her corset laces a tight tug to cinch in her waist a bit more and helped her into her silk petticoat. Miss Lockhart then stepped into her gown and Nellie buttoned up the small ivory buttons running up the front. She helped her into her white satin shoes, then stepped back and admired Miss Lockhart’s appearance and smiled.
‘You look beautiful, Miss Lockhart.’
Miss Lockhart moved over to the full-length mirror and did a little twirl, the long train of her satin gown swirling around her ankles. ‘Oh, Miss Regan, it’s wonderful and you’re so right about the garnets. In future I’m going to get all my gowns made in much bolder colours.’ She smiled at Nellie. ‘Now let’s go and show Dominic what you’ve done.’
She pulled on her elbow-length gloves, picked up her lace fan, then grabbed Nellie’s hand and led her towards the door. It was as if they were now the best of friends, both excited about the night to come.
‘Dominic,’ Miss Lockhart called out from the top of the stairs. ‘What do you think of my new look? Nellie’s completely changed the style and she’s given me lots of good advice about what colours I should wear. Oh, thank you so much for arranging this, Dominic.’
Nellie looked down to see Mr Lockhart standing at the bottom of the stairs.
