Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

dressmaker and see if they had anything that would suit you. It’s actually parts of two different dresses. The pelisse is a bit heavy, but I thought you might like it, being it’s cool to-night.’ #
    ‘You are a wonder, Mary, and a very clever girl.’
    ‘Please miss, don’t move, it needs just a few more stitches to make sure you don’t pop out all over. There, done!’
    I admired myself in the mirror and couldn’t help but think of the shift in my fortunes.
    ‘You’d better hurry. I’m sorry it took me so long to make those changes,’ Mary said.
    ‘You are right. I shall have to run to make it in time.’
    ‘Run? No, the chair is waiting outside. We can’t have you running.’
    Mary hurried me out and the chairmen brought me swiftly to the Upper Rooms with time to spare. Miss House and Mrs Fitzhugh were waiting for me just inside. #
    ‘My dear, you are a vision,’ Mrs Fitzhugh said.
    ‘I agree,’ Miss House said. ‘Clearly Mary has outdone herself.’
    ‘Thank you both. I feel … I feel …’
    ‘Yes, my dear?’ Mrs Fitzhugh prompted.
    ‘I feel that anything is possible.’
    ‘And so it is,’ Miss House confirmed.
    ‘Let us go in,’ Mrs Fitzhugh said. ‘There is dancing.’
    Her words proved to be an understatement. I had never seen so many people in one place, for this was the height of the season; and the day and the clemency of the weather ensured that all of society gathered in this one room. We entered as the couples marched before the start of the country-dance, unfortunate timing as it might mean that we would be denied partners for a full thirty minutes, but I did not mind. I enjoyed watching the leading couple as they assuredly set the tone of the dance and feared I would never match their skill and grace. But Miss House was eager to claim seats and she firmly held my hand as we navigated the room. I turned to look for Mrs Fitzhugh but she had left us at some point.
    I was soon glad of Miss House’s firm hand as we threaded our way through the crowd and claimed what looked to be the last two seats available. We were only barely seated, however, when Mrs Fitzhugh returned with a pleasant young man in tow. We rose and Mrs Fitzhugh said, ‘Miss Woodsen, may I introduce Mr Harrington, a very nice young man whose family I have known since the Flood.’
    He bowed and I returned the favour. ‘Charmed, Miss Woodsen.’
    Turning to the gentleman, our companion said, ‘And you, of course, know Miss House.’ They acknowledged each other as well and exchanged pleasantries before Mr Harrington addressed me again. ‘Miss Woodsen, may I have the pleasure of the next dance?’
    Obliged as I was to his invitation, I stole a look to Miss House for I also felt an obligation to her and did not wish to precede her enjoyment. She quickly nodded her assurance with a smile and I returned my attention to the gentleman.
    ‘Of course,’ I said. ‘I look forward to it.’
    And the course of the evening was set. I danced the cotillion and the reel and even the quadrille, of which I had no familiarity, and to my relief but not my surprise Miss House was not unaccompanied, though she towered over her partners. We several times exchanged smiles and I laughed at the pleasantries of my partners and clapped at the success of the dances.
    The room grew ever hotter and we retired for refreshment and joined a group obviously well known to my friends. Mrs Fitzhugh especially knew everyone, and soon Miss House and she were exchanging confidences with those at the table. So happy was I to be free of the worry and despair of recent days that in my inattention I fear my face may have appeared vacuous.
    After a time Miss House returned her attention to me. ‘I’m sorry, my dear, I’ve ignored you.’
    ‘No, I am glad of a moment to enjoy my own thoughts.’
    ‘I’m glad you can keep yourself amused. But if I may ask a favour, would you decline the next dance? I had promised that you would see the outcome of your efforts this morning.’
    ‘Yes,’ I said, louder than I had intended. ‘I wish to know what you are about.’
    ‘Good. Mrs Fitzhugh, might we return and attend to our friend in need?’
    Mrs Fitzhugh agreed and we returned to the ballroom, which by this time had quieted somewhat in favour of dances that would allow the participants to cool themselves. Thus our progress through the room was quicker and we soon found ourselves in a corner where a family was seated. They rose as we approached