The Soul of a Stranger by Dana Abbott Celich

Author:Dana Abbott Celich [Celich, Dana Abbott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781973600848
Publisher: WestBow Press
Published: 2017-12-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

“Simply glorious!” Charissa exclaimed as she entered the large upstairs assembly room at the Duke of Gloucester Inn the following evening. The room glowed with the light of at least a hundred candles, some of which had been paid for by Charissa herself, and when she saw their radiant effect, she was glad she had contributed them to the festive cause.

Aunt Caroline grasped her arm, scanning the premises for the most comfortable chair. “Everything is so nice. It reminds me of the dances we had here when I was young,” she recalled. “We used to have such fun.”

“And so we shall tonight!” Charissa replied, gazing around happily. She felt as though she had never looked prettier than she did this evening. Her rose-colored silk suited her coloring, and her hair had been curled and piled high in the latest fashion, with a tall pale-pink feather adding just the right amount of sophistication. She had seen admiration in both Will’s and Sir Godfrey’s expressions when she had come down the stairs at Silvercrosse, which had added to her satisfaction. The two men now stood behind her, both of them particularly handsome and dignified, Charissa thought with a thrill.

Charissa’s excitement matched that of every other person in the room, which buzzed with animated voices talking and laughing in anticipation of a memorable evening. She saw Colonel and Mrs. Mainwood conversing with the Humphreys and, when she acknowledged them all with a nod of her head, both wives gave her a smile every bit as bright as those of the younger ladies in attendance.

Sir Godfrey escorted Aunt Caroline to her preferred seat, then came back to join Will and Charissa near one of the decorated tables. Charissa was telling Will that Mrs. Shaw and her girls had spent the afternoon beautifying the hall with garlands and flowers, lending the atmosphere a soft, colorful elegance. Just as she finished speaking, the objects of her story—Jane, Henrietta, and Arabella Shaw—dashed over to greet Charissa, Will, and Sir Godfrey and began chattering at once about their handiwork.

“I’m glad we are all well now. We worked for hours until we had to go home to dress for the dance,” said Henrietta. “But I am not tired at all.”

“Jane directed us, of course, since she has such good taste,” Arabella informed them, as the oldest sister demurely cast her eyes down onto the floor. “She chose the color theme: pinks and purples, with just a few touches of yellow. Isn’t it lovely?”

“You have done a marvelous job,” Charissa complimented them. “And you yourselves look lovely, too.”

“Thank you. We all have new gowns, of course.” Arabella pirouetted gracefully. “Your gown is so very modish, Miss Armitage. And your silver cross with the ruby complements it perfectly.”

“Indeed it does,” Sir Godfrey, at Charissa’s side, couldn’t help adding.

“With whom are you opening the assembly, Miss Armitage?” asked Henrietta eagerly. “Mr. Robert Buckley has invited me.”

“And I have him for the next dance,” giggled Arabella.

The fresh-faced Mr. Buckley was clearly the

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