Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas

Author:Lisa Kleypas
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3, epub, pdf
Published: 2011-11-25T23:57:43+00:00

Almost four months had passed since Holly had come to reside at the Bronson estate, and now it was time to test the results of her patient tutoring. The night of the Plymouth ball had finally arrived. It would serve as Elizabeth's introduction to society. It was also an opportunity for Zachary Bronson's newly polished manners to be displayed to the ton. Holly was filled with pride and hopeful anticipation, suspecting that there were many in first society who would be pleasantly surprised by the Bronsons this evening.

At Holly's suggestion, Elizabeth wore a white gown trimmed with swaths of pale pink gauze, with one fresh pink rose pinned at her waist and another fastened in the piled-up curls of her hair. The girl looked fresh and graceful, her slender figure and considerable height lending her a queenly air. Although Zachary had given his sister many gifts of jewelry in the past, Holly had looked over the priceless array of diamonds, sapphires and emeralds and realized they were too heavy and expensive for an unmarried girl. Instead, she had selected a single pearl on a delicate gold chain.

“This is all you require,” Holly said, fastening the chain around Elizabeth's neck. “Keep your appearance simple and unspoiled, and save the extravagant jewels for when you're as old as I am.”

Elizabeth stared at their shared reflections in the dressing-table mirror. “You make it sound as though you're decrepit,” she said with a laugh. “And you look so beautiful tonight!”

“Thank you, Lizzie.” Holly gave the girl's shoulders a squeeze, and turned to glance at Paula fondly. “As long as we are spreading compliments, Mrs. Bronson, I must say that you look magnificent this evening.”

Paula, who was dressed in a forest-green gown adorned with sparkling beadwork at the neck and sleeves, nodded and smiled tensely. It was clear that there were a thousand things she would rather be doing than attend a formal ball.

“I'm not certain I can manage this,” Elizabeth said nervously, standing before the mirror. “I'm a wreck. I'm going to make some terrible faux pas that everyone will talk about. Please, Lady Holly, let's forget about going anywhere tonight and try again some other time, after I've had more lessons.”

“The more balls and parties and soirees you attend, the easier it will become,” Holly replied firmly.

“No one will ask me to dance. They all know what I am—an illegitimate nobody. Oh, damn my brother for doing this to me! I'm going to be a wallflower tonight. I don't belong in a ball gown. I should be somewhere peeling potatoes or sweeping a street walkway—”

“You're lovely,” Holly said, hugging the girl while Elizabeth continued to stare at her own alarmed reflection. “You're lovely, Lizzie, and you have very good manners, and your family is quite wealthy. Believe me, you won't be a wallflower. And not a single man who views you tonight will think you should be peeling potatoes.”

It took a great deal of persuasion and stubborn insistence to force both of the Bronson women from the room.

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