10-31-2021, 01:47 PM
Catherine peeked out when the Marques Quentin North was announced, but drew up her lip in disgust when she noticed a lady by his side, who was announced next. Who did this Miss Deveraux think she was, to disrupt Catherine's carefully laid out plan? She should have acted quicker. They should have hosted an event earlier.
When all the guests had arrived, her father came up. He was a short and rather round man, who had sported a large moustache a decade ago, but had a clean shaven face now, all up to date with the latest fashion, and looked ruddier for that. Despite his short stature and flustered complexion, he had a way of carrying himself with authority, and when he tapped a spoon against a glass that had been handed to him for the purpose, the noise was soon copied by others and the murmur below died out.
"Dear friends, family, esteemed guests," he projected his voice. "I would like to welcome you all to this ball to celebrate the start of the summer season, but also," he raised his voice a little here, "to celebrate the coming of age of my youngest daughter, Catherine," he held out his hand and Catherine glided towards him, uncomfortably aware of how red her face was. Her father continued: "- who has recently turned eighteen. She will be joining social events from now on, so let's welcome her."
Catherine blushed even deeper as he father walked her down the stairs. She felt light in the head and worried that she would faint. She had been looking forward to this moment so much, but hadn't realized how terrifying it would be to have all those eyes fixed on her. Some people applauded in a gesture of welcome and approval. Others shouted a welcome. Some girls glared. Other girls whispered among each other and giggled. She suddenly wasn't so sure if she liked being the center of attention.
"Goodness, dear, stop blushing," whispered her father. She had to look her best. Her parents had high hopes for her, and her red face did not help towards fulfilling those. "We'll go see the Marques first, but since he's as good as claimed, we'll go to the Earl straight after that, before any of these jealous young ladies get to him."
"Yes papa," whispered Catherine, even more flustered under the pressure. She was thankful when they reached the bottom of the stairs and she hadn't fainted.
"And now," said Mr. Ennington, projecting his voice once again. "May we have a waltz?" Immediately the musicians started playing a waltz. Some people started making their way to the dance floor. Young men approached Catherine, but she only accepted dances with two men whom she wasn't interested in, but who were important enough to 'increase her market value'. She wrote their names in her little book and followed her father to see the Marquess.
"My lord, how kind of you to accept our invitation," said Mr. Ennington with a small bow. Catherine curtsied, batting her lashes shyly at him, and then looked at Miss Deveraux. "That is a beautiful dress, Miss Deveraux," she said with as much grace as she could muster.
When all the guests had arrived, her father came up. He was a short and rather round man, who had sported a large moustache a decade ago, but had a clean shaven face now, all up to date with the latest fashion, and looked ruddier for that. Despite his short stature and flustered complexion, he had a way of carrying himself with authority, and when he tapped a spoon against a glass that had been handed to him for the purpose, the noise was soon copied by others and the murmur below died out.
"Dear friends, family, esteemed guests," he projected his voice. "I would like to welcome you all to this ball to celebrate the start of the summer season, but also," he raised his voice a little here, "to celebrate the coming of age of my youngest daughter, Catherine," he held out his hand and Catherine glided towards him, uncomfortably aware of how red her face was. Her father continued: "- who has recently turned eighteen. She will be joining social events from now on, so let's welcome her."
Catherine blushed even deeper as he father walked her down the stairs. She felt light in the head and worried that she would faint. She had been looking forward to this moment so much, but hadn't realized how terrifying it would be to have all those eyes fixed on her. Some people applauded in a gesture of welcome and approval. Others shouted a welcome. Some girls glared. Other girls whispered among each other and giggled. She suddenly wasn't so sure if she liked being the center of attention.
"Goodness, dear, stop blushing," whispered her father. She had to look her best. Her parents had high hopes for her, and her red face did not help towards fulfilling those. "We'll go see the Marques first, but since he's as good as claimed, we'll go to the Earl straight after that, before any of these jealous young ladies get to him."
"Yes papa," whispered Catherine, even more flustered under the pressure. She was thankful when they reached the bottom of the stairs and she hadn't fainted.
"And now," said Mr. Ennington, projecting his voice once again. "May we have a waltz?" Immediately the musicians started playing a waltz. Some people started making their way to the dance floor. Young men approached Catherine, but she only accepted dances with two men whom she wasn't interested in, but who were important enough to 'increase her market value'. She wrote their names in her little book and followed her father to see the Marquess.
"My lord, how kind of you to accept our invitation," said Mr. Ennington with a small bow. Catherine curtsied, batting her lashes shyly at him, and then looked at Miss Deveraux. "That is a beautiful dress, Miss Deveraux," she said with as much grace as she could muster.
