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She dashed away a prickle of tears as the carriage stopped before a smartly appointed brick town house Then the steps were put down, a footh the doorhere a butler took her wrap and ushered into an elegant room done in rococo pastel plasterwork
She’d barely seated herself when Lady Parnell swept into the room in a swish of silk and a faint scent of roses
She found herself enveloped in a hug ‘Alad to have you with me at last! I hope your journey was not too tedious’
‘No, it was quite interesting, actually’
Stepping back, her hostess inspected A lady you’ve become!’ she concluded ‘With such a look of your ain, arriving for our début Season! But enough of that; you will be feeling her absence a hundredfoldAmanda’s hands a syrief, but to be diverted and to settle your future Withyou a husband’
‘I hope it won’t prove too much of a burden’
‘With your beauty and dowry, I shall have to beat away the suitors! Although, clever girl, you have made one conquest already’
‘Conquest?’ Amanda repeated, puzzled
‘Don’t be coy,’ Lady Parnell said, wagging a reproving finger ‘I’ve already heard froe that you made quite an impression on her son, Lucien In fact, we are bid to dine with the Trowbridge family, as soon as we make you presentable’
A purely feminine satisfaction buoyed her spirits at that confire With Lady Parnell’s help, there was no reason she should not randmama had always envisioned
She only need follow her mentor’s expert advice and put her whole heart andentleman and the indiscretions of the recent past
‘When do you think I will be “presentable”?’
‘Naturally, you can’t appear in public, certainly not at anything as important as a dinner at Ravensfell House, until you’ve acquired a neardrobe You, my dear, must set styles, not merely follow them Fortunately, your papa can afford it!’
‘You don’t think society will find me…too old?’
Lady Parnell chuckled ‘My dear, you’re not past your bloo on, when youaround in a coach for hours Let ht you would prefer to have a tray in your rooht and retire early’
With the excite it ‘Thank you, I am rather weary’
‘Ring when you’re ready and Kindle will bring up a tray I took the liberty of ordering several garments froowns by to; keep what you like, and she’ll measure you for more I still had the copies of La Belle Assens your Mama circled’
Thewith Maarden, fashion periodicals spread around theing for Ma up her throat so she couldn’t reply
Her distress must have shown on her face, for Lady Parnell’s eyes sheened with sy A ‘How unfair to be robbed of the chance to share this Season with yourwe’d planned since you were an infant!’
‘However,’ she said, setting Amanda back at a distance, ‘the best rehts, like gowns and parties and beaux So, enjoy this quiet evening in your chamber After tomorrow, you will have very few such, for I ht from the start!’