Daniel tilted his head while we continued to take each other in. My eyes landed directly on his chest and I could only imagine what it would feel like to be held in his arms.
Oh my. I looked away and began fanning myself as I pushed my wicked thoughts from my mind.
“We shall see you tomorrow evening,” Mr. Stowe said as he bowed and took a step back. My mother nodded. I watched as Daniel strolled alongside his father. I smiled and began to make arrangements in my mind on what to wear tomorrow for supper.
“He hasn’t changed a bit, Emma. Do you have regrets?” Mrs. Warner whispered.
Looking over to them, I asked, “What do you mean?”
My mother shook her head as she cleared some distant memory. “Of course not, Josephine. That was long ago and we mustn’t speak of it. It is disrespectful to Mr. Montgomery and Mrs. Stowe.” Turning to me, my mother smiled weakly.
“Did you know Mr. Stowe before Daddy?” I asked as my mother began walking.
She looked over her shoulder. “I did, yes.”
“What would you regret, Mother?”
She stopped walking and adjusted her hat before turning to me. “Sophia, there was a time when I thought I might be …” Stopping to look away, she cleared her throat. “Some things are not meant to be. Let’s continue home, shall we?”
I followed slightly behind Mother and Mrs. Warner as they continued their gossip.
“HOW DO I look, Annie?” I asked my ten-year-old sister, as I stared at my reflection. I glanced at my younger sister as she peered at me through the mirror. She favored my father so. Her golden-blonde hair fell above her shoulders in beautiful ringlets. Her turquoise eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky. I envied her looks. On more than one occasion, I made mention of my dissatisfaction of my hair and eye color. Father would chuckle and tell me I had brown eyes that any man would surely lose his senses in. I did adore my curls and was glad I inherited that trait, at least, from my father.
Smiling, she whispered, “Like a princess. A true lady.”
I couldn’t help but smile wider. A lady? If only my thoughts matched the description my sister had given me.
“Why must women wear all this?” Annie asked with a sigh. I let out a giggle. Looking up, I thought about the last hour. With the help of Lucy, our lady’s maid, I had dressed in my white stockings, white cotton drawers, followed by a white corset. Mother’s rule was four inches smaller than my natural shape. Lucy and I were friends, though; she only did three, to which I was forever thankful to her. Mother had bought me all new corsets so that the garters were attached to make dressing easier. Next came my camisole. It served as a shield between my skin and my gown, protecting it from perspiration and perfumes. Finally, after all of that, came the gown.
I gazed upon my orange gown. My mind drifted to my dearest friend, Nelly, as her words from earlier today flooded my thoughts as she helped pick out my attire for the evening. “Orange is a high arousal color.” The two-piece dress was breathtaking, I must admit. It was made of fine silk and lace. The bodice had a vest portion in the center front, which closed with large decorating buttons that I had let Annie pick out at the store. Spinning around, I smiled as I ran my hand over the beaded fringe and red velvet ribbon. Moving my hand slowly up, I traced the purple silk diamond-shaped neckline. Touching my fingertips to my exposed skin, I grinned. My sleeves were long in length and were cuffed at the ends with more purple satin to match the collar. My underskirt was flat in the front with three gores. Smoothing my hands over the dress, I hoped it would take Daniel’s breath away with one look.
“Why is your face flushed, Sophia?” Annie asked.
I placed my hands on my cheeks and tittered like a schoolgirl. Looking at my sister, I smiled and said, “I’m hot from all that dressing, Annie. Come now, you must get to your bedchamber before Papa sees you’re still up.”
Annie pouted. “I don’t see why I can’t go to dinner with you. I’m a big girl.” I placed my arm around her shoulders as we made our way out of my chambers and to hers.
“Yes, I know. Life is so unfair, young one. One day though, you will attend all sorts of dinners and dances. For now, you must visit them only in your dreams.”
Gazing around the room, I searched for Daniel. My father and mother were busy talking to Mr. and Mrs. Stowe along with two other couples, whom I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing. A young gentleman had been talking my ear off and I was in desperate need of fresh air.
Turning to him, I asked, “Will you please excuse me? I am in need of some fresh air.”
“Shall I join you?” he asked.
I quickly shook my head. “No. No, that will not be necessary. I have a slight headache and need some time alone.”
Nodding his head, he smiled and took a step back, giving me a quick bow. Returning the polite gesture, I began toward the kitchen. One look over my shoulder showed my mother watching me intently. I’m sure she was distressed at the idea of me wandering off and being late to sit down for dinner.
Somehow managing to find my way to the back gardens, I smiled and inhaled a deep breath. All I smelled were azaleas. I walked along the cobblestone pathway that intertwined among Magnolia trees and some of the most amazing flowers I’d ever seen. My mother would be green with envy were she to lay her eyes upon this colorful garden.
“It goes on forever,” I whispered.
“One can easily get lost back here.”
I stopped the moment I heard his voice. Closing my eyes, I placed my gloved hands on my stomach to calm the butterflies. Inhaling a deep breath through my nose, I slowly blew it out as I turned to face him.