Page 56 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
“Then what do you suggest?”
Olivia noticed then that Lady Kirby had entered the room. It was the perfect moment for them to break apart.
“Go and introduce yourself to Lady Kirby. I shall remain by the pastries a while longer. After a time, I can come over and speak with her as well, but by then perhaps you will have been passed off to another,” she suggested.
Louise agreed and made her way over to Lady Kirby. After a short time, Olivia joined them, realising that there was little else for her to do until she saw the Earl of Glauston.
Around her, beautiful young women tried to capture the attentions of all the men, but she ignored it. Instead, she made her way to greet the dowager.
“It is wonderful to see you, Miss Digby. I have just met your charming sister,” she noted.
“I am glad to hear she has managed to charm you. My sister is a wonderful young woman,” Olivia agreed.
“Evidently it runs in your family. Oh, and that darling little doll of a child. I did see her as I passed by, coming down the stairs.”
“Yes, my youngest sister, Gemma. She is also quite wonderful.”
“And how has the evening been so far?” Lady Kirby asked.
“Grand, simply grand,” Olivia replied.
“But have you seen my grandson anywhere?”
“N-no, Lady Kirby. I have not,” she answered, her words faltering. It was strange that even Lady Kirby didn’t know his whereabouts.
“I suppose he is probably just making himself ready. Anyway, that is beside the point. We shall see him before long. Now, go off and enjoy yourselves. Dance and make new friends,” Lady Kirby urged.
Olivia led Louise back to the table filled with pastries where they might indulge as another dance began. Each held a dance card in their hand, waiting to be asked by any gentlemen.
But Olivia was waiting until she saw the earl. She knew that he must be close at hand, but her eyes had not yet found him. She couldn’t help but feel some concern, although Lady Kirby had brushed it all off, as though it was nothing at all.
“Pardon me,” a gentleman said, coming up to Louise. Olivia watched as her sister turned slowly, looking terrified. It only added to her loveliness.
“Forgive me, am I in your way? Do you wish for the pastries?” she asked, trying to move closer to Olivia and put distance between herself and the attractive man in fine coattails.
He laughed as if he thought she must be teasing him. “No, no, of course not. I have not seen you before. May I ask your name?” he enquired.
“L-Louise Digby,” she stammered.
“Miss Digby, I should be honoured if you would allow me to engage you in the next dance,” he remarked.
Olivia tried not to laugh at Louise’s disbelieving face.
“Certainly,” she replied, breathless.
Olivia watched as the new dance began and was grateful that it was a simple one that Louise knew well. The steps were gentle, and her sister seemed to have no trouble at all keeping up with it.
All of the fairytales that Olivia had written paled in comparison to this. Watching her sister be romanced by a fashionable, handsome man of society was an entirely new and wonderful dream come true.
There was a glint that passed between the gentleman and Louise, but when the dance came to an end, another man eagerly approached her and took her hand for the next dance.
Olivia was overjoyed. Her sister was certainly capturing the attentions of the men and it made her proud. Louise Digby was being shown a great deal of attention and honour.
“She looks as though she has always been among society,” came the sweet voice from behind her.
Olivia turned and faced the earl, who looked utterly strapping in his attire. Her breath caught and she wondered how he had crept in without her noticing.
“But no matter how beautiful she is, there is not a woman in this room that could compare to you,” the earl complimented.
