Page 50 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
“Indeed, I shall,” he promised before turning and leaving.
Olivia could scarcely believe it. She was being invited to a ball hosted by the earl.
She ripped open the envelope addressed to her and read not only the invitation, but a personal letter from the Earl of Glauston.
My Dearest Miss Digby,
Please find these invitations that I have prepared for you and your sisters. Along with them are gowns for you to wear to the ball.
Louise shall have a wonderful time and I’ve no doubt that she will be the object of many men’s wishes for a dance. As for Gemma, I shall provide a governess. There shall be sufficient activities to keep her busy. It is my wish that they experience the joys of a ball and are able to live for one evening with no concerns and only thrill.
Should you all be willing to accept, I shall send a carriage for you on Saturday evening. The next two days that pass by without my seeing you shall simply be torture. Until we are together again, I wish you the best of days.
Yours,
Nathaniel Norton, Earl of Glauston
The letter melted Olivia’s heart. No matter how brief it was, she felt overwhelmed by the earl’s words for her. She wished that she could be with him in that moment, thanking him and telling him how glad she was that he cared so for her and for her sisters.
When she made her way to the garden, Louise looked up at her curiously. Olivia knew that her beaming face was enough to perplex anyone who looked upon her.
“What is it?” Louise finally asked.
“I have something for you. Inside. But first, you must wash your hands,” she said.
Louise did as instructed and made her way into the parlour where Olivia was waiting with a smile on her face. When Louise’s eyes found the three boxes stacked tall, she seemed nearly frightened. When she saw her own name written upon the top of the first box, she was even warier.
“What is this all about, Olivia?” she asked.
“First, you must open this,” Olivia said, handing her the invitation.
Louise read it and her eyes grew in excitement. Her breath caught and Olivia watched the joy that passed across her face. It was such a grand moment to be able to share with her dearest friend.
“You cannot be serious. We are invited to a grand ball? With nobility?” she asked, a laugh escaping her lips.
“Indeed. The earl has arranged it all. Would you like to come?” Olivia laughed in question.
“Need you even ask? Of course I shall join you. This is like nothing I have ever imagined in all my life!”
“If that is your answer, you must open the box that has your name upon it,” she urged.
While she was waiting to see her own gown later, when she might be able to try it on, Olivia had already peeked at the ones for Louise and Gemma. She knew it was going to be the most exciting moment for Louise, who had never owned anything so beautiful. Indeed, as she watched her sister lift the lid from the box, her heart overflowed with joy.
Louise looked up at Olivia with shock. Her mouth was ever so slightly ajar, but she appeared to be frightened to even touch the thing inside.
“You must look at it fully. That is simply not enough to take in the wonder of it,” Olivia teased.
Louise slowly, cautiously unfurled the gown from the box and held it up to herself. It was as if she were handling glass.
“This…this is mine?” she asked.
“It is yours. And you may wear it any time you wish. I suggest that you do not wear it in the garden, but after Saturday, do as you please,” Olivia laughed. She was unable to rein-in her excitement.
“You mean that all of this is for us?” Louise asked again, still in utter disbelief.
“Yes, Louise. You are going to dress as a princess and attend a ball.”
The cream-coloured fabric gleamed against Louise’s skin and Olivia saw her finger the beadwork with care. There was such tenderness in her touch of the gown that Olivia felt she could have watched the wonder all day. It was a beautiful sight to see.
