Page 29 of A Well-Trained Lady

Leah returned to my side, and I took the spencer jacket from her, aiding Ruth in putting it on.

The final touch had been just the thing, and I spun Ruth toward the mirror, finally allowing her to see her improved reflection.

Ruth placed a hand over her chest, her lips parting in amazement. “How elegant I look.” She glanced at me over her shoulder. “I can hardly believe it. May we go down and surprise the others with my transformation?”

I moved to Ruth’s side. “We are not yet finished. It is one thing to appear a refined lady; it is quite another to become one.”

“Of course,” she said, gazing at her reflection again and smiling giddily. “What do I need to know?”

I pursed my lips, still unsure what lesson to teach first. “I don’t want to overwhelm you, so we will commence slowly.”

Ruth nodded, still observing herself in the looking glass.

“Let us begin by learning how to repress emotion.”

Ruth shot me a quizzical look.

“A trained lady does not giggle, squeal, speak loudly or excitedly, touch others without purpose—”

Ruth’s face filled with curious delight. “How does one touch someone with purpose?”

I gave a mischievous smirk. “That is a lesson for another time. For now, it is enough for you to know to keep a suitable distance from others. If an arm is offered to you, you may take it, but other than that, avoid all physical contact until I instruct you otherwise.”

Ruth gave a quick lift of her shoulders. “That seems easy enough.”

“That means no hugs.”

Ruth nodded her understanding.

“No enthusiastic or longing grasps of the arm.”

Ruth nodded again.

“And try to keep your excitement imperceptible.”

She beamed, nearly bouncing in her seat. “Shall we go down then?”

“Ruth!”

“Sorry. Imperceptible.” She drew her shoulders up and lowered them with a slow exhale. “Shall we walk down?” she asked again, this time imitating my tone.

“Well done.” I looked to Leah. “Be sure to assess Ruth’s gowns and see what can be done about them.”

Leah’s head lowered. “Of course, miss.”

I waited for Leah to open the door for us then led Ruth out of the room, eager to show off my new pupil.

“Remember, Ruth”—I directed a stern look in her direction as we neared the drawing room entrance—“a lady does not allow others to know how she is feeling without a purpose.”

Ruth bit back a smile and nodded.

I gave her one last appraisal. “You shall do wonderfully,” I whispered, leading her through to the drawing room.

Augustus noticed us first and rose from his chair by the fireplace. Mrs. Brundage and Sarah turned their heads from where they sat on the settee before following his example.

“How lovely you look, Ruth,” Augustus said when he had arrived at my side.

Ruth glanced at me, and I gave a nod of approval.