Page 5 of The Lady No One Noticed

“Esther, you will come with us,” Hildred commanded unexpectedly and Esther looked up in surprise.

“I have a megrim, Mother. I would prefer to stay home,” Esther replied, not wishing to subject herself to an afternoon where the topic under discussion would be nothing but Madeline’s ball and the Duke of Alewood.

“It is your sister’s ball, and you must look your best. You will be representing our family, and I will not allow you to wear any of your tired old gowns. I won’t hear another word about this. Eat and have some more tea. I'm sure that will help your megrim,” Her mother ordered.

The matter was settled, and Esther had no choice but to go along. Later that morning, the three ladies, along with Ruth, stepped out of the house adorned in fashionable pelisses and bonnets. It was a beautiful sunny day as the four women walked on Bond Street, where their favorite dress designer had her shop. They entered Madame Tousseou's brightly colored establishment and were greeted by an array of rich fabrics of every color and texture.

“Lady Hathershire, your presence is most welcome,” Madame Tousseou said dramatically as soon as her eyes fell on Hildred. Her French accent was heavy, and she embraced her heritage boldly.

“Selene, how do you always manage to pull off the most exotic colors with such ease?” Asked her mother, amazed at how mesmerizing the beautiful French dressmaker looked in the golden orange gown she wore.

“French blood, My Lady, our skin is made for exotic colors,” Selene replied with a jolly laugh.

“Lady Astrid, Lady Esther, I see you both are wearing one of my creations,” Selene remarked acknowledging both Esther and Astrid with a kind smile.

“Selene, no time for idle chat today. We are in dire need of your services,” Lady Hathershire interrupted sitting on the velvet pink Settee. Esther and Astrid sat too, while Ruth stood quietly behind Esther.

“I can sense the approach of an important affair,” Lady Tousseou said excitedly, clapping her hands together.

“Madeline, my eldest, is hosting a birthday ball, and you must know how exquisite the event will be. After all, Neil Hundley, Madeline’s husband, is a wealthy and powerful Earl, and I have taught my daughter to create grand affairs,” Hildred went on, clearly boasting. She had always been incredibly proud of Madeline, and after her marriage to the Earl, she was even more so.

“Absolutely, I know of Lord Hundley, of course. He became an earl a few years ago I believe, after his father passed?” Selene questioned. Esther kneaded her temples lightly, not understanding why everyone around her enjoyed the art of excessive gossip.

“Yes, his poor father, who was Wilson’s particular friend, passed away due to an illness and Neil inherited the title,” Hildred elaborated for Selene’s benefit.

“So Lady Madeline is now a countess,” Selene said, her bright, glowing smile intact.

“Oh yes, my daughter is the Countess of Willmeade. Now we need you to design us the most mesmerizing gowns for the ball since we are family and must look our absolute best,” Hildred said in her usual cheerful manner.

“I will start working on them immediately and will prepare nothing short of magic for you ladies,” Selene assured, standing up. She turned around to look at the fabrics that were draped on every available surface behind her.

“Oh, and make sure Astrid’s gown is the loveliest of all. The Duke of Alewood will be attending,” her mother said to Selene’s. The modiste turned around as if stunned.

“My, my, are you hinting towards a match between our beautiful Astrid and the duke?” Selene asked, her eyes wide.

“It is a possibility. Make sure that her gown is beautiful enough to catch everyone’s attention,” Hildred answered, throwing a glance in Astrid’s direction.

Esther felt out of place once again, as if she had no more importance than her lady’s maid.

“Astrid’s looks are quite enough to gain anyone’s attention, really, but I will dress you in the most excellent colors, Lady Astrid, rest assured! You are already aware that Selene has a gift bestowed upon her by the gods up above to create the most sumptuous fashions,” Selene boasted, selecting a few fabrics from behind her and placing them on the table between them.

“I trust you completely, Selene,” Astrid said before as they poured over the fabrics for their respective gowns.

Esther knew the ball would turn out to be another dull affair for her as she silently watched the revelry from the corner of the ballroom, and she couldn’t help but dread it already.

The rest of the day consisted of more shopping for the perfect gloves and fans to compliment Selene's gowns. They had finally returned home and were sitting in the drawing room when her mother went so far as to discuss possible flirtation tactics with Astrid as if attracting the Duke of Alewood by any means was paramount.

“Oh, come, mother, don’t you think I already know how to attract male attention?” Astrid questioned with a laugh. Esther wished to snort loudly at that since she knew how adept her sister was at the task. Esther had witnessed the countless times Astrid had 'accidentally' brushed too close to a gentleman or dropped her handkerchief at precisely the right moment to entice a handsome young buck to politely return it to her with lovestruck smiles. If only Esther too possessed such charming qualities and the ability to flirt so adeptly.

The ball at Madeline’s mansion was the perfect place for Esther to search for a husband in earnest. She knew that every eligible gentleman in London was going to be in attendance, and many of them would be looking for potential brides. Surely, she could entice one to notice her. He needn’t even be particularly handsome or have an enviable title. She just wanted someone kind and pleasant with whom she could build a life.

Oh, how proud Mama and Papa would be if I can actually find a match.

“Esther? Have you been listening to a word I have said?” Her mother shrieked, and Esther’s head shot up as blush tinged her cheeks, her fantasy suddenly broken.

“No Mother, I apologize. I was thinking about something else,” Esther replied quietly.

“I have no idea where your head is. You were always a wistful, silly girl. People will start calling you mad if you don’t stop this awful habit of yours of drifting off while people are speaking to you,” Hildred scolded, and Esther nodded. She was accustomed to her mother's condemnation.