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She never should have agreed to go.

“Miss May, ye must breathe.”

Livvy blinked, staring at the mirror she sat in front of. Her own reflection stared right back, as did Miss Pengelly’s.

The woman gave Livvy an encouraging nod as she placed another bluebell—Livvy’s second favorite flower—in her hair.

She did as she was told, drawing in a breath, her head finally ceasing its spinning.

“There ye go,” soothed Miss Pengelly. “We can’t do anythin’ in this life ’less we breathe.”

How true that was. But Livvy still struggled to do the simple task, what with how tight her chest was. “Thank ye, Miss Pengelly,” Livvy said, peering up at the woman in the mirror. “I couldn’t ’ave done any o’ this without ye.”

Miss Pengelly smiled. “I be more than ’appy to ’elp. And…call me Emma, if ye please.”

Livvy nodded, still reeling at all that had happened over the last few days. After August had left the Giant’s Heart three days past, Livvy had made straight for Miss Pengelly’s house.

Miss Pengelly—or rather, Emma—had been startled at Livvy’s visit, though she’d quickly invited her to sit before the two of them engaged in conversation. Despite the initial awkwardness, Livvy had eventually found her courage and asked Emma to help her prepare for the assembly.

“I fear I don’t remember many o’ the dances,” Livvy had said. “And our maid ain’t one for doin’ fine things with me hair. And me dress might be out o’ fashion…”

Emma had leaned forward in her seat with a grin. “I be more than ’appy to ’elp, Miss May, in any way I can.” Tears had flooded her eyes, then, and she’d whispered, “It be the least I can do after what August ’as told me…That ye’ve kept me secret ’bout Nicholas.”

After that, the walls between them had crumbled, and Livvy, oddly enough, had grown to feel more comfortable with Emma than with any other person on the Mount—excepting August and the Otterhams, of course.

Over the next few days, she and Emma had rehearsed the steps to the dances, practiced Livvy’s hair, and spent time trimming her gown with different lace to give a more refreshed appearance.

Livvy had been anxiously anticipating the event, but now that the day had arrived, she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to attend.

No, that wasn’t true. She was absolutely certain she didn’t want to attend.

“Ye’ll be just fine,” Emma continued to say in her soft, calming tone. “Mrs. Moon’ll be me chaperone, too, as me mother won’t be attendin’ this evenin’, so I can be by your side the entire time if ye wish it.”

Livvy nodded, drawing in a deep breath. She’d imagined attending balls over the years, but every imagining had ended up with her alone in some corner, being spoken about how odd she was with no dance partner to speak of. It wasn’t so very far-fetched, as the very same had occurred during the assembly she’d attended when she’d turned sixteen.

But that wouldn’t happen tonight. She had a true friend in Emma, she was sure of it. And she wouldn’t be without a partner for the entirety of the evening, as August had already promised to dance with her.

August.

At the thought of him, her nerves jostled inside of her. She hadn’t seen him since that afternoon near the Giant’s Heart, though not for lack of trying. If she didn’t know any better, she’d have thought he was avoiding her, but then, that would hardly make sense after he’d asked her to attend the assembly himself. It was far more likely that he was being made busy at the gardens by Father.

At any rate, having not seen August was the only thing pulling her to attend the assembly that night. She needed to see him like flowers needed the rain.

“There,” Emma said, drawing Livvy back to the present. Emma took a step back and eyed Livvy in the mirror. “What do ye think?”

Livvy turned her head left and right, an oddly light sensation filling her heart as she stared at her reflection. Her dark curls were piled high atop the crown of her head, ringlets framing her features and draping down the back of her neck. The small bunch of bluebells and sea pinks Emma had placed near the side of her gathered hair appeared as Livvy shifted back and forth, the flowers accentuating the darkness of her curls, as well as bringing out the color in her cheeks and lips.

Livvy had always considered herself to be average-looking. Not unattractive, by any means. But not beautiful like Emma or even how Mrs. Otterham must have appeared in her youth.

But now, staring back at her reflection, her blue gown lighting her eyes like the sun on the sea, she breathed out a sigh.

“Do ye like it?” Emma asked, no doubt concerned with Livvy’s continued silence.

But Livvy could only shake her head in awe. “I love it. Thank ye, Emma.” She stood, turning around with an appreciative smile. “Thank ye for everythin’.”

“Aw, it be me pleasure.”

They shared a smile, then Emma hesitated before reaching forward and embracing Livvy. Livvy wasn’t sure what to do at first, unversed in such affection, but in a matter of seconds, she returned the embrace.