I stood in front of the full length mirror that Lady Edgehill insisted I need for tonight. I looked at my reflection, still in my day dress, thankful that Lady Edgehill's taste was more subdued than Patience's. The dress was simple yet graceful with the bouquets of flowers etched in green on the white cotton fabric. A green satin ribbon tied at my waist and a matching one that held my locket around my neck finished the look. The country girl that I always indentified with somehow fell away a little and I felt more refined than I had before . . . even when I was dressed in Patience's overly elegant style.

            "Miss Woodbridge?" Clara curtsied as she entered my room, "are you ready to dress for the ball?"

            I smiled warmly at her, Clara had been good to me over the past months as she stepped into the role of my ladies' maid, "Yes, I think so."

            "Lady Edgehill has sent Anne, her personal maid, to assist," she said opening the door as another woman entered carrying my gown for the evening.

            "Good evening, Miss," Anne curtsied before she laid the dress over the bed.

            "I almost forgot how beautiful it was," I breathed as I ran my fingers over the soft green fabric.

            "Just wait until you are in it, Miss," Clara smiled as she began unbuttoning my day dress, "no one will be able to compare."

            "I do not deserve this fuss," I said as I removed my locket and handed it to Anne, "but if the Lady insists, then it is to be." Once my dress was removed I went to sit at my dressing table to refresh myself a little, I dabbed some rose water along my neck, "Do you know if Mr. Edgehill going to be in attendance?"

            "I have not seen him, Miss," Clara answered as she took my dress back to the wardrobe.

            "I have not heard the Lady say either," Anne answered as she removed the ribbons from my hair and began to brush it out. My eyes fell on the pewter box that sat beside the mirror, "Mr. Edgehill has been out of sorts lately, Miss, perhaps it is good that he does not attend?"

            "Perhaps," I sighed thinking of the  pleasant times we have spent together. I caught myself remembering that conversation we had days ago and hoping that he would make it after all.

            "Don't you worry, Miss Woodbridge, the young men will be standing in line to dance with you," Clara smiled cheerily as she prepared my gown.

            "But what if I don't want to dance with them?" I smiled slyly at her as I stood and went back in front of  the mirror.

            "A young lady that does not want to be the center of attention?" Anne shook her head as she joined Clara in carefully gathering the delicate folds of the dress to help me into it.

            "I have enough trouble with the one young man . . . " I began as they draped the fabric around me, "What would I do with several?" Anne gathered my hair as Clara cinched up the back. Once she tied the ribbons, they both stepped away from me and I gazed into the mirror. The gown was truly exquisite. It was a soft shade of green in its entirety even though it had several layers. The innermost piece was a silk chemise that draped in the most divine way, over the bodice was a sheer overlay embellished with tiny pearls. Starting in the center at the waistline was an embroidered flower that rose up over my chest and fanned out into a beautiful lace. Over the skirt was an embroidered gauze draping with more flowers along the edges, I could only imagine how it would look during a dance. And even though we were into Spring, Lady Edgehill insisted on full sleeves and I have to admit that she was right. There were slight puffs at my shoulders and again at my elbows. The intricate lacework in between, as well as running to my wrists, was so detailed that I could study it for hours.

            "Excuse me, Miss Woodbridge," Anne said with a gentle hand on my shoulder, "We should continue with your hair." She walked back to the dressing table and held out my chair.

            "Yes, of course," I smiled with a bit of blush to my cheeks. I never thought I would be caught in a reverie over a gown, but there I was. While Anne took to brushing, curling and teasing, Clara brought out a pair of matching green slippers with a similar embroidered flower on the toes. "I did not know there were slippers to match," I smiled extending one foot after the other as she slid them on.

            "Lady Edgehill does not miss a thing," Anne replied as she began to pin my curls up.

            "She does not," I agreed with a smile. I tried to sit still and quietly as Anne continued to work. Clara brought a selection of jewelry to me and suggested a pearled choker to match my dress, knowing as little as I did about fashion, I agreed.

            "There you are, Miss," Anne smiled at me in the mirror, "a very flattering style." I turned my head to see the pile of curls at the back of my head studded with tiny white pearls. A few tendrils fell alongside my ears as well as caressed my neck, I felt more elegant that I had a right to. "Now, shall we add a bit of color?"

            "Oh, no," I protested, "that is not me."

            "I promise to have a very light hand," Anne reassured me, "only to highlight what the Lord has given you." I turned to Clara who was smiling, she gave me a nod as I did to Anne in return. When Anne finally stepped away from me, she had turned the mirror so I could not see, "To the large mirror, Miss, to see everything all together."

            I took a deep breath and got to my feet, both Anne and Clara were smiling happily at me as I walked to the mirror again, "Oh my," I breathed, "Is that really me?" As I turned in front of the glass there was a tapping at my door, but I hardly noticed until Lady Edgehill was standing beside me.

            "You are more lovely than I anticipated," she smiled reaching for my hand, "Thomas has no idea what he is missing." I must have let my disappointment show because she gave my hand a squeeze, "Oh, don't you worry! You will not be wanting for admirers tonight, my dear."

            "Come, my love," Lord Edgehill said coming to my door, "the guests are arriving." When he looked up from adjusting his cuffs he smiled at me, "You are a vision, Miss Woodbridge."

            "Thank you, Lord Edgehill," I curtsied, "Lady Edgehill."

            "Well do not tarry too long," Lady Edgehill said as she kissed my cheek, "I'm sure everyone is just waiting to meet you."

            "Freddie and I shall be down soon," I nodded.

            "Did someone mention me?" Freddie said standing in my doorway.

            "There's the lucky man," Lord Edgehill clamped him on the shoulder, "I'm sure you will be the envy of very many young men tonight."

            "Whatever do you mean?" Freddie asked and Lady Edgehill joined her husband and began to make their way down the hall.

            "You will be the first to have her on your arm," Lady Edgehill nodded towards me.

            Freddie stopped mid-turn, "Oh," he sighed, "Don't you look as lovely as our mother?"

            I smiled and tried to keep the tears that threatened to fall at bay, "Do I?"

            "Oh yes," he smiled as he walked to me and kissed my cheek, "And if possible, you may be even lovelier."

            "Don't you dare lie to me," I swatted at him with my fan.

            "In all honesty, Margaret, I do think Mother would agree with me." He took my hands and held out my arms, "You are breathtaking. Are you ready to do this?"

            "As ready as I will ever be," I said taking his arm.

            "Will your young man be there?" he asked as we left my room.

            "I do not think so," I said quietly.

            "And you are sure . . . that you do not want me to contest the contract?"

            "There is something about him," I explained, "I have never felt this connection with any other."

            "Not even Percival?"

            "Dear Percival," I breathed, "I was very content with him, but . . . "

            "Don't you dare say it!  My dear sister," Freddie kissed my hand, "Do not let Patience, or Lady Edgehill or anyone dictate your life to you. I will always fight for your happiness."

            "I know you will, Freddie," I kissed his cheek, "but I do believe that Thomas is the key."

            "Very well," he sighed, "but remember that I am at your disposal." I smiled and nodded realizing that Freddie understood perhaps better than anyone else. "Are you ready?"

            "I am," I breathed and nodded at the steward at the top of the stairs.

            "Announcing Miss Margaret Woodbridge," he said in a stately voice as we began down the stairs. I tried to keep my eyes ahead of me for fear of all of the faces making me nervous enough to misstep.

            "Smile, Margaret," Freddie whispered, "They have all come to see you." He gave my hand a squeeze again and I looked out into the sea of faces. I saw Lord and Lady Edgehill standing in the center of the room, they were both smiling at me. I saw my cousin Elizabeth and the distinguished older gentleman, Mr. Hodge, enjoying a glass of punch, I tried to search out her other friends knowing that they might be the only ones whose names I could remember tonight when I caught sight of my favorite smile.

            "Freddie," I whispered and nudged his ribs, "He's here . . . he came," I felt my cheeks tighten as my smile broadened. Thomas stood at the very back of the room, smiling like he had just been given the grandest gift in the world, and I knew that smile was just for me.

            "That is all well and good," Freddie said once we were at the bottom of the staircase, "but I still get the first dance."