First Outing

Chapter 34: First Outing

Abigail bought or ordered all the Gothic novels that the shopkeeper recommended especially after revealing that she did mind how racy they were. Then Caroline took her younger sister to a costumer where she sprung a surprise by revealing they had been invited to a ball and would be spending the next couple of nights at a nearby country estate instead of a hotel which she had previously led her to believe.

How Abigail’s life was changing and so rapidly; her clothing was normally dark and plain but now she was in a brightly coloured patterned party dress. Caroline had stuck with her favourite colours, gold and cream and looked like she had always belonged in such company, but for her timid sister it was a first outing. It took no time for both their dancing cards to be filled despite Abigail’s insistence that she did not know how to dance. As it happened the steps were relatively easy to follow but she was not a very good conversationalist and left the men somewhat frustrated.

The next morning, on the way back to the moors, Caroline quizzed the raven haired ingénue about the ball. “So, did any of your dance partners take your fancy?”

“No, but that was probably my fault. I was a little scared and I think they saw that. I do have a question about the ladies though.”

“Go on.”

“There were a couple whose gowns were so … what’s the word. They were showing … more than they should.”

“I was just as shocked as you the first time I saw it but some of the married women, being already settled and confident in their position in life like to be a little risqué. Hence there may have been the odd nipple on display. Apparently it bothers nobody and they tell me that in the past showing the whole bosom was not unknown. But I do not want to talk about women; are you sure that none of the men caught your eye? You are pretty enough to be a great lady just like me.”

Despite Caroline’s exaggeration of her position, Abigail knew what she meant and then gave her true opinion “I like a man to be masterful and strong like your husband or Michael and quite frankly all of the men there were too old and craven, although I suppose I offered little encouragement.”

“But Thomas isn’t strong. I bet Fanny could get him on the floor.” Neither of the maid’s former charges knew how true that was.

“I hope she is protecting Priscilla.” and the sisters hugged, “Strong-willed I meant.” Abigail specified.

“Yes, Thomas is certainly that but I’m afraid you will have to look elsewhere. Lord Thirsk … Michael is enamoured of that terrible Hannah woman I mentioned to you. I suspect they will be engaged very soon.”

“Oh.” quietly lamented a crestfallen Abigail as she felt a torch had been blown out. That night she sobbed herself to sleep.