Mai did not expect company at dinner, but Lord Pembridge joined her only a few minutes late.
"I see you are up and about," she commented. "The doctor has not confined you to bedrest?"
"That doctor has no control over me," he muttered. "But I must eat regularly to 'maintain my strength'."
"You sound like you disagree with that notion."
"I disagree with the body's constant need for nourishment. I fed it yesterday, why is that not enough?"
Mai laughed.
"You are most peculiar."
"So I have been told."
"As a child, whenever I was sick, my mother would always make sure I had my favourite meals. But I suppose as Lord of the Estate, you can have whatever you want every day anyway."
"Yes, I suppose I could. Unfortunately, the cook would complain about my decisions."
"How so?"
"Well for one, she would be unemployed, as I would sustain myself on tea alone."
"Ah, and that would not fulfil the doctor's orders of eating to maintain your strength."
"Indeed."
They ate in silence for a while before Lord Pembridge broke it.
"I apologise for you having to find me as you did. I can imagine that was unpleasant for you."
"I am glad I found you when you did. Your skin was so cold I feared for the worst. I was beginning to think I was cursed." Mai forced a laugh that Lord Pembridge did not return.
"No, my dear Lady, you are not the cursed one here."
The following days allowed Mai to prepare for the upcoming assembly. She found a suitable dress - a dark reddish purple, as she did not feel comfortable wearing light colours just yet - and ordered some new dancing shoes to be delivered to the house. It had been some time since she had had the need for dancing shoes…
Reflecting on this fact, she recognised the strong desire to be outdoors. Despite the cold wind that had arrived, Mai marched around the gardens with a determination that alarmed a few of the gardeners. She stopped to talk with Takigawa when she spotted him, asking about the plants. He always humoured her and offered company were she to need it.
The walks left her in a lighter mood.
Lord Pembridge had made more effort to appear at meal times. Mai had heard from a maid that Lin had threatened the lord with cold baths - at the doctor's suggestion - if he did not eat regularly.
Saturday evening finally arrived. Mai dressed with a great deal of care, knowing that this would be many people's first impressions of her. And first impressions were hard to shake.
It was only as the carriage trundled down the driveway that she realised she had not practiced her dances in quite some time.
"You do not have to dance," Madoka pointed out. "You can just talk to people. You're a widow, no one would be surprised if you did not dance."
"What is the point of attending an assembly if I do not dance even once?"
"Making friends?"
Mai humphed.
"Then I shall just make a fool of myself. If I am to remarry, any man must take me as I am, and that includes my propensity to forget how to dance well."
"Were you proficient in your youth?"
Mai's smile hardened.
"My mother described me as enthusiastic."
Madoka laughed.
"It could be worse," she pointed out. "You could have been bad and enthusiastic."
"I never said I was bad!"
Madoka raised an eyebrow and Mai laughed.
"Fine, but I was not the worst! I just could not finesse some of the moves as well as some of the other young ladies."
"Well your husband seemed to think you did well enough."
"He liked my enthusiasm and ability to laugh at myself."
"He did not want a serious wife?"
"He did not want a wife who did not know how to laugh. His mother had been pushing him towards some young women that were so timid and serious that he felt awkward to be around them."
"I can see how that might prove for an unfortunate marriage."
"Yes, indeed. His mother never much liked me though."
"Is she still with us?"
"Yes, I believe so, but she remarried and has not spoken to me since long before my husband's death. She made it quite clear that she was unhappy that I had not produced her a grandchild and that she would not visit until I did."
"Oh…"
"We were not ready for children. My husband still wanted to travel and see his friends. If I had been confined, it would have made things difficult. I do not not regret that I never became with child."
"You do not wish you had a part of him in the form of a child?" Madoka asked.
"Sometimes, late at night, but I cannot bring myself to regret the life we had."
"Do you want children someday?"
"Someday? Oh yes, most definitely. Perhaps by the time I have found another husband, I might be ready."
The carriage pulled up at the assembly room and the doors opened. Mai and Madoka entered the building, gave their card to the announcer and waited to be introduced.
Mai scanned the crowd with great interest. The people assembled were varied in their dress, very different to the high fashion of the London assemblies. The musicians in the corner were already playing, but no one was dancing yet.
The announcer did his duty, and the two women entered the room.
"I believe the card room is through there," Madoka indicated with a subtle wave of her hand to an archway on her left. "And the refreshments are through that back set of doors."
"Yes, perhaps we ought to get some drinks."
"To steady your nerves?"
"Something like that, I do feel like we are being stared at a little."
"Well, I have never been here and you are also new to the area," Madoka pointed out. "It is not unexpected that we might be stared at."
"You make an excellent point and yet I cannot bring myself to feel comfortable about it."
"Then we shall acquire some wine, as I am sure that will help your nerves."
Madoka looped her arm through Mai's and led the way to the refreshments, where they picked up glasses of wine.
"Do you know any of these people?"
"By name, yes, but not by their appearance. I am sure we will meet many people tonight."
"Yes, quite…" Mai downed her wine.
"Hmm," Madoka studied Mai for a moment.
"Hmm?"
"Yes, I agree, we should dance. I am going to ask the Master of Ceremonies to introduce us to some fine young gentlemen."
"Miss Mori, I implore you—"
But Miss Mori had no intention of listening to the Lady. She dragged Mai back through to the ballroom and marched straight up to the Master of Ceremonies. Mai's cheeks flushed red as Madoka explained their situation.
"Ah yes, I am sure we can find some kind gentlemen to remind you of the dances!" He scanned the room. "Ah, Mr Brown!"
A short blond haired man joined them as if summoned.
"Mr Brown," the Master began, "This is the Dowager Lady Astley, it has been some time since she has danced last, would you be so kind to accompany her for the first? Mr Brown is a man of the church."
"I would be delighted if the Lady would have me," he offered his hand.
"Of course!" Mai squeaked, and allowed Mr Brown to lead her away as Madoka grinned.
"Do not fear," Mr Brown said. "I have very sturdy boots, so if you do step on my toes I shall not notice."
"You are very kind, sir, do you know what the first dance is to be?"
"A country dance, I believe. I am sure it will all come back to you."
"Have you lived in these parts long?"
"No, only a few years, I moved here for my position in the church after finishing at Oxford."
"Do you enjoy your work?"
"Yes, very much so. Come, let's get in position."
Mai allowed Brown to show her where to go as the musicians readied themselves for the first dance. The anticipation in the air was palpable. There were still a great many eyes upon her, which did nothing to calm Mai's nerves.
And so it began. Mai stumbled through the first few steps, but soon caught the rhythm. She grinned as Brown's words came true. The dance came back to her like an old friend.
When it finished, Mai thanked Brown profusely.
"I hope to see you at church tomorrow," he said.
"Of course, I would not miss it. Perhaps you ought to dance with Miss Mori, she is looking far too smug."
"At your request, I will ask her," Brown said, grinning. "It would be ungentlemanly of me to refuse a lady."
Madoka was too polite to refuse Brown, and Mai planned to enjoy watching them, when the Master offered to introduce her to other members of the local society. She agreed readily and soon found herself dancing with another young man.
The two women spent half the evening dancing.
"My feet are aching!" Mai exclaimed after her fourth dance. "Miss Mori, come, let's find another glass of wine and play cards. How are you at whist?"
"I am a poor whist player, but I would be happy to play a few games with you."
Now far more at peace in the assembly hall, they soon found another pair to play cards with.
Author's Note: Apologies I forgot to upload yesterday, and I'm not sure the emails are working properly... Still, enjoy!