A/N: Should've named this one Sisters before Misters. Alas, it is what it is.
CHAPTER - 5 - BEST FOOT FORWARD
Kate stood in front of the mirror, holding a pistachio colored evening gown in front of her. As she was running her fingers over the silken fabric and its silver embroidery, Kate felt oddly out of place. She was used to less shine and glimmer at this point in her life. In the past many years, ever since her father died, clothing only sufficed utility. Silk ball gowns were not one of them, for where in India would she find a ball, much less go to one. But she reminded herself that this is England, and this is the society here, and that Lady Danbury would eat her own cane before allowing Kate to dress like a simpleton when she was her sponsor.
And ofcourse, it had to be that way. Kate might have everything planned out for Edwina and Mary's future, but staying in England for the entire season was something that even Kate would not be able to manage, much less find a good match for Edwina. And how would they even enter the marriage market with no knowledge or no upper hand? So she had asked Mary if she knew someone back in England who could support their season from an influential position. Kate was glad it was Lady Danbury, for she was both fearsome and fearless. Kate had years to plan on how to prepare Edwina for a successful season, from all the tiny things Mary had told her over the years. But Lady Danbury only had a six-month head start to plan for everything, while the matriarch might have only actually required a few weeks, in reality. Now the only thing she had to do was to use as few resources as she could while living under Lady Danbury's roof, so that she might be too disappointed when Kate leaves as an unsuccessful debutante from under her wing. And this gown did not seem to imply less resources.
Kate sighed and made up her mind. She had to do this, if not as few as she liked, it would have to be as few as needed, so that she reflects Lady Danbury's standards as long as she is under her tutelage. The less Mary's parents can throw in anyone's face, the better.
"Are you thinking of wearing that one?" Edwina's voice rang suddenly, startling Kate out of her trance.
"Oh," Kate began, unable to recollect how long she had been looking at herself in vain.
"It is quite beautiful," Edwina said.
"No, I.. These just arrived, I was simply looking," Kate said, handing the dress over to Edwina. "The fabric would look much better on you".
Edwina smiled mischievously, and Kate stood on was no gentle smile, for Kate knew her sister far better than that. This was her sister trying to accost her once again, to find a husband for herself too.
"Tch! We have come to London to find you a husband, Edwina, not me," said Kate in a matter-of-fact manner, backtracking from the boxes of dresses.
"Oh, yes , yes. You are but a dear old maid," Edwina said, raising her hands with that same smile again.
"Who shall be perfectly happy doting on my many nieces and nephews one day soon," Kate began. "And I shall spoil them exceedingly," she finished gently.
Edwina walked around the center table looking at their dresses. "Do you think they will like me?" she asked innocently.
Kate was surprised at the mere ask, for how could they not. She took Edwina's hand and led her to the sofa. "Come here, sit with me," she said.
Edwina looked at her with vacant eyes. "Mama is doing that thing she always does when she is worried. The gossip she endured after marrying Appa had to have been unbearable, don't you think?"
"Is this what is troubling you? That was many years ago," Kate replied. Although this was something that she worried about herself, she also realized that it would not help if she kept thinking about it. And she knew, once Edwina makes an advantageous match, all of the talk would come to an end.
"Everyone will still have questions, about our family, about how you and I are related. At times I wish we never came here."
"Shh, Edwina, no." Kate began with a sense of urgency. "If they ask us, we will tell them the truth. That we are sisters. And Bon, this place may feel different, but it will never change the way you and I see each other."
Edwina nodded, and as her brow calmed. Kate picked some jewelry they brought to try on Edwina and began placing them by Edwina. "Besides, you heard Lady Danbury. She will take care of everything. She is on our side, Bon," she voiced.
"She is quite formidable, even more so than I imagined," she said warmly. Suddenly another mischievous smile creeped over Edwina's face. "You know she will have your head when she learns of your morning ride," she said. Kate could only give stunned silence as her response.
"Are you certain no one ever saw you?"
"Yes, Bon," Kate lied easily. "Now, never mind her, she is not half as frightening as she thinks she is," Kate gloated and Edwina chuckled.
"You must be happy Edwina, this is the first chapter of a happy story," Kate pressed. "All you have to do this evening is remember what it is you are looking for."
"Someone charming. And handsome ofcourse, a prince or a duke perhaps?" said Edwina proudly, falling back on the sofa.
"Now now, it is not a rank or title that will woo you," began Kate. "It will be his mind and spirit that courts yours. Someone kind, someone who will speak in a manner that only your heart can hear, Someone who chooses you for who you are. That is what you will be looking for, won't you? That is the true love you deserve," she added, putting the jewels back.
"And someone who will make this fairytale come true," she continued dreamily, and Kate could only smile.
"Come now," Kate stood up. "We must get dressed. How about this one?" she asked, picking up a pink dress from the box. Edwina giggled and rose from the sofa. "They will not be ready for this."
.
.
.
.
Lady Danbury seemed to have outdone herself, for that was what Kate could see in the ebullience on her face.
She had secured a Conservatory of the old church Syon Abbey, for the festivities of the night. And Kate had to agree, Lady Danbury had formidable tastes as well. The glass dome against the backdrop of the evening's sunset was picturesque. Everyone who had stepped out of their carriages before them were in awe as well. The First ball of the season set the tone for everyone's future endeavors, and no one could possibly out do this. Needless to say, Kate was impressed. If not for dancing, she would certainly enjoy the air and the view today. But for now, the Sharma's were ready to put their best foot forward, and enter the London society.
Kate entered the ballroom and momentarily got lost in the beauty of the sight in front of her. The crystal chandelier hanging from the twenty-something foot ceiling was illuminating the floor of the ballroom, yet to be taken by guests. The room was decorated with Lavender and Geranium, but Kate was sure there was sandalwood somewhere as well. Perhaps Lady Danbury had some scents mixed into the candles, Kate thought. Soft music being played by the orchestra could still be overheard over the chatter in the ballroom. For a moment, Kate was sure, she forgot to breathe.
Kate noticed Edwina, mesmerized by the sight in front of them, this was Edwina's first ball too, afterall, and Kate hoped Edwina would have good memories of the day.
"Remember to breathe, Bon," she said and Edwina nodded with a smile.
Lady Danbury however rushed into action. "Ah," said the matriarch, leading Mary towards a column in the hall, "The Marquess of Ashdown. A little young to be sure, but he has 10,000 a year," she said to Mary, looking at a red headed young boy of perhaps seventeen years of age.
"The Earl of Gloucester. His wife recently died of Influenza," she continued, looking at a sullen man in his thirties. "He might make a particularly esteemable collection to your dance card this evening Miss Sharma," she said to Kate.
Kate stiffened a little at the mention. "I will not be taking the floor tonight, Lady Danbury", she said genuinely.
"Is there someone back home you've yet to tell me about?" Lady Danbury asked, still not taking her eyes away from the dance floor, surely searching for more eligible men.
Kate sighed. "Come now," she chuckled. "I am long past all of that. The only match I am interested in is for my sister. She trusts me implicitly. Now, what about the Duke of Suffolk?" she asked, looking at the thin, amish looking gentleman by the lemonade table. "According to Debrett's, he should be quite the catch this year."
However, Lady Danbury's face had taken on a displeased look. "The Duke openly flaunts his mistresses," she said without relieving her face of the expression. "I assure you Miss Sharma, I have our prospects well in hand" she finished looking at Kate, finally.
Kate was momentarily taken aback, but she would not let that show on her face. She took a deep breath and nodded, about to thank Lady Danbury for the insight about the ton. But the dowager Countess noticed something else. Or someone else.
"Ahh.. There she is," Lady Danbury gasped softly. Kate followed her line of sight, then the Lady herself to see who could ever capture the wonder of such an esteemed woman. Ofcourse, The Queen of England. Her Majesty had just walked in through the doors of the Conservatory, as all her ladies in waiting followed her. Her Pistachio coloured gown was almost the same shade as the one Kate was wearing, but it would be safe to say that Kate was nowhere near the charm she exuded. Her Majesty's gown was also adorned with pink frills from the entirety of the bodice and sleeves, and laced the hem of her gown. Her hair was done into a high Coiffure and was adorned with little pink flowers, just like Edwina's.
"So many flowers, when what I really seek is a gem," Her Majesty murmured. 'Wait until you meet my Edwina', thought Kate.
"Oh. So soon Lady Danbury?" said Mary meekly, as they stood a few feet away from Her Majesty. Kate and Edwina followed the duo and came to a halt behind them. The queen however noticed the group immediately.
"Lady Danbury. A delightful soiree, as expected" mused the queen. She must be close with Lady Danbury for sure, Kate thought. "Though my own later this week would be much more exclusive," the queen finished.
"Your Majesty, I would not think to compare," replied Lady Danbury, indulging Her Majesty. Kate suppressed her smile.
"And rightly so," the queen smiled, smugly.
Lady Danbury did not delay any further. "Your Majesty, may I present Lady Mary Sharma, whom you must remember," she started as Mary took her cue and curtsied gently. "And may I present her daughters, Miss Sharma and Miss Edwina Sharma". Both the girls curtsied along. "They are my personal special guests for the season," finished Lady Danbury.
"A high honor indeed," she smirked. "I hear you have made quite a journey to join us again after all these years, Lady Mary" he majesty began. Mary smiled gently. "If only you had extended the courtesy of offering your queen a final farewell before you left." she said curtly.
Kate was surprised at the suddenness of Her Majesty's words, for she did not expect her to cut so sharply. Yet she kept mum, knowing that is what would be expected of her. She was the Queen, and she had every right to be angry at her subjects. That said, Her Majesty left promptly, so Kate need not hold her expressions anymore.
"Oh, I do relish a challenge," said Lady Danbury twisting her cane, but Kate did not miss the embarrassment pinking on Mary's face.
Kate looked at Edwina and allowed her to center herself. She took her hand and led her along. But the queen's presence certainly thwarted their plans of a silent entry. Kate was certain that she was hearing the Ton gossip about them.
"Is that Lady Mary Sheffied? I can't believe she would show her face here again." said someone in a raspy voice.
"It is Lady Mary Sharma now, Lady Featherington, do you forget?" suggested a honeyed voice nearby. Kate dared not turn her neck to look at those who were talking.
"Scandal, mama?" asked someone.
"Oh, Dearest. Lady Mary was the incomparable of our season, until she fell in love with and married some kind of clerk, I hear," went the reply.
Kate's blood boiled at this, and she fumed helplessly. She could not ruin her sister's night or her mama's come back into society. They needed to view her as a respectable woman if she was going to stay here now onwards. So Kate decided to stay still.
"The two of them absconded to India thereafter," said the first voice.
"A maharaja, I would have understood, but the man was no more than a common worker, that too with a child, did he not?" added a new one.
"Oooh! That must be her", the first woman pointed, Mrs. Feather-something, Kate recalled. "The Sheffields never lived down the shame, did they?"
"Too ashamed to ever show their face in London."
"If only every family could be as respectable as ours", sighed the honeyed voice.
But Kate's attention was suddenly drawn to the inscrutable voice of Lady Danbury. "Lord Corning. I was hoping to see you this evening." A tall gentleman with brown hair came to a halt in front of Lady Danbury and bowed.
"Allow me to introduce Miss Sharma, and Miss Edwina Sharma," she said, and the both of them curtsied politely.
"It is a pleasure," Lord Corning responded. "Miss Edwina, would you honor me with a dance," he asked.
Kate was, however, un-garde. "Lord Corning, you say?" she whispered to Lady Danbury.
"The Baron Corning," the matriarch whispered back, although a bit harshly. Alright, Kate thought. A baron is respectable, and he has Lady Danbury's endorsement. She signaled Edwina who picked up quickly and smiled at the Baron. "I would be delighted, my lord," she said demurely. The Baron wrote his name on Edwina's dance card, and left after bowing.
"I do not recall reading of Corning's family in my research Lady Danbury," Kate wondered aloud.
"Miss Sharma, it does not matter what you have and have not read. It is unacceptable here for a Lady to decline a dance with a gentleman unless she is already reserved by another," Lady Danbury glared, and Mary looked on. "Yes, dearest," she joined.
"I see we have much to learn," Lady Danbury finished.
Kate decided to stand silent, for her lack of knowledge about the gentlemen and the ton was causing her advantage over Edwina to slip. For now she decided to listen to Lady Danbury and simply smiled when 3 more gentlemen asked Edwina for a dance.
"The first dance shall begin within five minutes" announced the Master of Ceremonies, as everyone in the room shuffled quickly, to find their dance partner, or to find one within the minute.
And so it begins.
.
.
.
.
A/N : I told you Edwina had a mind of her own. Someone remind this to the writer who wrote Brigerton S2.