Chapter Nine

E ffie sat at her dressing table as Mama's lady's maid finished styling her hair. She tried to quell the nerves roiling within her. Tonight was the opening ball at Lord and Lady Simmons' townhouse, and she was a mixture of nerves and excitement. She would be meeting so many new people this evening.

Perhaps even the man she might decide to wed.

"How does that look, my lady?" the maid asked.

Peering into the mirror, Effie was pleased with the results. She had always thought her siblings were beautiful and that she did not compare favorably with them, but in her new ball gown and her hair dressed high upon her head, she felt quite pretty.

"You have made me look like a fairy tale princess," she told the servant, bring a smile to the maid's face.

"Anything else, my lady?"

"No. Please go see if anyone else needs help getting ready. Thank you again."

After the maid left, Effie stood and practiced a few steps of the waltz, laughing as Daffy, who perched on the bed, studied her with interest. She had seen most or all of her sisters and cousins this past week, and they had emphasized how important the waltz was. She learned that it had become fashionable to make the waltz the supper dance at each ball.

Mirella had been the one to tell her to choose her supper dance partner wisely because not only would he be the gentleman she danced with, Effie would also spend the next hour or so in his company as he escorted her to the supper room. Mirella shared that it was these supper dance partners which you got to know the best during a ball and that Effie should only allow a gentleman she was truly interested in to sign her programme for that number.

It had been wonderful seeing all her relatives and playing with their children. Effie had also spent her share of time in their husbands' company, as well. She liked these men her sisters and cousins had married, and they all treated her as a little sister, equally teasing and yet being protective of her at the same time.

She had missed seeing Lady Ada, though. After the dowager duchess had stormed out of tea a week ago, Effie had not been able to see her friend. It was not for lack of trying. Both Mama and Sophie had sent notes to the Dowager Duchess of Waterbury, asking for her and Lady Ada to accompany them on outings or come to visit over tea. Each time, the older woman had replied to the invitation expressing her regret, saying they already had plans but were thankful for the kind invitation.

Mama had told Effie not to take it personally and reminded her it did not reflect the way Lady Ada thought. She had also emphasized to Effie that once the first ball began, it was very likely the two girls would get to visit with one another unless the dowager duchess had expressly forbidden it. Effie hoped that would not be the case.

She sat on the bed, stroking her cat. "I will be certain to tell you everything about this evening, Daffy, whether you are interested or not."

A knock sounded at her bedchamber's door, and she rose to answer it. Opening the door, she found her mother standing there.

"Oh, Mama, you look so lovely. The captain is going to be proud to have you on his arm this evening."

"May I come in?" her mother asked. "I have something to give you."

Effie guessed what it was. She had seen her sisters and cousins wearing a gold locket and decided that was the gift Mama brought to her now.

"Come in," she said, closing the door behind her mother.

Mama's eyes glistened with tears as she said, "With the birth of each of my girls, I purchased a locket from the same jeweler. I had the initial of your first name engraved upon it. I also snipped a lock of your baby hair to place inside it." She chuckled. "Some of you took longer than others for me to do so."

She laughed, knowing that she was in that category. Mama had told Effie that she was born completely bald, with her large Strong eyes dominating her face. It took almost a year for the baldness to leave her and her golden hair to begin to appear.

"I am here to present your locket to you tonight, my darling girl. I hope you will wear it with pride, knowing you are a Strong, which means you are a strong, capable individual who has now reached womanhood. While you will always have the support of your loving family, you now stand on your own two feet and are to make all decisions for yourself."

She knew her mother referred to whether or not Effie would choose to wed or if she did, the decision of her choice of groom would be hers alone.

"Thank you, Mama," she said, enfolding her mother in a tight embrace, thinking she was leaving her carefree girlhood behind as she embarked upon being an adult.

"Let me put it on you and see what you think."

Her mother handed Effie a small packet. She untied the ribbon and then unwrapped it, gazing upon the locket with the beautifully scripted E upon it. Opening the locket, she spied the lock of golden hair and thought about the journey her mother had watched as Effie had grown from a babe to a woman. In that moment, she believed she might decide to wed simply because she wanted to watch her own children make that same journey through life. Already, she was immensely enjoying time spent with her nieces and nephews. While she had not thought of birthing children of her own, she realized her own opinions were changing as she matured. She could even picture a similar moment with her future daughter receiving a locket, and this scene grew even more poignant as she thought of life as being circular, with moments playing out and repeating from mother to daughter over generations.

Love for her mother spilled from her. Tears welled in her eyes and she closed the locket and handed it to Mama. "It is so beautiful. Would you place it around my neck for me?"

Mama tried to blink away her own tears. "With pleasure."

Effie turned so that Mama could slip the chain about her neck, fastening the clasp, and turning her, brushing a kiss upon her daughter's cheek.

"The last locket for the last of my girls," Mama said, pride evident in her voice.

"I know you cannot give Jamie a locket. Have you thought of an item for him?"

Mama nodded. "Drake and I decided to purchase a gold pocket watch for your brother. It is engraved with his initials, and we will give it to him upon his eighteenth birthday."

Effie swallowed, her throat thick with emotion. "Shall we go downstairs?" she asked. "The others will be waiting for us."

Her mother slipped her arm through Effie's, and they made their way downstairs. Mama paused before they reached the last landing.

"I have let other daughters make this trip on their own. Stay here a few seconds and then you may come down. I want you to bask in this moment and shine for your family."

Mama embraced her, kissing her cheek again. "I love you so very much, Effie."

"I love you, too, Mama," she echoed.

Effie counted slowly to ten in her head and then made the turn, seeing Mama had reached the bottom of the staircase. Slowly, she made her own descent, the eyes of her loved ones upon her. She gazed out at them, their love for her shining brightly. Aunt Matty smiled at her, brushing tears from her cheeks. James and Sophie beamed with pride. The captain stepped to the stairs to wait for her, love for Effie radiating from him.

When she reached the last step, he offered his arm to her, saying, "This may be the proudest moment of my life. My baby girl making her come-out into Polite Society."

Waves of love for this man filled her. In such a short time, he had become the father to her that hers had never been. The captain freely gave his love and time to all Mama's children, and Effie believed if the time came for her to choose a husband, she would discuss her decision with him before anyone else.

He claimed Mama, leading them outside to the ducal carriage, James, Sophie, and Aunt Matty following.

"Lord and Lady Simmons are our hosts this evening," Mama told Effie once they were settled inside the vehicle. "They are on the younger side, having wed three years ago, I believe. I have found Lady Simmons to be quite charming."

Both her nerves and excitement heightened as the carriage brought them closer to their destination.

Mama took Effie's hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "You will have your entire family with you tonight, my dearest. If at any time you need one of us, we will be here for you. I will be making many of the introductions to you, along with James and Sophie."

"That is good to know, Mama. I cannot help but wonder what tonight will be like."

"Why, it will be full of dancing and new friends," Aunt Matty declared.

She only hoped she would have time to speak to Lady Ada and share some of this special night with her. Though the letter had not been delivered to the house, her friend had actually written to Effie. She had received the note yesterday when she went for another dress fitting with Madame Dumas. The modiste herself had given Effie the note, saying that Lady Ada had left it for her friend. Effie reflected on its contents. In it, Lady Ada had apologized for her mother's rude behavior and lamented the fact they had not been allowed to see one another this past week. Lady Ada said she looked forward to the opening ball of the Season and hoped that she and Effie would be able to speak there.

The carriage slowed to a crawl, and she thought it a waste to have taken it when they could have walked to the ball so much faster. Then it came to a complete halt, and everyone in the vehicle began chuckling.

"What?" she asked, wanting to be let in on what was so humorous.

Sophie announced, "This happens every year. We will need to disembark and walk the remaining way. The opening night of the Season is the best-attended event, and people are eager to see one another after so many months in the country. The crush of carriages makes it almost impossible to be dropped off in front of the townhouse where the ball is being held."

"At least we had no rain today," Mama said. "It will keep our new slippers from being muddied."

Soon, they were all outside the carriage and joining the throngs of people which moved toward Lord and Lady Simmons' townhouse. Mama called out greetings to a few others but did not have them stop for introductions at this point, saying it was important to reach the receiving line.

When they entered their destination, the receiving line already went the entire length of the staircase and wound about the large foyer. They quickly joined the end. Effie searched for Lady Ada and spied her and her brother near the top of the stairs. She had no way of gaining her friend's attention, but she saw Lady Ada also peering at the crowd. When their gazes connected, her friend's face lit up. She gave a small wave, which Effie returned.

She wondered where the Dowager Duchess of Waterbury might be. Lady Ada and His Grace were near the front of the line, but their mother was nowhere in sight. Effie thought it odd that the older woman would have gone through the receiving line before her children, especially because her daughter was making her come-out. The dowager duchess should have been eager to introduce Lady Ada to Lord and Lady Simmons.

As the line moved, Mama introduced Effie to the parties on both sides of them and then proceeded to point out others in line to her, giving her their names and sharing a bit about them. She saw two other girls on the stairs close to her age, and her mother mentioned both were making their come-outs this Season.

They finally reached and greeted Lord and Lady Simmons. Lady Simmons looked to be only a few years older than Effie, and was so gracious.

"I hope you enjoy your come-out Season as much as I did my own, Lady Euphemia," the countess told her. "It is a very special time in your life. Perhaps you and your mother might wish to come to tea some afternoon, and we can talk about things."

"I would be honored to do so, Lady Simmons," she replied.

"Have a lovely evening," the countess wished to her.

As they moved toward the ballroom's entrance, Mama said, "That is a great compliment Lady Simmons paid to you. She will only issue an invitation to tea to a handful of others this evening. You made quite a good impression upon her, Effie. She would be a good friend to make."

While she had supposed she would make friends among the other girls making their come-outs, Effie had not thought about becoming friendly with matrons. She did like Lady Simmons, though. She and Mirella had always been the best judges of character within the Strong family. She could not wait to share with Mirella about this special invitation.

Mama guided them to the left once they were inside the ballroom, and they paused, where Mama said, "This is where will we stay until the ball opens. Others will be circulating throughout the ballroom, but with your brother being a duke, guests will make their way to him."

"Do all the dukes position themselves throughout the ballroom?" she asked.

Her mother laughed. "Yes, for the most part, they do. Because of their rank in Polite Society, it is fitting for others to come to a duke."

She glanced about and spied Lady Ada standing with her brother and another couple. The Dowager Duchess of Waterbury was still missing, causing Effie's curiosity to grow. Again, she and Ada's gazes met, and this time they both grinned at one another. Effie hoped it might be possible to ask her supper dance partner if they might share the meal with Lady Ada and her partner. She could not get ahead of herself, though. She would first need to see if anyone asked her to dance before she planned supper scenarios in her head.

Quickly, they were joined by Allegra and Sterling, and Lyric and Silas.

"This is so exciting," Allegra said. "I cannot wait to dance this evening." Her cousin looked to her husband and said, "You had better not hide in the card room, Sterling."

Sterling laughed, brushing a kiss against his wife's cheek. "I will dance every dance if that is what you wish me to do, love."

Her other sisters and their spouses also joined them, making them quite a large party. Other guests made their way toward them, and Mama introduced her to each of them. A few were married couples, but several were gentlemen who appeared by themselves or in pairs, asking her for a dance this evening. Effie saw no reason to turn any of them down and so accepted each time. Once she actually knew something of a gentleman, she could decide whether or not to dance with him at future balls.

An odd feeling coursed through her, and she glanced up, seeing the Duke of Waterbury headed toward them, his sister on his arm. She found it thoughtful of His Grace to make certain she and Lady Ada had a chance to speak to one another.

"Why, Your Grace. Lady Ada," Mama said, smiling at the pair. "It is so very nice to see you this evening. Is Her Grace here?"

"Unfortunately, Mama had a headache and was unable to attend the ball this evening," the duke said.

Though he had answered quickly and smoothly, Effie knew the duke lied. Under no circumstances would the dowager duchess not have attended the opening ball of the Season unless something drastic had occurred. She could not wait to get Ada alone to discover what had happened.

She looked to her friend and smiled. "It is so very good to see you, Lady Ada. I had an idea. Perhaps we might join one another at supper this evening. We can see if our dance partners might be agreeable to do so."

Her friend's face lit up. "Oh, that would be wonderful, Lady Effie. I will certainly see if we can make that happen."

A new gentleman arrived, and Mama introduced her and Lady Ada to Viscount Ashmore. Immediately, he engaged Lady Ada in conversation.

Suddenly, the Duke of Waterbury asked, "Would you like for me to sign your dance card, Lady Euphemia?"

Immediately, Effie replied, "No, Your Grace. You should choose to dance with someone else. Not me."