Free Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince by Jennifer Moore

nose.
    Rodrigo would not have ever imagined a time would come when he was jealous of his own horse.

Chapter 6
    A bead of sweat rolled down Meg’s back as she took the dance master’s hand and allowed him to lead her from the floor. They had been practicing for hours, beginning directly after luncheon. Her feet hurt, and she was utterly exhausted.
    “Much better, miss,” Mr. Crenshaw said. “But there is more to a dance than simply memorizing the steps. A lady should appear to glide across the floor.” He swept his hand in front of him with his palm down. “Effortless grace is one of her best assets.”
    “I understand,” Meg said, hoping this little speech was an indication that their lesson was over. The steps in England were much more formal and complicated than what she was used to, and the idea of blundering the sequence in front of a ballroom full of elegant ladies and gentlemen made her insides shudder.
    “You are such a beautiful young lady,” Lady Vernon spoke up from where she sat on a chair near the wall. “It is too bad that you clomp around like a . . .” She waved her hand in front of her, as if searching for the right word but apparently gave up. “Well, anyway, you shall simply need to practice. The ball is in less than two weeks, and I know you will want to demonstrate your proficiency for all the handsome gentlemen who will attend.” She smiled, obviously anticipating the event more than Meg.
    Meg nodded. It had been an incredibly long and disheartening day, and she didn’t have it in her to pretend to be enthusiastic about anything at the moment. Least of all noblemen who were much more likely to be impressed by the accomplished young ladies with titles and large dowries than an American merchant’s daughter.
    Lady Vernon had spent the morning listening to Meg pound out the repertoire of songs she knew on the pianoforte. The countess’s smile had been kind, but she had determined in only a few minutes that Meg would need to work with a music instructor if she was to prepare a song for Lady Harrison’s musicale.
    “I do not think it is necessary for me to perform,” Meg had said. “Surely there are others who are much more accomplished to fill the time.”
    Lady Vernon had shaken her head. “It is the custom for all the young ladies who will come out this Season to present. It gives the gentlemen an opportunity to view them in their best light.”
    Meg did not think her pathetic attempts to play the instrument while wearing a gown that made her skin look pale and sallow was her “best light,” but she had learned to simply nod, discouraging further analysis of her shortcomings. She wished it were some other venue where she would not stand out as the least accomplished young lady.
    The gown fitting that followed had been no better, and the feathers in her hair were the least of her worries as Lady Vernon and the modiste discussed the ways to conceal the freckles on Meg’s upper arms, where her gloves wouldn’t reach. It was decided that she would be better off wearing longer sleeves.
    Serena had joined them and asked to see Meg’s Season wardrobe. “Oh, Meg. Qué hermoso sera . You will be so beautiful,” she said, holding up a cream-colored gown. “And this; you must try this on for me, por favor .”
    “Thank you,” Meg said, smiling as she stepped behind the privacy screen and changed her clothes for what felt like the thousandth time.
    Serena clapped and asked Meg to spin around and even spent some time admiring and discussing the bonnets, fans, gloves, and ribbons Lady Vernon had chosen. Serena’s presence had made the entire experience much less grueling, and Meg even began to feel excited about the gowns. It was refreshing to receive compliments instead of criticism, and Meg found herself laughing more than once.
    Meg realized that Serena reminded her a bit of Carlo. Perhaps it was the way she listened to Meg’s opinion, instead of simply telling her what was best.