Free The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky Page B

and gave Andrew’s hand a brief shake.
    Millie ran up and joined them. “Andrew, why were you fighting with that boy?”
    “Never mind.” Andrew strode off toward the gate leading out of the park.
    “Andrew, wait!” Ann took Millie’s hand and turned back to Lydia. “We’d better go.”
    Lydia looked over her shoulder to where the man and woman had disappeared. Was it truly Helen, or had her longing to see her sister made her imagine the woman looked like her? But if it wasn’t Helen, why had the man hustled the woman off when Lydia called to her?
    “Maybe you can come back and look for your sister tomorrow.” Ann slipped her free arm through Lydia’s.
    Lydia nodded. Her throat tightened, and she blinked away her tears.
    “Come on.” Ann patted Lydia’s arm. “We better catch up with Andrew before he gets out of sight.”
    Lydia stuffed her hands in her pockets and trudged down the path toward the park gate.

FIVE
 
    Kate collapsed her parasol and stepped into the shade beneath the large white tent set up in the side garden of the Gleasons’ stately home in Chelsea. About forty guests had been invited to the garden party. Some stood in small groups around the edge of the tent engaged in conversations. Others were seated in white wicker chairs at round tables. Small bouquets of bright spring flowers decorated the center of each table.
    If only she felt as fresh and pretty as those bouquets, but with her corset tied so tight, and the stiff fabric of her new blue dress prickling her skin, she found it nearly impossible to relax and enjoy the party.
    She plucked at her high collar, wishing a breeze would blow through the tent, but the air felt warm and damp. A trickle of perspiration gathered on the side of her forehead, just below her broad-brimmed hat. She lifted her gloved finger and discreetly wiped it away.
    Her aunt scanned the tent, perusing the guests. “Come along, Katherine. There are people we need to meet.” She took Kate’s arm and led her away from William, Julia, and Jon.
    Kate glanced over her shoulder. Jon gave her a half smile as he watched her go, then turned and followed William and Julia in the other direction.
    A footman walked past, dressed in formal livery and carrying a silver tray filled with tempting-looking sandwiches. He stopped at a nearby table and offered them to the women seated there. A maid in a neat black uniform, white ruffled apron, and starched white cap circulated around the tent, offering cups of tea and fruit punch to the guests.
    Louisa tightened her hold on Kate’s arm and lowered her voice. “There’s Agatha Harcourt with her daughter, Laurel. She was presented just after Easter.” She narrowed her eyes. “Goodness, look at that girl’s hair. What a sight. I’d never allow you out of the house with hair looking like that.”
    Laurel’s hair was a bit overdone, with ribbons circling her head in the Grecian style and a large, pink silk rose clipped on at the side, but her hairstyle was no more elaborate than some of the other women’s. Of course many wore large hats covered with feathers and flowers so you couldn’t see their hair at all.
    Kate glanced across the tent and saw Jon talking to Dr. and Mrs. Gleason and their three daughters. She’d met the Gleasons at a dinner at her aunt and uncle’s home last fall, and her aunt had told her they were important people. Kate searched her memory for the girls’ names. Ethel, Erma, and … Evelyn? Yes, that was it. Evelyn was the same age as Kate and was also coming out this season.
    Jon smiled at something Evelyn said. Kate frowned, then turned away. Why should she care if Jon found Evelyn amusing? She hoped he would make some good connections this afternoon. Perhaps they would be helpful to him in the future.
    “Louisa, I was hoping to see you today.” A tall, regal woman in a cream-colored suit approached and extended her hand to Kate’s aunt. She wore a beautiful cream hat with a wide brim decorated