Free The Folly by Irina Shapiro

against her hips.  Initially she hadn’t been sure about the color, but it accentuated her hair and brandy-colored eyes , and made her feel more beautiful than she had in a long time.  Elizabeth had spent the past several weeks planning the ball and she was vibrating with anticipation.  This was her first big social event , and she prayed that she did everything right.  She personally oversaw all the details from flowers to food to the selection of music .  S he was certain the ball would be a great success. 
    Jeremy was very surprised when she told him what she was planning , more so when he found out that Sir Henry had approved the idea.  No one had ever thrown a ball in his honor before , and he was a little embarrassed by being the center of attention.  Elizabeth requested that he wear his uniform, which made him look dashing and handsome, but Jeremy refused.  Having resigned his commission he was no longer an officer , and would have to settle for civilian evening clothes instead.
    Elizabeth had to admit that Captain Flynn looked handsome when not in his uniform as well.  She found herself stealing discreet peeks at him when he wasn’t looking , glancing away embarrassed when he caught her a few times.  She saw him trying to hide his smile and couldn’t help smiling back.  She wasn’t sure what their relationship was supposed to be, but she couldn’t help wanting to spend time with him.  They were together almost every day now , and she could feel Henry vibrating with displeasure when they returned from their walks or rides through the countryside .   He could hardly tell Elizabeth not to spend time with her stepson, but she knew that he disapproved and wished Jeremy would just leave.   
    Elizabeth allowed the seamstress to help her out of the gown and turned to Willa, who helped her get dressed in the summery morning frock.  The gown would be ready by Friday , in time for the ball on Saturday .  Elizabeth thanked the seamstress for her efforts and left the room.  She still had some minor details to attend to , and she wanted to finish in time to join Jeremy for luncheon.  Henry was out on estate business and the prospect of spending time with Jeremy made her unreasonably happy.

 
    Chapter 1 3
     
    Elizabeth joined Sir Henry and Jeremy in the foyer just as the first carriage was spotted coming up the drive.  Everything was in place , leaving Elizabeth nothing to do, but enjoy the party .  The flower arrangements filled the house with the scent of lilies and orange blossoms , and strains of music could be heard from the ballroom as the musicians tuned their instruments one last time before the guests arrived.  Elizabeth had been gratified to see the look of admiration on both Flynn s ’ faces as she came down the wide staircase, wearing her new gown , and a topaz and gold necklace and matching earrings.  Willa had been practicing new hairstyles for two weeks , and Elizabeth was well pleased with the result .  Willa had curled the hair framing her face and pulled the rest into a loose chignon, reminiscent of the style of Greek and Roman goddesses, making her look soft and feminine.
    Elizabeth’s parents had declined the invitation to the ball due to her mother’s illness, but Elizabeth strongly suspected they were not happy with the return of Captain Flynn .   Mr. Shipley had his heart set on having his grandson become the next baronet , and the sudden appearance of Henry’s son put paid to that plan.  They had visited Elizabeth only once since her marriage, eager to see Henry’s estate , but had refused every invitation since then, claiming one excuse after another , and Elizabeth never went back to Suffolk to visit her family.  She had seen them in London after her marriage.  Her parents treated her with cool civility , and she found herself avoiding them whenever possible.  
    Elizabeth was, however , overjoyed to see Rosa munde .  She arrived on Thursday in her yellow-bodied