Lady Eugenia's Holiday Read Free Page A

benefit.
    It might have proved impossible for Eugenia to
appear anything but a country miss because her younger years were spent in the
country. She often wondered if it would set her apart from the others, who
seemed comfortable in a mixed social setting. Here in Brighton she might
acquire a dusting of the much-needed town bronze.
    Furthermore, it could be entirely possible to meet
a suitable parti here in Brighton, as Lady Penelope
had previously suggested. Eugenia would not dismiss the notion nor place a
light emphasis on the chance occurrence if she were lucky enough to have it
happen to her.

Chapter 2
    The collection of calling cards that had
accumulated that afternoon was not to be believed! Aunt Rose fanned out the
invitations on the table for Eugenia to see on her return from the lending
library.
    There must have been at least a dozen to choose
from. Eugenia tried to imagine what parties awaited her—balls, soirees, and
routs! Perhaps she would attend a garden party, the theater, or perhaps give
bathing in the ocean a try!
    Before she left with her mother, Lady Penelope
urged Eugenia to choose her evening diversions carefully—and, of course, they
would wish to attend the same parties.
    While perusing the invitations, Mr. Forth, the
Master of Ceremonies called. He invited Aunt Rose and Eugenia to the masquerade
ball, occurring at the Old Ship Inn the Thursday night after this. The assembly
room would be providing their guests with masks and dominos at the front door.
    Just the mention of the approaching ball brought
Eugenia to despair regarding her wardrobe. She could not help but feel that the
gowns she had brought were so plain and would not do.
    Although she lacked the skill to do her own
alterations, she would instruct Aunt Rose’s maid Katrina to drop the shoulders
on her pale blue muslin and add a double-gold soutache to her dark green silk.
That, Eugenia thought, should be sufficient.
    “This evening we shall share dinner with my dear
friends Mr. and Mrs. Penshurst before her musical fete,” Aunt Rose told
Eugenia, completely ignoring the remaining plateful of invitations.
    Why on earth would they share dinner with an old
friend when they had this plethora of invitations from which to choose? Surely
there would be some more desirable entertainment to pass that evening.
    Is that not what Aunt Rose had promised her? Surely
she must have known just how much Eugenia wished to visit the ballrooms?
    However, it did not signify. Not one complaint
passed through Eugenia’s lips as she dressed to accompany her aunt. She
accepted her fate and consoled herself, knowing that she need not wear her best
frock to this type of function, deciding that her dark green silk with the
short puffed sleeves would suffice.
    To her surprise Lady Penelope attended, which
improved the prospects of the evening greatly. Eugenia believed that there
would not be a dull moment if she were in the company of her friend.
    At the musicale, they met the hostess’ daughter,
Miss Cynthia Penshurst. Eugenia found her to be quite companionable and was
delighted to include Miss Cynthia in their little téte -a- téte .
    Miss Cynthia told Eugenia and Lady Penelope that
her elder sister had married last year. After the wedding, she and her parents
left for the Continent, where they came across the musician Franz Mueller. Her
mother was so completely transformed by his music and believed his talent was a
gift to be shared!
    And that was how he came to be in England.
    “He’s Austrian, very quaint, old-fashioned—and very
talented. I believe he plays four or five instruments … perhaps more.” Miss
Cynthia glanced about as if some clue were to step forward. “The Prince Regent
summoned him by Royal command our first week here.”
    “Really?” Lady Penelope leaned forward with growing
interest. “The Prince, you say?”
    “Please allow me to introduce him to you.” Miss
Cynthia motioned him to approach. A round-shouldered man in a powered