Ella tried on every single dress in her closet, Rosanna and Emily tittering and ranking each of them, adjusting things here and there. My job was to fetch necklaces and earrings and baubles to pair with each of the dresses, a task that reminded me of how well-off Ella's side of the family truly was. I was fairly certain my own mother didn't possess the number of jewels Ella had tucked away in her trunks. "I really think we should stay with the pink one," Emily was huffing, cradling a pink satin dress with lace and ribbons. Rosanna clucked her tongue and I rolled my eyes, stretched out in a most unladylike way on the loveseat. I mentally kicked myself for not escaping sooner. "It should be sapphire to set off her eyes," Rosanna said, holding up the very same dress they'd tied onto my cousin at least three times that day. Ella was watching them through the mirror, delicately powdering her face. They'd served us dinner not too long ago and my mouth had been watering ever since, but the other girls hadn't wanted to eat until the decision was made. My eyes kept wandering to the cooling plates of venison and potatoes, wondering if they'd notice if I snuck a few bites when they weren't looking. "Well perhaps we ought to find out what the others will be wearing," Emily said, "I won't have her be just another girl in a sea of blue," Rosanna shot Emily a dark look before her eyes landed on me. She snapped her fingers at me so I swung my legs around to sit properly. "Libby, you'll do it. Go find out what the others are wearing," she said, leaving the room to drape the dress onto Ella's bed. "Me? But...how?" I managed, standing. Emily chortled. "I hope you're not planning on asking them," Emily sneered. I sneered right back, taking the opportunity to disappear out the door. I leaned back against it, holding a fist to my forehead as I ground my teeth. This was the most tedious day of my life, including that time I had to do remedial etiquette training at Miss Coolidge's on the first sunny Saturday of May last year. Once I'd gnashed out my frustration, I glanced either way down the deserted hallway. Sounds of chatter and laughter echoed out from the rooms, but the doors were all firmly closed. A maid carried an empty dinner tray past, bobbing a tiny curtsey as she whisked by. Scrunching my face up, I stalked to the next set of doors, stooping down to attempt to peer through the keyhole. I couldn't see much besides a drawing room similar to Ella's, this one littered with dresses in all colors. I straightened as soon as I heard footsteps down the hall. "May I help you miss?" a different maid asked, carrying a tray that smelled delectable to my empty stomach. "I'm looking for Lady...Smith," I said, my most practiced innocent look on my face. The maid frowned. "Lady Smith is in the first room," she said, nodding her head back towards the way she'd come. "Oh thank you!" I exclaimed, taking off hurriedly towards where she'd nodded. I slowed my steps as I passed Ella's door again, the maid disappearing into one of the service corridors. I scrunched my face up anew as my belly protested, famished. Searching the hallway for some excuse, I finally noticed the vases on each of the side tables. The flowers were sparse, but flowers nonetheless. Glancing behind me to ensure the coast was clear, I snatched up the vase and knocked on the next door over. A surprised lady in waiting dressed in little more than a corset opened the door, glancing with a frown at the flowers. "Lady Smith?" I asked, casting my eyes around the sitting room. Ashley Mayfair appeared from her bedroom, a burgundy petticoat half tied on. "Of course not," she snorted, sweeping back where she'd come. Her lady in waiting cocked an eyebrow before closing the door in my face. Burgundy, I noted mentally, making my way to the next door. I tried my luck with each of them, only being turned away once before I could catch a glimpse of what the lady was wearing. I returned the vase to its place and reentered Ella's drawing room, only to see that they had seated themselves to eat without me. "And?" Ella asked, her fork paused on its way to her mouth. "Certainly took you long enough," Emily muttered as I took my place next to her. "No one is wearing blue, but Lady Townsend is wearing something pink," I said, hungrily grabbing for a roll to dunk into the congealing gravy on the venison. "Sapphire it is," Rosanna declared, daintily slicing her chicken. Emily was sullenly silent as Rosanna prattled on about which accessories to pair with the gown. I ignored her, tucking into the food more ravenously than bespoke a lady, ignoring Emily's disgusted glares. "Once we're through we shall dress ourselves while Ella's lady's maid sets her hair," Rosanna said, setting down her fork and knife with half her dinner barely touched, "We shall attempt to be ready for as near to seven as possible," "I would very much like to be one of the first ladies announced," Ella stated, similarly setting down her fork and knife. Emily followed suit as I shovelled a last chunk of potato into my mouth before the maid began clearing the dishes. The three other ladies rose, but I continued to gnaw on the bread even as the plate was swept out from in front of me. "Come now piggy, time to get dressed," Emily called once Ella and Rosanna had disappeared from the room. "Just give me one more moment to stuff my face, I'll need my energy to put up with you," I shot back. Emily rolled her eyes, disappearing into our room. I sighed, pushing myself back from the table and reluctantly followed, wondering what abysmal construct of a gown the seamstress had dug up for me on such short notice. ********