‘If only Mama were here,’ she sighed again and thought that her mother would know what was troubling her.
Her fears, however, were forgotten when Mrs. McKenzie and the maids filled a bath for her and, after she had bathed, dressed her in one of her new evening gowns.
It was the loveliest gown Leona had ever possessed.
The huge crinoline swung out from her small waist and she looked with delight at the frilled skirt and the bertha embroidered with diamante that caught below her naked shoulders with tiny bunches of rosebuds.
“Ye look real fine!’ Mrs. McKenzie exclaimed. “I’m sure ye should be a-goin’ to a ball, not just to dinner with a lot of auld folk.”
“It’s the most beautiful gown I could ever imagine,” Leona cried.
“His Grace’ll be real glad it pleases ye.”
Leona walked a little
