But her own gowns, on the Duchess’s instructions, fitted loosely and had no trains. Their very severity, because trimmings were expensive, made Theola feel her appearance to be, as her aunt had obviously intended, humble and subservient.
‘If only there were a fairy to wave a magic wand over me,’ she thought as she dressed for dinner, ‘and give me a gown that encircled my shoulders like a cloud and billowed out behind me like a white-crested wave.’
But instead she knew she looked like a dark shadow in her sombre gown as she followed the resplendent Catherine, blazing with the jewels the King had presented her with, into the salon.
“Only two more days!” Catherine said as they went upstairs after an evening in which there had been a theatrical performance followed by dancing.
“You are lo
