54. On our return home ...

In the sitting room at Rogeringham House, after the ball, the Inquisition was in full flow, as each of my sisters recounted her view of the 'action'. Helena - changed from her gown into her nightgown and her favourite pearl-grey banyan, sat at the centre of it all, listening to each account. Charlotte and Caroline, were still in their presentation ball gowns, though they had removed their headdresses and jewellery, and placed them away safely. Hermione had opted for a robe de chambre like her mother. Of the twins - Margaret - refused to take off her ball gown, unlike Louise who immediately changed into a robe de chambre. All of them, even Caroline and Hermione, had enjoyed the day immensely, my sisters' joy was a delight to see. After the years of being denied, they had finally been presented to the queen and I took the opportunity to instruct that champagne be served to celebrate. The excitement was still in the air, but there was an enervated, exhausted feel about the gathering, now that all of the planning, all of the practice and, of course, the event itself, were done. But in spite of this there was a feeling of the job at least being partly completed - even though this was just the beginning of the journey.

Once my sisters had all shared their experiences, it was time to dissect my audience with Her Majesty. Every word that the queen had uttered was repeated, discussed and digested and then discussed again.

The most important thing for me was what the queen had said. We were not her favoured choice, the gossip sheets would announce that tomorrow, but it seemed to me that Her Majesty was still favouring us with her permission. Not only that, but she appeared to be blessing my own ideas about social reforms, even though they were only partly formed in my mind.

Helena and I were sat together in my room, having a late supper together. My mother had not stopped humming to herself all evening, as she happily moved about the house. Now, as we sat over a light meal, her eyes shone.

"I did wonder, you know." She said, out of nowhere.

"Wonder what, mother?" I asked.

"If you would meet my demands, when I first asked you about the girls and their weddings. It was my worry that you would not meet your commitment."

It would have been easy to have been offended. But I understood what Helena was saying, "There is still much to do," I reminded her, "How many are there?"

Helena looked at me.

"How many balls, and tea parties are there between now and the end of the Season?" I asked.

"Oh! I'm not sure, it may be thirty-two I think ..."

"And Hermione's wedding in July. There is still a very long way to go."

Despite our happy mood, we were both tired, so we slept that night intertwined, our naked bodies pressed together. We hardly stirred all night.