Dance 1: Edmund Wycliff
The start of the social season in England meant the start of a new adventure for Priti. She and her brother had journeyed her from their home in India, hoping to find their future spouses. Priti was preparing for the Queen’s Presentation, flaking off the dried henna she had done on herself the night before, revealing the design that was stained on her skin. It would be hidden under her gloves during the presentation and the ball but it comforted her to have a reminder of home. A more blatant display of her nationality came in the form of her dress, which she had made to emulate the English style but using the fabric which would typically be used for a saree back home. She also accessorized herself with gold and diamond bangles over her gloves.
At the Queen’s Presentation, both Priti and Maisie, one of the Mehtas’ gracious hosts, were presented by the Countess Addington, neither girl having a female relative to present them. She curtsied in front of the queen, keeping herself poised as she stood in front of her. She had met people of importance before but the English queen had a quality to her that put her in a category of her own. Already Priti knew that she admired and respected this woman. Knowing that she would be, in a way, an ambassador of her country and thus had to make a good first impression, she had brought a gift for Her Majesty, a gold and purple saree. She felt relieved when the queen seemed to appreciate her gift and when her turn had passed, despite not being named the diamond of the season, Priti felt she had been successful in her presentation.
Then came the ball. Priti’s eyes lit up as she entered the room, escorted by her older brother. The ball was everything she could’ve imagined and more. Any nervousness she had held was now gone, replaced by excitement. Not long after she made her entrance into the ball, she was approached by a man who looked to be around the same age as her brother. She greeted him with a quick curtsy.
“Miss Mehta, you look lovely this evening. Might you honour me with the pleasure of a dance?”
“Thank you.” She responded, acknowledging his complement. This was her first dance of the evening and she was determined to have it go as smoothly as possible. “I would be delighted to dance with you.” She responded, offering him her hand.
@Littlefeets - Edmund