Emily followed the girls around the room, exclaiming when expected, at the opulence of its appointments, but her mind was elsewhere, rehearsing what she would say and do when she met her future husband and her grandfather.

A discreet door, inset into the wood panelling, opened into a bathing closet and adjoining dressing rooms. Jenny was busy sorting out Emily's clothes. She curtsied. “I'm almost finished, miss. Are you wishing to change your dress?”

Emily held at the torn skirt for inspection. “I must. Is this ruined, or can you repair it?”

“I'm sure it will mend, Miss Emily. Now, Miss Amelia and Miss Serena, run along next-door, Mary's waiting for you.” She smiled as the girls looked round, puzzled.

“Where's the door, Jenny? I don't see one anywhere?”

“Go back into the bed chamber; you'll see another door, you go through there.”

Amelia stopped. “Then we're not to sleep in here?”

“No, Miss Millie, this is Miss Emily's room. But yours is just as pretty, it's all done out in yellows and golds.”

It took Jenny half an hour to restore Emily's appearance. Even her long chestnut brown hair was re-done and green ribbons, that matched her second new gown, were threaded through her hair.

“There, miss, you look a picture! Green suits you, and the combination you chose, of emerald silk for the under skirt and pale green muslin into the over dress, is perfect.”

“Thank you, Jenny. I'm still rather pale, but there's nothing I can do about that.” She turned sideways and her lips curled in a smile. “I'm almost invisible from this view. It's fortunate that this new fashion pushes up one's chest; without that help I would look like a boy.”

“Go along with you, miss. You look lovely. No man in his right mind could ever mistake you for anything but a pretty young lady.”