Chapter Eighteen
By the time the following evening had arrived, Sara’s face, knees, and mind were all aching.
She and Lady Darlington had worked almost the entire afternoon in preparation for that evening, when Sara would attend a party. All of the high sticklers were expected to be at Lady Southworthy’s soiree that evening. If Sara wanted vouchers to Almack’s, she would need to be on her best behavior.
They had practiced Sara’s smile—not too big or bold, but not too small either; her curtsies—the exact depth for each different degree of rank; and her conversation—what topics were appropriate to speak of and which were not. And they practiced them all again and again until Sara was tired and sore.
Toward the end of the lesson, Sara supposed, just to liven things up a little, her aunt
