CHAPTER FIVESoon the day dawned that Louisa dreaded, the day of the ball at Cranford Manor. Every night she had prayed that something would happen to save her from having to visit Lord Westbridge’s home again.
She was more determined than ever to refuse him, but she could also sense the growing determination of her parents that she should accept his proposal.
But nothing happened to save her and on the evening of the ball, she submitted to being dressed under her mother’s direction, in a gown finer than any she had ever worn.
It was made of pale blue satin, embroidered with silver stars. Silver slippers adorned her elegant feet and silver ribbon wound in and out of her bright curls. Around her neck she wore her family’s pearls.
Lady Hatton was resplendent in a wine red dress. But Louis
