Nell frowned at her image and Bianca’s in the mirror that Bianca had set at an angle to best catch the light of the lamp she used to heat her curling irons. Having sat quietly watching Bianca burn curls into her hair, then lift and touch and fluff with light fingers and comb, Nell sighed and said, “That will be enough, Bianca. Who looks at an old woman at a ball?”

Bianca stepped back, staring at Nell’s head as self-critically as a painter might examine a work in progress on his easel. She made no remark to comfort or flatter, but when Nell saw her nod her head once, she was satisfied that she would do. She stood, and Bianca shifted the lamp and adjusted the tilt of the mirror so that Nell could best see the whole effect she made. The dark green silk dress she wore was long-sleeved and high-necked, with creamy lace overlay at the cuffs and extending from neckband to bosom, ending there in gentle scallops with just enough space at the cleft for a favorite cameo brooch.

Nell smoothed the wrinkles at the waist, adjusted her lace cuffs, and slipped a jade ring onto the long finger of her left hand, observing it briefly beside her gold wedding band before turning this way and that at the mirror, and then proceeding to the door. “No need for you to stay up after you turn down my bed. I’ll manage alone.” Bianca nodded, cleaning the curling irons with a rag.

Nell knocked at the door that led from her room to that of her husband. They had found separate rooms more comfortable and convenient since coming to live at Beulah Land two months after Felix was stricken with partial paralysis. Presently, the door was opened by Stella, who took care of Felix. She bobbed a curtsy as Nell swept into the room, putting on a bright smile for the man who lay propped on pillows, looking more indolent and pampered than invalid. The lamp on the table beside his bed was turned high for reading. Nell noted that it was smoking.

“The wick wants trimming, Stella,” she observed.

“Never mind, my dear,” Felix said, dropping the book he’d been leading face-flat on the bed so that his place was kept, and holding out his good right hand. She took it in both of hers. “You look very fine!” Felix declared admiringly.

She squeezed his hand and smiled. “You are certain I shan’t disgrace you?”

He laughed and withdrew his hand. “‘Rich, not gaudy,’” he quoted. “You will be the handsomest lady downstairs.”

Nell smiled to thank him and patted his cheek. There was a quick knock outside the open door that led to the hall, and Leon entered a step behind Sarah, who went directly to the bed and kissed her uncle on the forehead.