She could not have said what her appearance was at the present, given the exuberant dancing she had engaged in thus far. With her condition, she had avoided anything resembling reels and jigs, but there was a natural merriment and energy to any of the dances the gathering struck up, only few of which had patterns she might have known in advance. Several of the other guests had offered to teach her what she did not know, and, after her first set of demurrals, she had given in and joined the group anyway.

It was a night unlike any other she had known, and her present state of contentment was one she had not known she could find in a place like this.

How blind she had been!

She could feel several of her curls brushing against the back of her neck, indicating that they had fallen or were in the process of falling from their hold, but she could not muster up concern for such a thing. Her turban had been removed long ago, set aside with her cloak somewhere or other, and she could honestly say she had not missed it. Many of the ladies present had simple plaits in their hair, or wore it down altogether, and the only common sight among them were the wildflowers strewn throughout. Her choice in gown had been an excellent one, given its simplicity and durability for such activities as she was now engaged in, and while she did look finer than the other guests, she did not appear so very much above them.

And she did not wish to appear so.

It was a strange concept for Adelaide, to feel herself belonging to a company rather than competing with it. To converse with the lower class openly, not just for show or charity. To mingle among such simple folk with whom she would have almost nothing in common and not anticipate returning to finer society.

Or even to return to her home.

She had not thought of Trevadden in several hours now, though her feet ached, and her lungs burned with the excessive laughter and activity she had engaged in.

Laughter! From her! But that was what one did in such a place and among such a celebration, and she had been just as caught up in it as anyone else. She and Emblyn especially had been rather giddy together, and it had been such a comfort to have her sister-in-law with her while she navigated this new realm of activities and association.

Emblyn was still around here somewhere, but Adelaide could not be certain where at this point. Where Adelaide had needed a moment’s reprieve when the more energetic dances struck up, Emblyn had joined in with somehow more energy than she’d had before.

The marvel of such a thing still puzzled Adelaide.

“You look remarkably refreshed.”