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Goodness, she was so tired of hearing such words from her mother.

Agnes opened her mouth to argue, to defend her need for respite, but before she could utter a word, Lady Egerton, a friend of her mother and equally just as exhausting, glided over to them, a tall gentleman trailing behind her.

Agnes hoped her polite smile stayed on her lips as she wondered what in the world the lady wanted.

Lady Egerton, her gown a vision of blue silk and lace, greeted Mary with a warm smile. “Mary, my dear, you look positively radiant tonight,” she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

Mary responded with a gracious nod, her demeanor instantly changing to one of perfect composure, as always. “Lady Egerton, you are too kind.”

Lady Egerton then turned her attention to Agnes and said, “And this must be your lovely daughter, Agnes. It’s been far too long since we’ve seen each other, she has grown so beautifully.”

It had not been too long at all. In fact, Agnes had met with the lady just some months ago, so how could she have grown into a beautiful woman in just three months?

A beauty so unrecognizable?

Keeping her thoughts to herself, Agnes curtsied with grace and nodded. “Indeed, Lady Egerton, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Lady Egerton, with a knowing glint in her eyes, gestured toward the young man. “Allow me to introduce my son, Ewan, the Earl of Egerton, who just returned from his school in France after so many years.”

Oh, this is the son they never stop talking about whenever they meet up? Goodness, could the night get any worse?

As Ewan bowed in greeting, Agnes caught a fleeting glance from her mother, a sharpness in her eyes that she recognized all too well. It meant her mother was already considering Ewan as a potential suitor.

In a conspiratorial voice, Lady Egerton leaned toward her mother and chuckled. “Mary, your daughter looks positively radiant tonight,” sheLady Egerton remarked. “She really is the belle of this ball.”

Mary smiled as humbly as she could and replied, “Thank you, Eleanor. Agnes has truly blossomed into a remarkable young lady.”

A normal lady would bask in such compliments, arrange her peacock feathers, and preen as much as she could. Agnes, however, wished she could disappear as the conversation continued.

It was obvious what the two women were trying to do, and the weight of her mother’s expectations and the prospect of Ewan as a suitor loomed over her, casting a shadow on the grandeur of the ball.

After the introductions were made, Lady Egerton, Mary, and their friends continued their conversation about the grandeur of the evening, leaving Agnes and Ewan Bolton standing together.

Ewan, who looked like and dressed like a handsome and well-mannered gentleman, smiled warmly at Agnes. “Miss Agnes, might I have the honor of this dance?”

“No, My Lord,” was what she wanted to say, but she stopped when her mother turned to glare at her.

Agnes curtsied once more, her delicate gown swirling around her. “Of course, My Lord. I would be delighted to dance with you.”

They made their way to the dance floor, joining the other couples gliding gracefully to the enchanting music.

The waltz swept them away, and for a split second, Agnes allowed herself to admire Ewan’s skillful dancing. His strong frame held her with gentle precision, guiding her through the intricate steps of the dance. But all she really wanted to do was leave. She had no interest in dancing with the Earl of Egerton.

As they twirled and glided, as if he realized Agnes’s disinterest, Ewan attempted to make light conversation. “You look as lovely as a summer day, Miss Agnes. The roses in your cheeks rival the splendor of these grand chandeliers.”

Agnes offered a polite, albeit distant, smile and replied, “Thank you, My Lord..”

Ewan pressed on anyway. “Miss Agnes, I’ve heard that you have a great passion for literature and poetry. Is that true?”

Agnes gave a short nod. “Yes.”

Ewan’s eyes held a hint of curiosity as he continued, “I hope you don’t mind my being forward, but I’ve been wanting to ask you something.”

“Go ahead, My Lord.”

As if knowing the weight of his next words, the Earl looked at Agnes with a gentle expression and said, “You know, Miss Agnes, you have a striking resemblance to your older sister, Miss Rose.”

Agnes’s stomach dropped at the mention of her sister. It was a topic she preferred to avoid.