Time passed quickly. After sixteen, it became seventeen, and then, hastily, it became eighteen and nineteen. Soon, the first guests would arrive, but there was still no sign of Sofia's dress.
The girl sat in the library, leaning against the window. She waited. She was soothed by the solitude, so her worry now seemed far less serious. After all, what could happen in the worst case? Obviously, she would go to the ball in an old dress, a peasant dress, exactly what she was, and what she felt she was. It was her identity.
"Nothing yet?" Nanny asked, with Edgar following behind her.
"No, Grandma."
"I believe I can be of help," Edgar said.
"And how? Lending me one of your dresses like you did with my brother?"
"No, lending you one of my mother's dresses."
"Your mother?" Sofia said, her eyes widening. "But your mother is dead, and you must..."
"My mother is dead," Edgar interrupted. "So she won't be able to object. Please, come with me."
"But your guests will surely recognize that I'm wearing one of your mother's dresses," Sofia objected. She couldn't accept such a large and meaningful gift.
"I'm talking about the dresses when my mother was young and had your slender figure. I don't think our guests today will remember them, but my mother certainly kept them. She never threw anything away in her life, not even wilted flowers."
"She kept them saying they had a renewed beauty," said Mr. Scott. "A new beauty, even if they're dead."
"What do you think of my idea of offering Miss Swan one of my mother's dresses?" Edgar asked his father. "Aren't you upset?"
"No. I'm fine with it," Mr. Scott said.
"I thank you, but I just can't accept..."
At that moment, a carriage stopped in front of the entrance.
"Oh, it must be my dress!" Sofia exclaimed and ran outside.
The coachman opened the carriage door, and three women, whom Sofia and Nanny had met at the dressmaker's a few days ago, stepped out.
"Nice to see you again," said the mother. "I see your dress isn't ready yet."
Sofia's eyes lost their sparkle, and without responding, she ran up the stairs and took refuge in her room.
"I can't go to the ball," she said when Nanny entered to calm her down.
"That's not true. You look beautiful even like this, but if you want, there's always Edgar's offer... What did those three say to make you feel so demoralized?"
"Their mother told me that my dress isn't ready yet... But I wonder: how is it possible that their three dresses arrived even though they were after us, while mine still hasn't? I believe this Miss Clarence serves the nobles first, and only after, the peasants like me."
"I think so too," Nanny said bitterly. "And yet, she's a peasant like us. She should understand us. She should help us."
"There is no solidarity among peasants."
"Sorry to eavesdrop," said Edgar as he entered the room. "Are you really sure you don't want to try on a dress from my mother's collection? I'm not a peasant with ulterior motives."
The girl smiled. His last sentence had relaxed her.
"So, you're here in my room and not with your three guests," Sofia said.
"Yes, I'm here... Madam, would you like to follow me to my mother's room?"
"But I..." Sofia began to protest, but Nanny took her by the arm and led her behind.
Mrs. Katerina's room was very bright and spacious, and it had three wardrobes.
"I think these are her dresses from when she was young," Edgar said, opening one of them.
"From now on," Nanny said, "I'll take care of both the dresses and her."
The young man was about to leave, but Sofia stopped him.
"Mr. Scott, thank you so much."
"For so little," the young man smiled, "and it's not even certain that you'll fit into them," he added before leaving with a laugh.
"Did he just say I'm fat?" Sofia asked Nanny.
"Of course not, but if I remember correctly, Katerina was very slender."
"Oh, good!"
"But you're very petite too," Nanny added, pulling out a beautiful dress in a pastel pink color from the wardrobe.
"But it's wonderful!" Sofia exclaimed in amazement.
The finishing touches of the dress were very beautiful and fine. The dress itself didn't even seem to be worn.
"Is it love at first sight or should we see some others?"
The girl touched the other dresses, carefully observing their colors. They were too bright compared to what she wanted.
"Love at first sight," she added.
Nanny helped her put on the dress and then stood speechless. Her granddaughter was truly stunning, and the soft color was very similar to her complexion.
"Isn't it too short?" Sofia asked, approaching the mirror.
"I think it fits you perfectly."
"You're only saying that because you're my grandmother!" the girl protested.
"You really are very beautiful," said Johnny, sneaking into the room. Behind him were also Edgar and Mr. Scott.
"Let me pass," said the old man. "I think something is missing."
"What?" Nanny asked.
"Jewels," he said, pulling a jewelry box from the drawer. "These were my wife's."
"I thank you, but I can't accept," Sofia quickly replied.
"A dress like this needs its accessories," Edgar said.
"Are you in cahoots with him?"
"I'm always on my father's side," Edgar said, walking into the room.
He took a necklace from the jewelry box and walked towards Sofia, who was still admiring herself in the mirror.
"With this, you'll be adorable," Edgar said. "May I?"
The girl, with trembling hands, lifted her hair and exposed her slender neck. Edgar came even closer, and from behind, she could feel his breath on her neck. Then she felt his hands brush against her neck, and finally, the necklace rested on her warm skin. The necklace was very cold, not as pleasant as Edgar's breath.
"Now you're perfect," he said.
"Thank you."
For a moment, Sofia felt as if she were alone with him in that huge bedroom. There was no one else â no Nanny, no Mr. Scott, and not even her brother Johnny. Just two lost souls. Her and Edgar. She imagined his smooth hands brushing her neck again. She seemed to see him in the mirror, moving her hair aside, and then... kissing her neck gently from behind...
"I can't accept," Sofia said, snapping back to herself. "What if I lose it?"
"You're too clever to lose anything," Edgar said.
"I agree with my son."
"What if it breaks?"
"If it breaks, we'll have it repaired."
"I can't accept."
"Excuse me," a male voice was heard from the entrance of the room. "The dressmaker has arrived. She asks for you."
"Me?" Sofia asked.
"Yes," the servant nodded.
The girl immediately headed for the garden behind the servant. Downstairs, beautiful music was playing, and there were already enough guests. They were drinking and chatting cheerfully. Some men immediately turned to look at her, but Sofia pretended not to see them and kept walking.
"This is Miss Clarence's carriage."
The coachman opened the door and helped her inside. The dressmaker was waiting for her.
"I apologize for this grave and unforgivable delay," the woman began. "I've come in person to deliver the dress because I want to earn your forgiveness."
"You don't have to worry about my forgiveness," Sofia said curtly. "After all, I'll never be your regular customer."
"I see you're already wearing a beautiful dress. I don't know if mine will be as good as this," Miss Clarence said, handing her the box with the dress.
"I thank you," Sofia said, taking the package. "Good evening."
"Sooner or later, you'll forgive me, I feel it."
"You're not the only dressmaker in London."
"Enjoy the ball and have fun."
"Thank you."
The girl got out of the carriage and hurried up the stairs. However, at the entrance, she crossed paths with the three women from earlier.
"Your dress has finally arrived," the mother said.
"Can we see it?" asked Olga.
"Where did you get this beautiful necklace?" asked her sister, Matilde.
"It's second-hand, like the dress," said Nancy, their mother. "Don't you find it a bit morbid to wear things from a deceased person?"
"These aren't things from Mrs. Katerina!" Sofia lied angrily.
"But I clearly remember this necklace."
"It must be a similar necklace," Edgar said, coming down the stairs. "But it's not my mother's necklace. I would have recognized it."
"But..." Nancy started to say something, but then fell silent.
"Go ahead and change upstairs," Edgar said to Sofia. "And remember, the first dance is mine."
Upon hearing those words, Nancy and her daughters paled.