“Dear Lord!” Auntie Abigail burst through the door of my and Jane’s bedroom. “How can you stand this blasted heat? You poor souls!” She vigorously swung her hand back and forth, cooling her overheated heart-shaped face.

I glanced at my best friend Edith, who covered her mouth with her hand, trying to hide her laughter. I had to bit my lip as we shared a knowing look to quench the giggles that threatened to bubble out of my chest.

To put it bluntly, auntie Abby wasn’t a really slim person, actually, her hips were so wide she had to move sideways to fit anywhere.

And let’s not forget to mention her generous bosom. I was sure some gentlemen enjoyed the view of her low-cut bodice, but respectable ladies most certainly didn’t. Every time she bent over; her breasts almost spilled out of her tightly-woven corset.

Edith grimaced distastefully as aunt Abby grabbed our fine embroidered vase placement and wiped off the sweaty stream between her voluptuous breasts.

“Ehm,” I discretely cleared my throat. “Aunt Abby…” I bashfully averted my gaze as I pointed at her exposed breasts.

“Oops,” she giggled before she sloppily pulled the fabric over her bared chest. “Maybe this dress is a tad bit too daring, what do you think girls?”

I just stared at her in pure horror, only hoping that all respectable bachelors won’t run off at the sight of my reckless aunt.

“Girls you both look absolutely enchanting!” She wildly nodded in approval, her oddly glazed eyes travelling over our evening attire. With her head bouncing like that it was inevitable for her extravagant feathery fascinator to slip over her eyes. “Oh dearie, I shouldn’t have drunk that last glass of mead.”

Now that I thought of it, her cheeks were indeed suspiciously flushed. Well, I suppose a sinfully rich widow didn’t really care about her reputation all that much. As a matter of fact, her proposal to sponsor our first season came as a big surprise. My aunt was an incorrigible stingy person, and she wouldn’t part with a single penny to help my family out of financial problems.

“My Lady, you most certainly shouldn’t!” Edith said in bewilderment. “They will throw us out before we even have a chance to secure our first dance!”

Abby adjusted her fascinator, letting out a very unladylike snort. “Please! I have my title and my riches; those snobs wouldn’t dare to put me on the street!”

I didn’t know if I should be horrified or relieved at that. Being so engrossed with my aunt’s boisterous demeanor I almost screamed when I felt a sudden tap against my shoulder.

“It is time,” announced my mother, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears. “You both look so beautiful,” her voice quivered with pride as she pressed her hands to her cheek.

For young ladies like Edith and myself first debut was a critical ceremony we had to perfect. Doing it properly – with splendid poise and elegance – meant a guarantee for a suitable spouse-to-be. If I’d say I wasn’t skittish I’d either be a fool or a blatant liar.

I pivoted back to Edith, deeply relieved my best friend would be by my side through this whole experience. She truly was a vision in a champagne-colored satin dress that fell all the way to the heels of her slippers, careful to cover her ankles. Her wild coppery locks were braided and pinned on top of her head crown with few runaway strands curling about her lovely freckled face. Edith was a true epitome of innocence and gentleness. Her mother would be certainly proud of the woman she became.

While smoothing the invisible wrinkles on my new breathtaking emerald silk gown, I had to admit my aunt had an impeccable taste in fashion. The cut off shoulders with low décolletage and tight bodice made my cheeks flush since I never wore anything similar to this. The gown appeared simple, yet its fullness and color made it stand out against my darker skin tone.

I lifted my head to meet Edith’s gaze. “Are you ready?”

“Well, not quite. But we don’t have a choice to turn and run like the devil himself is hot on our heels, do we now?” She grimaced.

“I am certain it won’t be so disastrous,” I tried to reassure her as I looped her arm through mine. Her hand was almost child-like and her frame frail and petite compared to my taller one.

“Oh please, ladies! No dramatics! It’s only a marriage for Christ’s sake! Your only hard work will be to satisfy a man in the bedroom, after that you can do as you please,” Abby’s chest puffed as she was awfully proud of her own advice.

“Abigail! Language please!” My mother said horrified.

Well, if you thought about it, she was actually right.

I turned toward an old wooden mirror on my toilette table, intensely looking at my reflection. Would be I considered pretty enough to be wanted by a man? I hadn’t had the slightest idea about how to properly please my future husband. The only thing Edith and I had, were very embarrassing lessons about human reproduction, given by our old governess. Not to mention she was a maiden herself, so I was pretty certain she hadn’t had a clue on how things worked.

One time we stole a book from my father’s study, which very graphically depicted relations between two human beings. It was rather embarrassing.

My hands flew from my hair – a nervous twitch to adjust my elegantly woven updo - to the golden cameo earrings my mother had given me.

“Do not worry yourself, you look striking,” Edith assured me when my eyes met hers in the mirror’s reflection. “All bachelor’s eyes will be on you tonight.”

“Oh please,” I nervously giggled. “I am still deciding if I should simply blend with the tapestry to evade their gossiping mouths.”

We were about to head toward the doors when we suddenly heard a loud crash.

“Ladies I hate to bother you, but I am afraid we are already running late!” A loud voice announced from downstairs.

Jared. My cheeks flamed at the thought of him accompanying us to the ball. Will he add his name to my dance card? Will he think of me as anything else but his sister’s bothersome best friend? But I shouldn’t be thinking about this, should I? I should set my sights on a certain rich gentleman.

Do not mistake me for a moneygrubber for I by any means wasn’t the type of woman who was preying on man’s wealth. For me, it would be nothing better than to settle down with a nice man who would see me for who I really was. But I had no choice but to help my father out of the hardship our family has encountered.

Like a captivated girl by her sweetheart, I enthusiastically rushed my friend out of the bedroom and almost sent us tumbling down the stairs. I wisely ignored my mother’s worried stares, which told me how much she really knew about the depth of my feelings toward Jared.