The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky Read Free Book Online Page B

Mary.”
    Kate swallowed and nodded. Her aunt would accompany her through the doorway, but then she would step back and let Kate go ahead.
    The page pointed at her arm. “Your train, miss.”
    “Oh yes.” She lowered her arm, and the fabric slid to the carpet. The page used his long wand to straighten out the material behind her. “Thank you,” she murmured and started to step forward.
    But he held out his hand. “One moment, please.” He watched the young woman in line ahead of her approach the queen and begin her curtsy, then he turned and nodded to Kate.
    She pulled in a deep breath and stepped forward. “Think grace, think poise.” Mr. Rounpear’s words floated through her mind as she followed the red carpet to the center of the room where the king, queen, and princess sat in elaborate chairs on a dais.
    The Lord Chamberlain—a distinguished man with silver hair, who was dressed in white tights, black knee-length pants, and a black-and-gold jacket—stood to the right of the king. Kate’s hand trembled as she handed him her card. The young woman in line in front of her made her final curtsy to Princess Mary.
    The Lord Chamberlain nodded to her, and she crossed in front of King George.
    “Miss Katherine Evangeline Ramsey, daughter of the late Sir Randolph Ramsey, Baronet of Highland Hall, and the late Lady Eden Ramsey. Presented by her aunt, Lady Louisa Gatewood of Wellsbury.”
    A dizzy wave swept through Kate, and all the air seemed to rush out of her lungs, but she had to keep moving. She focused on the king’s shoulder as she stepped to the right and sank down for her first curtsy. Lowering herhead, she counted to three. As she rose, the king offered a slight smile, which she returned. He was a small man, almost frail-looking, with large blue eyes and a neatly trimmed dark brown beard and moustache. He was not nearly as impressive as the paintings she had seen of him.
    Her train swept along beside her as she crossed in front of Queen Mary and began her second curtsy. Her legs shook, but she managed to sink down and then rise without swaying. The queen wore a beautiful royal-blue gown, a pearl necklace with several strands, and a sparkling diamond-and-pearl tiara. Her blond, wavy hair was beautifully styled, and she acknowledged Kate with a brief nod, her delicate pearl earrings swaying as she did so.
    Relief flowed through Kate. Just one more curtsy and she would be finished. She stepped to the right two paces and faced Princess Mary. The young woman’s bored gaze drifted around the room.
    Kate tensed and waited, but the princess did not look her way. How rude! Princess or not, she ought to at least acknowledge those who bowed before her. Perhaps she should just stand there until the princess met her gaze. Or what if she tossed her bouquet into the princess’s lap? That might get her attention.
    Kate dismissed those thoughts. It might give her a moment’s pleasure to startle the princess, but it would probably give her aunt a heart attack and make Kate a social pariah.
    She sank down before the princess and lowered her head, but she didn’t bother to count to three. Why should she? The princess was obviously bored and eager for the event to conclude.
    She rose, thankful to be finished, and turned to go. The whole room suddenly grew quiet. She glanced back. The princess’s eyes flashed to life and drilled into her.
    Kate froze. Mr. Rounpear’s instructions flooded her mind. Turning her back on the royal family was a supreme insult. She was supposed to back out of the room and keep her face toward them at all times. Heat surged up Kate’s neck and into her cheeks. Slowly, she turned and faced the royal family again.
    The princess glared at her, then lifted her chin and looked away.
    Kate lowered her gaze, took a step back and then another, but her shoe snagged her train. She tried to kick it gently to the side, but the heavy fabric tangled around her foot. Everyone watched her now. She had to keep