Emma pushed her sister discreetly in the back to get her to step into the drawing room.A sea of conversation washed over them. Elegant London ladies in fashionable dresses chatted with gentlemen in elaborate cravats and tight-fitting black coats. Emma felt more than a little dowdy. She searched for a familiar face—and saw Lady Beatrice, resplendent in a crimson gown with knots of lime green ribbons, laughing uproariously with Mrs. Begley. The liquid in their glasses looked suspiciously like brandy.Where were the other members of the Society for the Betterment of Women? Emma spotted the Farthington twins in the far corner examining a large painting of a naked woman, a mostly naked man, and a sprinkling of fat cherubs. Miss Esther pointed to the man’s bare shoulders and elbowed her sister in the ribs. At least neither lady was drinking. Miss Russell occupied a settee nearby, also without a glass or teacup at hand. Emma felt some tension ease from her neck. She did not want to entertain the Londoners with the spectacle of drunken locals.“Just look at that gaggle of pea-gooses.”
