A Flawless Debut
St. James's Palace, London
April 1813
To those with perfect vision, the tapestry room was a dazzling spectacle. Young ladies dressed in white silk gowns with towering ostrich feather headdresses were arranged by rank in a long line, waiting to be presented to the queen. Their mothers stood beside them, fussing over every last detail to make sure that their daughter was nothing short of perfect.
For Persephone Winterborn, the room was a symphony of sensation. She heard the anxious whispers of her fellow debutantes, smelled the nervous sweat and the strong perfumes of citrus and lilac, and felt the heat from the massive chandelier radiating around her. Her world was a shimmering blur of light and shadow, caused by a childhood fever that stole the clarity of her sight at the age of seven.
Victoria squeezed her hand gently. "You look beautiful my darling."
Persephone turned her head at the sound of her mother's voice, a soft smile curving her lips. "Thank you mama."
Victoria took her hands. "Remember, ignore the whispers that swirl around society, they mean nothing. You are no fragile ornament, no porcelain doll. You are a lovely and confident young woman who has just as much right as anyone else in this room to be making her debut and find her love match."
Persephone nodded. "I know mama, I'm not afraid. I am simply hoping that I will find a love match, just as you had with papa."
Victoria gave her a gentle embrace. "And you will my love, do not worry. Simply be yourself, that is all that matters."
Persephone took a breath, hearing the names of the young ladies in front of her being called. Her mother was right, she was worthy of finding love just like everyone else. She wouldn't allow her blurry vision to stand in the way of her happiness.
Victoria squeezed Persephone's elbow. "It is almost time my love, you can do this. You are a Winterborn, you are a true diamond."
Persephone felt her heart pound like butterfly wings as she and her mother approached the double doors leading to the throne room. She fixed her eyes on the glittering gold door, only able to see the sparkling outline of it, but no details. She was about to make her debut into society, and she wasn't looking back.
The harold's voice echoed through the large chamber as the doors opened. "Presented by her mother, the right honorable Viscountess Winterborn, Miss Persephone Winterborn."
Persephone took a breath, squared her shoulders, and slowly walked toward the queen, who stood on the dais. She didn't fault her, she remained confident, counting each step in her head. She walked with her head held high, her steps poised and graceful. A moment later, she stopped a few feet away from the queen and executed a perfect curtsy.
The soft rustle of silk was the only indication Persephone had to the reaction of the queen. Rising slowly from her position, she kept her elegant smile, and was just able to make out the monarch returning her smile and giving a single nod of approval. Keeping her posture straight, she began to walk backward, careful not to trip over her train. She ignored the ice cold eyes that stared daggers at her back, refused to listen to the venomous whispers that immediately began to follow her. She had made her debut flawlessly. And that, to her, was a triumph worth more than any diamond.
Already love it