Polly peered around the crack of the door, smiling as she took in her sister, resplendent in a long white gown, her hair held back by a diamond clip.

“You might as well come in, Polly,” Violet said, and turned to greet her as she slipped in the door. Polly sighed in awe as she circled Violet, coming to stand behind her while they looked at one another in the beveled mirror.

“Oh, Violet,” she said. “You are so utterly beautiful. Are you not absolutely thrilled?”

Violet shrugged, a slight smile on her face as she looked at Polly’s reflection. “I am looking forward to all that awaits this season,” she said. “Though from the gentlemen I have met so far, there seems to be little to hold my attention.”

“What do you mean?” Polly asked, seeing her own eyes widen in the mirror.

“I mean that I feel love may be somewhat elusive,” Violet said, her face wistful. “Though one never knows what — or whom — one may find. I am quite determined that I will not marry for any other reason, however. You shouldn’t either, Polly, when your time comes.”

“Oh, Violet,” said Polly with a laugh. “You are ever so serious. Do you really think it will be so difficult to find a man you might get along well with? Besides, the sooner you marry, then the sooner I might become more sought after.”

Violet cocked her head to the side as she and Polly gazed at one another. While Polly knew her blonde curls were the subject of many women’s envy, she thought her sister’s dark tresses were rather lovely. It was certainly hard to believe the two of them were related with the difference in their coloring, but they were as close as could be despite the four-year age difference between them.

As excited as Polly was for her sister, she also rather despaired of the day when Violet would depart their home for a new one with her future husband, leaving Polly alone with only their brothers and parents for company.

“Whoever you choose, Violet, will you please make sure he doesn’t live too far away?” Polly asked.

“I shall do my very best,” her sister responded. “Or we shall make sure when it comes time to find you a husband, he does not live so far from mine.”

“Fair enough,” Polly said, clapping her hands. “Oh, Violet, I cannot wait!” She stepped away from the mirror and began to twirl around the room, her skirts fanning out around her as she mimed dancing the waltz while humming the music she could practically hear already. She could see her partner in her mind. He was tall, handsome of course, and ever the gentleman. He told her how beautiful she was and that he would take care of her for the rest of their lives. They would have the most extravagant wedding, and he would take her to the theatre and dances and concerts and the like during the Season before they retired to his luxurious home in the country. Then they would have plenty of children together, and she would make sure they knew the same joy she had.

“What are you daydreaming about?” laughed Violet.

“The fairytale of my future,” sighed Polly.

“You are such a romantic,” Violet said, shaking her head with a smile. “Although, that is what I love about you. It will also draw many a man to you in just a few years’ time. Though your looks may be helpful as well.”

“Do you think so?” Polly asked, coming back to the mirror to take in her appearance. She leaned in for a closer look at the sapphire blue of her eyes, the pert nose that had a light dusting of freckles she rather despaired of, and the blush that had risen in her cheeks from her exertions dancing around the room.

“Oh come off it, you are very lovely already, as you well know,” Violet said, arching an eyebrow. “Now, I must no longer delay. Mama will be waiting.”

“How I wish I could go with you,” Polly said longingly. “Perhaps one day soon Mama and Papa might hold a ball here or at our country home and I can attend some of it.”

“Perhaps,” Violet said, turning to face her. “In the meantime, sister, never lose your romantic notions, but keep an eye out for scoundrels.”

“Scoundrels?”

“Yes, gentlemen who are not what they seem,” Violet said softly, raising an eyebrow as she looked at her. “They might take advantage of your trusting nature.”

“Oh Violet, you are so dramatic,” Polly said, rolling her eyes.

Violet sighed. “Well, at the very least, with all of our brothers, someone will always be watching out for you. And we well know that we will not get far without Mama. Anyway, off we go. Goodnight, Polly.”

“Goodnight, Violet.”

Polly followed her sister down the stairs, watching as she and their parents climbed into their carriage and waved goodbye. She waved until she could no longer see them and then went back inside, the tune still on her lips as she danced around the foyer, dreaming of the gentleman who would one day capture her heart.