29 - Edwina's Big Night

                                        

                                              
Edwina's heart was racing long before Lord Daro started his speech. From the moment she donned the southern style gown Duchess Zappeas had gifted her, Edwina knew she'd be under intense scrutiny, and yet it took Lord Daro's mere presence to set her heart into frantic paces. Given the origin of her attire, Edwina's gown was a masterpiece of almost translucent fabric, ruching  at the bodice in the white Edwina had always preferred, but in a gradient going down that quickly transitioned to her ruby encrusted shoes. She loved the southern style of ruffled but shorter skirts that allowed for air and movement, and since she was already so tall it felt like a celebration of her height. 
Since the dress left her shoulders and collarbone completely bare, Blair had insisted she wear a multistring pearl choker and matching earrings with her hair pinned up with ruby and pearl to suit. With the shoes, Edwina all but towered over Blair, even in her own heightened shoes, but she was grateful for her older sister's efforts. She felt beautiful, and supported, and Edwina had to ignore how much her foolish heart wished this event wasn't Lord Daro's way of saying goodbye. But that was the purpose of this feast, for all that everyone kept claiming it was to celebrate her becoming Master Gentileschi's apprentice. Because her having a new Master meant Lord Daro was no longer her mentor, no longer a part of her life. Her heart was breaking because she was getting everything she had ever wanted and worked hard for, but it was costing her the man who'd quietly laid claim to her love. And he didn't even know it. 
"Ladies and gentlemen," Lord Daro's melodic voice claimed all the attention in the room, "thank you for coming out today to celebrate the success of my only student, Lady Edwina Briggs." She demurely curtsied as everyone applauded her before Lord Daro continued, "I knew from the moment I met Lady Edwina that she was a talent like no other, far greater an artist than I could ever hope to be." She couldn't help the blush unfurling across her skin at his focus on her, "and to this day I continue to learn as much about art and being an artist from Lady Edwina as I could ever try to teach her. We are all here to honour the fact that Lady Edwina has surpassed what I could impart and found a place under Master Gentileschi's guidance. So let us toast to Lady Edwina Briggs, a Master in the making."
Lord Daro's dark eyes glittered with pride as he saluted her with his wine glass, and Edwina nearly drank her cup dry in an attempt to recover. Having a crowd of mostly strangers applaud her didn't help her settle any either, though she was grateful for Hida's down to earth, "go Winnie." 
"Thank you my Lord," she managed not to sound as breathless as his attentions left her feeling. "There is no doubt that your excellent tutelage and support are why I was blessed with Master Gentileschi's favour; any regard I may one day earn first started under your diligent care."
Given the toasts that had just occurred, Edwina knew it was customary for the attendees to circulate so as to give her their personal congratulations. Her elder siblings had all stepped back with their respective partners, and Gavin was with Eniola, so only Hida remained at Edwina's side like her own personal Knight. Lord Daro was with his own siblings, likely receiving their congratulations and allowing her a moment to receive adulations as independently as possible. 
She was being treated with all the due respects given an adult, and still her foolish, greedy heart wished Lord Daro could see her as a grown woman instead of just a talented student. It was the childish whimsy she would have to put away now that she had an apprenticeship to complete. There would be no time or energy left to give over to such fantasies, so perhaps it was for the best that this would be their last farewell. 
A strange side effect of all these guests that Edwina didn't know was having almost no opportunity to actually speak to Lord Daro directly. Edwina had seen him with his siblings, and ever since he'd been guided by his brother, Count Adam Korolenko, while his sisters, Ladies Bogna and Celestyn circulated in the guests and brought an inordinate number of young bachelorettes over to him. And while Edwina smiled at the polite strangers that hadn't come to the Korolenko Estate to praise her work, she noticed how very unimpressed her own family members seemed to be about it too; at least those that would notice that kind of thing. Gavin, Hida, and Derbie all seemed to be in good spirits still.