Anne sat in the grand Ellington drawing room, already dressed and waiting. She was wearing a new gown of deep emerald silk, a color chosen to make her look sophisticated and powerful. Her hair was styled in a low bun and her silk wrist gloves were tapping angrily at her lap. She looked at the tall grandfather clock in the corner of the room, its steady, ticking rhythm seeming to mock her. She let out an annoyed, impatient sigh.
Augusta, sitting in her favorite plush armchair, calmly took a bite of a delicate, buttery scone. "What seems to be the matter, my sunshine?" Augusta asked, her voice a smooth, calming melody.
Anne turned to her, her own voice sharp with frustration. "Look at the time, Mama. It is well past the hour he said he would send his carriage to come and pick me up. I am so annoyed. It is rude to keep a lady waiting. Very rude."
