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past puberty to find the sight of blood distressing. But her own monthlies never bothered her. A woman’s periodic blood was natural; other bleeding was not.
    Thankfully, Corinna hadn’t seemed to notice her abysmal lack of action, and neither had anyone else.
    “Emily will be fine.” Corinna held Herman at arm’s length, looking almost as ridiculous as Juliana felt. “Why didn’t you bring Amanda straight in here?”
    “I wanted to talk to her regarding Lady Hammersmithe’s ball on Saturday. Talk her into attending, I mean.”
    “Why wouldn’t she?” Alexandra asked.
    Juliana shrugged—casually, she hoped. “She’s rather shy around eligible gentlemen. I’ve offered to help her with a new wardrobe, which I’m hoping will boost her confidence.”
    “That’s kind of you,” Alexandra said.
    Corinna looked suspicious. Or maybe just wary of the snake. “Whyever did you feel the need to talk privately? We could have helped you convince her—”
    “Here she is, all repaired,” Amanda announced, walking back in with Emily.
    Emily sported a neat little linsey bandage wrapped around her finger. When she reached for Herman, Corinna didn’t hesitate to hand him over. Juliana’s sister still looked wary, though. Or suspicious.
    Drat.
    “Shall we get back to work?” Juliana asked cheerfully.
    Emily shook her head. “I’m not sewing anymore.”
    “You can start cutting the clouts,” Juliana suggested, handing her a bundle of cotton fabric, a pair of scissors, and a simple pattern. She hoped that when the cut rectangles were folded and sewn, they would turn out theright size to cover a baby’s bottom. Refusing to even think about doing that a hundred times, she gave Emily’s half-finished blanket to Amanda. “Here. This is almost done.”
    It wasn’t, of course, and Amanda proved to be no handier with a needle than the rest of them. Not only was Juliana going to have to host more sewing parties, she was also going to have to invite more women—hopefully including some who had sewn more than samplers. “I hope you’ll all help me recruit more ladies at Almack’s tonight.”
    “I’m not attending,” Alexandra said, a sparkle in her brandy-brown eyes. “Since Parliament isn’t sitting, Tristan wants to stay home, just the two of us.”
    It wouldn’t be just the two of them, of course—a marquess had a bevy of household help. But still, Juliana envied her sister’s settled life. Since Almack’s was foremost a matrimonial bazaar, Alexandra could afford to skip going and spend a relaxing evening at home instead. At the rate Juliana wasn’t finding a husband, she wondered if she’d ever have that luxury for herself.
    Corinna looked up from the petticoat she was stitching. Suspiciously. “Amanda, you’ll be attending Almack’s, will you not?”
    “No,” Amanda said. Juliana held her breath, half expecting her to blurt out that she had no need to attend given that she was already engaged. To her great relief, Amanda added instead, “Aunt Mabel isn’t feeling up to chaperoning me these days.”
    “Is it the asthma again?” Aunt Frances sighed. “Poor Lady Mabel. I shall have to pay her a call.”
    “She’d appreciate that very much,” Amanda said, hemming the blanket almost as crookedly as Emily.
    If anything, Corinna looked even more suspicious. “But Juliana said you’re going to Lady Hammersmithe’s ball.”
    “As I tried to explain to her, I don’t expect Aunt Mabel will be well enough by Saturday, either. The London air—”
    “Aunt Frances can chaperone you along with us,” Juliana said.
    Amanda’s needle slowed, not that she’d been plyingit with masterful speed in the first place. “No one will ask me to dance, anyway.”
    “Oh, yes, they will.” Alexandra smiled down at her handiwork. “Juliana will teach you the look .”
    Now Amanda’s needle stopped. “What look?”
    “Allow me to demonstrate.” Juliana looked up from her little frock. “First you choose a