The sun had just set, bathing the cold evening sky in brilliant colours of red, orange and gold slowly fading to a pretty pale pink. On a lonely, dusty road a carriage came into view, drawn by a single black horse. Beads of sweat were glistening on the driver's forehead as he cracked his whip. Jerkily, he pulled at the shawl that was protecting him from the harsh winter weather. Inside, a pale, drawn face was turned towards the window, the head leaning wearily against the seat. This is where my story starts. I was the owner of that pale, drawn face and I was indeed weary. The last three weeks had been a flurry of petticoats, lace and silks. Three weeks of endless fitting, packing and saying goodbye. Underlying was perhaps the most frightening of all, the everlasting fear.
It had been over three weeks since my father had been arrested for suspected treason. Since my father was a Lord, mother and I weren't cast out of the house immediately. We were given the chance to pack up our belongings and organize a place to stay until the case was over. Then, should my father have been found innocent, we should be permitted to return and claim Crestmount as our own again. Should, however, my father have been found guilty, heaven forbid!, he would be stripped of his title and given a prison sentence of fifteen years, and mother and I would have to rely on our own small sources and the help of relatives.
Mother had been the one who decided we should split. The authorities had been known to search and capture the family of the treason suspect and imprison them in case they were involved in the treason. Mother was returning to her relatives, far in the North, while I was sent to an old friend of my father's, Sir Richard Bastable. Sir Richard lived in an old historical mansion quite a journey away from home.
I would be quite safe there, as not many knew about my father's friendship with Sir Richard. Until a short while ago, Sir Richard had been a merchant with a thriving business. Then, about a year ago, he found out about a defect in the international marketing system, a defect created on purpose by the opposing party. He researched and finally exposed the defect, saving England from a nearing money crisis. In gratitude, he had received a knighthood and the title 'Sir'. He had been offered a large estate, but declined, saying that he was happy with his business and preferred being a merchant rather than an earl.
I'd liked him ever since. He was a jolly man, and had come to visit father once or twice. I distictly remember him bringing me a whole bag of my favourite sweets when I was twelve and he came to visit my father. He'd sent father a letter about his visit beforehand, casually asking him in the postscript what kind of sweets I liked-- Father showed me the letter a few years later-- whereupon he went and bought all of them!
The rumbling of the carriage pulled me back to earth. I'd been deep in thought. It jostled back and forth, made my bones ache and my legs impatient and restless.
This routine went on for another five days, the carriage only stopping so the driver could re-warm my bricks at an inn and buy lunch or dinner. Sometimes I went with him, so I could stretch my legs, but usually I stayed in the carriage and tried to sleep. The weather slowly turned worse. Beautiful night skies turned to foggy grey snow clouds in only three days and the temperature dropped.
Suddenly, I felt the carriage go slower. Surprised, I tried to sit up straighter. It wasn't dinner-time, I knew that much, so we had to be there. With a final jostle, the carriage jerked to a stop. I couldn't see far past the fog-covered carriage window, but I spied a row of trees in the background. Immediately, my heart warmed more to the idea of staying here, even in this situation. I was worried about her, worried about my father, worried about the future, but trees had always provided the comfort I needed.
The carriage door was pulled open, letting in a blast of cold wind and bits of snow. Numb from the sudden cold and from sitting stil so long, I slowly shuffled away from the hot bricks which had been keeping me warm and moved towards the cold. I could hardly move, not only from numbness, but also because I had been packed in layers and layers of clothing to protect me from the cold winter weather. Nevertheless, I wrapped my shawl tighter around my shoulders as two hands grabbed my arms and lifted me out of the carriage. Through my veil, I could see two dark eyes looking straight as my helper began walking, with me bridal-fashion in his arms.
''Oh my goodness, she must be quite frozen!'' a light and pretty voice exclaimed as gentle hands began peeling layers of coats and shawls off my body. Nimble hands unpinned my hat and peeled off my veil and I found myself looking straight into laughing blue eyes.
''Hi!'' the girl said, embracing me. ''I'm Alice Bastable. I'm so pleased you've come to stay.''
''I'm Rosalie,'' I said numbly, trying to un-stick my limbs and return her embrace. Too late I realized she must already know my name and I felt dumb.
''Come,'' Alice said, guiding me towards a wooden door on my left. Planks creaked underneath my boots and we walked up a stairs. I tried to take in my surroundings but we were going too fast for my sleepy eyes to adjust.
I had begun to revive by the time we got to my room. Alice pushed open another wooden door, this one a shade darker, and we came into a comfortable looking room. A large four-poster bed stood against the wall, and the dark wooden floor was covered with thick cream rugs. There was a large writing desk, a wardrobe and a tall, floor-length mirror with a wooden frame. Alice led me to a door next to the bed, and we came into a steaming bathroom. Hot water was pouring from small metal taps into the large bathtub. Two girls around my age were pouring in soap from small tin cups, stirring the water with a long stick to make the soap bubble. I smiled to myself. It had been a long time ago since I had been assisted in taking a bath. The last time was before I left for Crestion Seminary.
Alice began undressing me and one of the girls hurried to help. Once my clothes had been removed, I was helped into the steaming bath. I help back a small yelp as my cold body came in contact with the hot water, but soon my body adjusted and I settled back comfortably. The girls began washing my hair, massaging my head while they washed. I fell asleep while they were doing it.
I woke up to the sound of voices. One girl was just rinsing my hair, while the other was conversing with Alice.
''She must be tired, poor thing,'' Alice said, sympathy in her voice. ''I shall ask her if she should like to go to bed straightaway, instead of coming downstairs. I know I certainly wouldn't feel like conversation after a journey like hers. Not until I've had a good rest, first.''
''Indeed, miss Alice. And shall I get a nightgown ready?''
''Yes, you may. Please make sure it is warmed and put on the bed. If she does choose to come downstairs it will at least be ready when it is time to go to bed.''
''I shall do so at once.''
''Thank you, Rebekka,'' Alice said, warmly. Footsteps came nearer and I opened my eyes to find her standing by the bathtub. The girl that had been rinsing my hair helped me out, and I was immediately towelled and dried and wrapped in a soft bathrobe.
''Are you warm enough?'' Alice asked.
''Oh yes!'' I answered, gratefully. I was able to talk properly now. ''I am so sorry for that silly display. I don't know how I got so numb and tired, for I slept enough and it was quite warm in the carriage.''
Alice laughed. ''Well, you've been sitting still for quite a bit, which must have chilled you, even if it wasn't cold, and even if you slept on the journey, sitting still for so long and not doing anything can make one rather tired.''
''Thank you so much for your hospitality,'' I said. Alice stared and then smiled.
''You're welcome, Rosalie. Don't worry a bit, we love getting visitors, and you are to be like one of the family, so you'll be taken care of as long as I reside under this roof!''350Please respect copyright.PENANAM4lZ9HQElX
I followed Alice into the room, which had been warmed by a fire in the big hearth. The air was nice and toasty. Alice turned towards me at the sight of the nightgown on the bed.
''Would you like to go to bed straightaway?'' she asked. ''I know you must be quite tired.''
I shook my head. It wouldn't be polite to go to bed without even greeting the family who had been so kind to take me in at this time of year. I wanted nothing more than to sleep, but I could hold out. I had to. ''The bath has refreshed me,'' I said truthfully. ''If it's not too late at night, and if you don't wish to retire to bed yourself, I would like to join you.''
''Of course,'' Alice smiled. ''Rebekka and Eloise will help you dress. If you'll excuse me, I must run down and tell cook not to let the jam pastries burn. She always does, you know.''
Alice exited the room as the two girls who had assisted my bath entered. They both smiled warmly at me as they opened the wardrobe.
''What would you like to wear, Lady Rosalie?'' Rebekka asked, her red hair flaming in the light of the fire. I went through the dresses hung in the wardrobe and realized that in the time I had been in the bath, they had managed to press and iron a good deal of my trunk of dresses. I was pleased to find my dove-grey wool amongst them.
Then my bathrobe was removed, and I was put into my undergarments, and shift. Over that went a layer of three plain petticoats, with over that a good petticoat with a white lace ruffle on the hem. My corset was fitted snugly around my waist and the stays pulled tight. I was bustled into a crinoline hoop and over that my white muslin underdress, with crocheted lace on the cuffs, hem and stand-up collar. 350Please respect copyright.PENANAWLx6Gw9Gdx
Finally, they buttoned up my grey cashmere over the layers of skirts and draped an embroidered white lace fichu over my shoulders. As a finishing touch, I went to my jewel chest, which stood on the large oakwood desk and pinned the fichu in place with a gold flat-pin, scalloped at the edges. It had been my mother's before she gave it to me, and it was the only jewel I could stand wearing. 350Please respect copyright.PENANArPHnuLwZGb
Once the dressing was done, Eloise dried my still-damp hair and twisted and braided it into a large knot on top of my head. My bangs were curled and arranged carefully, covering my forehead. Rebekka held up an unused box of rouge, but I shook my head.350Please respect copyright.PENANAonJ8M7H0w6
''Not tonight,'' I said, softly. I hated wearing the powder and avoided it as much as I could, and I didn't want to put it on when I was so tired and knew I'd have to stand and take it all off afterwards when I'd much rather snuggle up in bed and go to sleep.350Please respect copyright.PENANA8f3wEtBiMU
''Very well, miss,'' said Rebekka. ''Then you're all ready to go, and very beautiful you look, too.''350Please respect copyright.PENANA1oEr2lZYEK
''Very beautiful,'' Eloise agreed, then, timidly: ''If you'll forgive me for speaking so boldly, miss, I'd suggest you pinch your cheeks if you won't wear the rouge. You are a trifle pale.''350Please respect copyright.PENANAKeePDhMMUJ
I smiled at her shyness and leaned towards the mirror, pinching and patting my cheeks a little. They became pale pink and rosy as some of the colour returned. Then a knock came at the door and Alice came in.350Please respect copyright.PENANA33YAeimeUh
''Ready, Rosalie?'' she asked, looking at me with an approving expression.
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