~Battlefield of Love~

Chapter 1

Hey guys, I just want to welcome you to the new story! It's one that takes place during the civil war. It's based off of Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind. It's a major classic that I love! I don't want to call you guys all the time, so vote on what you want me to call you! PM me any ideas, and reviews are always appreciate!

-The Other Spencer

Aria's POV

I gripped the bedpost for dear life, my breath being forced out of me. My mammy stood behind me pulling the stays of the corset as hard as she could. Finally, she laced it all the way up, and tied me off.

"Measure me please, Mammy." I asked sweetly. She grabbed the cloth tape measure, and wrapped it around my waist.

"Eighteen inches, Miss. Aria." She said smiling. "One of the most beautiful Belles in the whole South."

I looked in the mirror. My dark hair pinned back with a light green ribbon that brought out my eyes. My small nose was perfectly pale, and my mouth in a small smile. I let my gaze drift to the window. It had been a perfect day for a barbeque at the Hastings plantation. Mammy approached me with heavy, lumbering steps. Mammy lowered my hoop skirt onto to me, and slipped my dress over my head. With appreciation, I fingered the fabric. A white strip lay across my collarbone, the rest a light summery green, with white fringe at the bottom. I slipped a wide brimmed straw hat over my head, and tied it under my chin with a green ribbon matching the one in my hair. Making sure everything was in order, I slid my small feet into my shoes, and left my room.

Mike waited for me in front of the carriage; my ma and pa were already inside. He held out a hand for me. I grabbed it thankfully, and used it for support to get in the carriage. Mike was a perfect gentleman, and at the tender age of fourteen made it all the better. I sat with my gloved hands politely folded in my lap.

"Byron, don't you think we have the perfect daughter? She will get all the beaus in the county," My mother said joyfully.

"Yes, Ella, she had that Irish beauty." My father said in his thick Irish accent. Ma's words must have sunk in, because he added. "But, dear, she is only sixteen!"

"The perfect age to be looking for a husband." I couldn't help but smile; I wanted to have that joy so much!

The carriage ride continued with more meaningless chatter.

Spencer's POV

My mother and Melissa ran around like the headless chickens that I had seen the servants dealing with.

"Mother, have you seen Ian?" Melissa asked frantically. Ian was her no good fiancée. The proposal was the only reason we were having the barbeque anyway.

"Yes, dear, he is in the study with your father." My mother said. "Spencer darling, go an ask your Mammy to get you ready." She added.

"Yes, Mother." I said, glad to be able to escape all of the dilly-dally. I skipped up the stairs, taking bigger steps then acceptable for a woman from the Hastings family. Once safely in my room, I sat on the canopy bed and patiently waited for my Mammy.

"Miss. Spencer, Mammy here made you a beautiful dress for the barbecue, dear." Mammy said. I obliged, and hugged my bedpost, got laced up in the corset, got my hoop skirt on, and slipped my dress over my head.

The baby blue fabric was decorated with roses. It had a big blue bow in the center of the bust. My hair was pinned back in half up do with another blue bow. I grabbed the pink parasol, and set out to greet guests with my mother and sister.

Hanna's POV

"Miss. Hanna, you have to eat. No girl can go to a barbeque and embarrass herself by eating like a pig." My mammy said strictly.

I rolled my eyes, looked up at her, and glared.

"I want to wear the white dress with the red belt."

"Miss Hanna! I'm disappointed in you! You know that your bosom can't show until after 3:00." Mammy warned, wagging her finger at me. "I'm gonna have to tell Miss. Ashley about this."

"If you tell mother, I won't eat a bite." I threatened. Mammy seemed reluctant, but gave in anyway. She got me dressed, and sat me down to eat. I quickly shoved food into my mouth. I wanted to go now! She rolled my hair up, and held it together with a red broach to match the dress.

When I finished, I descended the staircase to reach mother. When she saw me, she looked absolutely horrified with me.

"Hanna Marin, what do you think you're wearing?!" She asked loudly. "Go up and change now."

"There is no time, ma, you know Veronica would be upset to have us be late…" I warned triumphantly. She didn't complain anymore, and used the butler's hand to help her into the carriage.

Emily's POV

I stepped out of the carriage into the sunlight. My straw hat curved to the right side of my head, my curly hair perfectly placed underneath it. Every piece of my purple floral dress was in place, and I had a polite smile to show for it. The Hastings' stood on the front steps to the Oaks Bottom Plantation. Each lady smiled evenly, and greeted every guest.

My father stepped out, and reached for my mother's hand, then mine. I took small strolls up the stairs with my family.

"Mrs. Hastings," My father greeted, kissing Veronica's hand. "What a pleasure to see you. And you, Miss. Melissa, Spencer." He continued kissing each of their hands.

"Oh Emily," Spencer gushed, "It's truly been too long!" She hugged me quickly and whispered in my ear, "I'll catch up to you soon, Em." I couldn't help but smile at her words.

I then strolled inside, and stood in the foyer waiting for my best friends, Hanna and Aria. Aria arrived before Hanna. She grabbed my gloved hand, and complimented my dress.

"Have you seen Ezra Fitzgerald today?" Aria asked excitedly. "I would love to make him my beau, but you know how his father reacts to the Irish. My mother told me it just wouldn't do."

"Oh dear, Aria, I'm so sorry to hear that. You would be so cute together!" I answered. Her eyes lay on Ezra, but mine were longing after Miss Paige Mcullers. Her dress looked beautiful on her, and her waist was perfectly narrow.

"Oh do look, Emily, Hanna's here!" Aria said happily. As if on cue, Hanna came sashaying in the foyer in a beautiful white dress with dozens of 'dashing' men clomping after her.

"Bye now," Hanna said cheekily before turning back to us. "Goodness me thank goodness they're gone now!"

"Hanna!" Aria chirped, and hugged her. "I'm so glad to finally see you again, Pa wouldn't let me ride over to your plantation!" Aria pouted.

"No worries, dear me Emily, try to be a little more daring next time!" I had absolutely no idea at what she was talking about. My face was probably looking confused because she said, "your dress."

Before I can answer, Spencer skips over, her dress flouncing behind her beautifully.

"Who is that?" Hanna asks in awe. Her gaze pointed to a man with shaggy dark hair. His piercing eyes were watching Hanna's every move. He was wearing a fitted grey suit, and red vest. The man was casually leaning against the grand staircase.

"That, Hanna, is Caleb Rivers. He is a rich man from Charleston, but he is not to be trusted. His father disowned him!" Spencer twittered.

"I want to meet him!" Hanna squealed.

Hey guys, this is chapter one. I know it's kind of long but I mean first impressions last the longest right? Please Review!

-The Other Spencer