Charlotte's Tale
May 6
Guess what? Today I have turned fifteen, I am so happy! Finally I am accepted as a lady. My older sister, Elizabeth, is not the only one in the spotlight anymore! In honor of this rare occasion, the Governor is throwing a ball for me! I am so nervous! Not only am I a total klutz, but I have never danced with anyone, except for Hans.
Hans is my best friend, and has been since I was born. He is so funny, but often I whup him for being an idiot. (My father does not approve.) However, onto more important things…the Admiral himself is going to be at my ball! I am so intimidated! The snake is going to be there too, with his annoying assistant. Lord Cutler Beckett of the East India Trading Company and his right hand man, Mr. Mercer.
The fierceness I will be wearing will be a golden chiffon gown, which I can barely breathe in, with matching high heels. A topaz necklace, with matching bracelets, and of course, earrings to complete the set.
I fear now that my time to write has ended, for the guests are arriving.
Farewell,
Charlotte Swann
I put down my quill pen, and closed my diary. Snapping the locks on the cover firmly, I noticed that the metal lock was cold. The lock was heart shaped, with a keyhole in the center. I always put the key in the top right-hand drawer of my vanity. I stared despairingly into the mirrors of my vanity, picking mentally at my facial features. Throwing in my earrings, and putting on my necklace, I stood up from my vanity, and strode casually to the dumbwaiter.
"Lucille! Mary!" I yelled shrilly. I walked back to my vanity and plopped down. My maids came scurrying in at impossible speed, and stood straight at attention.
"Yes, miss?" Lucille said.
"I am ready for my gown." I said bluntly. They bowed their heads at the same time, and departed. I stood still, confused on weather or not to move, but they came shuffling back again with a long white box. They took the lid off the box, revealing a beautiful golden gown. I took it out of the box, awestruck at its majestic beauty. The edges were lined with topaz sequins, and embroidered with yellow crystals. I gaped for a few silent seconds.
"Um…miss? Would you like to wear it now?" Mary inquired quietly. Mary was a small little maid, whose face was so small and pale, it looked like a mouse's face. Her voice was so quiet, there had to be silence in the room just to hear her yell. Lucille on the other hand, was quite loud and obnoxious, but as beautiful as she was intolerable. They both had honey-golden hair, and bright blue eyes.
"Oh…yes…I'm sorry. I'd forgotten…" they started wordlessly to take the remaining contents of the gown out of the box.
First on was the corset, which didn't have to be tightened very much, because I was already as 'thin as a toothpick with room to spare.' After assembling the corset, I looked in the wall mirror to examine my shape. I was a perfect hourglass. My hips were perfectly proportional, and my waist was tightened at just the right increment.
Next were the stockings, a light yellow almost tan color they were. Next was the hoop skirt. It hurt to put on, because there was no zipper or buttons to loosen it enough to get it on. Next were the slip, then the petticoats, then another petticoat, and then another. Finally the top half of the gown was secured onto my bosom.
The skirt was last. They finished buttoning the thousands of miniscule buttons up the back, and turned me around to look at the finished work. I was astounded.
"It's beautiful." I whispered almost inaudibly.
"You'd better get down stairs miss, the ball has already started." Mary whispered. She helped me direct my feet (that I couldn't see) into my beautiful diamond encrusted shoes.
The ball was taking place in the foyer, and in the main ballroom. The stairs that framed the circular walls of the house were the hardest part of the entire journey. I couldn't see my feet, which was problem number one, and everyone was watching me descend, so I couldn't trip, slide, or fall down the stairs.