Southern Charm
Written by Hellz Blaze, first written 2008
Chpt 1
Henry fiddled with the long bow tie at his neck trying to get it straight in the mirror that hung in the foyer of Vicki Nelson's office. "Remind me why we are going to this party again?" he called through the closed office door as he waited for her to get ready. He heard a rustle of cloth on the floor before the voice on the other side answered.
"Because Henry, we need to blend in so that we can get the info we need. One of the people at this party is stealing from our client. He invited us to this shindig so that we could observe the three people that he suspects. It's all part of the investigative process Henry. You should know that by now."
Henry sighed, he knew, but he had hoped that it might be a little bit more than just business. He smoothed out the non-existent wrinkles in his black cut away jacket and straightened out the black satin lapels. He checked the delicate pocket watch he pulled from the pocket of his vest to check the time. "Vicki, if you don't hurry we will be…" Henry's sentence trailed off as he turned to see her standing in the doorway of her office looking as though she had just stepped through time to be there.
Her hair been swept to one side and pinned in place, allowing tight sausage ringlets to cascade over her other shoulder. Her ears were adorned with simple diamond dangles on a silver chain and her throat was encircled with a black velvet choker. Her make-up was simple and understated allowing her natural beauty to shine through. The dress that she wore was made from crushed burgundy velvet that was an off the shoulder ensemble that had puffy sleeves just off the shoulder and a black lace bell sleeve that fell just to the backs of her hands. The sweetheart cut at the top allowed just a glimpse of her breasts, but nothing too racy. He knew that she had to be wearing a corset underneath the yards of fabric, but it only accentuated her slim waist and hips, giving her that perfect hourglass figure. The bottom of the dress, a large hoop held it out in that perfect bell shape, was decorated with filigrees of black thread into the shapes of briar roses all intertwined and blooming.
"Late?" she smiled at his stunned expression before drawling in that southern drawl he had heard only once before. "My good sir, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers to get me to where I need to be."
Henry smiled at the words he had asked her to say those many nights before. "My dear Lady, you look exquisite this eve. Might you permit me to escort you to the function?" He drawled back and raised her hand to kiss her knuckles.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," she smiled. "You look as dashing as Rhett Butler did in Gone with the Wind."
Henry stood up straighter at her compliment. His hair had been straightened slightly and slightly slicked at the sides to hold it back from his face, though there was one lock that fell over his forehead refused to be tamed. His shoes, pants and jacket were all black, and the shirt that he wore was a crisp white. The only colour that he had was the deep burgundy vest and hanky that matched her dress perfectly. "Would you permit me one other service my good woman?" he drawled as she fiddled with the drawstring of her cloth handbag.
Vicki smirked. He seemed so taken with her at the moment, so he would allow one more indulgence. "One more, good sir then we must be off."
Henry reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. It was an elegant thing, a princess cut garnet the colour of blood and the size of a dime was set in a pewter ring with a smaller square diamond on either side leading to the band. He slid it onto her middle finger of her right hand and it fit perfectly.
"Henry it is gorgeous, I couldn't possibly!" Vicki exclaimed when she looked at the ring.
Henry smiled at her, "It is the Tudor family colours, and it goes perfectly with your outfit. Besides if we are going to a party that is based on traditions of the first American Civil war, then that right will tell others that you have a serious suitor and hopefully deter them from making undo advances."
Vicki wasn't sure if she should be angry at him for this or not. She was a strong independent woman who could take care of herself and she was just about to tell him so when he stopped the flow of words with his lips in a chaste kiss.
"Vicki, remember we are to be role-playing tonight, women of that era, though strong, independent and sometimes wilful never resulted to violence. Please let me do this for you just for tonight," Henry asked of her his tone so genuine she found it hard to come up with a reason to refuse.
She nodded minutely and tucked a crimson and black beaded clip into her hair as the last thing to do. "Our chariot awaits, Mr. Fitzroy, if you would do the honours?"
"With pleasure Ms. Nelson," Henry bowed low before opening the door and escorting her out, bustle and all into the night.