I lay awake, watching my sister, Elizabeth, sleep in the bed on my right. I observed her perfect-ness. How her hair falls perfectly around her face, even in a dead sleep. How her long eyelashes curl beautifully. How she's got a gorgeous complexion and full lips and a perfectly curved nose. How long I have envied her!
I not only envy her for her flawless figure, but also many other qualities I wish to have. Father favors Elizabeth. I know he does pay attention to me, but it is obvious whom he pays more attention to. Also, she has snatched the heart of many men, but one in particular is William Turner. Elizabeth and I had net Will when we were about 12 years old. That was five years ago. Will is a blacksmith. Sometimes - usually 1-3 times a week I will get out of the house and visit him in his shop. We stay up and talk - many of times about Elizabeth, but I don't object to anything because I don't to upset him. He also taught me a little sword fighting. Long ago is when he captured my heart, but his has always been for Elizabeth.
There is a sudden rap
on the door, shaking me out of my thoughts. Elizabeth's eyes shoot
open. I converted my eyes to the door so she doesn't know I was
watching her. Father's voice comes from behind the doors. "Elizabeth,
Gemma. Are you decent?"
Elizabeth jumped up and pulled on her
robe.
"Yes, yes!" she replied.
The door swings open, exposing Father and the maid behind him. Father is already polished up, with his hat and powdered wig positioned perfectly. The maid had on her usual uniform - a scarlet dress with a white apron and bonnet. She held a creamy white box.
"Still
abed at this hour?" Father asks.
I know he means to ask us
both, but his eyes only focus on Elizabeth. She nods. I don't
respond, but Father doesn't seem to notice.
Another
maid popped in and opened the curtains that blocked the sun, causing
the light to now stream through the window and come out as streaks of
brightness.
"It's a beautiful day. I have a gift for you."
Father announces. The maid opens the creamy box, exposing two
expensive-looking dresses. Elizabeth pulls out the green one with
delicate detailing to the beading and patterns in the front.
"Oh,
it's beautiful!" she expressed, holding it up so she can
observe it.
"Isn't it?" Father agrees.
"May I
inquire as to the occasion?" Elizabeth asks, now turned and
facing father.
Father simply replied,
"Does a father need an occasion to dote upon his daughter?"
I
stepped forward and grabbed the other dress. It was baby blue with
sleeves off the side of my shoulders and intricate detail within the
skirt half. I looked at Father. "Thank you." He just nods
and gestures me to try it on. By this time, Elizabeth is already
behind a screen with a few maids helping her with her new dress. I
walk behind the other one and a few maids follow.
"Actually, I, um...I had hoped you might wear it for the ceremony today," Father confessed to Elizabeth.
Ceremony?"
Elizabeth asks.
"Captain Norrington s promotion ceremony."
Elizabeth pops her head out from behind the screen. "I knew it," she simply says to father.
The maids start lacing up my corset. They are pulling incredibly hard. It hurts terribly, as if all the air in my lungs are being pushed out and my stomach is colliding with my diaphragm.
"Commodore Norrington, as he's about to become. A fine gentleman, don't you think? He fancies you, you know," Father continues. He always had a thing about Elizabeth and Captain Norrington. He wants Elizabeth to marry a fine gentleman, and as far as he's concerned, Norrington is just the right man. I hear Elizabeth gasp behind the screen. I feel like doing the same because of this awful corset!
"Elizabeth? How's it coming?" he asks. There is a pause before I hear Elizabeth's voice ring out.
"It's difficult to say."
The maids that are helping me have already pulled on my dress and are now buttoning it. It fits nicely, now that my stomach has been completely capsized.
"I'm told it's the latest fashion in London," Father assures her.
"Well women in London must have learned not to breathe!" she replied.
"I agree," I peep in after her.
My dress is now completely on. I saw the back of Elizabeth's. It looks a lot more complicated than mine. My loose auburn hair is down in its curls. It looks great.
People would never know Elizabeth and I were sisters. She has a head of blond curls. Mine are auburn curls. She has an ideal face. Mine is normal. I seem like the average girl only dressed up fancy. Elizabeth you can tell is rich and beautiful. Oh, what it would be like to be her!
A man steps in the room. I am already out from behind the screen. "Milord, you have a visitor," he announces.
Father turns to me. "Gemma, will you go see who that is? I'll be down in a short moment," he asks. I agree and head down.
Down the staircase I went, sucking in as much air as possible to keep myself conscience. I look upon the visitor. He turns and I see the bright face of Will.
"Will, I wasn't expecting you at this hour," I tell him.
"Well, I have the sword your Father ordered."
I look down at the long black box he is carrying.
"May I have a peek?" I ask, still staring at the box until he notices.
"Of course."
He pops the top off of the box slightly so I can at least have a good glance. It is exquisite. Even gold is laid in the handle.
"It's very good," I tell him. Swords have always been interesting to me, and that's why Will offered and taught me sword fighting. He refused at first, saying it wasn't something for the governer's daughter, but I convinced him. Suddenly, he quickly snapped the lid on the box.
"Thank you, Miss Swan," he says. Father must be coming. Will usually calls me Gemma, but Father likes to speak with formality, especially with commoners. He doesn't take to commoners calling us by our names. He feels his 'superior' daughters should be treated like royalty.
