~2~
The heavy beaded skirt weighed me down as I tried to clamor my way down the giant staircase in the front of my home. I looked down at my feet as I made my way down, to make sure I didn't trip, and I heard bright laughter coming from the giant foyer in front of me. I looked up startled to see a man of his early twenties with the same color hair and eyes as mine laughing at me.
"That dress too heavy for you," chuckled my brother.
"Frederick!" I exclaimed joyfully as I ran the rest of the way down the stairs and into my brother's open arms.
"Hello Janie," he cooed into me.
"What are you doing back so soon?" I asked him excitedly, stepping back to look into his eyes.
"Ahh, London just isn't the same without you," he replied smiling.
"So you missed me that much?" I teased.
He laughed, "Of course, but I also remembered that someone was having a whole ball thrown for her tomorrow evening."
"Oh, don't remind me," I moaned.
"But aren't you glad that your brother is back to make it much more exciting for you," he added jokingly.
"Oh I suppose having you there will make it much more bearable," I smiled.
"I hate to interrupt," uttered Elsie as she cut her way through us, "But Miss Jane is due for her walk now."
"Oh, I can always go later," I said to her annoyed.
"Yes, but later you have other things to attend to," insisted Elsie.
"It's quite alright Janie. I need to go talk to mother and father anyways. We will have plenty of time to visit later," he smiled at me as he walked down the hall.
I smiled back at him and followed Elsie out the door and into the beaming sunlight. We began to walk through the gardens full of flowers that were just starting to bloom in the April air. My family owned the Aylwin Estate, which stretched for acres. My father was one of the advisors to the royal family of England and my mother also came from a family of noble inheritance.
I listened to the sound our feet made on the soft gravel as we made our way across the garden path under the beaming sun. We continued to make our way down the path when I saw two figures coming toward us.
They were two young ladies, a taller one and a more petite one. They each had the same golden blonde hair and twinkling blue eyes set against their pale skin and rosy cheeks. I watched as the two Ellwood sisters made their way toward us, their pale pink gowns blowing in the soft breeze.
"Good morrow madams," said Elsie curtsying when they got closer to us.
"Yes, isn't it a lovely day," exclaimed the taller one, Adelaide.
"Yes, it sure is a beautiful day," answered Elsie.
"Jane, dear, we were just going for walk through the village. Would you like to join us?" asked the petite one in her soft voice, Adela.
My heart leapt at the sound of the word 'village'. "Which village?" I asked, trying to disguise the real reason behind my question.
"Well Brighton of course, what other village would we go to," replied Adelaide sneering.
I felt my cheeks blush as I thought of the last time I stepped foot into the village of Brighton, and I took a deep breath to calm my anxiety. "Well, then I would be glad to accompany you to Brighton," I muttered softly.
We walked all the way back to the estate, as I listened to the on-going conceited conversation of Adelaide and Adela. They were the next estate over and also of the same social status as me. They were also by far the most beautiful girls in the county; however, they let their beauty and money get to their head.
We rode in one of my family carriages all the way to the tiny village of Brighton through the country side and in the warm air. I listened annoyed to the continued conversations of Adelaide and Adela, but I felt my heart beat pick up as soon as we came to the village.
"I just need to get a few things," muttered Adelaide as we tracked our way through the village. People were moving everywhere and the streets were noisy, making it hard to hear the snooty voice of Adelaide, but I was too distracted to pay attention to her antics anyways.
My eyes glanced around the tiny village, looking for the familiar face, but there was no sign anywhere.
"Jane, aren't you listening to a word I say?" exclaimed Adelaide.
"I'm sorry?" I questioned startled.
She looked away annoyed, but still managed to keep talking, "I asked you if your gown was finished for tomorrow night's ball."
"Oh yes," I replied.
"Well, you don't sound very excited," she said back.
"I assure you I am," I said, not sounding very convincing.
"Well I should hope so," she retorted in her snooty voice again, "After all, you are having some of the most eligible bachelors there, especially Sir Kinsley."
"Oh yes, I suppose he's alright," I muttered, still too distracted to care.
"You suppose?" cried Adelaide.
Adela looked aghast and said, "He's the finest man in the county, how could you—"
"Della, please," Adelaide interrupted. "Now, how can you not be absolutely fascinated by Sir Kinsley?" she said turning back to me.
I shrugged my shoulders and pretended to consider the real reason. "I just can see past the charm," I replied nonchalantly.
They looked as if I had just smacked them in the face and began to ramble on about what a remarkable and amiable man Sir Damian Kinsley was. I continued my hunt looking around the streets, pretending to soak in every word they said. Finally, I came across what I was looking for.
I saw the weary face of a young man as he made his way past us, dragging a large sack with him. He didn't look up once at us, and I didn't notice he went by until he was gone. I quickly turned around to chase after him.
"Where on earth are you going?" called Adelaide in shock to me.
"I, uh, forgot I had to get something for my mother," I yelled back as I ran after the young man, feeling my heart beat pick up and my breathing coming faster.
~Let me know what you think! I promise it will get better and more exciting as it goes on!~