I buttoned up the back of my dress and looked in the mirror. A party. The last party in this house was when I was ten. I slipped my shoes on and brushed my hair then left the room. I walked into the next room where the six younger girls were getting changed.
" Anyone need help," I asked. Louisa walked over and handed me her hairbrush. I ran my fingers through her hair then brushed it out. I used my fingers to fix it behind her ears.
" it looks like I'm not needed here. I think I'll go into my room," I said, leaving quickly. In my own room I sat down on my bed and opened my book. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door.
" Who is it," I asked.
" Anna." She opened the door and walked in then closed it again. " Liesl I can't go down there and sing."
" Why not," I asked.
" I'm scared and everyone else looks really nice. Then you see me," she said, with a sigh. She sat on the bed beside me.
" You do look nice and you haven't anything to be scared of. You're singing with Louisa," I replied.
" But the colour," she said looking at her dress.
" It suits you. Blue being out your eyes," I replied. " Why don't we go see I'd everyone is ready to go down." She smiled and nodded. We walked out of my room as the others came into the hall. I looked everyone over then stopped at Rolfe.
" You're shirt is buttoned wrong," I said, pulling his shirt out of his trousers and undoing the buttons. I did them right then smiled.
We stood outside watching everyone inside dance. They were so elegant. I twirled around slowly and imagined myself dancing. I felt a hand on my waist and another holding my hand. I opened my eyes and smiled at Rolfe.
" I didn't realise you were all such good dancers."
Rolfe and I stopped as we looked at Fräulein Maria.
" We've all had lessons. Except the littlest ones," Anna said.
" What's that they're playing," Kurt asked, as the music changed.
" It's the laendler. It's an Austrian folk dance," Fräulein said.
" Show me," Kurt said. Fräulein Maria reluctantly gave into Kurt and tried to show him the dance until Father came outside and took his place. On each side of me Brigitta and Louisa were squeezing my hands tightly.
We walked up the stairs and away from the party. I helped Gretl and Marta into the nightdresses then stood by the door waiting for Rolfe.
" Shall we go back down," he asked and I smiled. We hurried downstairs and into the dining room where everyone was beginning to sit down. I sat between Rolfe and Uncle Max. We were nearly finished our meal when Rolfe whispered.
" It looks like our shoes have been filled." I followed his eyes to the doorway and smiled at Marta and Ben.
" Should I go and tell them off," I asked.
" We were never told off and they always knew we were there," he said and I nodded.
" Father, where is Fräulein Maria. I thought she was having dinner with us." I looked at Father who looked at her empty chair.
" She must have been tired Liesl," Father said and I nodded. I saw a smile on the Baroness' face like she knew something.