Kansas City.
Vivian looked at herself in the mirror.
She knew she wanted to present her well when she would travel to her cousin's. She'd received Lizzy Bennet's letter and she read it yet she wasn't as enthralled to seeing her cousin as one might have guessed. As she looked at the items on the desk, which consisted of makeup and perfume, she scoffed when she recalled how gorgeous Lizzy Bennet was and what a pity it was she was obligated to take over the family's lodging business.
"Bennet's lodge is lacking front desk." Her cousin wrote.
Here, Vivian placed held her hands up as she making a bun. Her hair was long and she was pleased with the result. Her eyes were glowing when a few curls were touching her shoulders. Here, Vivian opened the perfume before she scented herself. The rest of her appearance was equally as beautiful and once she was finished, she stood and nodded. Her appearance would be perfect and when she would leave from Kansas to Cherry Creek she planned on making a grand entrance. She knew Lizzy was expecting her to appear at any time and though Vivian didn't reply she liked to surprise her cousin. Here she looked over her shoulder out of the window. The curtains were drawn and she narrowed her eyes.
"Lizzy Bennet. The maiden with long black hair and ruby red lips."
She then felt a new form of energy enter when she remembered the last time she'd seen her cousin. Nearly all the men were gathering around Lizzy when she was with them. The Bennet's Lodge was known for room and board but how gracious Lizzy was. Vivian made a fist and she clenched her jaw. She felt how her blood boiled a little when she thought about how beautiful Lizzy was. It was something Vivian envied immensely. As the wind brushed along the curtains, Vivian only increased her jealousy when she remembered how Lizzy had this way of enchanting the men. How she would do anything to have what Lizzy had.
"Fairest among the land since she was orphaned." Vivian thought. "And she's my cousin and all the men go to her as if she's queen!"
A knock sounded on her door. Vivian turned as she called. "Yes?"
"Miss Queen? The carriage is about to be arriving. Are you about ready with the last of the luggage?" It was the butler and Vivian knew he'd returned from the first floor. She nodded as she answered. "Nearly. A few more dresses and then we shall be ready."
"Alright, Miss Queen."
Vivian sighed when the butler left. She returned her eyes to the window as the wind brushed against them. The manor where she was living in wasn't like the Bennet's Lodge she would be traveling to and she hoped Lizzy would be generous enough with letting her stay in one of the rooms. Vivian hoped she would be on the third floor in one room which she knew was special. She peered over the last luggage she was taking with her and smiled. Three of her most fashionable dresses were there along with a few accessories. The ladies of the Queen's household were indeed fortunate to have helped her prepare. Vivian smirked at the thought of how Lizzy would respond when she arrived "unannounced." Vivian liked to do this to Lizzy because she knew her cousin took a moment to adapt to changes but seeing her reaction was better than informing her when she would arrive.
Sounds of an approaching coach were heard and Vivian made her way over to the window. Pushing the curtains aside she peered at the sight. An elaborate carriage, drawn by four horses, pulled up in front of the entrance. Vivian watched as the butler walked down the stairs as the driver made his way from the driver's seat to greet him. Vivian noticed this gentleman was tall and had a slight beard but his appearance was a little challenging to see. She narrowed her eyes as she tried to make out his features but wasn't able to. She watched as the gentlemen shook hands and the butler spoke with the driver and all she saw was he nodded. He was calm as he listened. Then the butler turned and gestured with his hand to another servant. Vivian watched as her luggage crates started to make their way over to the back of the coach.
"They better not drop them." Vivian thought.
She raised a brow as she folded her arms in a patronizing manner. She disliked having anything of her prized possessions wrecked in any way and she didn't bother to pray for their protection. It was here another voice called.
"Samson? Care to check the lead horse? He's fidgeting."
A much taller man, who was seated on top of the carriage, lowered the reins before he made his way from the carriage too. Only this one jumped and landed expertly on his feet when this happened. Vivian observed he dusted his hands before he made his way over to the horses. He was tall and muscular and the two looked similar in appearance but Vivian watched the second driver was younger. Vivian watched as the three men conversed. The first driver was talking with the butler and he was listening attentively to what he was being informed about. Vivian knew it was connected with how she wished to have her luggage put on the carriage and the other driver was calming the lead horse. Vivian knew the way from her manor to Lizzy's lodge would take time to travel to yet when her cousin sent her letter it came in quick manner. Vivian knew Lizzy was in need for receptionist but she first expressed she wished to have her own belongings at the lodge.
Vivian brushed a few particles of dust off her sleeves when another knock sounded on her door. She didn't bother to turn when she called. "Yes?"
"Miss Queen? You about ready for the last of the luggage? Your carriage has arrived."
"Yes. Do make haste so this trip will be correct."
"Yes, Miss Queen."
The door opened and one of the maids entered. Vivian kept her eyes from her as she entered before the last of the luggage was away. This was going to be the first Vivian would open when she arrived at Bennet's Lodge. The traveling distance wasn't too far but Vivian expressed she wanted to travel in the most elaborate coach Kansas City could afford and she was able to have one come. She smirked when she thought about how Lizzy would react when she saw her. Then Vivian pulled the curtains back before she made her way over to the bed and put her cloak on. After she exited and prepared for the journey.
Bennet's Lodge.
That same time.
When Lizzy opened her eyes she blinked. Where in the world was she? Slowly rising, she placed her hand on her head and when she looked to the side, she gasped when she realized she was in one of the rooms of the lodge! What was worse was when she looked at herself, she quickly gasped when she realized her clothing was torn and she wasn't probably attired!
"Who in the world did this to me?!" She exclaimed as she realized she wasn't even wearing her dress! She saw all her undergarments were around the bed and she felt her heart race! Trying to remember what occurred Lizzy thought back to what she'd done last. Then she blinked when she realized what had happened.
The door to the room was closed but the window was open. Lizzy quickly pulled the sheets to her shoulders when she realized she wasn't wearing barely anything but her undergarments. But she knew what occurred when the apparent proof was that the window was open. She swallowed when she realized she'd been raped. Instead of feeling angry Lizzy felt her temper spark when she tried to remember who the man was.
"He was tall and he sounded like…"
Quickly Lizzy pushed the covers away and collected her garments. He'd not only raped her but he ruined the bed! Lizzy looked around as her body started to tremble. Lizzy prayed she would be able to stand and inform the ladies' about what occurred and she remembered how he'd talked with her. As she rose Lizzy reached out and clasped the edge of the bed. She realized she was little dry from the experience. What gave her energy was when she looked at the window it was open and the breeze was entering the room. The snow outside was present and feeling the courage, Lizzy made her way over to the window and though her legs were a little wobbly, she was able to make her way over and covering her shoulders, she ran her hands up and down as she peered out. She wanted to see if she could find her rapist as she looked around. On this side of the lodge there was nothing but the snow and the forest. Narrowing her eyes Lizzy tried to see if there were traces of his footprints in the snow.
"There aren't any." Lizzy realized when she saw there wasn't one trace!
"How in the…" Lizzy began before there was a knock on the door.
"Is anyone in there? Miss Bennet? Are you there?" A female voice asked.
It was Sophie and Lizzy nearly jumped when she realized she wasn't properly attired to open the door. As she made her way back Lizzy answered.
"Sophie? Yes. I am here. Is there something you need?"
"Well no. I was wondering what occurred with you, Miss Bennet. The guests were waiting for you in the other room but you vanished. I was asked to inquire where you were and that finely gentlemen we saw earlier is gone."
Lizzy swallowed as she started to put on her torn dress. She knew she couldn't hide what occurred so she inhaled when she answered. "Sophie? Is the door open?"
There was rattle and then Lizzy heard Sophie answer. "No. I can't seem to open it. Are you alright? Is there a key?"
Lizzy looked around and saw the key was gone. Her heart raced when she peered back at the window as the wind brushed against the curtains. She prayed hard as tears brimmed her eyes but she replied. "No. The key is at the front. Care to open it and then ask for one of the elder ladies to get another dress?"
There was a moment's pause when Lizzy spoke this. After a moment Sophie asked. "Miss Bennet?"
Lizzy made a fist when she answered. "If you guessed correctly the answer is yes."
Then Sophie's retreating footsteps were heard as Lizzy's news absorbed.