Author's Notes: My system is working... I am going to have the story finished by the end of the month. well cross my fingers i will anyway. Ok so thank you to my reviewers:
QueenTatooine: I cant tell you what is going to happen, youll just have to wait and see.
Gabi Web: lol by the end of the hopefully this story will be finished. lol don't worry i always fall in love the the guy characters i write.
hoolihoopergrl131: I dont think i could stand being in a corset day after day. but i dont know it is like a running joke for me or something.
Masked Dragonfly 0926: Im glad you agree :) lol there is some more hinting to come.
mistyqueen: I dont think paris would last either. and that is just sad. youll find out about her dress in the next chapter :)
li'l bling bling: Writing more as requested.
enjoy everyone.
It was just before dinner when Christine was able to escape the clutches of Madame Porter. She had found the fact that Christine didn't own a proper wardrobe shocking, and thought it her personal duty to fit her for things she would need, like riding gowns not to mention gowns for staying at home or receiving company.
"A lady must change gowns at least three times a day" Madame Porter had said.
Christine had bit back her retort. But it was there in her head. What a waste of time.
Although Christine had to give it to the woman, she knew what she was doing with the correct material and a beautiful design..
Christine walked down the grand staircase. She was beginning to know her way around, but still managed to make a wrong turn every now and again.
"All finished then?" A voice behind her asked. Christine turned to face Derek with a smile on her face
"Yes, thank god. I didn't know the life of a lady was so tiresome" Christine said while laughing
"Hows that?"
"Well there are of course all the gown changes they expect us to make during one day. It is a sin to only wear one a day apparently" Derek laughed at this "Not to mention trying not to laugh at that lady, Madame Porter and her fake accent…What is the point of it anyway?" Christine Questioned as they walked towards the dining room
"I really don't know, do you think it helps her do her job?"
"Other than making me laugh, I don't think so" Christine then did an imitation for Derek's benefit "Zis should make a darling gown, if I change it so it more flatters ze figure more" Christine then walked around pretending to appraise Derek
"Ze form is good, ze posture is terrible" Christine forced his shoulders down and back. By this time Derek was laughing loudly
"Zis is insulting" Christine stopped in her tracks. That wasn't Derek talking; she noticed that he had stopped laughing too. Christine slowly turned around, to come face to face with a laughing Bethany
Christine let out the breath she had been holding, thinking that the 'French' lady had heard her. Derek then took up his laughing again
"You – should – have – seen – your – face" Bethany then joined in as Christine mock scowled at them both
"Bethany you scared the life out of me, all I could think of is what she was going to do after hearing all that" Bethany laughed again
"I have known Madame Porter for years, she may be – er- hard to get on with, but she is sure talented. But that is why I was looking for you, I wanted to talk to you about something" Bethany looked pointedly at Derek, who got the message
"I shall see you both at Dinner" He turned and walked away, casting one look and a wink back at Christine.
"Now Christine the ball is in two days time, and I know you really haven't attended one before, am I right?" At Christine's nod she continued "Now two days shall be long enough to give you a crash course in Dinning, Dancing, Conversation and anything else I think of, but that is only if you think it is necessary?" Bethany smiled sweetly at her and Christine knew she didn't mean it in an offensive way. She just wanted to make sure Christine would be able to hold her own when it came to the "Noble" world.
"Thank you Bethany, I did have a few lessons when I was younger, but any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated" Christine couldn't believe that Bethany wanted to help her; she was without a doubt one of the nicest people she had ever met. Christine hadn't had this kind of attention since her father died.
"It would be my pleasure" Bethany put her arm around Christine giving her a one arm hug "Lets go and find Derek and that husband of mine"
Together they set off in the direction of the dinning room for dinner.
Christine woke late the next morning. Stretching she rolled over and looked over towards the window. The sun was further up in the sky than normal, when Christine usually woke up.
There was a knock at the door:
"Come in" Christine said sitting up, Alyssa walked in carrying a breakfast tray
"You missed breakfast Christine, so his highness suggested a bring some up" Alyssa set the tray down and walked over grabbing Christine's robe and helping her slip it on then straightening up the bed, with Christine's help of course.
"The Queen also asked me to remind you to meet her in the dinning room when you are ready" Christine nodded and once the bed was finished went over to eat her breakfast.
Alyssa spent the time walking around collecting general clothing items that Christine would need for the day.
"Ok let's get you ready" Alyssa said cheerfully when Christine finished her breakfast
"Can we go without the corset today?"
"No"
"I didn't think so" Christine said sighing.
"Ok lets go over this again" Bethany said "Outside fork is called what?"
"The salad fork" Christine answered hesitantly, Bethany nodded
"What comes next?"
"Dinner than dessert" Bethany nodded again "Which is the biggest glass on the table?"
"The red wine glass"
"No, the Water goblet, remember first comes the water goblet then the red wine glass then the white wine glass" Christine nodded
"Ok I think I got it now"
"Ok let's review. Go from left to right
"Napkin, Salad fork, Dinner fork, Dessert fork, the dinner plate with the soup plate on top, then it is the Dinner knife, teaspoon and the soup spoon on the outside. And above the forks are the butter spreader and the bread and butter plate. And above the knifes are the Water goblet, Red wine glass and white wine glass"
"Excellent Christine, except that the napkin will be in your lap" Christine laughed and nodded then Bethany continued "the easy way to remember all this is to start on the outside and work your way in-
"What, why didn't you tell me that before" Christine asked glaring slightly at Bethany
"Because you had to learn it anyway" Bethany said as matter of fact
Christine sighed
"Ok, ok what else do I need to know?"
"We have covered place settings, suitable conversations and posture now I believe all that leaves is dancing and your dress fitting this afternoon"
"Is Madame Porter doing the dress fitting" Christine asked innocently Bethany laughed and nodded
"She is fitting you with an entire wardrobe, be nice to her"
"I'll try"
Just then there was a knock at the door and Derek walked in
"Am I too early?"
"No Derek you are right on time" Bethany replied standing up
"On time for what" Christine asked looking between the two slightly confused
"For dancing lessons" Bethany said looking over at Christine "Let's go to the ball room"
Christine stood up and followed the two
Dancing, I can't dance…
Once they reached the ballroom Bethany turned to Christine
"Have you ever danced before" Christine bit her lip and shook her head
"Not ever" Derek asked Christine shook her head again.
"Well we have a fine dancer in the room now" Bethany said and Christine looked at her, assuming she meant herself "Not me, Derek. I am a hopeless dancer" Bethany admitted laughing
"Ok let us begin" Derek said taking Christine's hand and pulling her in to his arms. They stared at each other for a moment, Derek coughed and began "First things first your right hand goes on my shoulder and your other hand goes here" Derek said shaking the hand he was still holding.
"Ok, seems easy enough" Christine said enjoying being this close to Derek
"You wait" Derek said laughing "Now the first dance I am going to teach you is the waltz, it not the easiest of dances but it is the dance that we open the ball with"
Bethany slowly walked out of the room; the two occupants didn't notice they were too wrapped up in each other. Bethany looked back once more and sighed they looked good together; maybe they just needed a little push to realise it too.
Ok so another chapter done. and i am writing furiously every spare moment or when my muse decides to appear.
Everyone review i love hearing what you all think. feed back is good
Emma Riddle