Chapter 2-Getting Ready for the Party
When we finally are inside the gate to Redbuck Manor, I hand over Hona's reigns to the nearest stable boy and hurry inside to tell Mother and Father the news and to get Penny, the name I gave my wolf cub, warmer than I can make her. Penny is still asleep when I enter the Great Hall of Redbuck Manor, which is a small blessing, for my kitten Pavia comes up to me as soon as I am in the Hall.
"Pavia, we have a new family member!" I fold back my cloak, which I had taken off and wrapped Penny in the warm material, revealing her to my cat. She sniffs Penny's nose, then mews. Good thing Pavia is still a young cat; otherwise they'd never get along! I think as I move away from Pavia and towards the nearest fireplace. She follows me and I spot Verte, one of the more-educated servants, coming from the door leading to the kitchens.
"You have brought a WOLF CUB into the Manor!" he exclaims, after coming closer, loud enough for Father to hear him in his tower workroom.
"Grandpa Henri gave her to me as part of my Christmas present. I will make sure she gets tamed." His face visibly relaxes, but Father and Mother come in through the same door a few minutes later. I repeat what I'd said to Verte to them, and though Father has a stern look in his eyes, he agrees with Mother to let me keep Penny. Then, Joshua and Miss Elza come in from outside and Joshua hurries over to the live Christmas tree we have and places his present from Grandpa Henri under it. Our older sister, Laura, comes soon after I put the dress box under the tree and Miss Elza puts Laura's presents under the tree as well.
"Is it time to light the tree, Father? I heard shouting…Oh!" she then notices Penny. "Why on Earth is that here?" this makes me so mad I start to see red. But, I don't take out my anger on Laura, instead, I take Penny into my arms again and head up to my corridor to change for the party. Sapphire, Mother's old maid and now Joshua's and I's, meets me at the top of the stairs leading to the corridor.
"Are you alright?" she asks when she looks at me.
"No, but let's talk in my room." We enter my bedroom, which used to be Mother's, and I lay Penny down before the fire while Sapphire lights it up. I sigh loudly before explaining what happened at Grandpa's house and downstairs.
"Seems to me like Laura needs another lesson in manners. She shouldn't have said that. I know she's curious, but sometimes, she acts like young master Joshua." This makes me laugh and I feel my anger fading. "Now, you get dressed, and call me in when you are finished. I will do your hair today." She exits the room, but not before putting the lamps on and shutting the curtains.
I go to my closet and take out the dress that Mother, Sapphire and I could all agree on. It has a forest green over-gown, a light green under-gown, a bodice that matches the over-gown, ruffled pantaloons and stockings that match the under-gown. There were no crinolines, and I get into the dress with no help and little trouble. Then, I put my old dancing slippers on, these Father had made for me when he saw me dancing in my regular shoes at a Wool Guild Ball.
I love to dance, but proper dances are sometime too formal for me, but Laura loves them. I prefer ballet, Laura likes waltzing and other proper dances. Those dances make me feel like I am doing a magic spell; but some of the country dances, like the Running Set, I really love to dance and with a partner.
I shake my head to bring myself back to the present and open my bedroom door to let Sapphire know that I am dressed. She comes in a few minutes later and puts my straight brown hair into two French braids. "There, you'll do, just don't take them out until you start to fall asleep!" I giggle at her seriousness; I did take them out once before supper two summers ago, and a few weeks passed before my hair became straight again.
"I won't, I promise not to until I start to fall asleep. Have they started to light the tree yet?"
"No, and what shall we do with…?" she points to Penny, who is still asleep. I ponder this for a few moments.
"If someone can watch Penny in the old playroom, that'll work. I doubt Father will let me take her to the party." Sapphire nods and we take Penny to the old playroom that is just two doors away from my set of rooms. "Maybe one of the stable boys?"
"No," Sapphire disagrees, "I think that would be a very bad idea; they don't share quarters with the staff. They'll spread rumors. Hmm…I think Thyme wouldn't mind if Lavender and her daughter Damiana left the kitchen for one night. They could keep an eye on Penny while the guests are here. When you are ready to retire, they can go back to the kitchen." I nod my head in agreement and wait in the room with Penny while she goes to the kitchen to check with Thyme.
"We must keep this quiet among the guests, if even one finds out, rumors will spread. Do you understand this Damiana?" I hear Lavender's voice from the other side of the door.
"Yes, Mama. I understand. Am I allowed to pet her?" I open the door as the seven year old speaks.
"Let her get used to your scent first; hold your hand out to her nose but don't get too close. When and if she doesn't make a hostile move, you may." The girl nearly squeals, but holds it down. "Her name is Penny and Damiana, if she misbehaves, come down right away and find me." She nods earnestly, they enter the room and I leave after patting Penny on the head one last time. Then, I hurry downstairs to help light the candles on the tree.