Chapter 3: Belle of the Harvest Ball
Belle Hainesworth, ever since her youth had suffered from an unrelenting affliction. Every day she could feel it course through her blood, making her body sag, and her wet blue eyes droop. That terrible disease called boredom.
Even here now at the towns favorite traditional ball, Belle did her best to act proper like a lady should. It simply wouldn't do for the daughter of the richest brewer in town to slouch against the newly built wooden horse paddock, like a common milk maid. Also, she did not feel like dancing, so there she stood, her hands neatly folded in front of her layered green dress. The tresses of her crimson hair fell past her shoulders perfectly framing the big red brooch pinned to her bodice.
From where she stood, Belle observed the familiar locale. The town square had been decorated with flowing white and green streamers upon which were illuminated by the flickering flames of torches held fast to thick poles. In the dim light, she could spot faces she recognized.
Heinz the butcher, a tall burly man of forty, cut a comical sight as he tried and failed to eloquently prance to 'Dance in the poppy meadow' with his wife Ella.
A little boy of whose name Belle did not know, played a noisy game of tag with his friends. The circle of commonly dressed women who she assumed were their mothers, paid them no mind as they dashed about their skirts.
Off to the far left, just opposite of the band was old lady Miller. Standing vigilant over the food table. Her deceitfully hunched body, was faster than a whip as the large wooden spoon she wielded, landed squarely on the head of a naughty youngster, trying to make off with an entire tray of blueberry cream tarts.
One of the girls broke free of a gaggle of people, and walked up to greet her.
"Hello Belle, why are you standing all by yourself?" This was Lily Barnes, a daughter of one of her father's employees. A petite brunette with freckles and a baby face, Lily was usually seen by her father's side learning the brew trade.
"Hello Lily," Belle murmured. Honestly what did she want?
"I noticed you've been stationary all night long, do horses fascinate you more than a party?" she giggled at her 'cleverness'.
"This party is the same every year. Same decorations, same music, same old Potterstead. Nothing ever changes in this grass seed town," Belle turned to place her hand on the rough wood of the paddock fence.
"I will admit you have a point, but why would you want Potterstead to change? It's such a great little place after all".
"Quaint or droll?" Belle glowered "This town is like a farmers pond, stagnant and full of buzzing insects. Only the rushing mountain river stays fresh and beautiful".
"Are you implying that you want to go to the city? Your family is so wealthy, you could go anywhere in the Empire Isles".
The young heiress scoffed "to the city, overflowing with plague rats, hubris, and filth? Absolutely not; I have my own ideal of paradise; perhaps one day I shall achieve that ideal". With a wistful sigh, Belle decided she'd had enough for one night. She let go of the aged paddock fence and started to walk towards her waiting carriage, "Until then it is but a fleeting dream. Enjoy the rest of the festivities Lily, as drab as they are".
"Wait where are you going?" Lily called to her retreating form.
"Home" was her curt reply.
Lily watched the well-dressed form of Belle Hainesworth faded into the night. The agitated whinnies of the horses baying her goodbye. Boy, the daughter of her employer sure had become strange as of late.
Gone was the girl in braided pig-tails, and in her place stood a refined young woman proclaiming her affluent lifestyle had become too humdrum for her liking. "Oh well," she shrugged, it wasn't her fault some people couldn't appreciate what they had, "I wonder if Tommy Drey will dance with me" she wondered.
Regrettably, any further wishes of rejoining the revelers was cut short when she suddenly found herself knocked to the ground by an incredibly swift and powerful force. Lily's vision swam in and out of focus, her body lay stunned where it fell by the sudden attack. Before her a chaotic scene bloomed, replacing the party going atmosphere with terror.
Somehow something had whipped the horses into a frenzy, causing them to break out of the paddock. The women, who were previously conversing, were now frantically snatching their little ones out of the way of a large brown mare, barreling past.
Poor granny Miller, with her infamous wood utensil proved no match as the whole food table toppled right onto her, plates and all.
Heinz the butcher on the other hand fared far better as he seized a grey gelding by the snout, sending it to the ground with a thud.
All around the party goers scrambled to either flee or regain control over their mounts.
"What a disaster" Lily cried. The Harvest Ball was well and truly ruined.
A small carriage pulled by a mule, trundled down the path, leading Belle away from the warm lights of the town square.
From the small window, she watched the black expanse of wheat fields, shuffle in the breeze. Carrying with it the distant shouts and cries of the townsfolk. Belle rubbed her brooch fondly, a soft smile spread her lips "Such a charming night for the Harvest Ball. Wouldn't you agree Ronald?" her driver let out a grunt in agreeance, "I will remember this evening for years to come".
Finally she had found a medicine for that abhorrent affliction called boredom.
End Chapter
Yay new chapter! Please leave a review! A small carriage pulled by a mule, trundled down the path, leading Belle away from the warm lights of the town square.
