Sophie bit her lip that hard it drew blood. She preferred to do that instead of crying out as the sharp pain clawed at her chest. "Nearly there miss" sighed one of the maids, pulling the corset laces even tighter. Grasping the bed post till her knuckles went white Sophie struggled to breathe as the ordeal was coming to an end. Glancing in the mirror to her left, she stared at the pale face looking back and wished she could just go home. "Now my dear, into your dress quickly and then we can get you downstairs" rushed her mother.
Silently and meekly Sophie complied, allowing the maids to put the gown over her head and tying her into it. She barely noticed her hair being brushed or the necklace being placed around her neck, the noise of her mother and Mrs. Broadfield talking excitedly was just undistinguishable mess.
"Our guests are arriving I must go greet them!" announced Mrs. Broadfield, "excuse me my dears, oh and I shall have Sophie's entrance announced in about twenty minutes so make sure she's in the hall at about fifteen minutes Louisa!" and with that she was gone.
"Now my dear, let me have a look at you" Sophie twirled in a circle for her mother but her face was still sorrowful. "Oh good grief child your not going to your execution, smile, a man will not want a depressed wife no matter how pretty" Sophie just glared at her mother underneath her eyebrows, " like I care" she muttered. "You look stunning my dear, how much you have grown" she beamed. Checking Sophie once more Mrs. Jameson gave her final approval and began ushering her sorrowful daughter out of the room.
Gliding down the stairs the two were greeted in the hall by Sophie's father, who looked just as exasperated about the whole ordeal as his daughter was. "My dear why is it you look like you are attending a funeral" scolded his wife, she could not grasp why any one could not be in high spirits during a time like this. "I confess I would rather be at home in bed with a good book" sighed Mr. Broadfield taking his daughters arm. "Don't be ridiculous" tittered Mrs. Broadfield.
A loud obnoxious yawn was heard from the chair by the grandfather clock and James sat sprawled in the oak armchair with a bored expression. "Is it time to leave yet?" he smirked. "Stand up!" snarled his mother, "Conduct yourself in a proper order, your among civilized society tonight!" James merely shrugged his shoulders as his mother took his arm. "Now, James shall escort me and you Sophie can go with your father" and with the Mrs. Broadfield dragged her poor son out the open door and disappeared down the steps.
Mr. Broadfield took Sophie's arm with out a word and patted her hand. "Chin up my dear, in a few hours we'll all be home and your mother will leave you in peace for a few weeks. Just have to get through tonight first" he chuckled. "That's what I'm worried about" she sighed as they approached the doors. A sinking feeling over whelmed her and she knew at once all would not be well this night.