My father had made it clear, I was to stay up until they got here. Appearing already, the angelic moon provided a break from the never-ending dusky sky. Stars began to pin themselves onto the darkening upper atmosphere and branches wound themselves into silhouettes. The air became colder and mist suffocated the acres of vast fields.
Hours I had been awaiting their arrival. Hours which had seemingly rushed by, as I was captivated by anticipation. Truth be told, I was strictly forbidden to converse with East Bridge's male students...until today. Lord Clarke -my father- clearly thought me mature enough an escort for some of the most affluent students I have heard of in years. Nervousness uneased me as I wandered to the gigantic hall mirror. My dress caressed my skin with rose silk and white frills coated the bottom. It was one of my most expensive dresses, I started to wonder if it was too much. The silk of the bodice meant my neckline ruffled in the middle, showing a glimpse of cleavage. Fully aware of this, I favoured this dress over my less revealing ones for this occasion. Worry devastated my logic. What if they thought me a whore? Or indecent? Boys were unexplored territory for me, I prayed that they at least tolerated me for the month I was elected to assist them.
The distant trot of a horse came into earshot as the carriage hit the gravel path. Terrified, I brushed myself down and instructed the guards to haul the main entrance doors open. I inhaled with impressive force, gathering confidence which I often had no problem obtaining. A blast of cool air suddenly elevated my hair beyond my shoulders. Gradually, I lifted my head and instantly my eyes fixated on the most extravagant carriage I had ever seen. Gold beams supported the exterior, with navy velvet pouches sewn in-between. The wheels had gold rims also, with lavish patterns carefully carved into the mid section. Even the horses looked more prosperous than me, their delicate skin shone in the moonlight and their muscular legs steadied their magnificent upper body. Their sleek manes caressed their extensive necks with a glossy finish.
Once the horses had trotted to a halt, the two footmen hopped out and began to assemble the steps. The intimidating sound of male laughter from the carriage pummelled into my ears and my stomach knot worsened. The tension in my body was rising, making me more impatient. At last, one of the footmen pulled the door, revealing three extremely well dressed, very tall young men. Lost in thought, I forgot I should be curtseying. I panicked and got into position, my head was stuck to the floor, I did not want them to think me unpolite. Though I was desperate to look at their faces, I waited for all three to be completely out of the carriage.
"My lords" I announced, while coming up from my curtsey and locking eyes with them: Duke Cooper, Duke Evans and soon to be prince, Thomas Wood.
YOU ARE READING
East Bridge Academy
Teen FictionA 17 year old, Hannah Clarke, has lived and studied at the prestigious East Bridge boarding school all her life, ran by her father. But in the 1800s, the school was dominated by young men, what will happen when she has to look after two dukes and a...
