The Princess and I

Chapter XII: Aunt Emma's parties

Now I know why Elias looks horrible the day after too much drinking. I feel like my head is bursting and I am constantly nauseous. I try to relieve myself of the nausea by vomiting, but nothing comes. Therefore, I groan frustrated and lie down again, while covering my eyes with my arms. Shortly thereafter, Alice comes into my room and opens the curtains. It's a sunny day again and I normally would rejoice in that. Now the light just blinds me and aggravates my head ache.

Alice, the blessed angel, takes one look at me and smiles knowingly: 'Did your brother introduce you to the favourite drink of many Englishmen?' I just growl and she laughs merrily. 'Yes, I know, Miss. Ale can be a killer. But don't worry. I have the perfect remedy for you. Give me a moment.'

I hear her scuffling out of my room and I don't move, giving her all the time she needs, since my room is already moving. I feel like I'm sitting on a boat on a turbulent sea. In less than five minutes though, Alice re-enters and says: 'Here you go, Miss. Bottoms up.'

She gives me a glass of a grey substance and I look at it disgusted. 'What is that, in God's name?'

'It is milk with a spoonful of soot. The charcoal will help you with your shakiness and sickness. It helps to balance the acid and alkaline in your stomach.'

I retch. 'I am not drinking soot!'

'Trust me, Miss. I saw it often used on your brother. It works miracles.'

I look at it mistrustingly and then gulp it down, while Alice keeps my nose closed so I won't taste the nasty drink. When I am done, I feel even worse. My stomach growls as if to let me know he doesn't agree with me. 'Give it time, Miss. You will feel better very soon.'

'I think you just poisoned me,' I say miserably, while I hide my spinning head between my knees. 'I even feel worse, though I didn't think that was possible. I will never drink again.'

'I have heard that one before.' She starts to wash my face and reluctantly I leave my bed. When I brush my teeth, I am already feeling better indeed. Since I still have a terrible headache, Alice allows me today to wear my hair partly loose. I wear a small knot on the top of my head, while the rest of my shoulder long hair hangs loose in waving curls. My corset Alice deliberately forgets and since I am already wearing a dark blue tight dress, my curves still show themselves perfectly. They are also accentuated by the silver lines on the bodice, which follow my body lines optimally.

After dressing me she serves me breakfast and that almost makes me vomit. The smell of the eggs and meat don't agree with me this morning, so I only eat a bit of toast and some fruits. While I am having breakfast, Alice's mother knocks on the door and says: 'I beg your pardon, Miss Le Bon, but a letter arrived for you this morning.'

I nod and she hands over my letter. I immediately recognize Christina's handwriting and I open the envelope. I can vaguely smell a lavender odour, which strangely enough soothes my still rumbling stomach. The letter says:

Dear Elizabeth,

I have spoken to my brother about the things we discussed yesterday evening. He reacted pretty much the way I expected him to, meaning he wasn't overly fond of you attending my aunt Emma's parties, but he conceded in the end. If you would like to attend, he would not think less of you.

So, if you're still sure, I want to invite you to tonight's event. My aunt can't wait to see you and neither can I. With your consent, my aunt and I will pick you up around eight o'clock this evening. If you won't be able to attend or if you have changed your mind, please send a letter back before that time. Otherwise we will see you at eight o'clock.