Luisa: The Orphan Tale

Part VII: Dinner Party

Two weeks passed of almost constant caretaking of Chloe, Luisa and Elise valiantly by her side to help cure her grievous wound.

Chloe slowly recovered mobility to move around and walk a bit without feeling too weak, though her arm is still hung in a sling and she can't move it without severe and terrible pain.

Though this afternoon she was going to have to dress well and attend Claire's dinner she was having as a farewell.

"Do I have to go!?" Chloe whined. "Claire's leaving us! Why should I do her a favor?" She pouted, her face flushing red.

"Claire kept us safe and fed. We owe her this much." Luisa said as she sat at the vanity and prepared her hair and makeup, what little she had on hand, she applied it very conservatively.

Elise was dressing herself, in front of the folding screen that leaned against the wall, completely exposed but she didn't care at all.

"I for one am looking forward to taking advantage of Robert's newfound wealth!" She laughed. "Luxurious food ordered from the finest chefs in France!" She smiled as she slipped on her dress, approaching Luisa to fasten her corset which she did without having been asked.

"Fine! Then when you're finished, come dress me, Luisa." Chloe said.

"Of course my dear!" Luisa said looking over and smiling at her.

Soon Elise was dressed and she swapped places at the vanity, Luisa going over and helping Chloe out of bed.

She softly removed Chloe's chemise, which came with a bit of groaning and wincing. At one point Luisa lifted Chloe's arm and pained her, causing her to cry out in her loud high pitched voice. "Luisa!" She scolded as she knelt on the ground in pain.

"I'm so sorry, Chloe!" Luisa said as she crouched down next to her, checking the would wasn't bleeding.

"I'm sorry. It was not my right to shout so!" She said as tears welled and fell from her eyes. "That hurt really bad." She cried, almost childlike.

Luisa hugged her and soon Elise came over with a comforting hand.

"Damn this inexorable wound! It will never leave me at this rate!" She said as she collected herself and stood up.

Luisa dressed her, more carefully this time, and soon she looked at cute as a doll. She then did her makeup and she looked adorable in Luisa and Elise's eyes.

Just after, they heard a knock at their door.

"Come in!" Luisa beckoned.

In came little Mignonette, dressed up all fancy and pretty. But her face was red and puffed from crying.

"Oh dear! What ever is the matter my girl?" Luis asked.

"Luisa!" She said as she ran towards her and hugged her tightly, Luisa patting her head as she stared down concerned at Mignonette. "I'm being taken by my aunt!" She cried.

"What? You have an aunt?" Luisa asked confused.

"Yes! Apparently she knew I was orphaned in Paris and has been looking for me. I don't want go, Luisa!" She cried.

"Hush darling." Luisa said. "Calm down, you'll be ok. They're your family and didn't you tell me your mother was so sweet ere she died?"

"Yes but I never met my aunt..." She said. "She's going to take me back to Spain and away from you. I wanted to go with you three!" She cried, her tears staining Luisa's finest dress but she had to care for it and let it be.

Luisa knelt down and took Mignonette's hands softly. "This is good darling. As much as it's painful now." Luisa said as she herself began to tear up. "You'll be one step closer to that big house you wanted! Us three haven't the best idea of where we're off to, but we know you'll be well off with your aunt." She said as she sadly looked into the young girl's eyes.v