The Shores of God, Traitors Gold

Chapter Two

South Wittenberg, August 2nd 1701.

Miserably I woke from my sweet sleep and drew in a breath of crisp morning air. My bedroom curtains were drawn open and the early morning's light invaded every inch of my room. Lisa.

"Good morning Miss." Lisa chimed. From the opposite side of my room, she had already drawn my bath and was preparing to mix in the delicious smelling oils and salts. If I must get up so early at least I would have time to soak in a luxurious bath.

I rolled to my side, with my eyes clamped shut. "Why must I be up so early?"

"Oh Miss," Lisa said smiling as if all was about to be put right. "Your father is having a guest for tea this morning and wishes for you to join him."

"An unmarried guest?" I asked hoping for the best but highly doubting that I would receive it.

"I believe so," she admitted, I groaned of course it was. "Although I heard that he was only a businessman here to work with your father."

I groaned again and drew myself upright. I could only hope that that was all he was, a businessman. But my fathers reputation told me otherwise, he was always trying to find me a potential husband that was to my liking.

Very slowly I lowered my feet pressing them against the icy floor and inched my way closer to the steaming tub.

"Will my mother be joining us for tea?" I asked Lisa as she came closer to help me into the tub.

"No Miss." She answered. "Your mother is visiting with Mrs. Coleman this morning."

Of course she was, how could I have forgotten, Mrs. Coleman's son had run away just last week, mother had promised to help Mrs. Luts consul her. It was strange, young Mr. Coleman didn't seem like the kind to run off without a word or reason.

After I had my fill of bathing and my dress was chosen I finally convinced myself to leave the tub and allow Lisa to fix my hair. She did so in an elaborate braid that allowed very few thin curls to escape, dangling near my pink cheeks and lush lips. I soon ventured behind my arrayed dressing curtain and confronted the dress layden chair. Bright orange. It wasn't my favorite color, but I slipped the gown over my head anyway and needed only minimal help from Lisa.

"When is this guest to be expected?" I wondered aloud, emerging from the curtain. Lisa sighed.

"Soon Miss," She said shifting her weight from one foot to another. "And if I might say, you don't look very in well orange, perhaps a change?"

I turned to face the mirror and instantly understood. The orange color of the fabric gave my skin a strange glow, perfect. I would do anything to deflect this man from paying any attention to me.

"No," I answered wistfully, "I rather think it is for the best."

I walked over to my bedside table and briskly snatched up my beloved pocket watch necklace then through it around my neck, which was the last thing that I did before leaving my bedroom.

I walked down the elaborate hall and descended the radiant white staircase, both of which showed off the splendor of my father's future, and braced myself for the arrival of our guest. I couldn't help but dred it. And as my foot left the last gleaming step I could only hope that I would have time to prepare.

"Filli!" My father called to me as he entered from the back room. "What a splendid morning, my doll." I stood motionless at the bottom of the stairs and waited for him to reach me, once he had he gently kissed the top of my hand. "I was hoping you would join me this morning, for tea? A fine gentleman, a friend of mine, will be there and he has expressed an interest in my family, your mother of course can not join us but at the very least I shall get to show off my lovely daughter."