The Marchioness

Chapter 10- 12th Of November 1867

It was now November and the snow had begun to fall all around the village like a thick white blanket delicately covering and coating all of the shrubberies in the forest and manor grounds.
Inside of the manor, however, the log fire crackled loudly at the foot of the little marchioness' bed as she slept peacefully...

"Aurelia wake up, come on! I shan't ask again! it's time to go we mustn't be late your grace" yelled a rather impatient Mrs Jenkins.

"Ughh yes...okay.." Aurelia yelled back in a less enthusiastic tone, to say the least.
The little marchioness dragged herself from her warm cosy bed and over to the bathroom where Mrs Jenkins was filling a bath for her bath ready for the big day.

Aurelia rubbed her eyes and walked with no urgency as the staff clambered around each other in a frenzy trying to remain organised.

Aurelia reached the bathroom, Mrs Jenkins was sat next to the claw foot tub slowly filling it up with hot water. Aurelia rolled her eyes at the urgency as she began to get into the tub, she laid back on the tub as Mrs Jenkins began washing her golden locks. "You excited for the big day," Mrs Jenkins asked her with a gleaming smile.

Aurelia looked unsure, she was excited however without her brothers who would she stand with? Who would she talk with? She had no sister... She had no other siblings... How was she to entertain herself for the whole day? Who would she have for company?.

"Whatever is the matter dear?" A rather concerned Mrs Jenkins asked the little marchioness.

"Who will I be with? Will there be children my age?" She asked with a rather anxious tone.

Mrs Jenkins grinned a rather sweet grin." well I have heard that Howard's will be in attendance..." She replied.

Aurelia's face lit up "George and mavis are coming?!" She asked glowing with excitement.

"Well I do suppose it does, I think you should get ready little one for they shall soon arrive" smiled Mrs Jenkins watching Aurelia fill with joy and optimism for the night ahead.

2 hours soon passed by and Aurelia finally emerged from her bedroom...
She was now ready. she emerged wrapped in a luxurious powder blue frock with white lacing detail with little white shoes that matched the lace and a hair ribbon to match her frock. Her curls were propped in a half updo so as to not flow so wild.

"Do I look quite alright?" asked a rather unsure Aurelia as she looked down at her frock.

"You look magnificent my dear little dove." Mrs Jenkins replied with the proudest of smiles as a single joyful tear cascaded down her left cheek.

Aurelia began down the staircase and out to the garden where the staff had been setting up since last night. The sun had slowly crept out and was set to stay awhile.
The place looked transformed, it was absolutely breathtaking Aurelia had never seen such a site.There were flowers of all sizes, colours and kinds! There was beautiful white and gold silk streamers laid against the manor walls, she was so excited but my god There were so many people... There were way over 100 people, maybe over 1,000... Aurelia wasn't sure and she should probably try better in her maths lessons but she knew this was an extreme amount of guests! They all stood chatting as they gathered around the 30-acre garden, the snow was laid out like a beautiful white carpet and there were hundreds of tables and chairs dotted all around the place.

Aurelia walked over to the flower display propped onto the wall, she reached out with her little hand and she picked herself a white snowdrop, she slowly brought it to her face and sniffed at its petals... But then, she was startled from behind... Someone grabbed her shoulders and growled into her ear.
"Aghh!!!". she shrieked jumping with fright as she dropped the flower to the snow covered floor. She turned herself around with great speed...
It was Mavis and George! She was ever so delighted to see the pair of them.