When Washington Burned

Chapter 5

Ella's chest tightened as they drew closer to the President's mansion. The portico of the mansion was a watercolor of gowns in shades of rose pink, cornflower blue, and ivories. Plumes of feathers, tiaras, and flowers in beautifully coiffed hair. Wellingtons (mixed into the crowd). Ella followed behind her own perfectly prepared parents. While her father was genuine in his nobility, her mother performed her social duty so perfectly, Ella observed it as art.

Mrs. Rutherford gracefully held Mr. Rutherford's arm, as Miss Rutherford followed close behind. Though one would be unable to tell by Mrs. Rutherford's stoic gait and calm appearance, her heart was aflutter. The spectacle! The gowns and the gentleman. This was Mrs. Rutherford's favorite ball, double nay triple the usual number of attendees. People of all levels of society, with she at the top! Mostly it was a reminder of how far she had come from that pretty young lady in her repurposed home-sown ball gown, a simple linen gown reimagined with ribbons and lace, to the matriarch of one of the wealthiest and most influential families, oft dining with the President and First Lady!

Though she had not met Mr. Rutherford at a 4th of July celebration, she remembered when she was part of the lower class, clamoring for the opportunity to catch the eye of a wealthy high society man! Eleanor is so unlike her at that age, ungrateful and the least concerned with squandering her opportunity for a happy match. In another year or two she would only just qualify as a debutante, and then would be put on the shelf and likely only then regret her decision to act so foolishly. Mrs. Rutherford knew that her forceful pushing would one day be appreciated.

Ella for her part felt quite overwhelmed, all the people crowded together. The first Fourth of July Celebration she had attended caused her to become so anxious that she nearly fainted. Most looked at it as an attempt to procure men's attention. She was doubly villainized when she in time dismissed all the concerned men.

With the higher than average heat, even in the evenings Ella was concerned it would happen again. It did not help that her mother had her dress in one of her most ostentatious gowns, Ella was being squeezed and pushed by the stay underneath. Though it was a silk gown, it is weight was heavy with intricate beading throughout the bodice and laced hem of the short sleeves and bottom hem. Though pinks and blues were most popular among ladies of late, Mrs. Rutherford had it commissioned in a light lilac color, which would not only help Ella stand out, but also complimented her pale green eyes. She wore a pearl chocker, which only enhanced the decolletage.

The East Room, though largely unfurnished, was heavily adorned with banners and sashes. The band welcomed the ball attendees with various military marches and patriotic melodies. The excitement was palpable, as the whole of Washington mingled amongst each other. Ladies huddled together, eyeing potential dance partners, men walked the room in survey of the beautiful ladies to be introduced.

Once inside both the Rutherford ladies made a quick assessment of the attendees, as has been the case for the most recent years, the ladies outnumbered the men. This disappointed both, but for distinct reasons. Naturally for Mrs. Rutherford, this meant less new possible suitors for Ella, for Ella this meant she likely would not be able to escape the unwanted attentions of Mr. Gibson.

Mrs. Rutherford found a proper place in which she could observe the ball floor and its dancers freely as well as be easily seen by the attendees. She hoped First Lady Madison would make an appearance with her family, which would only improve the likelihood of her daughter being favored. Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford conversed spiritedly with those around them, while Ella remained quiet and stood awkwardly scanning the ballroom, seeing only one friendly face, Miss Sinclair's, whom she smiled at from across the room, but made no attempt at meeting. Though the Presidential Ballroom took-up nearly the entirety of the east wing of the President's mansion, it was quite full, causing movement among the mingling party relatively difficult.