Peggy loved visiting her sister Angelica in London, seeing the sights, and meeting the handsome soldier boys. This time she was planning on meeting someone special. Her father always told her to settle down, and since Angelica had found someone there, she thought she could too. She sat down on the ship, next to her ladies-in-waiting. Soon enough they were in London.
As Peggy ran down the road to the house she knew was Angelica's she saw that there were about eight soldiers standing in lines, as someone in a heavy red robe was carried down a carpet. Everyone was shouting about how the king had a message and that everyone had to "Silence!" themselves. The peculiar parade marched around, and five seconds later she swore she caught the King's eye and he... winked? Too shy to wave back, she bashfully stared at the king, who continued to stare at her in response. Shaking off the confusion, she continued down the road and shrieked, "Angelica!"
The door to a house not too far away opened. "Eliza! Er- Peggy!"
She put her hands on her hips, "Er- Peggy? Am I the least important person or something?" Then she started to laugh and threw herself into Angelica's arms. "I'm so glad to see you!"
Angelica beamed. "Did you see the king? He's been parading around here?"
Blushing, Peggy said, "Yeah..."
Knowing Peggy wasn't telling the whole story, and knowing she probably didn't want to if she wasn't out with it, Angelica brushed past the subject. "Do you want to go shopping?"
"I haven't even put my bag down yet!" She walked upstairs to the guest bedroom she knew too well. She set her bag onto the nightstand (but kept her purse) , and after a quick look around, she headed back downstairs. "Let's go."
Arm in arm, the sisters walked to the boutique, fantasizing about their dream outfits. When they reached the boutique, however, there was yet another soldier in a red coat. "I command you to halt. We must search your pockets."
A puzzled look crossed Angelica's face. I've been to this shop many times. This had never happened, she pondered.
Peggy turned her pockets inside out. The soldier, whose tousled hair was the lightest Peggy had ever seen, rummaged through her purse, and after an awkward silence that involved lots of blushing, left without searching Angelica.
"Wait!" she said. But the soldier was long gone. Angelica shrugged and walked into the shop. Peggy hadn't noticed anything, so she ran as swiftly as she could inside (which wasn't very quick, since she had a corset on). As usual, Peggy was fascinated with each and every dress available, while Angelica carefully decided on a dress she would cherish forever. After Peggy reluctantly decided not to buy the whole store, they proceeded to the checkout. She reached into her bag, looking for her wallet, but instead pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper. She unfolded it, then let out a gasp.
"What??" Angelica asked.
Peggy stuffed the letter back into her purse. "Er... nothing!" She produced a wad of 100 dollar bills and handed them to the cashier. They purchased the dresses, then walked back home, Peggy trying to hide her face.
It was vibrant red.
Chapter 2:
Peggy lay on the guest bed, one hand caressing the damask pattern on the comforter, the other holding a letter close to her heart. She unfolded it yet again and began to immerse herself in the words.
My dearest,
Ever since I caught a glimpse of your lovely face, I have been unable to remove thoughts of you from my mind. My heart holds only the purest love, and I choose to give my heart to you, the fairest of all ladies, in the hope that you will be mine forevermore. Meet me in the uppermost spire of the castle at midnight.
