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Odessa.
________April 6th, 1806
Esme pulled her nieces corset strings tightly into place, securing a small bow with the pale blue ribbons.
"You will have all of England swooning for you my dear—don't you dare say anything Odessa, just because you do not wish to marry does not mean you can not have fun" Esme said knowingly at the now tounge-tied girl.
"She is right, dear sister" Charlie said from the satin red couch shoving another pastry into his mouth. "—You look—well you look nice, Ollie" he smiled.
"Thank you Charlie".
Her eyes wandered down the blue gown she had laid out on her body. She wondered what it would be like to have a husband. To be loved.
It was her dream to be loved, yes she had felt love from her brothers, sisters and somewhat from her mother but that is not the love she had yearned for.
No, Odessa wanted to be loved unconditionally, she wanted to have someone to hold her when she cried, to laugh at her poorly said jokes, to listen to her poetry, to be by her side no matter what. She wanted a real love. Not a love that was made because of shared blood, but a love that caused anguish and exhilaration. A love that was formed through tears, want, desire and loyalty. She wanted to be wanted.
But she knew all she could do was dream of what it felt like to be truly loved.
"Dessa? Sissy are you okay?" Charlie laid a hand on the paled girls head. "Did I say something wrong? Is it happening again? Would you like me to leave you to yourself?" Charlie rushed worriedly.
"No Charlie, please don't go"
-
"Please be on your best behavior, I don't want word to spread to your dad. This is the only time other than august that I get to see you all" Esme whispered looking at all five children.
"Wouldn't dream of it Esme" Charlie called walking the white stairs to the hall with cinna on his arm.
"Ofcourse Essie, we will be our best, but only because you asked so kindly" Owen laid a soft kiss on his aunts head before taking Imogen away to the ball.
"Ollie, promise me you'll try and have a good time" Esme grabbed ahold of the girls hands awaiting her answer.
"Only for you Esme" she smiled lightly at the women. "But you know I can not promise a courtship" she finished sadly.
"Yes, yes I know" the elderly women sighed placing a hand on the girls cheek, giving her one last motherly look.
"Well go on! Do not wait for me, I'll meet you at the carriage after" Esme finished wiping a silent tear that had fallen.
"Alright I am going, do not rush me!" Odessa laughed pulling her dress up as she trailed up the stairs.
-
It had been barely an hour before Odessa had made her escape into a fancy dark garden. She had found a cozy spot underneath a willow tree that you could just barely see the stars from.
She names every star she could in whispers to herself. "Hello? Miss are you lost?" Odessa didn't move when the unknown man approached her spot.
"No, no I am not" "Then what is it you are doing out here?" "Star-gazing" "What exactly is that?" The voice asked placing himself next to the girl.
"It's quite obvious but if you must know it is when you gaze" she started. "At the stars".
"Very funny" The boy laughed. "I tend to be" Odessa moved her gaze finally to look at the unknown boy.
He had striking blue eyes, ones you'd only think to be in that of a book.
"What exactly are you doing out here?" Odessa asked bringing her sight back to the sky.
"Same as you I suppose" the boy shrugged looking over at the pretty girl he had seen just moments ago in his estate.
"If you don't mind me asking—what is your name?" He asked smiling slightly at the girl. "I do mind actually".
"Oh, my apologies" his eyes widened in shock. "I'm only teasing you, I'm Odessa, Odessa Abel" she smiled softly as there eyes connected.
"I'm Theodore, just Theodore"
"Well then just Theodore, I think it is about my time to get back inside, I do hope too see you again" she stood slowly dusting off her dress.
"Do you mind if I accompany you?" Theodore asked longingly. "If you wish, although I think you'll regret it in due time" Odessa sighed linking her arm to his newly outstretched one.
"I could never regret accompanying a pretty girl to a ball" Theodore smirked.
"You think I'm pretty?" "You don't?" "No one has ever called me pretty before"
"They were blind to not see the beauty you bring the world".
"We've only just met, surely you can't think that's true".
"We've only just met and my world is already brighter, Odessa"
