When We Meet Again

Chapter 12 - The Opera

The Christmas season is one of Diana's favorites, and now she had reached one of her favorite days of the season : Christmas Eve. That night, she would attend the opera with her family, and watch the show that was to be performed, which was Macbeth.

The opera was one of the most important social gatherings at the time. Women would dress in their finest gowns, while men were in their best suits and waistcoats, and then they would watch the show from their seats in the audience, or from a box if you were lucky.

Diana was to get ready hours before the show. She threw on all of her undergarments, and Molly helped her get laced into her corset. Diana put on her crinoline, and layers of petticoats were laid on top of it.

Her gown was divided between two pieces; a bodice and a skirt, and it was made of a deep red velvet, with a dark green patterned trim.

Molly pulled Diana's hair back into a bun, and adorned her hair with red and gold flowers. Diana looked at herself in the mirror and was pleased.

She grabbed her gloves, fan, and her cloak, and then Diana and her family went on their way.

The Lewis's sat down in their box once they were there, and got ready for the performance. Once the show began, the crowd was hushed.

Normally, Diana would be completely focused on the show, but she had her mind elsewhere. She quickly scanned the boxes, looking for her target, and eventually she found him.

In a box right across from her own was Robert and his family. Of course he would be here. Diana thought to herself. All of polite society is expected to be here tonight. But Diana still had her hopes that he could see her, admiring her from afar, and that maybe, just maybe, he came just so he could see her. But she wasn't hopeful.

Diana then turned her attention back to the show below her, and let herself be pulled into it.  The actors did their job well, and Diana felt as though she was there on the stage, truly experiencing the events happening as if they were real.

The show went by in a flash, and Diana thoroughly enjoyed it. She and her family made their way down the grand staircase and into the gathering room to talk to the other families present, as was the usual.

Diana looked around the room and quickly found her friends. They all complimented each other on their appearance, and wished each other a Merry Christmas.

On the other side of the room, Robert was chatting with some other gentlemen, but his focus was not completely on them. He was scanning the room, looking for Diana since he knew she would be there. Suddenly he spotted her.

How could I not of seen her. Robert thought to himself. She looks absolutely radiant. Her red velvet dress made her seem even more alluring.

"Are you looking for someone, Robert?" One of the men questioned him.

"If you'll excuse me, just for a moment please." Robert spoke, walking away from them and towards Diana. They watched as he was clung to her, just like a magnet.

"Good evening, Diana." Robert spoke to her once he reached her. "Ladies." He tipped his head to the others.

"How are you Robert?" Diana asked, practically glowing from his presence.

"Even better, now that I've found you." Robert replied. "You look beautiful tonight. Your dress is quite festive."

The other ladies giggled once he said this. His compliments to Diana made their own hearts flutter, making them wish they had someone saying the same things to them.

"Well Christmas is my favorite Holiday." Diana responded. "So I thought it would only be appropriate to dedicate a dress to it."

"And what a beautiful dress it is." Robert spoke. "I trust that you will be spending Christmas with your family?"

"Yes, and I assume you will be as well?" Diana asked.

"Yes, it is a tradition." Robert replied. "I assume you will also be at the New Year's Eve ball?"

"Of course." Diana answered. "It would be a shame to not be there."

"Well then you should plan on seeing me there." Robert smiled. "And perhaps you could reserve your first dance for me?"

"I would love that." Diana smiled.

Robert smiled back at her, and then spoke again. "I hope I'm not being too brash, but perhaps you and your family would like to visit mine on New Year's Day? My mother insists on it, since our families haven't done anything like it since before we left for school."

"That sounds lovely." Diana replied. "And I am afraid most of my family won't be able to attend. My brothers are leaving for New York City in a few days. Family business I guess. I hope you wont mind it just being my mother and I."

"That would be quite alright." Robert replied. "Any sort of company would be just fine. My mother may be saddened to hear that your brothers cannot attend, since she finds their company and humor quite invigorating, but she will easily forgive them."

"I shall let them know that." Diana giggled. "They can be quite a humorous bunch when they are together."

Robert smiled when she laughed. He just loved to see her smile.

Suddenly Robert felt someone grab his arm. He turned his head to see Caroline by his side.

"Caroline, you startled me there." Robert spoke. "I did not see you were here."

"Well of course I would be here, Robert." Caroline smirked. "What proper lady wouldn't?"

"Your right, that's my mistake." Robert replied.

"Now I would love it if I could introduce you to my father." Caroline spoke, clinging to his arm. "I just think you would love him. You two have so much in common."

"I'd be glad to." Robert replied with a slight hesitation in his voice. He looked back at Diana. "Well, I'll plan on seeing you and your mother in a few days. Does two o'clock sound fine? For afternoon activities and dinner?"

"That sounds wonderful." Diana assured.

"Great. It's was lovely seeing you tonight." Robert spoke, smiling at her.

"And you as well." Diana responded, feeling defeated once more by Caroline.

Stop it. She told herself. Your the one who was invited to dinner by him, not her. She then remembered when Robert had to leave her to have dinner with Caroline. Diana wanted to sink away into another room and disappear.

Caroline smiled up at Robert, and then led him away to her family. She looked back at Diana and gave a wicked look.

Once again, Diana wished she could disappear, perhaps this time to a world where Caroline Franc never existed.

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Hello!
I know this chapter is quite shorter than the others, but I thought it might be ok since the past few have been rather long. I hope you are enjoying the story so far!
- author

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The inspiration for Diana's dress that she wore to the opera :) -