The Cadre of Embers

Chapter 3

"So Althea, are you new to the city? I've not seen you at any of these events before," Monique asked, staring curiously down Althea's figure.

    "Yes actually, I live in Manchester but am staying with my aunt until I find a suitor," she said the last words just as flatly as they felt to her.

    "Mm," Monique hummed, obviously understanding Althea's displeasure for the situation.

    "Well, just because you are looking for a suitor doesn't mean we can't have a bit of fun tonight, follow me!" the girl exclaimed, lifting the folds of her dress and walking quickly down the corridor, away from the ballroom.

    "Wait where are we going?" Althea asked, hurrying quickly behind her.

    "Trust me, it's far more fun than anything happening in that ballroom."

    When Althea thought about it, the girl was likely right. She'd take her chances with Monique rather than in the packed ballroom surrounded by insufferable men and her aunt who would make sure she talked to each and everything one of them.

    Monique stopped at a large set of wooden doors and swung one open, disappearing behind it.

    Once Althea rounded the edge of the open door, she was astonished to find an outdoor courtyard.

    "Come on!" Monique ran down the cobblestone pathway leading through the violets and white roses. Althea swallowed looking back towards the ballroom from which they'd come.

    Her aunt would be livid to learn that all of her hours spent trying to prepare Althea for suitors had been in vain. She hesitated for a moment as she thought of her aunt Harriet. Oh how she would make Althea's life even more miserable at the manor. She didn't have to remain absent for the entirety of the event... just for a little while so she could enjoy herself.

    "Well are you coming? Someone might see so you best hurry!"

    Without another thought, Althea hopped through the open door towards the tan skinned, fair haired female in front of her.

    Monique grinned and turned on a heel continuing her prance through the rose garden. They continued for a few minutes until they reached the edge of a tall, dark, massive hedge maze.

    Monique smiled back at Althea. Something about the twinkle in her blue eyes under the moonlight reminded her of a fairy. She turned and dashed out of sight behind the large rounded bush. Althea paused momentarily to stare up at the hedge with all of its mass, before following behind her.

    It was hard to keep up with Monique as she dashed through the large labyrinth of hedges. Althea blamed her heavy velvet dress and the heeled shoes her aunt had forced her to wear. That paired with the corset squeezing her midriff and making it hard for her to breathe.

    Althea turned to look back, realising she had not been paying any attention to where she was going. If she were to get separated from Monique she had no idea how to get out of here. But a deep rooted part of her enjoyed the idea of getting lost.

    She came to a quick halt when Monique stopped abruptly before her. They had reached the centre of the maze. Inside flowers blossomed and a small pond sat in the centre with large orange and white koi fish.

    "Finally!" a feminine voice drawled from one side of the hedge surrounded courtyard.

    Althea turned her head to see a fair skinned girl with short black hair, and two young males. They looked like brothers, both with light brown hair pulled back behind their necks and strong noses.

    "Look, I found a new friend." Monique moved to reveal Althea behind her. "This is Althea."

    They all looked a bit shocked.