The Promise

Chapter 10

I slept well, or as well as I could with Alexander's words stuck in my thoughts, I must enjoy the pleasure before I enjoy the pain. I do not want pain, if pain was pleasurable then it wouldn't be called pain. "Good morning ma'am" Winnie enters with her usual morning tea tray and sets it on the table like she always does. "Today is an exciting day, is it not?" she conversates "whatever do you mean Winnie?" I inquire as I raise myself from my bed and place myself at the table sipping from my hot tea. "Tonight shall be a ball on the William's estate, so today we must prepare" she glows as she speaks as if she were overjoyed. Williams I thought, that rings a bell "as in lady Genevieve?" she nods as I question. "I thought Alex... Lord Alexander did not attend balls he did not have too?" I say as I look to her confused, she shrugs throwing her hands in the air indicating that she is just as confused as me "maybe he had a change of heart", with that she brings a brush to my hair and starts grooming it gently "you will not need to dress for breakfast today, a busy day of dress fitting is ahead" she informs me.

I head to breakfast in my night gown and robe, hair brushed to make me seem more put together and as usual Alexander came to sit, paper in hand. "I have been informed of our attendance to a ball tonight, that should be rather entertaining" I smile, looking over to him. Silence. I sigh as a place some eggs onto my dish and pick at them. I'm still struggling with my appetite but I managed two spoons of eggs which is probably the most I have eaten since I arrived. Breakfast was silent and I begin to wonder how others will come to think of us when they see Alexander cannot bare to be in my company. I clear my dishes as I always do and begin to exit the room "straight to your quarters for dress fitting, I do not have time for your usual faffing around" Cecil speaks, her words always seem so harsh, I do not look at her, I do not acknowledge her, I continue on my journey up the stairs and to my room.

Cecil, Winnie and two young girls join me in my quarters shortly after I arrive, with multiple fabrics and sewing supplies in hand. Cecil positions my body forcefully as if I were a doll and she began to take my measurements, she wraps the tape measure around my waist and sighs "you eat to much" she stands slapping my belly "we certainly know it's not a child in there, just food, food and more food". I stand still for hours with fabrics being thrown over me, at me and sewn around me with little breaks in between. Cecil is horrid and I hate to wish ill on anyone so forgive me but I wish this wretched woman to fall down the stairs.

Here I stood, after hours of being pricked by needles, in a dress that was way to exquisite for me. The dark red silk dress touched the floor with a train behind it and a black lace trim. A black lace belt seated just under my breasts and intricate beading sewn delicately across my chest with short cap sleeves made from the same red silk and black lace trim with black satin gloves that finished just below the sleeves of my dress. I must admire the work of Cecil, her words, not so much for the whole time I stayed silent as she made rather sly remarks about, my legs being too long, my arms being too wide and even about my height. When she finished she looked me up and down displeased "that will have to do" she sighs irritated as she leaves the room with the two young ladies following behind her, leaving me with Winnie.

"If I have to endure one more moment of that woman, I fear I may stick needles in my eyes... and ears" I throw myself back on to the bed giving my legs the break they have been screaming for. Winnie chuckles pouring me some tea and bringing it to me as I sit myself up. "May I say ma'am, you do look devine and this colour matures you, now please sit, for we do not have long" she speaks as she directs me to the vanity. The hours of dress fitting had caused the day to escape and Winnie got straight to work on my hair giving me an elegant curly updo, with two curls either side of my face to frame it. She applied little makeup and disappeared from the room for a brief moment before returning with a large square box which peaked my interest so I turn to face her as she opens it. Sat inside was a gold necklace and matching earrings. The necklace alternated jewels from diamond to ruby and back again all the way around and the earrings followed suit dropping down with the same alternating stone pattern. "A gift from Lord Alexander" she gleams. My fingers trace the beauty of the stones as I was to astonished to speak. This man doesn't like me enough to conversate but he likes me enough to spend an unimaginable fortune on jewellery. "He insisted, he also doesn't like gratitude so maybe don't make a scene about it" she says as she places the necklace around my neck. "Winnie are you telling me not to thank him for this?" I clutch the necklace around my neck as I speak "well, I can't actually tell you anything ma'am but every time we show an form of gratitude, it appears to anger him" she sounds as puzzled as I feel.

Ready for the evening I wrap myself in my black cloak and head downstairs toward the carriage where Alexander is already waiting. With a black dress suit, he looks almost presentable, if only he had a shave. His stubble shadows his face in this darkening daylight and he reaches out his hand to help me into the carriage. The carriage ride began silent and my new jewels reflected brightly in the window. How could I not thank him? I clear my throat before I spoke "I know you are not a man who takes kindly to gratitude but I really must express my love for these jewels and thank you my Lord, they are beyond anything I have ever set my eyes upon before". Silence.