We decreed it's probably best to get dressed in the carriage. I have calculated the exact time the carriage will run into a large stone, causing it to come to an abrupt halt. Conveniently, it will happen directly in front of us after we find out our carriage is late.
The ball starts at six o'clock sharp. By ten minutes past three, we are standing outside with our dresses in our hands and small bags hanging off our pinkies. All our belongings are on the side of the road, waiting to be slung into the back of a carriage.
A village boy I paid runs up to us and informs us our carriage got stuck in traffic and will arrive too late to escort us to the ball.
Heather curses. "How are we supposed to get there then? We can't walk.
Just in time, a gold and white carriage comes barrelling toward us. The driver sees the stone too late, tugging on the reigns in a desperate attempt to avoid it. I grasp my chance between my hands, running up to the carriage door and knocking on it. The window rolls down to reveal a beautiful blonde woman, clad in a thick white and gold dress which spills over the entire seat.
"What is it," she snaps at me, her hair piled high on her head
bobbing as she snaps her fan at me.
"Please miss, we are supposed to be on our way to the ball.
Alas, our carriage will not arrive due to an incident. Would you be ever so kind as to give us a ride? It seems you have the same destination as us." I normally never speak like this, but I need to sell that I am also wealthy enough to be allowed in the carriage with her. Jessica Thawshire looks behind me at Heather. She looks me up and down before agreeing.
Heather and I climb into the carriage with our stuff. The thick stench of perfume overwhelms my senses. We tuck ourselves into the seats opposite Jessica. Jessica taps the tip of her fan on the window and the carriage sets off in motion.
"Do you mind if we get changed in here?", I ask her. She nods stiffly, turning her head to the window and covering her face with her fan. The next few moments are awkward but over quickly.
We pass rolling hills, plains with grazing cattle, people going about their daily business and other carriages coming from different noble-houses. A black carriage passes us, which seems to displease Jessica.
"Faster!", she yells to the driver. I hear the faint sound of reins snapping. I purse my lips as Jessica takes a bottle of perfume from beneath the tulle of her dress — is there a bag under her dress or is there simply so much material she can hide objects in it? — and sprays more over her face. My fingers itch to open the window and let some fresh air in. I look over to Heather and see a look on her face that mirrors exactly how I feel. She catches my eye and we share a secret smile.
The ground becomes more pebbly, causing the carriage to jolt slightly. Pruned bushes pass by and the white marble walls of the castle indicate we've finally arrived.
Jessica holds onto her seat with a gloved hand as the carriage comes to a stop. The door opens and a footman gives his hand to Jessica, who climbs out before either of us can thank her for the ride.
Turning to Heather, I plop the ruby jewellery, that I'd been clutching since we left the house, into her hand. She looks at me, surprised.
"Ruby gems. Given to you by me, Ruby."
"Thank you," she says, her eyes shining.
I gather my dress in my hands and jump out of the carriage
as Heather puts it on the jewellery. Holding my hand out like a footman, I bow my head to Heather. "Would you like to exit, ma'am," I say in a deep voice. Heather smirks, taking my hand gently and getting out gracefully.
While Heather takes in the beautiful castle, I grab our suitcases and stuff them in a nearby bush. I'll collect them again when we leave.
The massive red double-doors are swung open wide, showing into a long hallway. Six straight-backed guards stand in front of a gold gate, where thankfully only Jessica Thawshire stands. We sidle up behind her while they check her credentials. The guards hardly cast a glance at us, though one lets his gaze linger on me a second too long for comfort. Yet it doesn't matter when we slip in behind Jessica like the servants we are pretending to be.
YOU ARE READING
Lost trust
Fantasy"How could you do this to me?" I rasp, not able to disguise the pain in my voice. I look up at that cold face, eyes that I once saw filled with love, now devoid of any emotions. When Ruby Whyte is sucked into the whirlwind of politics, she must fig...
