Pursuit

2

Chapter Two

I look at myself in the mirror. I see a relatively tall girl with dark brown hair with chestnut highlights from the sun. Her eyes are dark brown like an Indian’s, but she is thin and gangly. I know I am not pretty, but at least I had hoped to do something to impress Noah tonight.

            At least my dress is beautiful. It is indigo, with a lace bosom and lace sleeves. It covers my feet, but I still do not have my shoes on. The neckline is low, but not revealing; about right for a girl my age. I have no bonnet, but a lace circle of fabric is on my head, adorning it like a crown.

            Georgia, one of my family’s servants, had tried to help me dress, but I had refused the offer as kindly as possible. I like getting myself ready.

            The grandfather clock bongs five times- I am going to be late. I yank on my shoes and hurry down the hallway. Chastity is already dressed of course, and waiting for me by the stairwell. She is a little more than a year younger than I am, but already the apple of my family’s eye. She is cute, and boys flock around her at every occasion. Above it all though, we are best of friends, which I appreciate.

            “Noah is here,” she says without warning. “I saw his carriage arrive.”

            Like last night with Sander, my cheeks flush. I feel a bit dizzy, and the tight corset certainly doesn’t help matters.

            Chastity takes my hand. “You will be fine, Verity. You look beautiful, and Noah will be dying to dance with you.”

            I do not say my thoughts aloud, but I am thinking that Noah will more likely ask for Chastity’s hand than my own.

            Hesitantly, I follow my sister down the stairs, seeking comfort from the mahogany banisters. My mother comes rustling out from the ballroom; she is all silk and jewels tonight. “Where were you girls?” she asks, exasperated. “Our guests have already begun to arrive!”

            “I’m sorry Mother,” I say. “I took too long, and Chastity was waiting for me.”

            She nods, but there is a look in her eye that tells me this conversation is not over. I can never seem to please Mother. I do not listen all the time, I know, but I am sometimes only yearning for the freedom I believe I deserve. She and I do not see eye to eye, and even Father and I do not get along well. Chastity is perhaps their crowned jewel, and I wouldn’t mind save for the disappointment I often catch in their eyes when they look at me.

            Of course, I am their eldest daughter, and as such, I am entitled to some privileges Chastity does not have. But those are far and few between and I know for a fact that Mother would rather leave the entire estate under Chastity’s control than mine.

            I enter the ballroom and am once again taken aback by the beauty. When my parents host a banquet of any sort, it is not done without splendor. The walls are a milky cream, with rich mahogany moldings. On the walls, paintings of British settings look shimmery in the lighting. There are chandeliers that seem to have dozens of gossamer candles that flicker and sway as if they themselves are dancing.  The large oak table has gilded fixtures, and place settings abound so that I feel as if I am about to eat twelve courses. The dance floor is polished so that I see my reflection, and the strings in the background emanate a cheerful tune that makes my toes twitch.

            I immediately look around for Noah, but the first person I lay eyes on that I know is Sander. He is standing with some other town boys near the table by the far side of the room. He is dressed in long black pants and a fancy white shirt with ruffles on the sleeves. His black hair is slicked back, and his eyes catch the light. He is handsome, I will admit, and for whatever the reason, my breath is hard to come by. But it is just a feeling I am certain; I certainly cannot fall in love with Sander- he is my best friend.