ALMIRA THORN- Knowledge of Another Kind. [Editing]

Chapter 8- A night of celebrations and fears.

Two hours later and we were in the carriage, dressed and ready for the events of tonight. The dress clung to me like a glove and moved gracefully around my body, the short sleeves and low neckline showed off as much as I could in the presence of others and even with the amount covered, I felt the wind tickle across my neck and collarbones like a gentle breath. My long hair had to be sorted, it now was delicately clipped up, a small gem glinted to the side in amongst the sea of hair to sort the annoying strands in place. I stared out through the carriage window and took in the night. The lanterns glowing across the streets dimly to guide whoever passed along the cobble streets.

"This is so exciting don't you think! Everyone will be there tonight and we'll be in amongst London's finest" Lizzy's voice giggled and squeaked as she couldn't contain her excitement for the night ahead. I turned my gaze to her in the carriage and her grin lit up her face. The dress hugged her body like it was her own skin, the green brought out the lightness of her hair and eyes making the image of a china doll became even more accurate in description as the hair flowed down her back with a handful clipped up in a bun on her head. Green gems sparkled in the lantern light as the carriage rode through the streets making her glint and shimmer. She would be the top pick of the dance cards tonight, all the men would want the chance to dance the night away and she'd give every one that wish if she could.

"It is a very important night, I look forward to meeting all of them." I added a smile to make it sound more truthful but it didn't quite reach my eyes. I turned and faced out the window again and the silence came back, only the sound of the wheels hitting the uneven cobblestones filled it and even then, it wasn't enough.

*         *       *        *

The sound of the coachman pulling the reins brought me back into the carriage, away from thoughts of Papa and the figures. As the door swung open I bunched up my skirts and stepped down, hearing the click of my heel boots hit the cobblestones and bringing my attention to the party in front.

The pathway leading to the front doors was decorated in garden torches, lighting the way to the manor and pillars that surrounded the entrance. The vast scale of the house stood to attention and forced me to do nothing but stare open-mouthed at the enormity of it. Every window was filled with lights and figures, all in deep discussion and laughter. The white of the stone reminding me of a painting from heaven as the lights dances along the walls and across the rose vines along the edges of what I guessed to be the start of the gardens. Before even realizing it, I was making my way to the house, drawn to the beauty and detail it showed. I heard so much as saw Lizzy behind me, her breath caught in the same astonishment I had been feeling moments ago and even now, both of us couldn’t stop our eyes lingering at the size. As we reached the pillars and to the double doors into the manor, soft music floated out to us. Its tune graceful and alluring, welcoming us inside as the doorman walked up and showed us to the cloakrooms. We nodded our acknowledgment and entered, my gaze rising and staring up to paintings of the sky and angels resting on the clouds, the detail as impressive as the house. A similar shaped chandelier as Tom’s filled the center of the hallway, only this one was the biggest I’d ever seen, hundreds of crystals and candles filled every inch and lit the room like a ball of sunlight, lighting up the staircase on the side, swirling up into the upstairs rooms. I slowly followed the doorman, my dress gliding along the marble floors as we made our way to the cloakroom.

                  Crowds of people were in deep discussion as we returned from placing our hats away. The laughter filling the room and filling the manor with a lively and energetic feel, Lords and their wives of all wealth, Lizzy hesitated beside me and mirrored my footsteps, her confidence taken aback by just how many of the finest were in the same room as us.