Chapter Four: The Functions of High Society
Kaira, and Mirah had slept for the rest of the afternoon clear up until dinnertime. The sound of Leisbeth’s voice breaking through the door awoke Kaira the moment she heard it.
“Kaira, Kaira? It’s dinnertime. Father’s friend Alphonse is here, and Farahilde, Marietta, Aunt Aleonette, and Aunt Leonore have all arrived downstairs. Vienna, Evilene, Nadine, and Isabelle are here as well. I suspect Reuben, and Magdelyn may be next to arrive. Mother has asked for me to collect you, and Mirah.” Bethy tapped on the door once more as awaited any response from her sister. Kaira sat up instantly, and reaching over towards Mirah she shook her gently.
“Mirah, wake up, darling. My family has arrived. Bethy says that dinner is prepared. Are you hungry, doll?” She asked her softly, but before Mirah was able to respond she was already replying to Leisbeth’s queries, “Bethy, tell mother Mirah, and I will be right down after we visit the lavatory.” She announced. Mirah lifted her hands to rub her eyes, and peering at the clock on the wall gaped in shock when she noticed the time.
“Oh, my, Kaira! I had not realized we slept for four hours! Oh, no. I hoped to at least try to change into something more appropriate for a dinner.” Mirah’s face turned white, and her fear of disappointing the family became a paralyzing factor as she considered how awful she would look supping in such a state.
“Now hush, Mirah. We shall have enough time to freshen up. Nobody will ever know, and besides we shall be seated for the majority of the time anyway. You look just fine. Your worries will work up your distress.” Kaira calmed her friend as best as she could while listening for Bethy’s response.
“Very well, Kaira. I shall relay the message to mother.” Leisbeth spoke clearly through the door. The sound of retreating footsteps clued her in to Bethy having left the hallway, and as soon as she was gone Kaira fled into the small bathroom to begin pouring water into the basin, and powdering her flushed skin. Mirah followed her lead without any direction, and proceeded to dab a cotton cloth into the water before running it over the plane of her face. The two girls were in no time as fresh as they had been when first arriving, and pleased with their work Kaira gave a nod to Mirah whilst offering her arm.
“Shall we commence, darling?” She smiled linking her arm with Mirah’s and once more pulling her towards the door. The two exited the chamber quickly, and moving down the corridor Kaira suddenly felt an urgency to see Dorn.
“Yes, yes. I’m so excited to see the Captain again!” Mirah whispered into her ear in a rather excited tone of voice. Kaira’s lips twisted into that dashing smile she was infamous for, and like a coy vixen she murmured a pleasant reply.
“Yes, as am I for seeing Dorn. This is going to be a wonderful summer, Mirah. A fabulous, and exquisite good time.” She winked, and suddenly the two were rounding the corner to begin their descent into the parlor below. As they came to stand at the landing Kaira peered down in searching the crowd for familiar faces. The familiar shade of her cousin Vienna’s vibrant red hair immediately caught her attention, and Kaira grinned from ear to ear in contemplation of what rumors Vienna would have to share with her. Of all the ladies in their age class Vienna always seemed to have the juiciest of gossip. It was from her cousin that Kaira had ever learnt anything about Sebastian DuValle, and Sylvia Le’Rue’s affiliations with her brother. In fact Vienna had briefly courted Sebastian DuValle, and it had been her experience with Bastian that gave her the insight into what was truly going on with Reuben, and Sylvia.
“You see that lovely red-haired jewel?” Kaira asked Mirah as she nodded towards her cousin.
“Oh, yes. She’s quite beautiful. Who is she?” Mirah inquired leaning in to listen to Kaira speak.
