The Act of Convenience

Chapter Three

"Rachel, do you think I should wear the green or the blue dress to the party?" Jenny asked as they packed away their dresses in preparation to travel to the city.

"I thought you did not like the blue one." Rachel said as she sorted through her collection of hair decorative hair pins.

"It is not so bad, I finally got used to the new corset. Although...the green one has a ridiculous bustle that I swear was designed by the devil."

Rachel laughed, "Jenevie Elise Willows! You cannot say such a thing!" She corrected her.

"You know it to be true, you with your daring ball gown." Jenny said dramatically.

"Daring is it?" Rachel glanced over at the trunk where her gown was already gently packed away. She could see the pink silk and lace and pictured it's fitted design with its scooped neck and bear arms, she thought a moment,  "Hm, I suppose it is. But it is the latest fashion, and mother did approve of its design."

"Meanwhile I am left with your rejected gowns."

"They are not rejected, they are suitable for a sixteen year old to wear, especially to one of your first formal parties."

"What do I do if someone asks me to dance?"

"You accept if you like him, and kindly decline if you do not. It is not that difficult."

"Are there many handsome men at these sorts of things?" Jenny said her voice in an innocent giggle.

"Sometimes," Rachel said thoughtfully, remembering a few gentlemen that she had been quite taken with in the past, "it can be rather fun. But do be careful," she warned, "some men are not so kind as we would like them to be. Be cautious and aware of both their actions and their words. And with that being said, wear the green dress."

"Why?"

"Because it is not as flattering."

"Rachel!" She laughed, "I shall wear the blue."

Rachel smiled, "do as you please. I have warned you....say, where is my silver comb? I could have sworn I saw it this morning." Rachel said her voice turning to a bit of panic.

Then Jenny and her locked eyes and said in unison, "Lizzie!"

Rachel walked quickly to their sister's room across the hall, Lizzie sat at her small, table-like desk writing.

"Lizzie? Have you taken my silver hair comb?"

"No." Lizzie said without looking up, the scratching of her pen stopped momentarily, "Maybe Jenny did."

"Hm...well you see, I was just with Jenny and she did not know where it was. If she took it, would you not think that she would know where she put it?"

"I do not know." Lizzie proceeded to write.

Rachel tried to be patient, she was kind by nature, but there were certain moments she was tested. This was one of those moments. She felt the frustration and exasperation building with every moment that past and the sound of the pen against the paper, scratch, scratch, the papers rustled then the pen tapped against the ink jar, tink, tink, "Stop!" Rachel said loud enough for the whole household to hear her voice, "I believe you took it and now are lying, you cannot hide your lies behind these little acts, pretending that you are-"

"Rachel, is everything alright?" Her mother interrupted.

"My silver hair comb is gone and I believe that Lizzie took it and now is lying about it."

LIzzie began to pout.

"I think you are being too hard on your sister," he mother corrected.

"I asked nicely, I was patient-"