Georgiana stood patiently, arms spread to each side, as the older woman wrapped yards and yards of different coloured silks around her slender body. Madame Lille had made dresses for Georgiana and her mother for years now, and Gina had complete trust in her. Every creation she concocted was breathtaking to say the least, with every last inch of fabric perfectly tailored to fit.
Madame Lille pinned the final fold in place, before stepping back and admiring her handiwork. "Tres belle, ma chere!" The older woman beamed. She had a kind, rounded face marked by wrinkles that she tried so hard to cover with powder, but she was still lovely. Gina had seen a miniature portrait of her when she was younger, and she had certainly been something of a society beauty back then. They were rather alike, though Georgiana would never bring herself to voice that thought.
"How do I look, Maria?" Georgiana put her hands on her hips, turning to look into the mirror.
From the seat in the corner where Maria Swann sat, Gina heard a grumble. "Very nice, now can we go yet?"
"Oh hush now, Ria." Madame Lille scoffed, "The day will come eventually when you want to look your best."
Georgiana laughed, looking over her shoulder into the corner, "Besides, who was it who so eagerly wanted to accept Lord Worthington's request?" She challenged.
Maria had no reply.
Eventually, Georgiana settled for a gown in the fashionable French style, and even Madame Lille looked relieved that she had finally made up her mind. "Your gowns will be ready for tomorrow evening." She said tiredly, disappearing off into the back room. Other than their similar personalities and tastes, if there was one thing Gina admired about the seamstress, it was her ability to work so quickly.
●●●
The two young women sat in the barouche, each clothed in their fine gowns, one looking eager for the ball, the other with an almost bored demeanour.
"Do you think that Henry will be there?" Maria piped up, and Gina snorted in an unladylike way.
"He's the one who invited us, you idiot. Of course he'll be there." She retorted impatiently, folding her arms across her chest. Maria seemed to realise that there was no hope in getting her to talk, and so they fell into an uneasy silence broken only by the trot of the horses.
But even Georgiana couldn't keep her mouth shut for long, and she hammered on the roof with her fist. "How long till we get there, driver?" she asked. No sooner had she spoken the carriage suddenly lurched forwards. Maria gave a little scream, but the groan give by Gina comprised of nothing more than annoyance.
"Driver?"
There was silence for a moment, before a cautious, "My ladies, a – are you alright?" before the carriage tilted to the right, wobbling dangerously, and Gina went pale.
"Lady Georgiana, are you – " The driver's voice came again.
"I am fine, Dobbs, just get the bloody horses untied or whatever you have to do!"
"Right you are, milady."
As Georgiana carefully stepped over to the other side of the vehicle, she saw that Maria looked positively faint with fear, and tried her best not to snort with contempt. They had lost a wheel. It wasn't as if they'd been attacked by highway robbers – actually, on second thoughts, it was probably best not to think about that.
Careful not to move too much, Gina manoeuvred herself so that she could wrench the door open, before she hopped out, smoothing down her skirts. "Come now, Maria, it's not that bad." She muttered, looking over to poor Dobbs who stood by the side of the road with the two horses.
After much fussing, Maria managed to scramble out of the wreckage, babbling on about how fortunate they were to escape without injury. Her dress was crumpled, but otherwise she seemed in good form. "However shall we get to the ball now, Gina, and good heavens we look a state – what are you doing, Gina?"
Georgiana was already over by the horses, arguing with Dobbs, a determined expression on her face. "...will be most careful, I promise, and mama need never know..."
Dobbs had worked for the Ashford family long enough to know that there was no arguing with the Lady Georgiana. Either he would have to face her sharp tongue or her very worried mother and the possibility of losing his job; he'd choose the latter any day. Besides, Gina had already hitched up her skirts and was sitting atop one of the horses.
Still watching, Maria opened her mouth to protest, but her friend had already sped past her in a flurry of crimson material. "Stubborn as an old mule." She said under her breath, and heard a snicker from Dobbs, who quickly disguised it as a cough. "There was no stopping her, milady. I'm sorry."
There was silence again, before Maria burst into laughter. Dobbs frowned, "Milady, I could lose my job..." He protested, but the corners of his lips twitched, and he too found himself chuckling.
"Imagine if someone sees, Dobbs: the grand Lady Georgiana Ashford riding bareback across the countryside in the darkness, racing to a society ball, her hair and skirts flying everywhere." Maria couldn't help but smile in secret triumph at the thought of what the guests would say when her friend arrived at the Worthington estate in such a way.
●●●
But when Gina finally reached the manor, she looked nothing like the dishevelled mess that her friend had hoped for. She'd been careful not to crease her dress as she rode, and though her intricate hairstyle now hung loose, dark locks of hair escaping down the back of her neck and framing her face, it only emphasised her beauty even more. The rouge and powder she wore had faded, but her cheeks held a natural rosy blush from the cool night air, and her eyes were bright, a contrast against her pale skin. Her chest rose and fell as she regained her breath from riding so quickly. Georgiana no longer looked like the perfect, high maintenance society belle. Instead in that place was a creature of wild beauty, like an Amazonian warrior or a martyred princess in an age old legend.
She walked up the stone steps that led to the door of the great manor, lifting her skirts just enough so that she did not fall, as two footmen opened the doors for her, one gawking in awe at her, the other disapproving of her irregular entrance. Inside, she followed the distant sound of music and merry voices, soon finding herself outside a pair of gold gilded doors. They pushed open easily, and Georgiana Ashford stepped forwards.
YOU ARE READING
Narcotic Mask
Historical Fiction"I have never loved you, sir, and I most certainly never will." ●●● It is rumoured that Georgiana Ashford can charm any man. However, her feelings change when she is caught in a compromising position with the rakish Sir Henry Worthington. To...
