“Come on Carolina” I complained itching to go to Gabriels birthday party. But Carolina was hogging the bathroom. “ Carolina get out now! You’ve been in there for 20 minutes. I need to prepare!, get out now or ill go tell Mama.” That did it, Carolina shot out at lightnening speed. “ there, its all yours brat” she hissed. Her eyes glaring.
I went into the bathroom. And looked at the three floored lenghted mirrors, jioined to give a full view. I gazed at my dress. It was my newest one, my favourite. I was going to get new ones in a couple months, for my 13th birthday. When it was Carolina’s, she got 10 new dresses as well as 30 orders for ones she could get made at her whim throughout the year.
I was wearing a dark green dress. With satin ribbons cireling my waist. My most grown up dress. I did my hair so my grown out fringe was platted, and was clipped back at the back with a jewled butterfly. Patting my cheeks I was ready.
Normally Carolina, Susannah and I shared 5 Maids. But 3 had the flu, and the last two were needed by mama to help bathe the babies, for their own nurses were sick aswell.
By now I had 3 more siblings. Marilyn, who was 4, Tobias who was 3, and very sick, and Patrick who was one. Tobias had the measles. And everyone was petrified that he would pass along. I hadent seen him in 3 weeks. And as one of my favourite brothers, it had hit hard.
I looked at my bosom, which had grown considerably in the last year, so each was the size of the top part of a large muffin. My waist was nice and chubby, a contradiction to Carolinas jauty skin and bones body. But Carolina still had a bosom 5 times my size.
And Carolina was beautiful, with wavy honey couloured hair reaching half way down her back. And green eyes that were a mystery to the family. If it weren’t for mama’s complete faith to father and her fear of him, I would of suspected foul play. For Carolinas green eyes were nowhere else in the blood line, exept, aparantly for our great grandmother on father’s side.
Im sorry if I describe Carolina to appear cat like, for she had a full face. I had heard more than 10 times that men everywhere thought she was the most beautiful girl in all of Europe. Susannah had curly dark brown hair like father. With transluctant skin like me and mother, and big brown eyes like father. Easy to see why he loved her so much.
Yes Susannah and Carolina were his two favourite daughters. ( Not including Marilyn) the only reason he spoilt me along with them was because I was causing peace with his biggest competitor. Marrying Gabriel had landed me a spot in Fathers heart.
I heard mother call from down the stairs. Only 5 of us were going, me because it was my betrothed’s birthday. Carolina because Carolina could do anything she wanted, mama to chaperone us. Charles because he could entertain Gabriels little brother bradely. And Marilyn to entertain Gabriels little sister Nicola. Bradely and Nicola ( pronounced nee kola) were twins. They were 5. Charled and Marilyn were the closest of our brood in age with them.
Lady Arabella had had numerous miscarriages. And everyone was delighted when her pregnancy not only ended with a healthy baby boy, but a healthy girl as well. I didn’t hear of her having any more miscarriages after that. I think she just accepted she was to have a small family. I knew she was happy, what with providing her thriving husband with 2 sons and 1 daughter. also with a daughter Arabella wouldn’t be unoccupied.
Rushing down the 300 steps I arrived at the door, where everyone was already ready. Hatterfeld, the butler, opened the door and mama ushered us out to Carriage. And we were on our way.
I was exited to see Gabriel, I hadn’t seen him as much as usual, but he was getting ready for school
