Pirates, Kings, and Love. Oh my.

Chapter 3

III

“Ow!” My sides ached as my ladies maid pulled my corset strings tighter and tighter.

“Sorry Colette.” Anna said as she tied the final strings together. I turned around and smiled weakly at her. “I wish I were you Anna.”

“I know.” She said smiling. She was my best friend and we had played together very much when we were little, and have always confided in each other.

“You’re so lucky you don’t have to suffocate in one of these traps.” I said.

“Yes, and if I were to wear one right now, I’d squish my little one.” Her hand ran over her round belly. I smiled.

“I’m glad you got to marry your love, even if I can’t. And now you’re going to have a third Smith running wild.”

“This world better watch out.” She said and we both laughed.

I sighed as she fixed my hair and I put on my jewelry. I felt like a peacock.

“Well,” I said, standing up. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I just want to get this over with.”

Anna smiled weakly, offering me no comforting words, though none could be of help anyways. What I had to – no, was being forced to – do was something I wished I could put off till the very end.

I hugged my friend. “I hope to see you again, but not engaged to that snake of a man.” Anna said.

“If he is even a man at all. He more like the devil’s spawn.” I laughed, hoping to ease myself into a calmness as I left the comfort of my room.

I walked to the staircase and rested my elbows on the banister. I watched as more and more guests arrived, my confidence failing me with every new guest.

“Ready?” Ben came up behind me.

I nodded, still looking at the constant flow of people still entering our house. Ben held out his arm and I took it. I was glad to be escorted by him then risk the chance of seeing Preston while I was alone.

We entered the immense ballroom with the many adjoining saloons for men and women to get away from the noise. The ceiling was 10 meters high and had one huge chandelier hanging in the center of the room with 5 smaller ones connecting out from it. Most everything in this room was etched with gold. Even the floor was tiled with gold. I thought that was a ridiculous waste since people would only ever walk upon it, but to Father it only made sense.

The three stories above us were full of people laughing, talking, gossiping and admiring our new chateau. I rolled my eyes. The dance floor was still being filled as couples arrived.

I spotted Preston at the far end of the room and my grap on Ben’s arm tightened.

Ben winced. “Dear sister, please do not try and amputate my arm. I will be needing it tonight.” He whispered to me as he smiled at a small group of girls my age, their fans fluttering in front of their faces. They giggled hysterically when Ben winked at them.

I laughed. “Ben, why do you madden yourself by flitting with other girls when your heart is clearly set on Marianne?”

“I have no idea what you mean little sister.”

His sly smile said that indeed, he did know what I meant.

“Then why must you torture your beloved by giving your attention to other women? Us females do not like it when our men pay more attention to other females then to ourselves.”

“She is not my beloved.” I noticed his cheeks turning the slightest shade of pink. I knew I had won. It aggravated me so that he was hopelessly in love with this wonderful woman, yet did not have the courage to tell her. I would have to interfere.