The Infernal Wonderland

Chapters 1-10

Chapter 1Mourning Gown

"There you are, Lady Lynette, all finished." My lady's maid Molly smiled after pinning up my last brown curl. I nodded at her, then stood and walked over to the mirror. I clasped my hands in the lap of my mourning gown. I wore the black, wool-sheer blend gown that was acceptable for a teenager who was going into mourning.

"Are you unhappy with my work, Lady Lynette?" Molly frowned, ducking her head. I attempted to smile, and turned to face her,

"Not at all, Molly, never you fear my hair is simply a work of art." I touch the braid of hair that looped behind my ear and up to the magnificent bun that Molly had sculpted on the top of my head.

"Then, is it the day that puts you under the weather, my Lady?" Molly asks, moving towards the closed door of my bed chamber.

"Yes, Molly, it is the day. How does one appear happy on the day of her parents' funeral?" I tilted my chin towards her as she opened the door,

"One does not appear happy, but one must simply try for the benefit of one's younger siblings." Molly smiled softly as my younger brother and sister walked past the door.

"Sabastian, Sage." I called, lifting the skirt of the dress off the ground and walking swiftly over to the twins.

"Sissy!" Sage cried, and the two 5-year old children grabbed a hold of my hips in a teary hug.

"It will be alright, my darlings, just you wait," I pulled them off me, and knelt down to be eye level with them,

"Mother and Father would want us to keep our chins up and smile, yes?" I smiled weakly.

"Yes," Sabastian sniffled.

"That's my boy, my girl." I tugged Sabastian's black coat down and smoothed over the bell-shaped sleeves of Sage's dark gray dress.

"My Lady!" Molly's horrified voice called from behind me. I sighed and rolled my eyes, knowing that she was near a fit seeing me kneeling on the ground in my new gown.

"Perhaps you two should go downstairs and snatch some breakfast before we head to the carriage." I pushed Sabastian and Sage along and watched as they ran off and down the stairs.

"Calm yourself, Molly." I smiled, standing up.

"You are ruffling your gown, Lady Lynette." Molly rushed up to me and smoothed her hands across the front of my skirt, and across my shoulders where the neckline covered my chest and up to my chin.

"When have Lynette's gowns ever gone unruffled, Molly dear?" a voice chuckled from behind me.

"Camden." I smiled with relief at my best friend, Lord Camden Buck, Earl of Denworth.

"Earl Denworth, what on earth do you think you are doing up here?" Molly scolded him.

"Oh please, Molly dear, when have I ever followed the rules?" Camden shook his head, then turned to me,

"Lennie," He stepped forward and took my hand,

"You truly do look magnificent." He smiled at me with his perfect smile; a smile that made his blue eyes crinkle, and his lips turn up into a crooked grin, it simply made you want to smile as well.

"Cam." Was all that I needed to say for Camden to know that I was in need of a hug. He folded his large arms around my small frame and pulled me against his warm chest.

"Quite a scene I have fallen upon." A sing-song voice came from behind. Camden pulled away, and we both turned to see who the new member of the gathering was.