Hiding from Mr. Billionaire

1 formality

It was the year 1862, a ball was just about to commence. Vivian and her family hopped out of the carriage, in hopes of catching a mans eye that very night. In order to do that- one had to be pretty and fashionable, carefully meeting the following manuscript down to every detail.

Silk dresses were, as a rule, objectionable for those who danced. However, a married lady could allow herself to appear in silks of a light tint, or even in a white silk, if properly trimmed with tulle and flowers.

Young unmarried ladies would wear Victorian gowns of light materials, which were considered better. In the selection of hues a lady would consider her figure and her complexion. If one was slender and sylph-like, white or very light colors were generally suitable. On the plumper side, these colors would typically be avoided; since, apparently, a shade of white had the reputation of adding to the weight of the wearer.

Blondes typically appeared to most advantage in delicate colors, such as salmon, light blue, maize, apple green, and so forth. The brunette would, in contrast, select rich and brilliant colors. The finest muslin, lace, and all similar fabrics, were available; such Victorian dresses would be worn over a silk slip.

Ladies who had a abundance of beautiful hair required little or no trinkets; a simple flower was all that was necessary. And jewelry was to be used sparingly, a single piece was merely enough for those who waltzed.

If a lady was tall, she would avoid wearing anything across the head, as that sort of thing would only add to her height. A "chaplet" or a "drooping wreath" would, therefore, be preferable.

White gloves were appropriate for the Victorian ballroom. However, in mourning they were sewn with black. The gloves would be fitted precisely, and never be removed from the hands in the ballroom.

White satin shoes were worn with light colored dresses. While those dressed in dark wore black or bronze. Boots were also stylish, those were provided in satin, or silk, either white or matching the dress in color.

As for Vivian, she wore a golden colored dress with black boots that barely showed. As she arrived the ball she walked up the grand stairs and-

"Blast!"

Vivian banged of toe on the side of the stone wall and cursed to herself.
"Blast this horrid-"

Vivian!" Her mother gasped. Vivian met her wide eyes filled with absolute dread. "Watch that mouth of yours"
She scowled as she put her hand to her head; rushing over to Vivian in a heartbeat, her mother started fixing the tiny flowers on her head.

It was some surprise Vivian's thick head of brown hair couldn't keep hold of anything as remotely small as flowers. "Out of all your sisters, you just can't seem to fix your hair properly," she responded. "And your hair is so dull"

"I don't want to marry first," Vivian complained.

"You have too, you are the eldest and the eldest daughter must marry soon. I cannot have you past the age of thirty living in my house. It would bring shame upon us"

"I hope I never shall," Vivian muttered under her breath, her mother turned her around to check her look and nodded in approval. All of a sudden she Vivian a cold sensation rest upon her chest. She peered down at the gold snake necklace with a ruby stone on its head. "Where did you get that?"  she asked.

"I was the eldest sister too, once. And right when she knew in her heart Vivian was ready to marry she gave her this as a symbolism of wisdom and eternity," she said, smiling with teary eyes. "and look how it matches with your earrings"

"Thank you mother," Vivian smiled. "I love it so"

"One day I hope you will pass it on to your daughters, and them to theirs and so forth."

Vivian's mother grabbed her chin and turned her face over side by side to gave her one more look in uncertainty. "A little faint scar I see, what happened there," she said, referring to the scratch below her earlobe.

"The cat got to me"
"Tosh!" Her mother gasped. "You must cover that immediately"

"Don't fret mother," her little sister Ruby walked up from behind with with some cloth and warm water. "I will help her get ready, you should go enjoy the ball. We'll be out soon,"

Ruby smiled at their mother reassuringly before she went inside as she got a cloth and started to wipe Vivian's wound clean. "Sorry I couldn't get to you in time before mother did"

"No it's fine," she muttered. "Stupid cat"

"Don't blame the feline," Ruby pulled out strips of hair that fell just below her jawline. She hugged them around her cheeks, chuckling when Vivian slapped her hands away. "I think you're just about bride material now"

"Stop it"

"Look to your left"

Ruby nodded towards the man in a dress coat, surrounded by peers just like him. The man's grey eyes stared at her from a distance. Jaw clenched, he quickly looked away when Vivian met his gaze as he past; walking straight into the ballroom.