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missmadisings

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            “Juliet!” My mother screeched. “What is the hold up exactly? Thomas and Edmund have been up for half of an hour and you have yet to get dressed! We have very important people to visit today and I don’t need you sleeping the day away, understood?”

            “Yes, Mother.” I sighed, pushing the covers back. “I’m getting up now.”

            I heard Mother huff downstairs and then start ordering Anna Maria, one of our maids, around. I normally would have tried to go back to sleep, but I was up now and Mother was in one of her moods. I knew not to mess with her when she was like that.

            “Violet!” I snapped my fingers and my serving maid came rushing in.

I held my arms up and she slipped the silk off of me. I gasped, as always, when she laced up my corset but the feeling of it was oddly comforting now. It reminded me that I was privileged enough to wear one. I rushed downstairs, skirts quivering, before Mother could yell at me anymore.

She looked tired. Obviously the guests we were having tonight were making her anxious. I set about mending the children, as was my responsibility. They looked as though they had been playing in a pig pen. I sighed. It seemed as though baths were first on the agenda. I shooed them upstairs and sent two man servants after them. I waited until I could hear them pouring the water before turning to Mother.

“When will they be here?”

“They’re not coming here my dear. Your father is meeting them at the ball. We must attend with him and I expect you and the boys to be presentable.” Her voice was stern.

“We will be ready Mother. Give me two and a quarter hours and we shall look our best.”

“Good. We leave in three hours.”

Had I really been asleep that long? I glanced at the sun dial. It was noon! My poor Mother had been dealing with the boys longer than she had let on! They must have awoken at eleven o’clock at the latest. I vowed to wake earlier tomorrow.

I wandered into the sitting room. Our grand piano was set up close to the southern wall. I wandered over to it out of habit. My long fingers began stroking out a melody. I imagined Mother smiling as she always did when I played. The boys quieted upstairs, listening to the music. Good. Their servants should have an easier time washing them now.

My fingers continued brushing up and down the keys. I let my mind wander to the ball tonight. I loved balls. All the dancing. I had never danced with any guy besides my father but that didn’t matter. I would wear my new dark blue silk dress, the one that accented my honey colored hair, and I would dance with Millie and Lauren if Stephan and Drew weren’t there. Although they would probably be there. I hoped I could steal their wives away for just a little while though. My thoughts turned to my own non-existent marriage before I could stop them. The music faltered a bit as my mood turned melancholy.

“Don’t stop Julie!” Edmund cried in his childish voice. I turned to see both him and Thomas sitting on the couch, dressed in their best, watching me.

“Please play more Julie!” Thomas said, unmasked longing in his voice.

            I smiled at them and began caressing the keys once more.

            One hour and three quarters later I remembered the ball. My fingers faltered again but no one protested this time. I glanced at the boys. Edmund had been lulled to sleep and Thomas was working on his handwriting.

            “You stay right here whilst I get dressed.” I told my twelve year old brother sternly. He nodded serenely, too focused on his writing.

“And don’t wake Edmund.” I called over my shoulder as I headed up the stairs.