VIIII
1805 Words
"Audrey, are you awake?" called Kate.
The girls were more ecstatic than her and wanted to start off her morning well. To their surprise, an empty bed they found with an open book.
"Where do you think she is?" whispered June.
"She's perchance at the library, burying her head in a new book. Let us go make her something grand for breakfast!"
"What a lovely idea!"
"Shut it. You will wake everyone."
As the girls went down to prepare a little breakfast for Audrey, she was still fast asleep with Kenneth.
Unknowingly, Jack knocked on the door and let himself in. As he closed the handle and turned around he gasped. Startled by what he saw.
"Kenneth! Are you trying to get her with child before you marry? Jack scolded as he patted Kenneth's shoulder and tucked the blanket away from Audrey.
"That won't be such a bad thing. I know she will love the process."
"For God's sake! Get your arse up, Audrey!"
"I am awake. Surprisingly."
"Go cool off and get yourself in a jiffy."
"Good morning to you too, Jack."
"Happy birthday Drey, " he said, hugging her as she returned his gesture.
"Thank you," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes as she headed to her room.
The sounds of Jack arguing with Kenneth were echoing within the halls. Audrey swore that Jack would wake everyone up. It eventually got quiet when she reached her room.
She flung herself on the bed to rest some more. The sleep on Kenneth's bed did not satisfy her body's aching need for rest. She was more tired than before. This has to do with the time she fell asleep. Nonetheless, she proceeded in starting her day. After taking a bath and getting dressed into a light mid-length frock, Audrey headed down stairs to the dining table, where June and Kate were just about finished making her and themselves breakfast.
"Good morning. Happy birthday Audrey!" The girls chorused.
"Well, I must say this looks rather good. Thank you girls!"
June smiled and handed her the plate of bread rolls, sausages and eggs.
Audrey took a bite of the bread rolls as June and Kate glared at her, silent as ever. Looking for a review of their cooking.
"They are delicious girls!"
"I made the bread rolls," June asserted, while looking at Kate who rolled her eyes.
"What are your plans for today, Audrey?" Kate questioned.
"Nothing in particular. Kenneth did say the ball was in honor of my birthday. He told me so when I was sleeping in his-"
Audrey halted, as she noticed her jabbering will cause the girls to think something other than what had happened. Though, her attempt to do so was successful, she still tried to brush it off as they were talking about other plans.
"Good morning Drey," Kenneth interrupted, sliding into his coat.
"Good morning. Why are you walking? You should be resting."
"I'm better Audrey. Thank you."
"What? No sarcastic snaps? No insults?" June smiled.
"June. Kate." He sternly replied.
Kenneth was still upset with them for allowing Audrey to venture alone in Dudley. Although he thought that his behavior had given the idea of him still being upset, June and Kate certainly did not care. Today was about Audrey. Kenneth's ego will have to wait. As the day passed, everyone was getting ready for the ball.
??
"June, have you seen my emerald earrings? The little ones?" Kate interrogated.
"No I haven't. Why are you asking me?" June asked, confused as the handmaiden took out the rollers from her amber hair.
In her room June, Kate and Jack were getting ready. Arguing about almost nothing, as they quickly tried to get themselves together.
In Audrey's room, the maiden had a bit of trouble with her hair. Her thick curls were almost impossible to style. Instead, she insisted on doing her hair herself.
Fiddling with her ruby earrings, she rested them at the night stand and she slipped on her ruby velvet dress. Mirroring her reflection, she could not help feeling insecure as thoughts that she was trying too hard overcame her.
"That dress fits like a glove, dear." Valerie assured.
"You don't suppose it's rather vulgar? My cleavage is showing a bit and this slit on the side. Certainly breezy I must say!"
"Love, you worry too much. You're young and beautiful. Show it off. You only can be young once in your life."
"I suppose so."
"Here."
Valerie handed her a square jewelry box. Audrey took the box and gulped as if she was expecting the worst. Then she hesitantly opened the box. Inside there was a gold ruby necklace. Around the chain, tear shaped rubies fell as a distinguished large pendant was in the middle. It looked brand new.
"This is heavenly."
"Oh, I know! It was mine when I was courting my husband. I was just 19 years old. It's yours now."
"Why?"
"Consider it a birthday gift."
"I humbly can't accept this."
"You can and you must. Wasting such a good piece is torture. Now come. Your family is here."
Audrey smiled and obeyed. Slowly walking down the stairs to the guests of the mansion, Audrey searched for her family while positioning her dress to not show too much skin. To her surprise, she only spotted Daisy and her mother. They were standing at the end of the step, nervously looking around as she was approaching them.
"Audrey! Happy birthday!" Daisy squealed, holding her hands.
"Thank you sissy! Where's papa?"
"He….He isn't coming dear." Victoria slowly said.
"Did something happen?"
"I will tell you another time. Enjoy your birthday Darling. Look, a buffet table!"
"Come!" Daisy cried.
Daisy led her to the table where there was a tasty aroma of food. Pressed duck, broxy, bread sauce, yellow cream cake and tea was taking over the air that surrounded the table. All of this was too much and she could not help but feel as though she did something grant. Yet she knows she did not do anything to deserve all of this.
Though she wanted to try the food, the guests paid their respects to her by summoning a formal introduction. She was taken by Valerie at the center front of the hall as women and men gave her birthday wishes and handed presents to the tenants. During this, Audrey was bored as she began eye searching for the one person she swore she did not want to see. She then retreated to the food table and began selecting her dishes.
Suddenly, Kenneth spooked her from behind as she jumped. Her fingers made a fist as she laughed. He proceeded to give her her birthday present but to his surprise, Audrey wanted to go somewhere private.
In the later half of the night, pungent smells of rum, wine and cheese were in the air. Music and tapping feet in sync as women were half naked, dancing seductively on men. Usually, it was time for the evening to be over, but the older men wanted "real" entertainment at the time. To Daisy's surprise, she wanted to experience what it was like to become under the influence of wine and rum.
"A glass of white wine please," she told the servants.
They poured the mixture as they watched her nervously bite her nails. As she took the glass, she took a deep breath and slowly sipped the liquid. As it separated from her lips, she gagged and sniffled. Swallowing her fright, she gulped down the rum and asked for more.
After 2 glasses, hunger hit her like a ton of bricks and she headed to get a duck leg. On noticing her wobbly walk and giggling manner, a man approached her. He was taller than usual. His dark hair swayed away from his sculptured face and this made his jaw more visible.
"Miss?" The mysterious man called.
Daisy was too drunk to hear anything so she undoubtedly giggled. The man sighed as he studied her dress.
"Miss, are you from Dudley? Your attire is-"
"Shush! A handsome lad like yourself should talk less. A-And do moree" Daisy purred, as her fingers danced around his shoulders.
"Miss you are not in shape to speak or move. Let me help you."
"Oh! Well you're a strong man!" Daisy exclaimed as she felt his biceps.
On the other side of the room, Jack saw what was happening. He became like a hawk, stealthily watching Daisy. He too was a bit out of his mind yet still had some consciousness. As he saw the man take her in the room. He followed, furiously.
The mysterious man took her in his arms to carry her to a nearby room. He seems as though he knows where to carry her yet Daisy could not care. This gorgeous man was carrying her to a room. She was aroused and didn't wait a minute. He closed the door with his feet and rested her on the bed.
Jack wobbled in as he pointed at him. The man rubbed his neck as he sighed.
"What are you doing with her, Cornelius?"
"Don't look at me like some creep! I was helping her."
"And I must believe that you were helping her?"
"Jack, instead of quarreling with me, help her."
"Move you!"
He stumbled as he tried to pull himself together. Picking up Daisy by her shoulder and behind her knees, her curls were swaying in the air. Cornelius gazed at her as Jack carried them upstairs.
While getting her in the bed, Daisy shedded a few years.
"Daisy, why are you crying?" Jack whispered, as he wiped the years from her cheeks.
"You took me away from that man!" Daisy whispered.
"Oh Daisy, you are not well. Shush and go to sleep. I will get someone to attend to you in the morning."
"Will you get the man?"
"Daisy. No."
"Why must I die alone? My sister has Kenneth, June has you and Kate. Well she likes her own company. I don't have anyone!"
Jack studied her eyes as if they changed. It seemed that she was talking from deep inside her heart.
"That is nonsense. You have me."
"Don't be ridiculous! I'm sure you have your lady."
"Well, as a matter of fact, I don't. But I do have someone to live for."
"Who?"
"That is a story for another time, Daisy."
"Tell me. I'm drunk after all. I won't remember a thing."
Jack was a smart man yet Daisy's ideas were the truth. He placed his hands on his knees and kneeled beside her. She looked at him while smiling as he closed his eyes.
"I have someone who needs me more than anyone I know. Someone who will always need me no matter what I do or say"
"Who?"
"I have a child."
- Writer
