The Duke's Unlikely Lady

CHAPTER 2: Learning the rules.

Anastasia stirred beneath the soft silk sheets, turning restlessly before her eyes finally fluttered open. Soft knocks sounded on her door. She stood up to open the door to be greeted by a young maid with metallic orange short curls and freckles adorned face. "Good morning milady."

"Good morning. Why were you knocking?" Annie asked. Her hair was ruffled from turning around and she stood in her white nightgown. "It's time for your bath and I was sent by the baroness to prepare you" She held a silver platter that had scented rose soaps, hair oils and toilette.

"Come in," Annie told the maid. She went to the window to open the curtains but was stopped by the maid. "No milady, you are in your nightdress and it's appropriate to stand in the open like that" The maid moved to the window to prevent Annie from opening the curtains.

Annie mouthed an 'o'. She wasn't used to such rules and in Fairbourne, everyone minded their business and she loved looking outside every morning to see the morning sun. "I'll step back and then you'll open the window. That sounds like a more modest idea"

"Yes Milady." The maid opened the curtains allowing the morning rays to pour in. The chirping sounds of spring birds filled the garden. "I'll run your bath and pick out your clothes milady, you can lay down for the meantime"

"No. I'll pick out my outfit for the day. I want to look good since I'm now a Baron's daughter" Anastasia concluded. She walked towards the closet that had her clothes arranged. Though not all of them had arrived but the few ones here were still good looking. "This yellow dress is okay right?"

The maid stared at the dress and was taken back by the atrocity of wearing last season clothes In a new season. "No milady, it's last season's, you'll need something better"

"I've only worn the dress a few times, it doesn't magically make the clothes outdated" Annie's eyes narrowed at the maid's words. "Still Milady, you are now a noble and it is absurd to wear last season's clothes in Briarford" The maid said trying to explain the rules of fashion In Briarford. Annie was confused, wasn't Briarford and Fairbourne part of the kingdom Albion? So why different rules?.

She decided to comply with the ridiculous rule away, as she wouldn't want to sully the Whitmore's name. "Then you pick the clothes." The maid immediately started flipping through the gowns in the closet. 'my she does need a change of wardrobe' The maid said to herself.

"This looks acceptable for today" She picked out a beige colored corset gown with beautiful embroidery. Annie's eyes widened. That was her birthday cloth that she recently bought. There was no way that her clothes were that bad for Briarford status for the maid the pick out her most recent purchase.

She sighed with the thought that since her father was now a noble, there would be more money to afford the luxuries. "That's a lovely choice. I'd like to have my bath now, my hair is in a tangled mess"

"I'll help you with your bath--"

"Why would you!" Annie gasped loudly, covering her womanly parts in surprise. She always had her bath by herself when she came of age to do so. "Do the noble ladies have someone who bath them?"

"Yes, milady" the maid replied. She looked at the young Miss with a surprised look ' she's still learning the life of nobility'. "Alright. This is still foreign to me, so I'll adapt" Annie said. She knew the way a proper lady was supposed to act and she wasn't going to ignore or dismiss the rules of Briarford even if she was new and they were absurd. "And what should I call the maid who's attending to me?" Annie remembered that she didn't even know the name of the maid standing in her room. If anything were to happen inside here, she needed to know the name of the maid first.

"Apologies for my mistake milady," the maid bowed "the name is Polly"

"Alright Polly, I'll need to meet up in time for breakfast" Annie moved to the bathroom. As much as she was feeling ecstatic about the new life, she wouldn't want to skip a meal.

Anastasia walked through the hallway with Polly behind her. Her golden blonde hair was styled neatly to compliment the dress. She tried to take a deeper breath and immediately regretted it. She wasn't accustomed to having her stays laced so firmly. She reached her hands behind to adjust it, that was harder than she imagined. She passed a glare at Polly, who was oblivious to the discomfort she had given Anastasia. A smile filled her face when she saw Charlotte approaching from across her, with two maids behind her.

Charlotte approached with her chin held high, each step graceful and measured. Her pale pink gown complemented her fair complexion. "Good morning Annie. How was your night?"

"Better than I had imagined. Hope you slept well Charlotte" Annie beamed. She walked in place with her sister as they descended the stairs. "Yes I did, why are you fumbling with your steps Anastasia? Mama has warned you to walk like a proper lady"

"The maid made the corset too tight and taking a breath is a hassle. It's a good thing she wasn't assigned as my personal maid, because I'm changing her" Anastasia said loud enough to register her displeasure to Polly.

Polly rolled her eyes at Anastasia's words. Thankfully she was looking down or else they would have seen her 'You are welcome for I trying to make you appear fitting'.

The young ladies appeared in the dining room to see their parents already seated. "Good morning Papa, good morning mama" they both greeted and took their seats. Jane sat on the right hand side beside Oliver who sat on the head chair. Annie sat beside her father and Charlotte sat beside her mother.

"How was your night girls? Was the rooms to your liking?" Jane asked both of her daughters. "I really love the view of my room Mama, and the interior painting as well" Anastasia was the first to reply.

"I knew you would like it" Jane said. She had specially traveled before they moved in here to redecorate the house. "And you Lottie dear?"

"The room is lovely Mama, and I get to see the sprawling streets of Briarford." Charlotte replied while arranging a napkin neatly on her laps. Eugene directed the servants to serve the meal.

"When will brother Charles be arriving?" Charlotte asked while cutting cleanly into a meat with practiced elegance. Their mother had taken it upon herself to groom the girls in proper etiquette. Thankfully for that, there's no doubt that they would blend in perfectly with people of Briarford.

"Charles is still touring Europe, and he has been informed of the progress in our family, but I'm yet to receive his response letter. Things are a bit slower since it's the new season. A lot of things are needed to be in place, but hopefully by next week we should get his letter" Oliver informed them. Charles was the first son of Whitmore.

"I do hope he gets here very soon." Anastasia said with a smile, then resumed eating her food.

"When do you suppose we host the ball that we are required to host as a celebration for the new title?" Jane asked her husband. She was aware they were supposed to make a formal introduction Into society through a ball.

"We can't host a ball yet Jane. The queen hosts the first ball of the season." Oliver calmly said. Anastasia and Charlotte looked at each other in confusion. "But why papa?" Anastasia asked.

"The queen hosts the first ball to welcome everyone back in the capital Briarford and mark a prosperous beginning for Albion. It's also a good way for you to get yourself familiar with how balls of the society are organized. You'll also be able to pick out a few people you'd like to get acquainted with" Oliver picked a glass of water and sipped a large gulp. Eugene filled it immediately he dropped the glass.

"What about Charlotte's debut?" Jane asked with slight confusion and concern. Charlotte was already nineteen four months ago, and they hadn't hosted a debutante because they were trying to cover their funds for shifting to their new place.

"A debutante ball will be hosted as well by the queen. Don't fret over all these, just enjoy the new life for now" Oliver smiled at his girls.

"Papa, we would need to change our closets. We can't possibly still dress in those old fashioned dresses. We need to dress fitting to the title and the new society" Charlotte informed. Anastasia looked up at her sister, it seemed like Charlotte was going to blend in faster than her. "Yes Papa. My maid Polly said the same thing"

"Alright girls, you'll be going with your mother today. I'll ask Eugene to send maids along with you so you wouldn't get lost and you'll be able to pick your money's worth". Charlotte beamed at the thought of walking in the streets of Briarford and meeting new folks. She believed she was already groomed and understood how the noble ladies interacts and she couldn't wait to finally be surrounded by one.

Anastasia on the other hand, just wanted to sightsee and enjoy the scenery of Briarford that she had heard constantly about back in Fairbourne.

After breakfast, the girls had gone upstairs to change their shoes and grab their purses for the shopping. They came downstairs to see their mother attending to a sudden guest. They had expected their arrival, since they were new here, but not so sudden like the next day after breakfast.

"Ah! These are my lovely daughters" Jane pointed at Annie and Charlotte that appeared in the drawing room searching for their mother so they could go out to get the clothes.

"Good morning Milady," they courtesied, bowing to show their respects. "They are indeed fair ladies. I am Lady Willa Collins, your neighbor across" The elder woman introduced herself. She had grey hairs tucked neatly in her dark hair.

"Pleasure to meet you Lady Willa, I am Miss Charlotte Whitmore" Charlotte's voice was soft and smooth. She knew exactly what to say.

"And I am Miss Anastasia Whitmore," Annie introduced herself. Her tone was controlled, her elegance perfectly carried. She raised her bowed head to see her father from the corner giving her a pleased smile and a small nod. "I see you are on your way out" Willa said to the girls studying their appearance. Although they were not born into nobility, there was this air around them that they carried. They were beautiful girls, Charlotte with her matured facial features and eyes that were attractive, while Anastasia looked matured as well in bodily features like her sister, her emerald eyes were striking and there was this charm in it as well.

"Yes Lady Willa they were on their way to the dressmaker shop along with my wife before your visit" Oliver informed. "But they can stay behind for a cup of tea with you"

"Oh no please don't ruin the ladies schedule because of me," Willa smiled while declining the offer to inconvenience them. "Besides I and Jane here can continue from where we stopped."

Jane nodded in agreement "Girls will you be fine alone while you are out at the dressmaker's shop?"

"Yes Mama, we will be perfectly okay. We need to get familiar with the streets and besides someone will act as a chaperone" Charlotte held her mother's hands to assure her. "Polly! Eliza," Jane called out to two maids who came out in a few seconds. "You'll Chaperone Charlotte and Anastasia today, and get Theodore to drive the Coach, since Oliver is home today"

"Run along girls you don't want to wait in line just to get your measurements. The beginning of the season is always brutal with a rush among the new debutants" Willa took a sip of her tea with the sigh.

"Good day lady Willa," Anastasia and Charlotte excused themselves and left. "Bye papa,' Anastasia leaned in and planted a soft kiss to her father's cheeks, before following behind Charlotte.