First Impression

Chapter Seventeen

Margretta had everything planned. Will gave her his father’s address book to invite all the influential people, close friends and even some relatives. The Mayor was invited, the rich, the poor, the whole town was invited. He even extended an invitation to Aurora’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kensington and her Cousins Lord and Lady Faunteroy.

Auroroa took no notice. She kept herself busy with her portraits and photographs. She took care of herself, but she had no interest in anything that happened in town, on the news or anything other than just keeping her mind on her work. She forced herself to not think about Will.

Her mother called her and begged her to come spend some time with her. “I’ll even invite your best friend Georgianna and Cousin Benny.” She coaxed. “Alright, Mother, where do you want to meet?” “How about you come to my house and I insist that you dress in black tie. I’m going to take us out to a really nice place.” Her mother prodded.

“Alright, I will. I promise.” Aurora didn’t feel like fighting with her mother. “I will see you later this evening. Love you.” Aurora said. “Six o’clock now, don’t be late, there will be reservations.” Her mother kept prodding. “Okay. See you at Six. Bye.” Aurora hung up the phone and sighed. She wished that she had just said no. But she hadn’t.

She went through her daily routine. Gracie was growing into quite a beautiful kitten. Aurora was grateful for her companionship all these many weeks. She realized that she had shut herself off from the world. She decided to go and get herself a massage and loosen all the tension she had been feeling these past months. She got her hair and nails done and bought herself a new dress.

She bought an ivory colored lace over a chiffon under slip with an umpire waste. With lace trim. A full length gown. She hoped that it pleased her mother. She put her hair up in a french twist and put a small head band tiara on her head and wore her pearl earrings and necklace.

She arrived at her mother’s house precisely at six o’clock and they had Franklin drive them to The Newcastle Mayfair Banquet Hall and Ballroom. Before they exited the limousine, Mrs. Kensington handed her a beautiful sequined and feathered mask that matched her gown and clutch.

Then they all put their masks on and exited the limousine. There were so many people. Cousin Benny and Georgianna, and all her sisters, Collette, Lydia, and Beatrice. Jennifer and her husband. Even her Uncle Lord Faunteroy and Aunt Lady Faunteroy Senior. They all looked so elegant.

The Mayor and the whole town seemed to be there. Aurora wondered what the event was. She hadn’t been paying attention to the things going on outside her little cottage in over three months and so she wasn’t aware of what event was happening.

She looked at her mother and Georgie. Neither of them said a word. They all entered the hall single file and were seated at their respective tables. Will instructed Margretta to have Aurora and her whole family to be all seated together or near each other. She did as she was instructed. Will was pleased that Aurora had come.