Taming the Rakes

7

“Good morning, m’lady,” Rosemary said as she brought a day dress into the room; it was a pale blue-gray color, with darker gray ribbons around the wrists and neckline. The corset for underneath was dark gray, decorated with flowers in varying shades of blue; it would be able to be seen through the sheerness of the bodice of the dress. Lea wore an underskirt to keep the skirt of the dress being too sheer, and her stockings were also pale blue-gray with navy clocks on the ankles, her shoes flat and sensible, in a dark gray. “How should we do your hair this morning, m’lady?” Rosemary asked, moving swiftly to get Lea dressed, so that she could make it down to breakfast in time. Lea seemed lost in her own thought as she applied lotion to her hands and perfume to her neck. Rosemary sighed, shaking her head. “You lost in thought about that husband of yours, m’lady?” Her lady in waiting chuckled, pulling her curls into a high ponytail with a gray ribbon, the ends curled into her natural curls. “There, m’lady, you are ready,” Rosemary smiled.

            Lea thanked her almost wistfully, floating out of her room and through the water closet, into Theo’s room. Theo was being helped into a vest as she entered; he had navy slacks, a navy vest, a gray shirt, and a gray and navy stripped tie; his shoes were gray as well. “Well, I can see my man servant and your maid spoke this morning about what we should wear, wife,” Theo laughed, kissing her forehead. “Will you show me where the family dines together, darling?”

            She nodded, placing her hand on his forearm as she did last night; today, however, Lea stood closer to him, her eyes upturned towards his face lovingly. They walked down the hallway and towards the stairs, and were met by her youngest sister, Lucy. “Good morning brother, good morning sister,” she greeted them with a smirk. “I hope your night was as productive as it sounded!” Lucy teased, laughing out loud. Lea flushed pink and turned her face into Theo’s shoulder; he instinctively squeezed her hand protectively, his eyes narrowing at his new sister. Lucy skipped ahead of them, her caramel colored hair flowing behind her.

            “Is she always so forward?” Theo asked, walking down the stairs next to his new bride. Lea nodded, sighing in aggravation. “I am sure she is quite the handful when your parents leave her with you.”

            “That is the reason they have began leaving her with me,” Lea shook her head. “She is far too wild for them to deal with anymore. At least here, in town, she has friends I can pass her off to when she gets to be too much.” Lea smirked, looking up at Theo. Her husband laughed at her, shaking his head. “Come, this is the family dining room,” they entered a quaint room with a nicely laid table and the rest of her family already gathered around. Theo suddenly felt nervous and Lea detached herself from him and sat in her chair.

            “So…Theo,” her father said gruffly, eyeing him harshly. “Sit. We have much to discuss.”