Presentable for the Duke

The laughter calmed down the closer they came to the manor and Lydia smoothed the wrinkles in her skirts and the frizz in her hair before opening the front door. Lindsey gave Ethan a mischievous smirk and a glance that lingered longer than I deemed lady-like before following her sister into the house. I almost dropped my book when I saw that the boys followed after them. Why did they just walk through our front door? What was going on?

It's not uncommon for other noble families to visit from time to time, but Father didn't like visitors and Mother didn't like seeing us hanging near the boys unless it was a professional meeting and deemed absolutely necessary. I almost fell off the railing trying to get down the stairs. I checked my hair in a desk mirror on my way out and quickly sighed in distaste at the frizzy state of it before running out the door. The closer I got to the sound of voices down the hallways, the more self aware I got. My dress was a simple white one without the layers of the dresses we usually wear when going out. With the one layer of skirts and thin spaghetti strap top, the dress could barely qualify as a petticoat. I touched at the flowers in my hair that felt out of place even though I couldn't see them and straightened my bralette.

Even though this outfit is appropriate to wear in the house, I knew Mother would have a fit if she saw me wearing something so revealing in the company of other nobles. I slowed down my steps as I came up to the dining room and then peered around the corner to look inside. Father was leaning against the wall talking to Lydia, my eldest sister, while the others were talking in the corner on the opposite side of the room, though a bit more formal in the presence of my father.

Now that I was paying attention, I could see that the boys were wearing their fine coats. I looked at my sisters and also noticed that they were wearing their best dresses. Lindsey was wearing her gray-blue dress with a white bow tied around the waist that complimented her eyes. Her ice-blond hair was twisted up into a tight bun that lifted her features. She looked beautiful, as always. Lydia's gown was a burgundy color that looked like it was washed so many times it was gray, but I'm sure that was its intended color. It complimented the pinkish undertones of her skin.

I furrowed my eyebrows after looking at Lydia. Her face was redder than usual. I squinted and saw tears streaming down her cheeks as she explained something frantically to father. I had never seen Lydia cry before. This was a first. Father kept sighing and nodding his head in understanding. He looked stressed as he ran his fingers through his thick head of hair, the signature color of the family filled the spaces between his fingers.

"And what do you think you're doing, Louise?" A voice boomed from behind me.

I jumped, startled. I knew who that snooty little voice belonged to before I even turned to see. I rolled my eyes before I even saw her. I turned around and saw my little sister standing before me.

"I was seeing what all the commotion was about, just as I believe you were doing?" I questioned her and raised an eyebrow as I looked her over. Lana had to be the most expressive one out of all four of us.

Lana's hair was pulled up into two pigtails. Her blond ringlets laid across her shoulders and were decorated with little gold strings that were curled in the same shape of her hair. Her gown for the evening was duel colored. One half was a deep royal purple. The fabric on the purple side was a thick satin. The other half of the dress was bright yellow and was made from layers of georgette. The yellow georgette stretched to the purple side of the dress and was tied into a large bow on the side. Her white frill socks went up to her knees and had little matching yellow bows on them. Where was she getting the funds for these outfits? I was barely allowed to get two coins for sweet bread when I wanted it. Lana was a spoiled girl.

She caught my gaze and grinned with pride, "You like? I had the maid take me to the far side of the village to get the fabric." She went to the village? Well It had been quiet all day. That makes sense. She held the sides of her dress and twirled to give me a full view. She then started ranting about how the colors complemented each other and she knew this because one of Father's work friends was a famous artist who told her so. I'm sure she went on talking about how she was now a piece of art or something. I didn't listen too much before dazing out. If you gave this little girl an audience, she'd talk from sun up to sun down. I was about to walk away before she snapped her fingers in my face.

"Earth. To. Louise. I swear there are no brains in that brunette head." She rolled her eyes.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" I spat out as kindly as I possibly could. Last time that I was "mean" to Lana, Father striked me once for every mean word I said to her. She had cried to him as if me calling her spoiled truly hurt her feelings, but I saw her face that day as he had striked me. Her grin grew wider and wider with each time his hand connected with my face.

"Is that what you're wearing to the Mason's house?" She scrunched her nose in distaste.

"What!? What do you mean?" I shook my head in confusion.

"What? What do you mean?" Lana mocked me and stuck her tongue out. "You're always in a state of stupor. You never know what's going on."

"Lady Louisette!" A passing maid looked absolutely horrified as she scurried up to us. "Lady Louisette, forgive me, I've been looking for you for the past two hours. We must get you dressed. Please come now to your room before your mother throws a fit."

"What? What are we getting dressed for?" She didn't answer my question, but took my hand and practically dragged me across the manor towards my room.

She slammed the door behind us once we entered my room and started going through my closet. I sat down on the bed, confused as she started rambling.

"We won't have time to do your hair. It takes so much effort. Oh goddess, let's hope your mother forgives me. I need this job. I have to feed my family. Little Johnny is so sick we barely can afford a doctor-'' She pulled out a gray dress and a black ribbon before continuing, "You know the last doctor who saw him said he might be cripled for the rest of his life."

When she turned around her wide eyes looked over the state of my hair. "What were you doing, Lady Louisette? Rolling around in a field?" She shook her head and quickly made her way towards me.

I sighed and stood and started undressing myself. I stayed quiet as the maid made more negative comments about my appearance as she dressed me. She then sat me down at my vanity and quickly did my makeup. There was only enough time for her to stain my lips, put light powder underneath my eyes, and blush my cheeks. Mother told me makeup wouldn't help much. I still stand out from my sisters and not in a good way. When we were finished I looked at myself in my mirror. The small white flowers in my hair threw off the gray dress, but I didn't have time to change my hair. I could've taken them out, but it was a small way for me to show I don't care what everyone else thinks. Yes, to others it might seem as though I rolled around a field, but I personally thought they were beautiful.

After giving me a black pair of shoes to put on, she quickly ushered me back into the hallway. "Now hurry along to the carriage. Everyone is probably already ready to go." She curtsied to me before continuing, "Please send your mother my apologies. I did the best I could and I hope she finds you presentable enough for the duke."

We're seeing the Duke!? I would've cared a bit more about my appearance if I knew where we were going. I started to walk away, but stopped to turn around. I tipped my head towards her, "Thank you Ruth. Your kindness to me is greatly appreciated." She looked taken back. The reason may be because nobles barely bother to learn their staff's names. I made an effort to learn Ruth's. She was just hired a few months back which meant she wasn't used to the custom of picking on me because I was different. To Ruth, I was just like any other noble and so she treated me like one.