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Hilda closed her eyes and thought about that day. She could go back there in her mind. It was the first time she saw the beach, and she had fear in her heart. For she had been hiding from her brother, and saw the ocean in the dark of night with the moon light bouncing off of it, and it was an awesome and eerie site to her. She had salt shelter in the rocky cliff, and looked out over the ocean for as much as she could keep her eyes open, and fell asleep to the soft sound of the waves hitting the shore. Then the next day she had a plunge in the ocean, her first time, but definitely not her last. She remembered how cold the water was, and it seemed that it was a lifetime ago, so much had happened to her since she had bathed in the sea. But what she truly thought of when she thought of the sea, with Captain Ross. For after she had taken her seat back, and stole clothes, that was when he appeared once more on horseback, like some hero out of a novel that she had read. She remembered looking at him, while the the wind whipped her red hair around. He had been the most attractive sight that she had ever seen, and she would never forget the way he looked at her, looking down from his mount on the horse.
The carriage jostled, and she opened her eyes. She didn't realize that her heart was beating incredibly fast, because she had been thinking about Ross, and that fateful night where he helped her escape her brother.
She looked out the window to see that she could now see the sea, and the sun was bouncing light off of the water. It was a beautiful sight indeed, and she smiled to see the seabirds, dipping in the air. Perhaps this was a good idea that her mother had, to get away from London. At least she would not be searching every person's face that she came across when she strolled in the park with her family, searching for Ross. This would be a good respite for her mind and heart altogether.
The carriage continued down, and she could see people on the promenade, with smiles on their face, for the sea had a way of doing that. She grew excited, and could not wait to be walking along the promenade herself with her adopted family. This would be good for her, perhaps a little sea bathing would set her up just right.
Elizabeth had married a man from a very old and established British family and lived in a large estate in the seaside region of Brighton. Hilda would be staying with her for now and her husband Francis Williams. The house was grand and a footman stood at the entrance to the arched gateway that shielded the house from the busy area of Brighton. There was a large brick lane and a grand marble fountain in front of the house. Large colossal doors were flanked by massive columns giving any visitor an impressive view before entering the inside of the home. When one stepped inside the massive doors, your heels would click on Italian marble floors in the foyer.
Francis Williams was very proud of his heritage and the decor of the house had not been changed since the early 1400s as there were heavy tapestries and rich paintings on the walls of his ancestors. The furniture and art were the same it was like a museum inside the parlour and every single room from the dining room to the billiards room. Each room had a massive fireplace to keep it warm from the Brighton chill.
Of course, no house would be complete if it were to be called a grand house without a grand ball room. This house had one of the biggest ballrooms in Brighton and many great parties were held in it. There was a massive library and sitting rooms as well that let out into the mini terraced gardens. The attics like in any grand house were where the servant quarters were located. Up at the grand spiral staircase that went to the left and to the right was where you would find her room just off the galley. It was fit for a princess with a full bed draped in a canopy of fine lace. The large windows were glazed and looked over the stunning green gardens below. Paintings on the wall were of English landscapes and buy some of the great masters of Brighton that Francis and his ancestors could afford to buy throughout the centuries. There was a vanity in the corner of the room and it caught a lot of natural light in order to make herself appropriate for the many outings that her sister insisted they attend.
Her sister Elizabeth had a lot of freedom as she was married to a very kind man and Francis treated her very well. Her mother could not understand that she wanted to be out of wedlock for a while and just enjoy herself and her freedom, but in truth she was waiting for Captain Brookend’s return to London and kept hope until he was indeed married.
"Hilda, by the time you find a husband that you get on with you shall be an old maid and no man will want you," she said to her, over and over every time she spoke to her. It was enough to drive anyone insane and she was happy to be free of her incessant talking.
Her first morning waking up in the grand house, there was a loud knock at the door and she sleepily opened it. A rush of women flew in and begin to talk loudly as hot coffee and pastries were pushed in front of her face. They began to measure her with tapes and fabrics thrown across her body.
"Bring in the gowns! "The woman said.
"Gowns? What is going on here "she said trying to wake up still as she drank of the dark and bitter coffee. A moment later beautiful gowns of all colours were all over her room on the bed on the floor on hooks with slippers and cloaks of velvet and wool to match. she thought that maybe she was dreaming as she did not know what was going on then she said, "Mr. Francis has asked for their services since you will be attending many society events with he and your sister. It is expected that you represent the family well. "
Now she understood. Her clothing was considered dull and unfashionable. So Francis took it upon himself to make sure that she was in the latest fashions as not to embarrass him and her sister. She shrugged her shoulders and let the women go about their business. Who was she to be appalled by his notion. If she got free dresses and shoes out of it she would not to be complaining. She spent the entire morning trying on dress after dress as they poked her with needles while they made alterations and chose very elegant gowns of silk and taffeta for balls and garden parties. There were so many colours and so many fabrics that she could not keep track as they stuffed her wardrobe with them. It was a rainbow of clothing. Besides the very elegant dresses for night time there were also the daytime dresses that were more suitable to walking around in the gardens and parts of Brighton. Or to have afternoon tea at the grand hotels. These too, although made for daytime, were still finer than any clothes that she had ever owned. She was giddy with delight and felt very excited and grateful that her sister had married such a kind man, even though in reality he was saving his own skin.
Today her sister and she would be going with a chaperone to a garden tea party in an estate on the outskirts of Brighton for a very high society family. The dressmaker pulled out a dress for her to wear to this very occasion. The dress had all the latest designs made of soft lace with beaded details and the entire colour of the dress was a soft peach that matched her pale skin and made her blue eyes pop. She grabbed her blonde hair and piled it high on top of her head into an elegant style that framed her face as the woman pinned it with flowers of white baby’s breath. Now she was ready for the day.
Just then Elizabeth, who was full of energy like a child, burst into the room in a frenzy. She hopped around in a soft blue dress and then looked at her and said, "Beautiful! Hilda, you are absolutely stunning! " She grabbed a parasol and opened it playfully, and giggled and laughed as she plopped herself on the bed.
"Since Francis will not be joining us today, his aunt, Mrs. Price, will be escorting us to the garden afternoon tea. You will like her, Hilda. She is a widow and well into her 50s with loads of money. She does not think that a woman needs a husband either, just like you," her sister said, jutting her chin out at her, proudly making fun of her.
"That is very cute Elizabeth," she said as she playfully swatted her leg with her fan.
A few minutes later the three of them, Mrs. Price, her sister, and she were in a grand four horse massive carriage that left the safety of the gated house and went into the cobblestone and brick streets of the very vibrant and busy town of Brighton. She stuck her head out the window, happily enjoying the scenery of the town and the sea, which only reminded her of Ross.
There was nothing like the sea and now that she had been away from it she appreciated it more than ever. A good quarter of an hour later, they pulled up into a large driveway with stonewalls that had vines growing all over it with white flowers. It smelled of jasmine and lavender and she inhaled deeply of the heavenly scent. Soon they were in a long line of carriages, as passengers were let off at the massive doors to the estate. They waited patiently for their turn and finally it came. The carriage door was open and they each stepped out onto the stone steps.
They were led through the house all the way to the back until they came upon the veranda that led to the back garden. It was an awesome sight. The party was grand indeed and the host spared no expense at making it a grand afternoon tea. There was a seated quartet of stringed musicians in the corner that played softly. Rugs and mats were laid out on the green grass while furniture was set on top of it with tables and banquets full of cakes sandwiches tea flowers and plants. A few people played croquet in the corner of the lawn and on the other side horse shoes. Elizabeth and she followed Mrs. Price around as they twirled their parasols behind them.
Soon she found herself on her own, hovering over a large banquet table full of foods. She was greedily stuffing her face, not caring about the impression she was making. She was hungry and she was going to eat.
"How does that taste? "A low voice said behind her in a very sensual way.
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