Chapter 3
Elizabeth POV
“Move over Juliana, you might crack the mirror if you peer into it constantly,” I said teasingly to my sister.
Juliana and I are complete opposites. She has large glowing emerald eyes speckled with flecks of gold. I often teased her for her feline attributes. Her long brown mane resembled that of a horse, which certainly wasn’t insulting in her eyes.
We often differed in opinions due to our difference in age. I being twenty and she a mere eighteen. The only quality that is shared between us is our mother’s stubborn disposition.
Juliana rolled her eyes and sauntered up to her closet flipping through her dresses acting as if what I thought has no meaning or value. Over the years I had been the quieter one, so naturally I became an expert at identifying people’s moods and thoughts.
My sister at this instance seemed to be in a careless mood. Nothing phased, excited, or pleased her. She had been in this mood for the past eighteen years.
The Dallas ball was something to be seen at. It was the most looked forward to affair of the year. An invitation to the ball ensured that you were among the elite social class of society.
My sister and I both looked forward to the young men that would do doubt ask us to dance and the women we would outshine. Weathers women’s beauty was legendary. As I was powdering my face I saw my mother enter our bedroom door. I turned around in time to see her dismiss our serving maids.
"Elizabeth, Juliana, you look splendid darlings. Now remember, it is important to make a good impression on the young men for you are of marrying age."
I noticed my mother was exceptionally beautiful. She had on a gold gown that made her raven black hair look mysterious and bold. The lines of age were just becoming apparent on her face, but were still masked by young skin.
A mother’s life is toilful, especially when she has daughters. Her purpose in life is to find her daughter’s husbands. Rest could come later, if it ever came at all. Juliana and I shared a passing look between us, as if she had to tell us to keep an eye out on the eligible bachelors. I treasured moments such as these, when my sister and I actually understood each other. They are few and far between.
"Mother don't fret we will be married by morning," Juliana said with a sarcastic air. She wrapped a boa around her in a silly manner and fluttered her eyelashes dramatically. “Oh my lord, a man to call my own,” she said and pretended to faint onto the bed.
"I wish you wouldn't speak so casually about such matters Juliana. Try to be more like Elizabeth."
This always was a sore point with Juliana, being compared to me. She rolled her eyes and tried to finish getting ready. The peace was gone and another bickering match was soon to come. She sulked bitterly as she fluttered around the room.
“Mother please there is plenty of time to consider a marriage mate, tonight though we are merely going to enjoy ourselves, whilst we are still single young, and exceptionally beautiful.”
“Girls, time is of the essence.”
My mother always had the same effect on us. She would somber us with a mere few words or well thought expressions. She left us to finish our preparations, although the atmosphere was not quite the same. Our servants came running back in, their faces creased with anxiety due to the lack of time before we had to leave. Juliana dressed in an elaborate red gown.
It was corseted and the straps lay across her shoulders, exposing her clavicles. The dress was gathered in many places and adorned with the most brilliant ivory lace. Father had sent for it from Paris.
She admired herself continually as she sauntered around the room. She knew she was pulchritudinous and comely. The dress had much volume, but it fit her body in a way that highlighted the slenderness of her figure. She pulled her bodice down dangerously low and pinched her cheeks to brighten them.
She just laughed at the look of distress that settled onto my face. “Sister please, don’t be so old fashioned. Times are changing, and I don’t want to be left behind.”
I couldn’t even respond to her. It was no use. I turned back towards the mirror and finished the final adjusting to my own dress.
I myself wore an ivory gown. It was similar to Juliana’s but it was simpler in design. It preferred a more chaste dress. It complimented my fair skin and gave me an angelic glow.
It had been made from fine Egyptian silk. My dearest friends had awaited the arrival of this stately dress as anxiously as I.
The dress was adorned with gold threading as vibrant as the glowing sun. The fabric gathered and fell like cascading snow on a majestic mountainside. I was always the more timid and traditional one.
Juliana had a more gauntlet side to her ever changing personality. Ever since we were little she always had to go bold and daring with her wardrobe and lifestyle. She dressed as if we didn't have to uphold our family's good name.
I sighed impatiently as my servant tried to pile my hair upon my head. Her nimble fingers were going as fast as they could go. I heard the sound of my father’s deep voice calling for our carriage.
"Lydia, do hurry I must leave now,” I said, tapping my fingers nervously.
"Dear sister did you really think an incompetent house maid would be able to fix your hair for a most regal occasion."
I couldn't help but to laugh, even if it was a mean spirited remark. Poor Lydia though, went ashen colored and hung her head down low. I quickly dismissed my guilt. I couldn’t bother myself with the feelings of menial servants.
Juliana and I walked down the marble staircase and outside into the cool night air. The stars shone bright. We couldn't help but to feel stunning.
The air smelled of fresh hoof polish mixed with the newly oiled cherry wood. The black horses pranced eagerly and their breath came out in cold puffs.
Their muscles rippled and shook in excitement. Soon we were on our way to the Dallas Ball. My family, who rarely was all together, chatted pleasantly. I on the other hand was quite anxious.
Juliana had no problem speaking with men. They seemed to adore her beauty and rebelliousness. Each one who was in her presence instantly became infatuated with her. She never failed to amaze them with her wit and of course then discarded them all with a mere charming smile and turn of her back.
Even though I always remained poised and collected, it troubled me I had to try so hard to captivate their attentions. They seemed to want to be anywhere but with me. I vowed that on this night I would do my utmost to captivate someone’s attentions with minimal effort.
I was in awe when we stepped out of the coach and saw the splendid house. It was all lit up, like it had a million fireflies’ seated upon it. My father escorted my mother to the doorway whilst Juliana and I linked elbows. Our dresses swayed with each deliberate step.
Two servants opened the door for us revealing a carpeted staircase we were to walk. "Announcing Mr. and Mrs. Weathers with their daughters Elizabeth and Juliana Weathers,” Rang the voice of the announcer. I walked down the red velvet stairs proudly. The light shone into my eyes.
The music mingled with the laughter of the many people in the grand ballroom. Women were turned out in their finest. Couples were waltzing continuously. Different hues of ivory, coral, and lilac filled the room, Along with lace, bows, and cascading folds of expensive fabric. I had never seen finer dresses, or a finer ball for that matter. It was truly exceptional.
I savored my moments of attention, and loved the looks the young men were giving me. I was uncertain of what the reaction was when my sister followed. All I could see was the Dallas's boy Tim.
He was among the other young men drinking scotch and admiring the enchanting women circling the room. I hadn't noticed how much he had changed since last time I saw him. He had crisp blue eyes and a soft tender face. Those features were recognizable anywhere, but tonight they seemed all the more alluring. I couldn't help to be drawn to him.
He looked so strong and defined beneath his suit. As by some force he turned to look at me. I blushed deeply at the fact that he caught me peering at him with an unbreakable focus.
Of course I had allowed myself to dismiss from my mind that I was in the midst of societies finest that were studying me at this most important moment. My stomach began to ache, when I saw him move through the crowd heading in my direction.
On this momentous occasion I had to go and utterly humiliate myself. I tried to create different vindications that could spare me, but my mind became lost and not a single intelligent thought would occur. A soft warm soft hand touched my elbow. I felt a magical sensation radiate through my whole arm. I whirled around; almost unsteadying myself and met Tim’s eyes.
"Good evening Mr. Dallas." I said coyly. I tried to steady my breathing.
"Miss Weathers you look divine," He said never leaving my gaze. "Would you care to dance?"
I laid my small gloved hand gently into his. "I would like nothing more.”
I didn't know it was possible for the female to sweat so incredibly in her palms. I had never possessed this predicament before. I was used to associating with handsome men, usually though they were quite obtuse, unless it came to gazing at the female figure. Often they were only good for a conversation about the upcoming polo match not politics or ambitions; Topics with some sort of substance.
Tim though was different. He inquired of me with genuine interest. His hand remained immensely proper as it rested softly along my back; never venturing any lower.
He seemed so courtly, dauntless, partial and unlike all the others. It was as if he had matured years rather than the months he had been away at school. Every time I peered into those eyes during our dance, my cheeks would illuminate a vibrant shade of crimson, and a certain warmth spread from my face to my chest. My usual composed self was fleeting.
My dress was unyielding to the movement the dancing required and the floral scents that were copious in the room; choking. My petite frame was tiring under the bothersome weight of the gown. I aimed my attention at Tim though, bestowing upon him my golden smile that was often described as angelic when I was a child.
"May I ask Miss Weathers why you were staring at me from atop the staircase?” He asked a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
I feigned a shocked attitude. "Mr. Dallas I assure you it was your ample nose I was staring at.”
Tim's face went slack and then seeing the devilish smile on my face he began to laugh."Miss Weathers you are not the innocent dove they portray you to be.”
"So you have been inquiring of me."
"There's a very grand possibility of that.”
“I don’t know whether to be delighted or worried Mr. Dallas.”
“I assure you, you may be delighted. I must tell you I find you to be a most glorious creature.”
"I'm sure you say that to every woman you dance with," I countered.
"True, but I only dance with absolutely ravishing ones."
The waltz music came to an end, and even though I could have danced with him the rest of the night engaging in casual banter, he was implored to dance with numerous other women per his mother’s request.
"Thank Mr. Dallas that was a pleasant dance.” I resumed my polite formal tone.
He bowed low and kissed my hand saying "Miss Weathers the pleasure was all mine.” Then in a low voice so only I could be the recipient he said, "Next time you wish to gape at me maybe you should be sly enough to go undetected, and as for me I couldn’t help myself but to stare right back.” He sauntered away, which was very ideal because my jaw was contorted in a very un-lady like manner.