I do not own anything, this story is not mine.
Chapter 19 – A little peek.
Camila's POV
I like riding most early in the morning. You can see the dew on the morning grass, the sun is just coming up and it seems like the whole world is slowly coming to life. I also like it, as I see few people around and sometimes I like the solitude. It helps me think and clear my head. With the wedding and its corresponding plans, I need time to think.
It is Wednesday morning June 2nd, 1869 and it's before 6 in the morning. I'm heading home from another one of my morning rides. It had rained the night before and the morning and the air had an even fresher smell than normal. I've been thinking about Lauren this morning and my excitement that she is attending the party on Saturday evening. Normally I would have spent time at the party with Beckett, but he's already indicated that he has business to catch up on and cannot attend.
I look forward to not only seeing Lauren perform but to spend more time with her and get to know her more. The more I know about her, the more mysterious she seems to become. The more mysterious she seems to become, the more I want to know about her.
As I rode my horse slowly through the woods back to home I soon came across Lauren's cabin. I could have taken several ways home, but I find myself going past Lauren's most often.
I rode past and wonder what's she was doing. Is she still asleep or getting ready for her day. Such a silly thing to wonder about. Today, my curiosity got the best of me. I quieted my horse as I approached the cabin then put the horse where it couldn't be seen from any of the windows.
Feeling nervous and giddy, I dismounted and slowly approached her bedroom window. I know what I was doing was wrong, but I just had to know something. The Cabin itself had heavy woolen curtains and I may be able to see nothing if they are drawn. Creeping, I slowly made it to her bedroom window.
The closer I got to the window, the more I could feel my heart beating in my chest. Fortunately, the curtains where just ever so slightly apart. Peering in, it took me a second for me to be able to see.
There she was, still dressed in her night-shirt. Beautiful was the word that immediately sprung into my mind. Feeling guilty and thrilled at the same time I spied Lauren pulling a dress out of the dresser and hold it up.
I knew she could spot me at any time, but still I kept watching.
Maybe that was part of why I was doing this; the risk of being discovered. I can't remember feeling more alive than I did at that moment.
A second later, she turned towards the door and slipped out of her night-shirt, revealing her pale graceful naked form to me. My heart jumped nearly out of my chest and my eyes as well.
After disrobing, she stretched for a moment and let her hair fall down across her back. She reminded me of an ancient Greek statue of Aphrodite I saw at the museum once. I couldn't take my eyes of her.
Then I saw it. She had a tattoo. As if I wasn't already dumbstruck, that did so rather nicely. I've never heard of a woman having a tattoo before. The only ones I've seen were the crude ones that the sailors by the docks have. Then they were usually a naked girl or something nautical.
But hers was nothing like those at all. Like her own body it was a work of art. On the back of her right shoulder appeared to be a bunch of red roses. The flowers were drawn intricately with the most stunning detail. The vivid red of the petals and the greens of the leaves looked so real.
Then I saw a second one. It was on her left shoulder and appeared to be a ruby red heart that was broken in half. Like the other one, it was more like a painting than a simple tattoo.
Where does one get a tattoo like this, was just one of the hundreds of questions that surged through my mind. Again I find out more and she only becomes more mysterious. Her body was like a sensual, graceful, irresistible canvas for the most exquisite works of art.
But more than the tattoos, her form was breathtaking; though I could only see her backside. Not able to look away, my eyes fell to her perfect ass. An ass that sent a wave of the most sinful thoughts through my mind.
I felt a most definite stab of disappointment when she covered it with her underwear. I shall certainly burn for this.
Then she began to turn around, which instantly snapped me out of my reverie. I immediately fell backwards onto the ground, right into the mud. Quietly I crawled from the window, out of sight. Managing to get away from the window unseen, I ran to my horse and quietly led it away. Of course when I arrived home, I had to explain to Mrs. Bailey how my riding outfit got covered with mud. I told her I tripped as I dismounted.
I didn't want to leave. That part of me that lurks deep inside, wanted to go right back in and fall into her arms.
Who is she?
The rest of the day went as normal. My sister, Cheechee and my cousin Susan, who were all standing up in my wedding, came over for tea where we discussed the wedding. Lauren was there serving and much to my relief, she made no sign that she saw me spying on her.
My sister frowns upon my friendship with Lauren, but other than a few disparaging remarks towards Lauren, she's kept quiet on the subject.
I know Lauren's excited for the part and the small performance she will be putting on. In the meantime, Augustus will be taking me out to dinner tomorrow evening in London. A very fancy French restaurant, he told me. I have my doubts and my worries about the marriage. But I know we will be happy. When were out and he's being attentive and flattering I can easily see how we can be happy together.
When I'm alone, the doubts creep back in. When I'm with Lauren, I'm just with Lauren and I'm happy. I can't help myself when I'm around her, I know that. But these unholy feelings, urges and Lauren will soon be a thing of the past.
I can't but feel some sadness at that thought.
Lauren's POV
It's been a busy week. I had my first rehearsal with the actor Charles Green. It was at the estate of Sir Miles Evanston. He owned a large estate with a huge ballroom. That is where we were to perform.
Charles was a tall thin man, and a head of curly brown hair. I worried about how he'd react to having to work with an amateur like me. But I found him to be friendly and gracious.
Sir Miles had picked out 2 scenes for us to do. One was Macbeth Act 1, Scene 7. I would be playing Lady Macbeth and He would be playing Macbeth himself. It was the scene where Lady Macbeth convinces her husband to kill King Duncan.
The other one was from Richard the III, it was Act 1, scene, 2. Charles plays Richard and I play Anne. It is a scene were the evil Richard woo's a woman right over the coffin of her husband. The late King.
I was a bit nervous working with him as I said, but we got right down to work. He told me at the end of the night that he really didn't mind working with anyone, just as long as they were professional and serious. He told me I was both of those things and was quite impressed by me. I had some time to talk acting and did my best to observe his technique.
As far as a formal dress, I was given one of Sofie's. It was a slightly older one that didn't quite fit her. It was a simple blue formal dress and Mrs. Bailey was kind enough to have a friend make the few alterations that was needed to have it fit.
Finally Saturday came, Charles and I were ready, my dress was ready and my stomach was full of butterflies. Mostly because I really wanted to impress Camila.
So I pulled out some of the big guns. I wash my hair with crude soap. It's all there really available. But for a special occasion I kept a small shampoo bottle and a small bottle of strawberry scented body wash, in my bag. The type you'd find a typical hotel room.
Soon I was dressed and if I don't mind saying so myself, I looked fucking fantastic.
"Ready or not Camila, here I come." I said with a smirk as I left to meet Camila at the house to go to the party.
No One's POV.
Camila and her father were waiting by the barn where they had a fancy looking carriage hooked up to the horses. Lauren had seen it before in the barn under a tarp and guessed it was only used for special occasions. Normally the plain wagon was used.
"Ah. Lauren you're here. We can go now. You look wonderful the evening." Mr. Cabello who was dressed in fancy 1860's dress said.
Camila who saw Lauren a second later, didn't speak right away, as the sight of Lauren in a formal gown with her hair done pretty much blew her completely away.
With slightly parted lips and a heart that had suddenly began to race, Camila stood there in awe of Lauren's beauty.
She managed to collect her wits a moment later. "Lauren you look lovely this evening."
Lauren herself was similarly awestruck by Camz in her beautiful pink ball gown, who likewise returned the compliment. "You look quite beautiful Miss Camila"
Camila's father ushered both women into the carriage and soon they were off, with Robert the groom driving.
In the carriage, Camila couldn't notice the faint sweet smell coming from the woman sitting next to her. Camila found it oddly intoxicating and her mind quickly drifted to the other morning where she saw Lauren in the nude.
They made pleasant small talk on the way, but both Camila and Lauren had each other on their minds. Lauren while wanting desperately to impress Camila, still was plagued by guilt. Lauren after all was essentially a fraud and still somewhat of a stalker. That didn't quite sit well with herself.
Camila of course kept thinking of Lauren, how she smelled, her strange but beautiful tattoos and just how mysterious she was.
Just before 8 in the evening, the carriage pulled up in front of the mansion belonging to Sir Miles Evanston. A well-dressed footman promptly opened the carriage door and helped both Lauren and Camila out of the carriage.
Entering the mansion, Lauren could hear the sound of classical music playing off to the left which is where the ballroom was.
Soon they reached the door of the ballroom where the party was in full swing. In one corner several musicians sat playing classical music. Men and women, all dressed in their finest mingled around the room. In the center, several couples were dancing a rather formal looking Waltz. There were of course extremely well dressed servants, carrying sterling silver trays with both glasses of wine and food. Lauren could only imagine what a fancy ball from the 1800's could have looked like. Being there, it was much like she imagined it to be, beautiful and elegant.
"Ahh. Mr. Cabello, Camila and Lauren, Sir Miles has been expecting you. May I announce you." Said one of the well-dressed servants who was standing in the doorway.
"Of course, please do."
The servant stepped forward and loudly cleared his throat. "Arriving are, Major Alejandro Cabello and his Daughter, Miss Camila Cabello of Herford, accompanied by Miss Lauren Jauregui of Los Angeles, California."
Lauren looked to Camila who smiled and they all entered the party.