Gigi stood stunned before the mirror, her skin tingling and smelling of lilies. The girl before her was nothing like the girl she knew herself to be. The girl before her was a lady, not a vagabond. Her black curls were pinned up. She wore a deep blue dress, which accented her dark, hazelnut skin. The bodice was fitted to her slim waist and the silk skirt draped over her hips, flaring slightly as it dropped to the floor.
Tearing her eyes away from the mirror, she looked down at her hands. Clean half moon nails smiled up at her. The traces of dirt that had lived beneath them for so long was completely gone. Hearing the sound of footsteps on the wooden floor, she looked over. A willowy maid, only a couple years older than Gigi, with soft blonde hair pulled into a neat bun, light brown eyes and a round face, emerged from the bathroom.
"Is there anything else you require, Lady?" the maid asked, giving her a small curtsy.
Gigi blushed.
"Margo, I am not a lady. Please call me Gigi," she said, turning away from the mirror, to face her.
Margo bowed her head.
"If you wish it, Lady," she said, her voice light like a spring breeze.
Before Gigi could repeat her request, for the 5th time since she had met Margo, there came a knock on her door. A second later her mother stepped into her room. Gigi blinked. For the first time she could see the girl, her own age, who had run away seventeen years ago. Her mother moved with the effortless grace of a bird in flight. The lavender dress showcased her elegant curves. Gigi brushed down the front of her own dress, feeling self conscious in comparison, her body thin leaning towards unhealthy.
Annaleigh brightened at the sight of Gigi, a loving smile sliding into place. She stepped towards her, hands outstretched.
"My beautiful daughter," she said, cupping Gigi's face.
Blushing, Gigi shifted, her feet unaccustomed with being confined. Elkly appeared in the doorway, his face as impassive as ever.
"Lady Annaleigh," he said.
Annaleigh tuned.
"Yes, Elkly?"
Elkly bowed his head.
"Lord and Lady Brixton have summoned you," he said.
Annaleigh looked back to Gigi, hesitation flickering through her expression. When Annaleigh's eyes focused on Gigi, she gave her a small reassuring smile.
"It's time dearest. Remember what I taught you," she said.
Gigi nodded, her chest tightening. Annaleigh kissed Gigi on the forehead then focused on Elkly, her spine stiffening.
"Lead the way, Elkly," she said, her tone calm.
He bowed and moved back into the hallway, Annaleigh and Gigi following. Walking beside her mother, Gigi felt acutely aware of her limbs, feeling as if they were out of proportion to her body. Each step lacked the smooth gait of her mother's. As they moved down the hallway, Gigi stumbled slightly, the hem of her dress slipping beneath her feet. Her mother's hand caught her. Without a word of correction, Annaleigh picked up the side of her own dress and nodded to Gigi. Gigi did likewise, her cheeks holding a deep blush.
Elkly lead them through a maze of corridors, passing servants that bowed and curtsied when they saw Annaleigh. At a set of heavy, wooden doors Elkly stopped. He nodded to the guard standing by. The guard stepped forward and pulled the door open, revealing a spacious sitting room. A balmy breeze floated in through the open doorways, fluttering the curtains and trailing in a flowery scent. Standing by a set of carved wooden chairs were Lord and Lady Brixton, both elegantly dressed.
They turned as Gigi and her mother stepped into the room. Gigi felt her heart stop for a breath before beating again at an erratic pace. Annaleigh walked further in, her stride even. Following, Gigi kept her eyes trained on her steps, willing herself to mimic her mother's calm grace. A few feet away, Annaleigh stopped and dropped into a low curtsy.
Gigi clutched the fabric of her dress. Her ears pounded with the sound of her heart beating as she sank into a curtsy. Her mother rose and Gigi followed, raising her gaze to meet that of her grandparents. Surprise appeared on both expressions as the sight of Gigi, masking the traces of grief that lay there.
Lord Brixton's graying hair was brushed back. His features seemed to be cut from stone, though his eyes held a quiet sorrow. Lady Brixton's features bared a close resemblance to Annaleigh's, though years and grief had stolen the youthful glow and softness from them. A stunned silence filled the room like the late afternoon sunlight.
"Annaleigh," Gigi's grandmother said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Annaleigh stiffened. In a few quick strides, Lady Brixton was standing before Gigi's mother. She raised one lined hand up to Annaleigh's face, but paused and dropped it. Instead she took both of Annaleigh's hands in her own.
"My lovely daughter. I never imagined I would see you again," Lady Brixton said, her voice holding the lilting tone Gigi expected from all nobles.
Lord Brixton moved forward, his strong bearing contradicting the wrinkles that creased his face.
"Annaleigh," Lord Brixton said, his voice low and his accent muted.
Annaleigh bowed her head towards Gigi's grandfather.
"Father," she said, her tone submissive.
He put a steady hand on Lady Brixton's shoulder.
"We never imagined you would return to reclaim your title. But now that Alton has passed you will inherit-"
"Alton was my brother, I came only to pay my respects," Gigi's mother said.
Lady Brixton glanced at Lord Brixton and sharing a surprised look. Lady Brixton looked back to Annaleigh before dropping her hands.
"You honor Alton by being here for his passing," Gigi's grandmother said.
They appraised each other for a long moment, before Lady Brixton turned her attention to Gigi.
"Annaleigh, I believe an introduction is in order," Gigi's grandmother said.
All eyes looked to Gigi and Annaleigh smiled, the expression holding love and pride.
"This is my daughter, Genevieve," she said.
Gigi sank into a low curtsy.
"I am honored to be before you," she said, her quiet voice carrying in the silence, as she remembered the greeting her mother had taught her.
As she rose, she met the gaze of her grandmother and found a gracious smile, sitting on her thin lips. Lady Brixton stepped over to stand before Gigi, her eyes studying her.
"My dear, you are as beautiful as your mother. But I see you have the eyes of your Uncle Alton," she said.
She stood for a long moment looking Gigi over, before her face softened.
"Come dear, I wish to know you more. We shall take a walk," Lady Brixton said, wrapping her arm around Gigi's shoulders. "The light is lovely in the garden this time of day."
They moved towards the open balcony, a warm breeze rushing to meet them. Lady Brixton looked back.
"Annaleigh, you are free to join, if you wish. Arthur, see that Elkly makes the necessary arrangements for tonight's dinner. Annaleigh and Genevieve are our guests of honor," Lady Brixton said, her eyes brightening as she looked at Gigi.
Gigi felt her face flush and she smiled.
"You honor me by your kindness," she said, feeling as if her voice made the elegant words coarse.
"It is nothing my dear. A simple gift I can offer my only grandchild. Now let us be on our way," Lady Brixton said.
Glancing back at her mother, Gigi received an encouraging smile, though a hint of doubt lay just beyond.
As they stepped onto the balcony the entirety of Taraben seemed to stretch before them on all sides, the tops of roofs and the curling wisps of smoke reaching to the sky. Gigi held tight to the side of her skirt as she walked with her grandmother, down the stone stairs.
Servants paused in their work, to acknowledge Lady Brixton's presence, with bows and curtsies. As they walked, Gigi felt herself relaxing, as she listened to the melodious tones of her grandmother's voice. They stopped beneath a high archway covered in trumpet shaped flowers. Lady Brixton touched one of the pelts with her thin hand.
"The Genevieve flower," she said, looking to Gigi. "Did you know that is where your name came from?"
Gigi smiled, looking at the flower, watching how as it caught the light its color changed from green to blue.
" 'The ocean trapped in the beauty of a blossom,' " Gigi said.
Lady Brixton gave Gigi a long, appraising look.
"You read Godffery?" she said, her accent muting her astonished tone.
Gigi blushed and dropped her gaze. "Yes."
Lady Brixton gently lifted Gigi's chin with the tips of her fingers.
"A lady never drops her gaze. She is confident in all that she says," Lady Brixton said, a smile touching her lips.
"I'm not a lady."
"Yes, my dear, you are. You are Annaleigh's daughter and my granddaughter, therefore making you such. Now tell what else have you read," Lady Brixton said.
They started strolling again, the sun dipping in the sky, elongating their shadows. Gigi told her of all the books she had read, her confidence growing as her grandmother listened intently. They were passing a wide, curricular fountain when Lady Brixton finally spoke.
"Has your mother ever told you about the balls nobles give?" she asked.
Gigi's smile widened as the only single story her mother had ever submitted to telling filled her mind.
"She never talked about it much, but she told me of one night. The night of her final ball when she..." She dropped her gaze, her cheeks coloring.
"When she decided to leave," her grandmother said.
When Gigi looked into her grandmother's face she found only sadness there, nothing more.
"Well, if she told you about one ball, that was a wonderful one to tell of," she said. "It was at the King's palace and there was not a more beautiful time."
Lady Brixton's attention drifted off as she told Gigi about the dresses, the food, the music and the beauty of it all. Gigi felt herself get swept away by the words, every detail more vivid than the ones she had conjured up herself.
Through the garden they walked, her grandmother's warm voice painting scenes before them. The scenery and charm around them was lost as they danced among Lord and Ladies in their minds. The sun set and still the pair remained. It was only when a servant interrupted them and reminded them of the time, that they became aware of their surroundings. Lady Brixton gave a small musical laugh.
"It seems, my dear, that I have talked our time away," she said.
"Oh, I loved it," Gigi said, her words weighed down by sincerity.
Her grandmother studied her in the glow of the servant's lantern. With a hesitant hand, she gently touched Gigi's cheek.
"You truly are as lovely as your mother, though you do have hints of your Uncle in your face." She dropped her hand and took up Gigi's, holding them. "My dear child, you have helped me remember that there is still life to be lived." A sad smile reemerged. "Since Alton passed I did not think I could find any happiness. With you, for a moment, I have. Bless you."
A deep tenderness budded in Gigi and flooded her. Words failed her and instead she kissed her grandmother's hands, a sign of love and affection. For a moment they looked at each other, aged eyes staring into innocent ones.
"Come, we must get ready for dinner," her grandmother said. "You shall sit by me tonight. Afterwards I will show you my library and you can read all you want while you are here."
****************
Gigi stood on her balcony, staring over the stone wall and into the jagged lanes of Taraben. Candlelight glowed in windows as voices spilled into the streets. She twisted her fingers around each other, her gaze unfocused.
Upon returning to her rooms from the walk in the garden, Margo had helped Gigi into an evening gown; similar to the one before except for tight, shear sleeves and a high collar.
The door to her room opened and her mother strode in. Gigi hastily untangled her fingers and smoothed down her dress, taking in a deep breath.
"Gigi, you look beautiful," Annaleigh said.
Gigi gave her a tight smile, forcing herself to not fidget. Her mother, cupped her face.
"Tell me what is troubling you," Annaleigh said.
Gigi's anxiety filled her eyes.
"I'm going to make a fool of myself at dinner. Lady Brixton seemed to be pleased with me, but what if I say something wrong?" she said, pulling at the sleeve of her dress.
Annaleigh gave Gigi an understanding smile.
"Dearest, you will not make a fool of yourself. I will be by your side the whole time and will help you." Annaleigh dropped her hands to Gigi's shoulders. "Besides their judgement does not mean anything. You are my daughter and I am pleased with who you are."
"But it went so well. I don't want any of that to change."
"And it won't. Do not worry yourself."
Gigi let out a shaky breath. A knock came on the door.
"Yes?" Annaleigh said.
The door open and Elkly appeared.
"Dinner is ready, Lady," Elkly said, bowing.
"Thank you, Elkly." Annaleigh turned back to Gigi. "Shall we?"
Gigi nodded and followed her mother out of the door.
**********************************************************************
Live long and prosper! ð
(ð¤¦ð»ââï¸Dang, now I've really gone out of my realm and into sic-fi. Cantrella this one is all on you.)
What are we thinking so far? It could be about the story or life in general. Share the wisdom of your age!
Now you've read enough of my books to know I always write in third person. (Or maybe you haven't read my books and simply stumbled upon this one. In that case *bows* welcome!)
I know some people don't like reading third person and I totally get that. When all of Wattpad is first person it's hard adjust. (So with that said thanks for always giving my books a chance though it's not the norm.)
I write third person for one reason, it's a funny reason and might even be stupid but still it's my reason. To write in first person is a lie. I would be writing 'I went and I did this' but I didn't do any of that! So... IT'S ALL A LIE AND THE WORLD IS FLAT AND THE MOON ISN'T REAL! Well, you see where my mind goes when I think of writing first person. So if you were ever curious as to why I only write third it's for that reason. Also to hang on to my last shred of sanity, clearly.
Pickle, Flamingo, Congregation!
(Maybe I've already lost my sanity. That's quite possibleð§ð¤ª)