Chapter 4:

The next few months passed in a blur. Never in all her life, did Korina have to learn so many things, so quickly. Never was so much expected of her. After her first meeting with the Baroness, Korina learned she indeed kept her word. She sent a carriage for her first thing the next morning, along with a dress and new slippers.

Korina wondered if the dress and slippers were ones she’d been sized for, thinking they had been made quite quickly. Yet a letter that had also arrived explained, they were something the Baroness had laying around. The dress was early maternity wear, it wasn’t perfect but should at least fit. Korina was to wear it until her dresses were ready in a few weeks time.

The dress was a dark green and unlike anything Korina had ever worn. The fabric felt scratchy and there were so many ruffles and buttons. Korina attempted to put it on, over her night grown, buttoning it in the front but Betsy informed her the buttons were meant for the back.

Korina wondered how she was suppose to get dressed, if she couldn’t reach all the buttons. Apparently some clothes were meant to require assistance. Betsy helped her turn the dress around and button it up. It fit awkwardly but at least it fit. She wondered how she might get out of it but Betsy assured her, she’d help her, when it came time to disrobe.

The slippers were also a dark color, one Korina had never seen before. They were different from the slippers Betsy had given her. They had a low heel on them and were made of a finer fabric. They also had ribbons, that could size the shoe, based on how tightly they were wrapped.

Korina again attempted to do it on her own but found herself at a loss with the ribbons. Betsy was more then happy to assist her. Korina watched in fascination as she put the slippers on and secured them in less then a minute.

When she stood, Korina found it strange. Though the heel was very slight, she was not used to it. She felt unsteady, no matter where she stepped, it felt like her feet were on uneven ground. She bit her lip, wondering if she could go back to the other ones. Yet the letter specifically requested she arrive in the attire that was sent. In time Korina learned these slippers were only the beginning. Each pair the Baroness gave her, had a higher and thinner heel, in order to prepare her for her shoes.

Fully dressed, Korina went downstairs and had a quick breakfast, in the dinning room. She wondered if her grandmother might join her but found she wasn’t up yet. Korina wondered if she would see her when she returned but learned over the next few months that her grandmother was quiet a popular woman. She kept a tight social schedule and was rarely home.

After the initial excitement of meeting wore off, Korina found, they had few things in common and little to discuss. Her grandmother was a very proper lady, that took offense to even the slightest of mistakes. Korina wondered how her mother had grown up here and turned out so...normal.

She found her situation more and more troubling as the days went on. It was nearly two weeks before she had the time and most of all the energy, to write her father. She found she had quite a lot to write about and so, so, many questions. She ended up sending him a ten page letter. It had to be the longest letter, she had ever written but she missed him, missed home.

She had no one to talk to here and felt devoid of hope. Everything felt tricky, the simplest things hard. How she longed to hear her fathers’ voice, his wisdom. She supposed, his written word, would have to do. He always knew just what to say.

She vowed she’d write him every week and pleaded that he do the same, if not more so. Yet she did not receive a single letter in the weeks and months that followed. She knew letters took time, to get to where they were going. That a response took even longer to get back but she figured she should have heard something as time went on. She supposed he was busy but worried he might be in need of her. She wished she wasn’t so far away or that he had perhaps come with her. Of course there were a lot of things Korina wished these days.

The Baroness kept her quite busy with a full schedule. Nearly every second of every day was taken up with one task or another. They met most days but even on the days they did not meet because as the Baroness put it, she had a life, Korina was still given a schedule to preform at home. One her grandmother made sure the staff kept her to.

On the days they were together, the Baroness tried not to skimp, where she could but there was so much to cover, in order to get Korina ready for the ball. Normally what she was learning took years but they would grasp the basics, in the time they had.

Every morning they met, Korina would arrive to find the Baroness up and ready. Sometimes she’d be in her sitting room, her library or outside in her garden. No matter where the Baroness was or what she was doing, each day would not start until Korina gave a proper greeting.

She’d approach the Baroness and curtsy. Depending on the Baronesses’ mood, she might acknowledge Korina right away but some days she took her time, even went about her business before speaking to Korina. No matter what Korina had to wait.

Once she had been acknowledge and was allowed to sit, the Baroness would quiz her on something that was in the book. She’d ask Korina what to do in a certain situation and later created the situation, to see if Korina would act appropriately. If she got things right, they would move on. If Korina didn’t, they would go over it at length, making it such a point that she would not dare to forget again.

When the Baroness was satisfied, they’d go on to practicing the art of light conversation and silence. There were so many rules, when it came to conversation. When to speak, what to say and what not to say. Before Korina was to open her mouth, she had to ask herself was what she had to say important enough, would it add to the conversation or take away from it?

When she did speak, her words were to always to be light and happy. She wasn’t allowed to have an opinion on anything of importance or at least not share it. She was to only listen and make small remarks as she was a novice.

She had to practice her reactions to what was said. Her face was to remain pleasant at all times, even if she overheard something horrible or if someone offended her. She was to act as if, it did not effect her. Never was she to speak about her own personal troubles, as far as anyone was concerned she didn’t have any, her life was perfection. Even if something was on her mind. She should keep it to herself. If she overhead gossip, she was to pretend she didn’t and above all she was never to repeat it.

There were rules about who she could speak to and what could be said to them. When it came to servants she was only to speak to them, when she needed something. She was never to talk with them openly about her life and going ons. Above all, she wasn’t to ask them about their own lives. They were simply there to serve her.

If anyone above her was speaking, she was to listen and never interrupt. She could only speak when acknowledge through a glance or a nod or if they personally asked for her opinion. It was important that if she was ever called upon, to be certain about the topic. If she did not know enough then she should admit it was beyond her. It was always better to admit you were a fool, then appallingly speak of things you knew nothing about.

It took them two weeks to go over men. She was never to be the only woman in a room. If she entered a room and found she was, then she was to leave at once. The only exception for being alone with a man, was if they were a family member or a servant. Even then servants must always be three feet away from her, unless she had requested something that needed direct interaction. She was also never to touch a male servant. If one touched her, she was to have him reported, immediately.

When it came to men of her standing or higher, she was never to be alone with them. She was always to be accompanied either by a family member or a female companion. Conversation was to be keep light and appropriate at all times.

Korina wondered how she was to find a husband, if she was always to be accompanied and not allowed to speak of anything of substance. The Baroness informed her, there were rules to courting and that she needn’t trouble herself, as arrangements would no doubt be made on her behalf. Korina wanted to know more about these “arrangements” but there was already so much she was trying to grasp.

Discussing the book and conversation, was only the first part of her day. It usually carried on until lunch. Meals by far were the worst part of her training. Everything Korina did was scrutinized and judged. It was almost like she had to relearn how to eat, if you could call it eating. It seemed like meals, were mostly for show.

There were things you had to do in certain orders. When each course came, Korina had to have a little bit of everything but never finish anything. If she didn’t like something she was suppose to pretend and smile through it. The Baroness taught her how to wash bad tastes away, with wine and most importantly of all, how to dispose of food in her napkin, if something was truly unswallowable.

Korina picked up on a lot of things but overall had a hard time catching on to everything. If she were lucky, they would only have lunch together, if she was not, they would have lunch and dinner. She learned rather quickly to eat as much as she could at breakfast.

After a few meals the Baroness grew so frustrated with Korina that she got a long wooden rod. She would poke Korina every time she did something wrong. Over the next few weeks, the Baroness poked her so much that even when Korina was eating on her own, she’d expect to be poked. It got to the point where she really didn’t enjoy eating and only did it as much as she was required to.

She must have lost twenty pounds in the first few weeks alone. Which as it turned out, came in handy, considering her dresses. They arrived a little over a month after she did. Korina assumed she’d be getting one or two but several crates arrived with all sorts of things. There were garments she’d never seen before in a multitude of fabrics and colors.

The Baroness made a day of it, having Korina try on everything. They went into the room with all the mirrors and the women who had first sized her, were back. The Baroness pulled up a chair and to Korinas horror watched as the women stripped her naked. Thankfully it didn’t last long.

The women put so many undergarments on her that Korina, mistakenly thought they were an outfit, in themselves. When the Baroness corrected her assumption, several girls in the room laughed. Korina felt embarrassed, the Baroness frowned in displeasure and the girls were ushered out of the room.

The Baroness continued to instruct Korina. She stood and taught her what each item was called and used for. Then the Baroness had her undress herself, without the aid of another. When she was naked, the Baroness instructed her to put it all back on again. It was much, much more difficult putting it on, then taking it off. Korina found herself frazzled but the Baroness simply instructed her and waited.

When she finally got it right, the Baroness informed Korina that from this moment on, she was always to wear her undergarments, even when she slept. The only time she should find herself naked was if she were bathing, at the request of her doctor or the behest of her husband. Korina didn’t understand why she could never be naked, unless these three rules applied. After all, everyone was born naked, weren’t they…She thought about asking but worried the remaining girls might laugh at her.

The Baroness moved on, asking for Korinas’ corset. She wanted to put it on her personally. When it was brought out, Korina found she recognized it. She wasn’t sure what it was for but had seen it in her mothers’ trunk. After she had passed Korina had gone through all of her things, seeing if anything would fit. She’d never seen her mother wear her corset, so she hadn’t been sure how to put it on. Eventually, she just left it in the trunk, along with the other things that hadn’t fit.

The Baroness undid the corset and joined Korina on the platform. She put it on her, adjusting it. When it was where she wanted, she began to lace it up the back. Korina felt it tighten around her and then tighten even more. At first she didn’t say anything but as it grew more and more uncomfortable, Korina could no longer hold her tongue.

She informed the Baroness it was too tight but she just kept going. Korina began to find it painful and nearly unbearable. She struggled to pull away but the Baroness ordered the other women to hold her in place. They did so without hesitation and Korina could not get away. The Baroness continued to adjust the corset, tightening it even more. Korina cried out in agony but was scolded. Apparently all women wore corsets and accepted the pain that came with them.

When the Baroness was done, she ordered the girls to let go. Korina was nearly in tears and felt like she was going to be sick. She could barely breath and found it difficult to move. The Baroness ran her hands over Korinas’ waist and moved to stand in front of her. She seemed disappointed and scoffed that it wasn’t much of an improvement but something was better then nothing.

Korina wanted to take it off or at least loosen it. The Baroness just had her look in the mirror. Korina was shocked to see her waist had shrunk several sizes. She realized now this must be how everyone had such tiny waists. The Baroness instructed her to sleep in it, until her body learned to take its shape. Korina thought she’d misheard her. Surely clothes were suppose to fit the shape of ones body and not the other way around.

She tried to clarify but the Baroness was insistent. She said, in time the corset would curve Korinas’ body and give it a more elegant shape. She did not want an elegant shape. She wondered how long it would take and hoped she would be done, with her business in Crestmoore, before it happened. Without a doubt, she knew once she was married and back home, she’d never, ever, wear a corset again. She now understood why her mother had put hers in a trunk and never touched it.

The Baroness stepped off the platform and the women prepared the dresses, laying them out along with some jackets. There were other things as well but Korina couldn’t see them. She did her best to just hold still and focus on her breathing.

Once everything was ready the women just stood around. Korina wondered if they were done but knew they couldn’t be. She had a feeling they were waiting on something. A few moments later the butler came and announced the arrival of her grandmother.

It was like torture, watching the Baroness and her grandmother greet each other. It took forever and then they walked around the room, looking at all the clothes. Her grandmother praised the Baroness on her choices and they had the servant arrange the clothes into several different outfits. They discussed the events that might be taking place and what Korina should wear. Not once did either of them ask for Korinas’ opinion. She thought to protest but found herself growing light headed.

One moment she was standing, waiting, the next she was stumbling and swaying to the side everything growing dark. Everyone was preoccupied with what they were doing but the Baroness took notice and reacted. She lunged at Korina catching her as she fell. They both tumbled to the ground. The Baroness held Korina in her arms as the others took noticed and rushed over.

Quickly realizing, she’d over tightened the corset, the Baroness loosened it some. Able to breath properly, Korina slowly came to. She heard her grandmother crying, something about how fragile Dillie had been. She worried Korina was just as fragile. The servants rushed to her grandmothers aid, having her sit down. They fanned her and got her some wine.

All the while the Baroness held tight to Korina, waited for her to open her eyes. When she did, she found herself confused. From the angle, she was laying and the way the Baroness was holding her...she almost seemed...masculine.

The Baroness pushed Korina to sit up and ordered the servants to get her some wine. Once Korina had recovered and the cause for her fainting had been explained to her grandmother, it was all she could do to apologize. Over and over Countess Bray apologized to the Baroness, thanking her for going to such lengths for her granddaughter.

Then she looked to Korina expecting her to apologize as well, even though it wasn’t her fault. None the less Korina quickly apologized to the Baroness. The Baroness simply straightened her clothes and only wished to continue on.

Korina got back on the platform and watched her grandmother and the Baroness continue. Every so often the Baroness would look over at her and their eyes would meet. Korina blushed and felt silly, for ever thinking she looked like a man.

They took nearly another hours discussing outfits and events but Korina didn’t care as much, at least now she could breath. When they were finally done talking, they sat down and had some tea as the servants put every single outfit on Korina. Many of them had to be pinned and adjusted here or there but in the end Korina had a full wardrobe, at least for the rest of spring and summer. She hoped she would not need one for winter as she did not plan on staying that long. The winters were especially hard on her father and she wanted to be there for him.

The Baroness ordered the staff to pack everything up and have it loaded on to the countess carriage. While they waited the Baroness offered for them to have dinner with her. Korina wasn’t too thrilled to be staying but made it through the meal in silence. She found she wasn’t so much hungry as she was tired.

Before they left her grandmother asked the Baroness how much she owed her. The Baroness simply said to consider it apart of their arrangement. The dresses and everything must have cost a lot because her grandmothers face lit up, all at once, in an expression, Korina had never seen on her before. Her Grandmother quickly collected herself and thanked the Baroness before looking to Korina. Once again Korina thanked her before they took their leave.

Of course Korina found it hard to be thankful over the next few weeks, especially when they did her hair and she was expected to start wearing her shoes. It took another whole day to address her hair. Half the morning was spent washing and brush it out and then she was taught how care for it. She’d been taking care of it, her whole life and thought she knew what she was doing but like everything, she did these days, it was wrong. The Baroness taught her how to brush it, and then style it. For weeks her scalp itched and her hair felt like it was being pulled out as they so called “trained it.”

Her shoes were yet another matter. They were tight and while the Baroness had slowly been increasing her heel, it was so high that she felt like she was walking on the tips of her toes. She found it hard to move and quickly at that. Stairs were now dangerous and nearly impossible. She held onto the handrail and considered asking her grandmother to move her rooms to the first floor.

It got to the point where every inch of her body was in agony and her mind felt like it was on fire. She found it hard to do anything but was still expected to do everything. She grew tired of being pushed to her limits, day after day and there was only so much a person could take.

One day, during polite conversation lessons, she finally snapped. It all became too much, the ways of Crestmoore, the exceptions of her Grandmother and the Baroness. She let loose. venting her frustrations, about how miserable and awful everything was. That she was tried of suffering all the time. The Baroness just sat there, listening to her. When Korina had finally let it all out, she felt better but not for long. Without warning, the Baroness slapped her. It was a quick, hard slap that sent Korina to the floor. The entire side of her face hurt but the shock of it, had her frozen in disbelief.

The Baroness was always very proper but in that moment Korina saw her facade, all but fall away. There was a burning in her icy blue eyes, an agony like no other. She told Korina, she needed to grow up. That she knew nothing of true suffering, that her life was simple. It was nothing, nothing compared to. The Baroness hands had shook as she caught her self. Her face scrunched up in frustration, and her eyes had twitched before she’d stormed out of the room.

Korina just sat there in shock for several minutes. Eventually she collected herself. It had been a long, long time since anyone had hit her and for the Baroness, all prim and proper to have done so. Korina didn’t know what to think.

A servant collected her some time later and she was taken home. For two straight days the Baroness did not call upon her. Korinas’ grandmother began to worry but on the third day a carriage was sent. Korina returned uncertain. She hadn’t said anything to anyone. She felt embarrassed on her part and confused when it came to the Baroness. She’d been upset with her at first but came to wonder, did the Baroness know true suffering. Had something awful happened to her.

The Baroness was in the library when Korina arrived, She was reading a book and had her back turned to the door. For a moment Korina forgot herself and quickly apologized, without first doing a proper greeting. The Baroness turned from her book and looked like she might say something to Korina but instead continued to read.

Korina realized what she’d forgotten to do. She quickly left the room. The Baroness shut her book, wondering where she was going. She moved to follow after her bur Korina came back into the room a moment later. She properly curtsied before waiting for the Baroness to answer. The Baroness stood watching her for a moment, the corner of her mouth raised a bit, as if to form a true smile but then quickly changed to the false one she always wore. She cleared her throat and lessons continued once more.

After lunch, the weather would determine their afternoon schedule. If the weather was poorly they would stay inside. They would study current local affairs and an array of other various topics. She would learn just enough to hold a pleasant conversation, never diving too deep. The Baroness wanted her to be able to hold her own if she were called upon but not drone on and on.

If the weather was good they would go outside. Korina would be given an umbrella, covered in a light fabric. She thought it was strange to carry one, when there was no rain but the Baroness explained, it was to protect Korina from the sun. A woman was fragile and her beauty could quickly be marred by the sun.

Korina had never found the sun to hurt her. If anything, she enjoyed playing in it as a child and as an adult there was nothing quite like the sun, shinning warmly on your face. Still she held the umbrella as she was told, like most things in Crestmoore this was just another thing she’d have to get used to.

From time to time she found herself wondering about her future husband. She hoped one day he’d know just how much she went through to be with him. She hoped he was worth it but most importantly, she hoped he wouldn’t expect her to continue on with these silly rules, once they were wed and back home.

With their umbrellas in hand, they would stretch their legs and walk about. Korina learned most estates had elaborate gardens. It was a symbol of status and a place to gather socially on a pleasant day. Korina found she liked the Baronesses’ garden. It was filled with all sorts of things, flowers, bushes, statues and even fountains.

Korina found it hard to resist not playing in the fountains, especially on particularity hot days. The Baroness had to remind her several times, she was to touch nothing. All she was permitted to do was, walk about, sit on one of the various benches and perhaps draw close enough to smell a flower all while making polite conversation. Korina began to wonder if they ever did anything fun around here.

One afternoon, the Baroness had the servants set up a game of croquet. Korina had never played before and quickly found it fascinating. There were long mallets, colored balls, sticks and loops. It took her two days to understand how to play but once she did it was all she wanted to do when they went outside. She’d beg the Baroness to let her practice and even asked her grandmother if they could get a set of their own.

She enjoyed hitting the balls and trying to make them go where she wanted. The more she played, the better she got but was nothing compared to the Baroness. She must have been playing the game for years. It was one of the few times she’d let her pleasant smile drop as she focused on her goal. She was good, very very good. Korina learned she’d never lost a game in Crestmoore.

Korina wondered how long it would take her to get that good and if her mother or father had ever played croquet. She wrote her father a full letter, asking him all about it. She hoped that when she went back home she might be able to take a set with her. She’d loved to play it with him and her future husband. Of course her home didn’t really have a lot of flat ground. She worried the balls might just roll down the mountain side and never stop.

With mid afternoon came piano lessons. Korina thought it was going to be wonderful to get to play the piano every day and learn new songs but quickly found it taxing. The Baroness was very strict. She would sit beside Korina and make her play each note as she saw fit. There were days when they would play the same seven notes over and over again until the Baroness was sure she knew them. When she finally learned a full song, she was expected to play it and at a certain speed. If she played too slow she was scolded if she played too fast she was scolded. Even when she managed to get things right the Baroness was never pleased, she’d just tell her to do it again. It took nearly all the enjoyment out of playing.

She found herself looking forward to afternoon tea more and more. Once the tea was served, she was allowed to stop playing for the day. She found she enjoyed being able to relax and just sit. Sometimes they would speak but for the most part, they were silent as they refreshed and when it was over, there was a chance Korina might be rewarded.

The Baroness husband traveled a lot and was often gone for months at a time. Sometimes he would send her gifts. One of the gift the Baron sent was an exquisite box of chocolates. Korina had never seen anything like it. A hand crafted wooden box, with bright colors and sometimes elaborate painted scenes. When the Baroness lifted the lid there were tiny individual chocolates inside. The smell was intoxicating.

If Korina had done good that day or at least put forth some real effort, she was rewarded with a chocolate. It was a bit degrading, like giving a dog a treat but Korina found she didn’t mind. The chocolates were unlike anything she’d ever had.

The explosion of sensations, when the chocolate melted in her mouth, was nearly overwhelming and exhilarating. It was like seeing the stars for the first time or a rainbow. There were days, when the potential of getting one was the only thing that got her through her lessons.

Finally they would end the day with dancing. Her favorite lesson by far. Korina thought she knew how to dance, when the subject was first approached but according to the Baroness, Korinas’, so called dancing was just her jumping around. No true dancing was an art.

Every night before Korina returned to her grandmothers, they would go into the large ballroom. A servant would play the piano as the Baroness taught Korina how to dance. At first Korina stumbled a lot, especially in her new shoes. It was hard to keep up with the Baroness and all the moves she had to learn for each dance. However the Baroness was a good teacher. She showed Korina what to do, time and time again.

Korina quickly caught on and soon found herself gliding around the room. Sometimes it almost felt as if she were floating. She learned there were all kinds of dances, fast, slow, simple, and complex. By far her favorite was a dance called the Waltz.

The Baroness would take hold of her and they would spin and spin around the room. Every so often the Baroness would twirl her in between spins. Her favorite part was when the Baroness would lift her a few feet into the air before setting her down again. It reminded Korina of when she was a little girl.

It also amazed her how strong the Baroness was. Korina wondered if she could lift her as well, however when she attempted to, the Baroness sternly scolded her more so then usual. Korina was never to lay hands on the Baroness without her permission. She was never to attempt to lift anyone, nor dance the part of the man. The only reason the Baroness had taken on the males’ role was to teach Korina her place. She abruptly ended lessons for the day and Korina learned not to make that mistake again.

After dancing was done, Korina would then either join the Baroness for dinner or return to her grandmothers. It depended on how late in the day it was. She almost never left before dark and was quite often exhausted.

For months training continued, from morning until night she followed her schedule. It was a lot to take in but ever so slowly, with the passing of each day, Korina improved. She knew she still had a long way to go but thankfully things didn’t seem so impossible.

When the Debutante ball was but a few weeks away Korina began to find herself curious about it. She was learning all sorts of things in order to attend but had no idea what to expect. One night while they were practicing the waltz, she asked asked about it, “What is it like?”

“What is what like?” asked the Baroness as they spun around the room.

“The Debutante Ball,”

“Like any other Ball. Though I suppose its a bit more structured then most. Crestmoore has its own set of traditions and all,”

“Seeing as I’ve never been to a ball, could you perhaps, elaborate,”

“Very nice use of the word,” said the Baroness before twirling Korina. She hoped the Baroness would answer her and not just brush it off, for another time. They continued to move around the room and there was a long moment of silence but eventually the Baroness spoke. “Yes...well the ball is held at an historic event hall, created for special occasions in Crestmoore. It contains a large ballroom, perhaps three, maybe four times this size and there are seats for dining and areas for dancing. Family members, men looking for prospects and anyone of note will gather in the main room. Those who are to be announced will be taken to a private room off to the side.”

Korina attempted to listen over the music focusing on the Baroness’s voice.

“All the girls will be lined up then in order of importance. You will no doubt be at the end of the line. A male escort will then take your arm. You aren’t to speak to them. They are simply there to guide you. When it is time, all the girls will be lead out into the large room. One at a time as they enter the room, they will be announced. The name and title are called out along with any important facts that might draw more interest, such as the school attended and the various talents the girl possesses. We might have to make adjustments on your part,”

“And then what?” asked Korina imagining it all.

“You will be lead around the room by your escort so that everyone can get a good look at you and then you shall be taken to your seat. It will be at a table with your family. Your grandmother should be seated there. I have already made arrangements to be there as well so I can give you any last minute advice.”

The Baroness’s hand moved to tighten on Korinas’ waist. She lifted Korina into the air and set her down before they began to spin and move around the room. The Baroness continued on once more, “Once everyone is seated there will be speeches and a light dinner. When the music starts you will be escorted once more onto the ballroom floor. You will be lined up and any eligible men, will then seek you out. If you are lucky enough to be asked to dance you are to follow his lead and keep conversation light. When the song ends, the next man of interest will then step up,”

“What if the man wants to dance with me again?”

“If no other suitor is currently in line, another dance is permitted,”

“What then?” asked Korina excitedly. Her eyes focused on the Baroness as they moved.

The Baroness looked at her for a moment there was almost a smug smile on her face, having Korinas’ full attention. “Dancing will continue for some time. Then there will be closing ceremonies and a few more speeches. Everyone will then disperse and in a weeks time, if anyone has taken an interest in you, a letter will be written to your grandmother as she is your caretaker.”

“A letter?”

“Yes, a letter of interest. It will notify your grandmother that someones wishes to engage further. Depending on the persons status, you will either have dinner at their place or yours. It most likely will be yours given your grandmothers status. Your family and your potential suitors family will then meet for dinner and see if the arrangement is agreeable. You might share a few words with the man, in the company of everyone. Depending on how things went, they might proceed, arrangements for future meetings and events would be made until there was an offer. If there is no interest, things would end there all together.”

“What happens if they end there?” asked Korina as they spun and then dipped to one side.

“Then you shall wait for another letter of interest,” said the Baroness as they righted and continued spinning on.

“What if there are several letters of interest...all at once?”

“Then your grandmother would choose whoever is the most prominent,”

“What if I liked someone else, more then another,”

“Who you do or do not like more, in this case, does not matter,”

“But are they not to be my husband?” asked Korina stopping.

The Baroness sighed annoyed, “If you can not hold a conversation and dance then we shall have to stop speaking.”

“Sorry,” said Korina. She quickly took her position and they continued on, “But what if there is someone I like...but he is not acceptable”

“Then simply, the match shall not happen.”

“What if...what if my grandmother accepts someone I do not like?”

“Then you shall abide,

“But-”

“You,” said the Baroness interrupting, “Can not afford to be picky. You will learn to like whoever is chosen for you,” Korinas’ face scrunched up in anguish at what she was hearing. Before she could say anything the Baroness went on, “This is the way of things, Korina. You shouldn’t concern yourself with whether you will like your suitor or not. What you should be worried about, is if anyone will take an interest in you at all,”

“But what does any of it matter, if I am not to marry for love,”

“Love,” scoffed the Baroness. She stopped their dance. “People do no marry for love,”

“My mother did,” said Korina looking into the Baroness’s eyes.

The Baroness looked like she wanted to say something but instead shifted her gaze. She turned away after a moment and nodded to her servant. The music stopped and the Baroness called out, “We are done for today. Lady Andon will be taking her leave,”

“Yes, Baroness,” said the maid before rushing off to inform the others.

Korina wanted to continue but she knew well enough by now that when the Baroness was done, so was the conversation. Still, Korina sighed as the Baroness left the room, this was something she would no give up on. If they could not continue the discussion now, she would bring it up again later.

She resolved herself to make it clear. She would not marry for anything less then love. If her parents had taught her anything it was there was nothing beyond love and family. Status and money were important here but if her suitor didn’t match her heart then there would be no marriage. That was her decision to make, and her grandmother and the Baroness were just going to have to abide by it.

She smiled to herself, feeling confident for the first time since she’d arrived here.

Suddenly she saw herself staring back at her as the Baroness thrust a hand mirror in front of her. “The entire time we were dancing and talking your face slipped. I want you to fix that. You are to stare into this hand mirror as you move about, make sure your face is always pleasant to look upon”

Korina took the mirror but said nothing. It was just another task set upon her. She was beginning to wonder, if the Baroness spent her nights thinking up new ways to push Korina around. The Baroness looked at her waiting. Korina knew what she wanted. She did a curtsy and then said in her best polite tone, “Thank you for taking the time to teach me today,”

The Baroness flashed her own fake pleasant smile back, “I am honored to be of assistance,”

Korina turned and proceeded to leave the room. On her way out she dropped her false smile and stuck out her tongue, in an act of rebellion and then truly smiled to herself.

**********

Velona watched Korinas’ carriage leave from the window of his second floor landing. Another day come and gone. Another day closer to being finished. He turned from the window once he could no longer see the carriages’ lantern and ascended to the third floor.

Everyday with that girl, was exhausting if not exasperating. He always relished when she left so that he might have a moment of peace. Of course, peace was something Velona would never truly have again. No, even when she was gone, he’d just find something else to busy himself with, some other distraction.

Still this girl, was beginning to get under his skin. It was getting harder to hold his tongue. Tonight especially, when she’d pointed out her mother had married for love. He’d wanted to snap back “And look what became of her.” Yes...what became of Dillie Bray. She’d run off and married for love and in the end, she’d died young and penniless.

Velona wasn’t an expert on mining camps but he knew well enough to know, it wasn’t a place for such a girl of poor health. It probably had a hand, in sending her to an early grave that and taxing her body with the birthing of not one but two children. Why, who know if she had stayed in Crestmoore, under the car of her mother and wealth, she might have still been alive to this very day.

Velona smiled to himself imagining Korinas’ reaction, if he pointed all of this out. He considered her possible rebuttal but ultimately her realization. That not only had love killed her mother but she’d had a hand in it. Velona relished in picturing the agony on her face and yet his own expression twisted to match. He too had, had that same realization, with his own situation. Why should Korina, or anyone for that matter be spared the painful truth; that their very existence had brought suffering to those they had cared for.

There was movement further down the hall. Velona dawned his pleasant mask, once more, seeing Hagan. He was no doubt waiting for instructions regarding dinner. Before Hagan could even finish bowing, Velona informed him he would take it in the study. Hagan quickly nodded and rushed off.

Without skipping a beat Velona continued to his dressing room. He settled in front of his vanity and took a moment to touch up his make up. Then he unfastened his hair, letting it fall down around him. He brushed it out, encouraging his curls before massaging his scalp. He stared at his reflection for a moment and then picked up a nearby candelabra.

He went into his wardrobe room and promptly locked the door. He set the candelabra down and then partially disrobed. It was rare for him to fully disrobe, when there were servant about. Even with his door shut and locked, all it would take was a faulty lock, a hole in the wall to ruin everything.

He changed into something looser, more comfortable for bed and adjusted any straps that had come loose. Then he put on a long robe and returned to his vanity once more. He examined himself more closely, looking for any stray hairs. He plucked them. It wasn’t uncommon for woman, especially of his age to have a few facial hairs but it was never flattering and he couldn’t afford even a shred of doubt.

When he was done with maintenance and upkeep he moved to the study. It had already been lit up and prepared for him. To anyone this was his dearly, beloved husband Valances’ study, whenever Avianna came in here and spent long hours locked away, it was because she missed him. Of course, the study was really his but for a woman to have business, worthy of a study was scandalous.

He took a moment, examining all the windows before moving to a large desk. He had various paperwork and letters neatly arranged, nothing was out of place. He sighed running his hands over various objects he’d placed intentionally, again nothing amiss.

It was probably paranoia on his part. No one should have reason to suspect, what he was up to but just the same, it was always better to err on the to side of caution. Of course he kept nothing of importance here. Oh there was what you’d expect a study to have but anything of real value to him was safely hidden away.

His examination done he moved to a small desk in the room. It was suppose to be Aviannas. A place for her to write and receive letters, while possibly spending time in the company of her husband. There was a small unopened letter, resting on the desk. He’d placed it there just this morning and finally had the time to take it in.

It was a letter from Korina to her father. She liked to write him at least once a week. Sometimes more if she had time or it had been a practically stressful week. Vira had been uncertain about what to do with all the letters, considering Korinas father was dead. She’d come to him for advice yet again. He had half a mind to tell her to destroy them but instead offered to take them. It might give him some insight into what she was really thinking and feeling, not that he couldn’t tell.

None of her letters surprised him. Her hand writing was atrocious. He could barley make it out, chicken scratch. The first few letters were filled with nothing but complaints, I miss you’s and I’m lonely. He made sure to step things up so that she was too busy to be lonely. Later letters were filled with stories of new experiences, questions about the way of things, and of course why hadn’t he written her. It was tempting to write her and tell her a thing or two but he sustained. He continued reading them with slight amusement.

He wondered what she was on about this week and took up a letter opener. He gently slid it across the envelope and removed the letter. For nearly two pages all she could talk about was Croquet. She seemed absolutely in love with the game. She wanted to play it with her father but worried what might happen to the balls. Then she actually wrote something nice about him... well Avianna. Korina admired her skills. She wasn’t always so strict and rude. Perhaps if they’d had more time Korina might enjoy more things. Of course everyone wanted time.

She talked about what they were studying, dancing and finally she ended on a positive note. She thought that things might be improving and that they might actually be possible. She wished her father could come to the ball and see her dance. He read the letter twice, for good measure and then folded it. He opened his draw and put it with all the others.

He ran his hand over the letters and then plucked his favorite from the pile. He didn’t know why he enjoyed reading this one over and over again. Perhaps it was because Korina said, she was nearly ready to explode with all he was attempting to teach her or maybe it was that she called Avianna, strict, prideful, overbearing and unrelenting. She didn’t give Korina an inch. He enjoyed her use of prideful, he’d taught her the word and to him everything she written was a complement. A strict, hard teacher got you where you needed to be. The ones you adored only let you down in the end.

There was a quiet knock at the door and he turned slightly. A moment later the door opened and Hagan stepped into the room. He bowed and Velona nodded to him. Hagan stepped out of the room and then wheeled in a cart with dinner on it. He slowly set up a table setting for one, on a small table in the room.

When he was finished, he lifted a small silver tray, with a letter on it, bringing it over to Velona. Apparently a letter had just arrived. Velona took the letter and excused Hagan. He waited until the door was securely shut, before he looked to see who the letter was from. It was Valance. He didn’t bother with the letter opener, tearing it open. He’d been waiting to hear from him, to see how things had been going.

Velona quickly read the letter and learned Valance had been successful. He was coming home and soon. He never liked to be away from Velona long. This latest trip had been the longest they’d been apart, since meeting but it had been necessary. It was the crushing blow so to speak. This trip had been the pivotal moment, when all parties involved, could no longer turn back. The cards were all falling now and Velona planned to have the winning hand, when all was said and done.

He smiled to himself and took a seat at the table. He reread the letter and then carefully set it down. He picked up a napkin and began to place it, when he noticed a hair that wasn’t one of his own. It was on his sleeve. He quickly plucked it and examined it. From the length and the color, he knew it was one of hers. He sighed, even when she wasn’t here, she was here.

Instead of tossing the hair aside, he wound it around his fingers, thinking. She wouldn’t be a problem for much longer. The ball was but a few weeks away now. He sat back in his chair, debating if he should train her up until the day of or perhaps take her out and about. It would allow him to see how she’d do and make any last minute tweaks, if need be.

Of course, either way he’d need to test her first. See if any of his training actually got through that thick skull of hers. Velona smiled to himself and snapped the strand of hair. He stood and went to his desk, picking up a quill, he penned a letter of his own.

Thank you for reading^^

Note on corsets if done properly they shouldn't hurt that much in the beginning they might be comfortable. The idea here is that Velona was pushing beyond the limits trying to get Korina’s waist as small as possible. When she fainted Velona realized he’d over done it and loosen it some...but not a lot. ><