When Bainbridge awoke the sky was still shrouded in darkness, yet he could not fall asleep again. His nerves got the better of him and he wasn’t able to do anything but pace around his room until the sun rose up, and with the sun, his sister came up to his room as well. As the door slowly creaked open, Bainbridge expected to see a maid but he was happier to see his sister. No word needed to be spoken, her body language was enough for him to know what to do. He marched over to her and hug her tightly. “Dear sister, I understand today you’re more nervous than any other lady presented to the Queen simply because you admire her so, but you’ve conquered harder battles and I have no doubt you will conquer this.” He loosened the hug enough for him to be able to tuck a stray hair behind her ear before he continued. “Now, put on that beautiful pink gown and show the world how awesome our family has become.” And he kissed her forhead before she left the room.
That was the last he saw of his sister before they met again outside the doors waiting for the staff to bring out the carriage, he wearing his tan and beige outfit with a dark blue coat, and her wearing her amaranth pink gown with her grandmother’s pearl necklace. Their aunt was already in the carriage as it arrived and they walked up there. As Abigail and their aunt were discussing what to say and calming each other down, Bainbridge kept silent, knowing he has no advice to give her sister that would be useful to her in this occassion, except something to help her calm down, but their aunt was already taking care of it and better at doing it since she was calm enough unlike Bainbridge and Abigail.
When they arrived they were parted again and he saw neither his sister nor his aunt until the moment they were presenting. He waited patiently, knowing nothing can be done now and that Abigail knows the basics already so she can’t do anything to make him as nervous as he was. Despite the fact he knew many of the ladies, he didn’t notice what was said about them as his mind was focused on his sister.
As she approached he could detect nerves acting up in her, but he was happy with how she presented. While walking down she shot a quick glance his way and he smiled at her letting her know everything was all right. They both sighed with relief as the Queen left the room.
When he entered the ballroom his eyes grazed the masses in hopes of finding his sister an congratulating her on a succesful appearance before the Queen, but when he noticed she was already talking with her best friend Bridget, he didn’t want to interfere in their discussion. Instead Bainbridge walked over to his aunt who was silently watching Abigail from afar.
“Auntie, what did you think of Abigail’s presentation?”
“Well it wasn’t the best, but considering it was her first presentation and the fact she wasn’t in society often after your mother died, she did far better than I would’ve thought her capable.”
“If only she were here to hear you.”
“She is hearing it from somebody else, no doubt. Who is that young lady?”
“That is Bridget Willoughby, her childhood friend.”
They started a conversation about Bridget, a topic which soon changed to others as the conversation kept flowing. Suddenly, the aunt suggested. “Why don’t you find a partner to dance? I know you’ve always been fond of dancing. I’ve half expected to see you on the dance floor already.”
“I couldn’t leave you alone.”
“Oh pish posh, I love observing the two of you having fun and living your lives now that you’re still youthful. Enjoy yourself, look how many beautiful young ladies stand alone waiting for a partner.” She gestured around the room, and Baibridge followed her gesticulation with his eyes only to stop them on a a trio of ladies. Two of them had red hair and one a beautiful brunette, but he was rather intriqued because he didn’t see them before hand and neither were introduced. He would’ve noticed beauties with red hair being introduced or in the same room as him, but no, they just walked in.
“Auntie, excuse me.” He said as he walked away from her and toward the ladies in question.
When he stopped in front of them, he gave them a small headbow as a greeting. “Welcome ladies, have all of you arrived just now?” He wondered. “Becuase I did not notice your presence beforehand.”
@Meekepeek - Joanne
Mentioned:
@Bluecookies - Bridget