Blood and Gold Trilogy

Chapter 8: Dress Shopping

I was hustled into a waiting hansom and the door closed firmly behind me. Georgina sat on one side, her knees touching mine while Kate held herself very still and stiff on my left side.

"I really don't think this is necessary," I said, searching for a way to save myself from the upcoming horror. I generally wore skirts divided for riding or was allowed trousers on the rare occasions Mum wasn't home to catch me. I adored crisp white blouses and nice vests of velvet and satin. But the very idea of boning and lace made my stomach clench and my teeth ache from grinding them together.

"Oh, but it is, my dear," Georgina said. "You've arrived just in time."

"It's ball season." Kate's smile was shy but sweet. "How very exciting for you, Burdie."

"Indeed." Georgina's eyes narrowed as she considered my hair. "You're just sixteen, old enough for your coming out. Absolutely delightful! The fun Jacques will have with that color." She sighed dramatically. "I have never been more jealous."

I still reeled from the idea. "Ball season? Coming out?"

Kate's fingers fidgeted slightly inside her black leather gloves. "It starts with minor lords, of course," she said. "But once the first week or so is out of the way, they become larger and more grand."

"Culminating in the coveted Prince's Ball," Georgina said. "And while it's true you've missed most of this year's parties," she made a false frown face before going on, "the very best are yet to come."

"Mother has invitations." Kate actually vibrated.

"This will be Katherine's first year attending the Prince's Ball, only a fortnight from now." Georgina smiled at her daughter with such fondness I found myself smiling despite the circumstance. "Even though she's not quite sixteen, I'm allowing her to attend. To prepare her for next year and her own coming out." Kate flushed though she was clearly excited at the prospect. "And what a delight to have you here to join us!"

My mind went to the large trunk in my room and the two gowns Mum insisted I bring. She'd known. And hadn't told me. Left me to assume I'd not need the horrid things.

She had more and more to answer for, did my mother.

"The next one is tomorrow night," Kate said. "We don't have much time if we're to have you properly outfitted."

"I think Mum may have had some inkling of what I was heading for." I told Georgina about the trunk.

She laughed. "Of course, dear Thad would remember. What fun we had when we were your age." She looked back and forth between us, a rather naughty look on her face. I found myself blushing for some reason, wondering then just what Mum had gotten into while living in England. "We shall have a peek when we return. Knowing your mother, they are both brilliant and unusual enough to catch everyone's attention. That means our hurry for tomorrow is gone. But we are out now, and in the meantime you must allow me to gift you a gown to suit your standing."

"And my coming out, as you call it?" I'd of course heard the term at home, but had never quite understood the appeal. It wasn't as if the ruling class of New York didn't know me already. This reveal in a ball gown seemed unnecessary and awkward.

"For most, the goal is, of course, a husband." I gasped in shock at Georgina as she spoke. She giggled, Kate too. "Why, my very dear," the amused woman said, "what other purpose would there be?" She patted her daughter's knee. "Were you mine, Auburdeen, I'd make you the very best match the English royal class had to offer." She sighed, sitting back. "Instead, I'll have to wait for Kate and next year."

The very thought was appalling. Mum insisted I have my choice of mates and always had. The idea this woman might try to influence that choice... I suppressed a shudder and felt horribly for Kate despite the fact she seemed fine with the coming arrangement.

"Of course," Georgina said, a sly smile spreading, "there is always the obvious answer. After all, our families are compatible in many ways. Perhaps some kind of match between us would serve to strengthen the bond."

I had no idea if she referred to myself and Hugh or Kate and one of my brothers, but the thought of either scenario was just too outrageous and terrifying to process.

Nor was there much I could say in answer to it that wouldn't end in me shouting or laughing in her face. I sat back and wondered if I could possibly get away with faking ill and avoiding the entire mess all together. Not likely in a whole coven of witches.

Instead I found myself spending the entire day fussed over by Jacques the dressmaker, with his tiny hands and his sharp French accent, the way he condescended me with his eyes while smiling at Georgina. I'd had about enough of him within the first five minutes or so.

"Such hair," he said yet again as he jerked tight the bodice form he'd carefully constructed for me while he fussed with fabrics and different types of lace. "Such eyes. Surely this will be my crowning masterpiece."

I gasped out the last of the air in my lungs. Only then did he seem satisfied, tying off the bindings and leaving me there on the pedestal in my bloomers, gasping for breath and terrified my more than ample endowment would end up spilling completely out over the edges of the bustier.

Kate and Georgina, meanwhile, snacked on tiny sandwiches and tea while my stomach growled.

When he finally released me from my prison of boning and muslin, I dressed with so much haste I almost passed out as all the blood rushed back to the core of my body.

"Madame," Jacque kissed both of Georgina's cheeks, "a few days."

I felt permanently bruised and thanked my parents silently for the comfort they allowed me my entire life. The idea of being sick the night of the ball seemed far more attractive than ever.

I glanced up, hearing Kate and Georgina's chatter, only to notice we weren't returning the way we came, but heading further into the city.

"I simply can't resist the opportunity to show you off." Georgina patted my knee. "Tea with some friends for both of you. But, bear in mind," she waggled one finger at us, "these are normal friends, not a witch among them. Mind your manners." She laughed. "Not that I need to tell either of you."

Another uncomfortable hour. Another dose of curiosity, this time from aristocratic ladies who alternated between arrogant superiority and outright need for New World gossip. I'm not sure if they even noticed I failed to answer most of their questions. As it turned out, Georgina was more than eager to fill in all the blanks so I rarely had the chance to open my mouth even if that had been my desire.

I was never so happy to be ushered back outside into the cooling air and loaded into a hansom. It was as if Georgina was determined to wring me dry from the very first day and keep me that way so my odds of finding anything even remotely fun to do would be kept to the barest minimum.

Perhaps I was being uncharitable, but I needed time to myself. I was accustomed to being allowed my freedom to roam as I chose. This type of life was so new to me, I wasn't sure I'd survive it much longer.

Georgina led us into the house, calling for Clara as she went. The young maid appeared almost instantly, taking coats and gloves as they were shed and dumped on her. Kate was much more thoughtful than her mother, I noticed, where I simply held onto mine with a firm shake of my head. I was perfectly capable, thank you.

Besides, I wasn't certain where the girl would run off to with my shortcoat and I'd be needing it again very soon. I hurried upstairs to my room and checked for Sass. Wherever he was, it wasn't my room thankfully. I didn't need him lecturing me on what I should and shouldn't do. I quickly changed out of the confines of the split skirt and into a pair of black trousers. My riding boots followed. I slid my hair free of the t*****e of its pins and bound it back at the nape of my neck in a simple knot. My top hat in hand, I returned to my door and listened for activity.

The hall was quiet. I swore softly to myself that I had as yet the opportunity to key my magic to the house so any powered aid in my escape was out of the question. I would just have to risk it.

I made it to the top of the stairs, spotting Georgina and Bernard just in time as they left the house, Kate standing forlorn in the foyer as she watched them go. I hesitated. This was a bit of luck, for certain. I wouldn't have to explain to my hostess why I needed so badly to escape her house. But Kate was almost as much of an obstacle. Not that I thought the girl might try to stop me. Only that I didn't think I could bear to hurt her feelings.

"Going somewhere?" Sassafras made his appearance, hopping onto the top of the wide railing to glare at me with his glowing amber eyes.

"Mind yours," I snapped back. "You've not endured the day I have. I need some air."

He hummed a growl at me. "No need to be cranky about it." He shook himself, silver fur rustling. "Tell me you're not going alone."

I rolled my eyes and slapped the rim of my hat against my leg. "I'm hardly a child."

"No," he said, "not anymore. But you're in a new city far from home. A guide might be in order." His gaze drifted to Kate who seemed sad and at a loss for something to do. "You could be kind," he said softly, "and take her with you."

Hateful demon cat. But he was right.

"Fine," I said, stomping my way down the stairs. "Kate!"

She spun, eyes wide and growing wider as she recognized how I was dressed. I watched her blush creep up her neck and light her cheeks. "Burdie," she said. "Whatever are you wearing?"

"I'm going out for a walk," I said. "Care to join me?"

Aghast hardly described her expression. "This late? Why, it's almost dark."

I shot Sass a glare over my shoulder. I'd tried.

"Very well," I said, heading for the door. "I'll see you presently."

"Wait!" She rushed forward, bottom lip between her teeth as her hand settled on my arm. "I'll fetch my coat."

She had more nerve than I'd given her credit for, it seemed. Kate hurried off in search of her outdoor things, leaving me to fume at the door.

"Burdie?" Hugh came down the stairs, frowning at me. He stumbled on the last step, shattering any level of authority his look had gained him. "Where are you going?"

I was almost rude. How tempting. But I really had to learn to control my temper and this was a prime opportunity with the one person in the house who deserved my kindness.

"A stroll," I said in as pleasant a tone as possible. "Around the block or so. I've only seen London through the window of a hansom and crave some fresh air."

Kate returned, head down, refusing to look at her brother as she hastily buttoned up her coat. It was clear they had little in the way of a relationship whatsoever. I felt a twinge of sadness for them, knowing how close I was to Damon and Pharo. Hugh glanced at Kate with the same scowl he'd tried on me. "You two can't go out there without a proper escort." He called for Clara who came running with his cloak and hat. "I wouldn't dream of letting you walk through London without my protection."

This excursion of mine was beginning to appeal less and less. And yet, it was a chance to escape and go outside.

"After you," I said.

***