As I descended down the stairs, Uncle Thomas and William began clapping. Aunt Juliana smiled stretched from ear to ear and my eyes wandered to the woman who was sitting on William?s right.
She was pretty enough, with rich, golden hair and delicate features. But most of all her eyes called to me. They were emerald-green, the brightest green I had even seen. She would have been even more prettier, if her face hadn?t had such a dour expression. She turned her nose at me and flicking her eyes from the top of my head to my toes before nodding, as if not impressed.
?So,? she began, her tone malicious and representing one who had the finer things in life. She reminded of those stuck-up aristocrat girls whose precious ?Daddy?s? owned the town. ?You must the famous Corinne. I?ve heard a lot about you.? She had a British accent, so I naturally assumed she must be British. ?I?m Constance, as I?m sure you?ve guessed.?
?I?ve guessed,? I reassured her acidly, nodding and plastering a cynical smile on my face. I glared at her, to let her know that I didn?t have to be so inside sugar sweet. I took my seat next to Aunt Juliana as the maid brought us our dinner.
Aunt Juliana tried to make pleasantries with Constance, but Constance just gave her curt, direct to the point answers. Eventually, Aunt Juliana gave up. Constance seemed contented to harp on my ?deprived? upbringing. She blanched when she learned all the inconveniences small town life held.
Finally, after what seemed like centuries the maid came to clean up the table. Aunt Juliana asked Constance if she would like to say, but Constance simply turned her head and as usual, politely said no. But to give the devil her due, she always remained polite and never rude or insulting.
When she exited, we saw her father had sent a driver to take her home. William let out a small sigh of relief as Aunt Juliana nervously plucked at invisible pieces of lint on her dress. Uncle Thomas simply went upstairs, bidding us all a goodnight. ?Honestly, William, how can you marry such a frigid woman? I don?t care what your father says, I simply don?t agree,? she protested as soon as Uncle Thomas left.
William simply laughed and kissed his worried mother on the cheek. ?Most beloved Mother, there is no use backing out now. What would everyone think??
Aunt Juliana scoffed. ?What will they think when you are off god knows where because of that cold woman? What will they town think if, god forbid, you run off into the night?? She clucked like a mother hen and once again William laughed.
?And have you thought who the lucky woman might just be?? He turned to me then and a devilish look came to light up his face. ?Why, I might just take Corinne with me!? He surprised me then by playfully pinching my rear, which made me stumble forward, letting out a squeal of astonishment.
I turned around and stared at him with my mouth almost agape in amazement that he would be so bold. ?You keep your hands off of me,? I said firmly though laughter was in my eyes.
He stared sheepishly at the ground, dragging his foot in circles on the floor. ?Aw heck, Corinne, I was just joshing with you.? He dared to raise his eyes little by little until he met my face.
I smiled and threw me arms around his neck. ?And I was just ?joshing? with you,? I said, putting extra emphasis on you. Aunt Juliana put her hand on my shoulder and told me I should go to bed because today had been a busy day. ?Yes, I think I will go to sleep. Goodnight, William and Aunt Juliana.
I walked up the stairs and put on my nightclothes and dreamt of what new Charleston life could bring me. Yet, I never thought of what was about to happen.