George chuckled softly to himself as he made his way to Caroline's door. She had left in such a tizzy after yet another argument, this one the day before in the garden. He rapped soundly on the door and called out to his fiancée. "Caroline.....still plan on showing that lovely face of yours this evening?"
Caroline cringed at the sound of George's voice. In response to his question she threw open her bedroom door. Already dressed and done up for the ball, Caroline had been hiding in her room for as long as she
could. She spent most of the day hiding out here, looking over the adjustments to her dress. After yesterday's incident, she had a streamstress at the palace to take up her sleeves, blatantly revealing the day old bruise on her forearm.
"I see you've made some alterations.." George observed, raising his eyes. Still he was amused to find that she remained at odds with him. "No need to tear about like that, we're having a party not a war. And do smile some my
Caroline gave and overly toothy smile to mock George. As she dropped into a chair. She held out her arm and showed him the bruise, "I hope you're satisfied."
"Satisfied? Oh la yes you do marvelous work." He knew he was making her mad. Of course he was responsible for the bruise but there were no violent intentions behind it. IT was an accident, but knowing that she planned to show it off why not deny it? Denial was a craft he had mastered long ago.
Caroline, not in the mood for her foppish cousin, simply turned her head to stare out the window, hoping for something to take her mind of George.
"So I'm to get nothing but silence eh dear coz?" George said grinning. "Well, do remember that when our guests arrive we are to act like the loving couplet hat everyone tries to pretend we are."
"I doubt most couples have as much trouble pretending." she spat.
" You might want to retract your claws until you need them. Keep this charming attitude up and I'm sure you'll need them to defend yourself against those, who for some unknown reason, have not let themselves yet believe in your true nature."
"I can be perfectly charming when I want to, however you have yet to give me a reason."
"Because all of England will be watching. Is that reason enough?" George responded seriously.
"Well, when all of England is here, I'm be my usual charming self. Until then, this is what you get."
"Good then. I shall see you when the guests arrived dearest coz." With a smile and a nod, George headed toward the door.
"How much longer can I hide up here anyway?" Caroline said.
”I believe in being fashionably late and making an entrance but seeing that this ball is for us, we must be there to greet our guests. I shall see you downstairs in a few hours then?"
"You'll see me after my mother succeeds in dragging me out."
"Good. A few hours then." Turning on his heels, George left to primp and preen for what was sure to be the longest evening of his life.