Geni was soon taken up to her room to get ready by the maids. Her mother wanted her at the King's ball to meet a suitor. Geni wasn't to excited at meeting possible husbands but was excited to see her friends. The maid pulled out a cream colored dress with light blue embrodery...and a corsette. Geni scowled as the maid laced up the corsette and began to tighten it. The air was practically being forced out of her lungs.
"Not so tight! Goodness!" Geni cried as her maid gave an extremely hard tug.
"Sorry, miss. Your mother's orders. She wants to make sure you look your best tonight seeing as there are going to be suitors there."
"Yes, I'll definately look my best when I faint!" Geni snapped, forgetting her manners. The maid merely shrugged and continued to tighten the corsette.
When Geni was in her dress, the maid started on her hair. Pinning the light brown ringlets on top of her head. When she was done, it was almost time to go.
"Genivieve, please hurry, we will be late!" Her mother was calling from down stairs. Geni thanked her maid and looked in her armour's mirror.
"Fancible enough." She sighed and hurried out of her room despite her heavy dress.

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*Michael finished putting his seal on the letter to his father, and another seal, different from his own, on the letter to the colonists in America. He saw a figure walking up the path in the distance, and smiled. Jacques was right on time, as usual. His real name, of course, was not Jacques, yet that was his French name, given to him by Michael's father. Michael packed up the letters, and walked back downstairs. He nodded to Nicole and the other ladies as he walked past, and made his way to the front door, just as the doorbell rang. Sure enough, Jacques was standing there, with an expectant look on his shaded face.*
Yes, my old friend, I knew you would be right on time. Come in, sit down. It is a long walk from the docks, to my estate, and I am glad it is not me who is doing it. My cook has the tea on the kettle; the good strong kind.
*Jacques nodded, and removed his coat and hat, hanging them on the coat hanger next to the door. It was then that it was revealed that Jacques was in fact an American indian, and not a true Frenchman. He followed Michael down into the sitting room, where a maid brought in two cups of teaming black tea, from bark that was picked near where Michael's father lived.*

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"True Evil cannot be reckoned with. Only Defeated." - Sen L I Starfire

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

Hettie came out from behind the dressing screen in a emerald green dress. She sat down on a couch, huffing and puffing, trying to catch her breath. “Thank God, they don’t wear their corsets this tight in England.” “ get used to it here in France things are different” Nicole said simply Hettie mumbled her agreement so that the Comtess could not hear her. “It makes me wonder why God gave us an extra rib!” Nicole laughed and said, “They teach you protestants that sort of thing?” Hettie laughed. She was not used to hearing wit from another woman.” Now Tell me what sort of husband are you looking for?” Hettie though for a moment. “The criteria that must be met first are my father’s: he will not approve of anything lower than a baron. I would hope for an intelligent husband who is able to carry on a conversation about something other than hunting. And I would prefer he not look like a wild boar.”
Nicole listened intently she nodded once and awhile “ well you don’t ask for much” she said halfway sarcastically “ well lets see who would be coming tonight that we could approach easily without ceremony.
Well there is Viscount Bernard De Foix he loves his wine, Jean Valois 2nd Baronette of Lombardy very wealthy oh and there’s Henri Lavoi 5th duke of Normandy he quite popular with the ladies.
Viscount Alfred Danvers
Count Maurice Pomeroy of Saxony the fourth one I believe, and
Franck Yule promising family but new money” Nicole rambled on names of those she new that had not taken a wife yet. “Egad, these French last names are horrid.” Hettie muttered “ Oh! And then there is Adrien d'Expilly, 7th marquis of Comborn… Just arrived in court this week from Oxford.. I hear he speaks Italian and Latin fluently ” Nicole commented a clock somewhere chimed five Nicole rose to her feet “well I think we should take some tea before leaving don’t you think?” “Of course,” answered Henrietta. “I suppose I should be introduced with my father, though?” “ well is this the first time you have been introduced to the Kings court?” “Well, yes, at a formal party. And it might be a good idea if I am going to try to find a beau,” Hettie answered. “ then yes it is a good idea, I will make sure My husband and I are introduced before you are for the simple reason I seem to attract attention, and By drawing the attention close to were I am at then eyes too fall on you” Nicole explained “ excuse me for a moment Hettie” Nicole said opening a door to her Husband’s sitting room. She was a bit startled to see a stranger in her home but she didn’t show her surprise “ Michael Dear we are going to be late, don’t you dare say it only takes you a few minutes to get ready last time you took your sweet time!” she said a little strained though she was playing.

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

*Michael looked up from his conversation with Jacques, and called back to his wife.*
Right away, my lovely lady. I would not want to make you late for any of the fun!
*He turned back to Jacques, and handed him the letters.*
These are the letters to be delivered. Forgive me for cutting things short, but my wife insists that we be on time.
*Jacques nodded, and placed a small object in Michael's hands, as he took the letters.*
A gift, from a friend. Farewell; we shall meet again soon.
*Jacques got up, and bowed to the ladies as he left, grabbing his cloak and hat on the way. Michael also stood, and went upstairs to change, after planting a quick kiss on his wife's cheek and a bow to the other ladies.*

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"True Evil cannot be reckoned with. Only Defeated." - Sen L I Starfire

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

Geni climbed into the carriage and waited for her mother. When her mother's face appeared in the carriage, Geni was surprised to see that it was stern.
"Now, Genivieve, you need be on your best manners. I do not want you to be detestible. We need to find you a suitor." Her mother scolded.
"Yes mother, but I dare say, that if a man would find me detestible, it might be something other than my manners."
"Goodness no. Manners make a lady."
With that the carriage pulled away as they headed to the party.

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Nicole smiled at the stranger and her husband.
She moved to the full length mirror and fixed her hair and fussed with her dress. "I will go now, I think. Just to tell my father of our plan," said Hettie, heading to the door. " It's not proper to go out alone unwed. Have Francios escourt you "

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

*Michael finished putting his coat on, and slung the cloak over his shoulder. Grabbing his hat, he went downstairs, to wait for Nicole. He could not think of a better way to spend his evening than with his beautiful wife, though, he noticed with a grin, she would spend a lot of it playing matchmaker. He noticed the sword his father gave him hanging above the mantlepiece, a sabre of astounding quality. An eagle feather, the symbol of their house, hung from the pommel. It's meaning was far more than a family heirloom, but no one else knew that. Michael debated whether to wear it or not, so he called out to his wife.*
My dearest Nicole, what say you I take the sabre down from above the mantlepiece? It would make an interesting conversation topic, wouldn't you think?

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"True Evil cannot be reckoned with. Only Defeated." - Sen L I Starfire

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

Nicole spun around horrified " I Daresay it would be an interesting topic, but I don't think the guards would allow to enter the room and then i would be all alone not only that there goes our reputation for being civilized!" Nicole exclaimed being dramatic
she walked over to him and gave him a kiss " you worry me sometimes " she said before glancng at the clock. " we better go '

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Henrietta walked to her father's apartment on the arm of Francois. He was a very nice man who enjoyed talking about his horses. All she could do was smile and nod politely. She caught Louisa and her father just as they were stepping over the threshold. She related the Comtess de Lancrate's plan to them as they boarded a carriage to the ballroom of Versailles.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

Their carriage arrived at Versailles 20 minutes after their departure. Music, laughter, and talk could be heard from the courtyard, as Geni was escourted by a handsome guard. Geni thanked him with a courtsey and gracefully carried herself into the ballroom.

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Louisa was dressed in a canary yellow dress with mustard edging that was absolutely dreadful. Her lovely blonde hair was tucked under a dreadful powdered wig. Her father was in blue breeches, waistcoat, and overcoat with a red sash and his saber, looking very much the diplomat. His thin moustache was waxed in the French style. They looked absolutely rediculous together. With horror, she realized that her own dress was a mixture of the two colors. Already, the evening seemed to have the air of a fiasco.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

(giggle snorts* hehe canary yellow)
(i'll post about the ball for now )
Inside theGilded ballroom Fantastic and gaudy colors swirled about in the latest fashionable dances. to the side in the far end of the room was the dice tables filled with laughter and the occasional hiss as someone just lost a fortune. to the other end was a gathering of people who did not care to dance but preferred to eat sweets and talk the night away. twas a spectical filled with the best money could buy for the king loved lavish parties more than his own people. Of course al the Important Nobles were there at least the ones worth noting and the King and his Mistress Madame Du Barry (berry or Barry I'll never figure it out) and the Dauphin and Dauphine.

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

(I will describe the music, then.)
A chamber orchestra was situated to one side, near where the King was sitting. Before any of the dancing would begin, they played the music of Jean-Philippe Rameau, the pride composer of France. This ball was to be the epitome of the rococo style.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

((thanks Amoniel for playing luke! I am back, so let's see how this works. I'm kinda back-tracking, but bear with me, please...))

Luke smiled at the lady and watched her ride away in the carriage. Maybe she would be at the ball tonight, he thought hopefully. Then, he smacked his head. The ball! Ugh, that bloodly thing, I need to get into uniform! Luke quickly ran out of the stables and back into the servants quarters, to change into his serving uniform. It was a pair of nice black pants and a nice servants shirt supporting the French colors. He combed his hair quickly then rushed into the kitchen, to help the cook prepare for the guests.

He carried a plate with drinks out, giving them away and smiling and bowing slightly to royalitly, but the entire time his mind was elsewhere. He wanted to find the lady who smiled at him...and her name.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

((thanks Amoniel for playing luke! I am back, so let's see how this works. I'm kinda back-tracking, but bear with me, please...))

Luke smiled at the lady and watched her ride away in the carriage. Maybe she would be at the ball tonight, he thought hopefully. Then, he smacked his head. The ball! Ugh, that bloodly thing, I need to get into uniform! Luke quickly ran out of the stables and back into the servants quarters, to change into his serving uniform. It was a pair of nice black pants and a nice servants shirt supporting the French colors. He combed his hair quickly then rushed into the kitchen, to help the cook prepare for the guests.

He carried a plate with drinks out, giving them away and smiling and bowing slightly to royalitly, but the entire time his mind was elsewhere. He wanted to find the lady who smiled at him...and her name.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

(I hope you are not wearing red, white and Blue? that would be supporting the revolution.)

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home