• “Amelie! I’m so glad you’re here. I was starting to worry that the highway men had kidnapped you.”
    “Elaine, really! Even if a highway man had attacked us the guards father hired would never have allowed that. Besides Francis knows how to use a sword.”
    Right on cue, Francis stepped out the carriage.
    “Good evening Elaine.”
    “Hello Francis. It’s good to see you.” She said with a sigh. I hadn’t realised how tired she looked.
    “Well Amelie, I guess we had better get you back to the house and all ready for your presentation tomorrow. Francis, will you be all right to get home by yourself?”
    “Yes, my uncle only lives a few blocks down.”
    “Good.”
    “Bye Francis. You’ll come to my presentation ceremony and ball won’t you?”
    “Of course.” And with that he smiled at me and turned on his heels before disappeared into the fading light.
    We watched him go for a moment before Elaine hurried me into her carriage and directed the driver to one of the apartments in the town of Versailles. Once inside I was hurried into Elaine’s quarters where she started fussing over my dress.
    “I hope you brought a dress that is at least moderately acceptable.” She reached into my bag and pulled out a soft pink dress. “This one has too much lace and the neckline is too high.” She turned it over and sucked in a deep breath before turning on me. “Look at the back Amelie. You cannot possibly go out in public with such a modest backing.” She rummaged around in my bag before sighing. “You’ll just have to wear one of Madeleine’s dresses tomorrow. Come on, we’d better take a look at her wardrobe.” Even though I had brought my best dresses I had to agree, they were a few years old. Stopping at one of the many doors, Elaine knocked. Upon entering I saw my cousin Madeleine stretched out on her bed playing with two poodles.
    “Amelie! You’re here!” She bounded off her bed and catapulted into me, almost knocking me over. Her ruffled purple dress almost smothered me and her hair clouded my vision.
    “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me Amelie was coming Mother. That’s so not fair.”
    “I’m sorry, but I didn’t know myself until a few days ago and I thought it would be better as a surprise.”
    “At least she can help me do my hair now.” Madeleine shot a meaningful look at her mother.
    “Actually she can’t. She needs to choose a dress for her presentation tomorrow. As she doesn’t have any suitable ones we need to look in your wardrobe.”
    “Fine then. I’ll go find someone to do my hair.” and with that Madeleine flounced out of the room, her little poodles trotting faithfully at her heels. Elaine moved towards a door in the far end of the room and threw it open before stepping into the cupboard. She disappeared for a few minutes before emerging triumphantly, with a white gown clasped in her right hand. Telling me to try it on, she left me alone in the room. Slowly I took off my almond green dress and laid it on the bed. I gently picked up the white gown and shook it out. It was so beautiful it took my breath away. The bodice was a shimmering white with diamantes scattered artfully around the gathers of chiffon and the skirt flowed out around me in layers of ruffles and gauzy lace like detailing. A train with embroidered flowers and leaves cascaded down my back and fell onto the floor, a puddle of glistening fabric.
    “Elaine?”
    “Yes dear?”
    “Would you please do the dress up?”
    “Yes, I’ll be there in a moment.” While I was waiting I turned to Madeleine’s floor length mirror. I was surprised how well I fit into the dress. Hearing the door I turned, expecting to see Elaine but instead found my twenty year old cousin Pierre standing there.
    “Amelie! Oh I’m so sorry.” he looked stunned to see me there, let alone only half dressed. I could feel a blush creeping up my cheeks as he kept staring.
    “Pierre!” I hissed at him.
    “Oh! Right. I’d better go find Madeleine.” He backed out the room with his eyes still glued on me. I couldn’t really blame him; the last time he’d seen me I had been ten.
    “Pierre! What are you doing in my room? Oh gosh! You weren’t looking at Amelie were you? Seriously Pierre, why don’t you just go find Madam Du Barry to goggle at?” Madeleine came into the room looking annoyed.
    “Sorry about that...” she trailed off as she saw me.
    “Wow! I can’t believe how well that dress fits you. I never looked that good in white. You’re so lucky.”