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Another one.
To born second was simply scandalous. There was no worse insult among three - but not limited to - girls than to be born second. The tradition was more than foolish, and nearly all felt the same distaste about it, but yet the stigma of having the second birth remain rampant. Even prejudice of second birth was not restricted to the higher social classes, that were better able to spend their time contemplating this riddle, but it managed to spread to the lower classes, creating divisions among siblings when the lowly life form was discovered. Of course, the matter was usually kept under the strictest of confidence and exposure was only given to the actual second child. It was from that moment that the second choose whether to remain silent, or speak.
Simply put, those with a mind and suspicious heart of the evils of man kept their mouth shut. It was best nor to reveal the charge until death, or not at all! Furthermore, one may wish to think of why the parents may wish to have more than three. The answer is far to simplistic for the problem that it wrought. More children that a couple breeds means better chances at advantageous marriages. However, they are only advantageous to the other children, not the second.
Once more, the principle of second birth does not apply to a family of two children. This is so by the assumption that the second is also the youngest, and the youngest is the better off of all the children. It is the youngest who is the first to marry, and is the most desirable by they amount of a dowry, or if the youngest is male, then by the amount of his honor. The eldest inherits the family’s holdings, as is custom. If the eldest were to perish, than the holdings go to the youngest. And if the youngest were to perish, then the honor of first marriage is bestowed on the eldest. It is the second born that is excluded, unless by the unfortunate circumstance was to arise that all of the siblings were greeted by death.
Yet more importantly, this placement in a family is judge primarily on the mother. If the mother was virtuous, and loyal only to one man, then there is no turmoil as to the identity of the second. If this was to be judged by the father’s brood, then any amount of illegitimate children could be the second. This curiosity protruding to something so vile as to the damnation of one sibling is brought about by one mindset; there is bad blood that must be rid of.
Luckily, fate had bestowed Ferren as the eldest of her four sisters. She lived with them and her dear mother in the best university in the world. It was their university and it had always been in their name, for longer than history itself. It was called Briarwood by it’s students, and it was endeared as the best place for study and learned people. It more notoriously known recently as the home of the gossiping beauties and the intelligent eldest. Yet still, the authority of the university was unchallenged.
Ferren loved her school, and watched her mother intensely as she worked on managing the school. Ferren knew that it was soon to be her school, and she wanted to know how to run everything as it should be. The time spent with her mother was relished as well, since Lady Givens was always busy with her pupils and her sons. It was those quiet evenings in Lady Given’s study that Ferren was able to spend the most wanted time with her mother. The one hindrance to Ferren’s time with her mother was the frequent accompaniment of Ferren’s youngest sister, Ashley.
Ashley was by far the most beautiful of the five sisters, and she was well aware of it. Frequently, Ferren and Lady Givens would find the youngest sneaking into the university after a night of party’s and boys. When she was forced to accompany Lady Given’s, she often eyed the studious men, smiling and waving. Her attention was hardly even on her mother’s business, but on her own affairs. The most aggravating to Ferren was the brooch that Ashley wore just under her bosom. The pendent was large and certainly conspicuous. Whenever the sisters teased Ashley about it, Ashley would simply toss her chestnut locks and say “It is the perfect way to start conversation”.
The second youngest was a beautiful red angel named Charlotte. She was timid, but had a smile that the men adored. They would surround her, trying to get her to smile on them. Her green eyes, some would say, seemed to glow with her smile. The older maids would gaze upon her and marvel at how like her father she was. Charlotte would hardly draw attention to herself, or at least one would think that without knowing her character.
Abigail was the musician and the third born of all the girls. She could play piano, flute, violin, cello, and the harp with the ease of any other accomplished man. She, even though she was not the prettiest, but rather to most homely, was a treasure in the eyes of men. She would play for them, pretending that there were not anywhere near her and that she was focused. In fact, she always knew when she was being watched and it was at that time that she would sway her body to the tune of her music, creating grace with the beautiful music. Even her long, mousy brown hair would sway to the rhythm, catching whatever light there was in the room.
The final daughter to mention is the one closest in age to Ferren. The two schooled together, slept in the same room, shared secrets and their time together. Even though it was not certain who was older than the other - for it was necessary to understanding who was the black sheep, the second born - the two hardly ever cared. They promised each other that whoever it may be, the two would remain friends and defend the other. This calm, but shrewd sister was named Beatrice, and her dark brown ringlets and piercing, icy eyes were the very reincarnation of their mother.
The day was rainy and dark, much like fall weather was. The wind was cold and the sun had been missing for days. The university was closing for the summer in but a few short weeks, and the mother was expecting a proprietor from the city. All these things had the sisters feeling low, and they soon found themselves in each other’s company in the family’s private study. Abigail fingered the ivory keyboard, playing melancholy tunes in notion to the weather. Ashley was sitting by the window, embroidering to pass the time. Charlotte sat next to her, writing a letter to her childhood friend in the city. Beatrice and Ferren sat together by the fire, reading large, leather bound books. They girls all looked as if they were to die of ennui.
“Mother says that the proprietor is to arrive on the morrow. I wonder if he will. There is a snow coming, or at least Mr. Parsons has predicted,” Ashley spoke, glancing out the window. A smile crossed her face at the mention of Mr. Parsons, and she could hardly contain her giggle.
“Hush, Ash. No one can predict when the wind will blow, the sun will shine or when the rain will fall. Besides, Mother has not told us specifically that he will arrive on the morrow or not!” Beatrice scolded her sister thoughtfully, looking up from the book and at Ferren.
“He could be here in a fort-night for all that we would know.” Ferren agreed without drawing her eyes from the book. She turned a page, taking pleasure in the moan that Ashley emitted. “Besides, you must really retire your gossiping. Every time you mention something that mother has done, I am always there to counter it with the real story. Please stay to what you know I cannot counter, like the gossip of the men.”
Ashley huffed and returned to her stitching. A minuet from the piano began to sing over them and the sisters returned to their silence and their hobbies. Rain pattered at the window, playing a drum and marking Abigail’s time. Charlotte opened her mouth to speak after a few moments, but was interrupted by the opening of the door.
All the sisters looked up, their eyes wide from surprise. Standing in the door was a young professor named Mr. Geoffrey. Mr. Geoffrey taught about chemistry in the university, and had been living personally at the university since he was orphaned years back. The girls grew up with him, and deeply enjoyed his company. However, Mr. Geoffrey never entered into the sister’s house.
Beatrice stood, placing her book on her chair. She looked at him with the same quizzical look that all the sisters’ mirrored. He pulled his hat off of his head and held it in fidgeting hands. He looked from one sister to another, before looking back at Beatrice. Everyone remained silent.
“Take a seat, Mr. Geoffrey,” Lady Givens commanded, pushing him into the room gently and walking to stand in the middle of it. Mr. Geoffrey entered and stood by the door, as nervous as he was when he entered. Lady Givens signaled for Beatrice to sit, which was quickly obeyed.
Ferren watched the proceedings curiously, but was soon understanding what the matter was about. She glanced at Beatrice and knew that she also knew the cause for the strange visit. He had asked for Lady Givens’ consent for the hand of one of the girls. Which one, Ferren had no idea. It was whoever he wanted and whoever would have him. However, the three youngest had no idea, and it was apparent.
“Girls,” Lady Givens began, ignoring the fact that Mr. Geoffrey still stood by the door, “one of your lives will change today. Be warned. I have given consent to Mr. Geoffrey, at his demand, to be joined in matrimony with one of you. It is high time for marriage and I, by doing this, am hoping that you girls will stop your flirting with the men of my university.”
“But Mother!” Ashley exclaimed, jumping up out of her seat. Her brooch caught the light from the fire and glimmered seductively. “I am merely sixteen this month! You can not expect myself or Charlotte to take to husband now.”
“Will you hush!?” Lady Givens cried. “I have not even told you who he wishes to wed and already I am bombarded with your objections. Have some reserve. But you are correct in noting that you are young. I have made it clear to my peers that I will not part with a daughter until the age of seventeen. However, I have specifically said that I will not allow you, Ashley, to marry until you are twenty years, if I can help it.”
The air in the room stiffened. All but Ashley were nervous for the next few moments. Ferren swallowed, her stomach in a tumult. She had always liked Mr. Geoffrey and had dreamed on some occasions that she was to marry him. She reasoned it as well. It was assumed that Beatrice was the second, even though it was never spoken, and if Ferren was first born, she would inherit the university. Mr. Geoffrey would like to be the head of it.
“I have decided that he may have to choose out of two of you girls. I had given him the option, and he had chosen which he would like to marry. Beatrice, he would like to marry you.”
Beatrice gasped. Ferren’s gaze fell on her, startled, but glad. Ferren reached for her sister and embraced her, whispering into her ear. “Beatrice, this is your salvation! He knows not of your birth and you will live happily. Beatrice, you are the luckiest in the world.” Ferren kissed her sister on the forehead, wiping the tears of joy from Beatrice’s eyes.
Mr. Geoffrey smiled, beaming with pride. In almost an instant, Lady Givens had gathered the rest of her daughters out of the room so that Beatrice and Mr. Geoffrey could have some time alone. In the hall, as they walked to their rooms to prepare for dinner, Lady Givens had one more announcement. The proprietor had arrived and was joining them to dine.
Almost at once, the three younger daughters became excited. They ran quickly to their rooms, their chatters ringing down the hall and causing several of the servants to halt their work. Ferren stayed behind and looked at her mother’s calm manner. There was a certain air of confidence that always radiated from the Lady Givens. Ferren was almost always in awe of it, and she often caught herself staring at her mother.
“Mother,” Ferren whispered after moments had went by. The commotion coming from the one room that the three shared was still quite audible. Without taking her gaze off the window that she stood next to, Lady Givens waved her hand for Ferren to continue. “The proprietor, is he someone important from the city? You never speak of him.”
“The man is from a distant land. You will not know him, nor do I expect you to. He is simply here to inspect our university and make sure that things are in order. You, my dear, I trust will keep your sisters from bringing ridicule to the family. I cannot have out reputation tarnished any further by the rest of my offspring.” Lady Givens turned and walked down the hall, her back straight, head high and with confident steps.
Ferren watched as her mother walked away before turning her brief attention to her sister’s door. Then quickly, she scurried after her mother. “Please Mother,” she spat out quietly, rushing past the servants and doors. “Do not place me in charge of them. Ashley hardly ever listens to anyone, least of all myself! Charlotte will follow her and Abigail will be free to do as she chooses given the rational conclusion that I will have no other choice but to dispose my strength on the younger two!”
Lady Givens turned to her, her eyes piercing in their finality. Ferren immediately glanced away, her hands folded in front of her. “Beatrice will not be attending this night, as I know you know. The help will be busy as well, being it the end of the university year. I expect you to live up to the responsibility that I have given you. If you cannot deal with flirts, how can you be any greater than a housewife?”
In a rustle of silk, Lady Givens turned and walked down the hall. Ferren watched her from a bowed head as her mother floated away. With her vanity wounded, Ferren turned to her room that she shared with Beatrice to begin to prepare for supper.
************************************************************************
‘If he was any more handsome, I am certain that Ashley would die,’ Ferren thought to herself. She could not help but to admit that he was a sight to behold. The Lord Xannon was tall, built and dark. His ebony hair shone with golden brilliance under the candlelight, and his black eyes moved slowly, surveying his surroundings. His long, graceful fingers held everything delicately, as if he would never be able to again. His speech was careful and precise, and Ferren could hardly help herself. She stared, taking pleasure by the way his mouth moved when he spoke.
“The land is humble, and the university modest, I am sure, when compared to your own land,” Lady Givens spoke. “But we’ve the finest of scholars here, studying year round with the exception of the up and coming snow month. There is not one soul hear during that time. The girls and I often move to the Victorian in the city.”
“I passed by the home. It is quite lovely, I must say. The university is far more graciously presented though.” Lord Xannon smiled, gazing at the wine through the glass. He inspected it while continuing with his reply. “I am very pleased to see that the Xannon investment had not left for want. Certainly,” he quieted his voice, “adding a respectable home for such fair daughters.”
Ashley giggled, turning her head away from him. He glanced over at her, smiling himself to see her pleasure. Ferren stiffened, glaring at her younger sister that sat next to her. Ferren had purposefully positioned herself across from Lord Xannon and next to her younger sister. Ashley, originally insulted, ignored her sister.
“We manage with what we have,” Ashley smiled at him. “Mother keeps us pleased and the entertainment is certainly amusing, Sir. These learned men hardly know how to accept educated women.” Ashley bowed her head carefully, gazing at him through slightly lowered eyelids. Lord Xannon removed his smile, looking back at her.
Ferren was not ignorant of her sister’s flirting manner. With caution, she glanced at her mother sitting at the head of the table, and was relieved to see that she had not visible noticed. To rectify the situation, Ferren kicked Ashley under the table. Ashley jumped, surprising both herself and Lord Xannon, before quickly hiding her anger towards her older sister.
“I have came across stories of a magnificent musician in the house of Givens. Which one of you fair ladies is the culprit of such flattering stimulation?” Lord Givens looked over the four girls, his eyes stopping on Ashley. Ashley blushed childishly and secretly bit her lip. Lady Givens rapped on Ferren’s wrist.
“My Lord Xannon,” Lady Givens announced, “you speak of Charlotte, the blushing one there. She is rather modest about her music, and I must assure you, she would much rather get off the topic.”
“Mother!” Charlotte protested. Ferren shot her a look from across the table which silenced her quickly.
“Honestly, Milady, I see that she would rather speak of her gift. In fact, if you would be so kind to me, I would like to hear your playing after the meal is over.” Charlotte looked bright red under her mousey hair and she focused unnecessary attention to her plate.
Silence filled the room, bringing sounds from the kitchen. The dessert was set on the table, over the chatter of Lady Givens and Lord Xannon. Ferren more than once had to keep Ashley in check, which irritated the both of them, along with the mother.
“Will you stop it!” Ashley cried aloud as the dishes were carried away and their coffee cups were being filled. Ferren had pinched her after Ashley purposefully leaned over her cup, eyeing Lord Xannon, while reaching for the cream. “If you touch me one more time I’ll . . .”
“Girls! What is this commotion all about!?” Lady Givens asked, glaring at Ferren with emanating rage. Ferren stared back at her mother, scared but angry as well.
“Mother, Ferren will not stop kicking me, pinching me and hitting me! All I am doing is trying to eat and enjoy my meal. She is horrendously insufferable and I demand that she be excused from entertainment for the rest of the evening.”
Ferren watched her mother, careful not to allow her emotion to become apparent. Ferren was gifted in her ability to mask her emotion from everyone. There was not a person in the world that could decipher her emotions when she did not want them to. Not even Lady Givens or her late husband knew what emotion Ferren was experiencing.
Lord Xannon stared at Ferren curiously. His brows furrowed in his thoughts. However, Lady Givens was angry with her daughters. She looked from one to the other, carefully considering that options and the consequences that each had. It was soon after Ashley’s outburst - which lead to her eyeing Lord Xannon again with a smile - that Lady Givens began to speak. She looked into her lap before at each of her daughters.
“You both will leave for the evening,” she ordered in her quiet, but authorities voice. “I have had it with the two of you. Do close your mouth Ashley and be a lady. I have noticed both of your actions during this evening and I have decided on such. Please excuse yourselves.”
“Oh, do let them stay, Milady,” Lord Xannon contradicted. “They were not doing any harm. Besides, I find them both very amusing. It would be a shame to not allow them to entertain us once we retire elsewhere.”
Ashley turned to him, smiling radiantly and obviously pleased with her troubles at getting him to notice her. However, he was looking at Ferren, his eyes blank, but showing just a hint of confusion. Ferren matched his stare, but there was nothing in her eyes or face that revealed her thoughts.
 Cammiebar · Mon Dec 03, 2007 @ 12:44am · 0 Comments |
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