Chapter 3: Chapter 2
"I am not amused." Antoinette's scowl expressed her displeasure.
"Oh, mama, we were just having fun. "Annalise said as she dried herself with a towel.
"Non! I have had enough of your childish ways. "You are a grown woman now, A Lady. It would not behove of you to behave in such a manner. I will not have it." She was furious. "Oh, my head." She massaged her temple.
"Qu' ais-je fait pour mériter cela?" Antoinette said, taking a deep breath, and with that, her countenance changed so swiftly to a happier one. Annalise wondered how she could always manage her emotions like that.
"Now, ma chérie, today is a significant day, is it not?" She looked deeply into her daughter's eyes, beaming with joy and pride, but Annalise did not share that feeling. She looked unconcerned, like it was just another ordinary day.
"It is your very first social season." She cupped her cheeks, trying to contain her excitement. "Today is the day you make your official debut into society." The marchioness said with tears in her eyes.
Annalise browsed through the table before setting her eyes on some freshly made biscuits. She picked one up and proceeded to put it in her mouth.
"Sacré bleu!" Her mother exclaimed in her thick French accent, smacking the biscuit out of her hand. "What do you think you're doing?"
Annalise's face was a mixture of shock and confusion. "Eating a biscuit?"
"Non-Non, not unless you want to fit into the dress Madame Rousseau made you. Look, it is finished." She unveiled the ivory silk dress for her daughter to see.
"It is nice." Annalise gave a half-hearted reply, still eyeing the tray of biscuits.
"It is not just nice. It is magnifique. You will be the jewel of the season." The marchioness swelled with pride. "Come now, we must prepare. "Lady Grace, Susan, Clara." She rang for her lady-in-waiting and Annalise's maids.
"Yes, your Ladyship." They all chimed.
"You must help my daughter prepare. The queen and several esteemed members of the court will be present today. We have a big day ahead of us, girls." She clapped, and they all fell into action.
First, they led Annalise to the bath, thoroughly scrubbing every inch of her body like one who had not taken a bath in years. The warm water was still changed to a warm one filled with essential oils and lavender petals. After letting her get a good soak in, she was led out and dried.
Annalise's eyes found their way to her corset and undergarments on her bed. It was then she knew this was only the beginning of her troubles.
"Can you not squeeze in a few in a few more inches?" Antoinette spoke to Susan, one of Annalise's maids who helped dress her.
Annalise was already red in the face. "Mama, if this corset gets any tighter, I fear my lungs will stop working."
"Nonsense, child. "Her mama dismissed her comment with the wave of her hand. "I only want to show forth your hourglass figure and sylphlike silhouette.
"I have not had any decent breakfast all morning," Annalise grumbled.
"Ma chérie, A lady, must always take small bites to maintain her figure," Antoinette whispered as she had just let her in on a little secret.
"My figure shall be of little consequence now if I drop dead, shall it?" Annalise grimaced, sitting in front of her vanity as her maids styled her hair.
"Well, you may have some tea," Antoinette said to her.
Lady Grace, Susan and Clara held her hair up and styled it with little crystals. "We must not overwhelm her now but rather help her natural beauty shine through," Antoinette explained.
"Yes, your Ladyship." They all responded and completed her look by placing three large ostrich feathers on Annalise's head.
"Would you like some rouge, my lady?" Lady Grace asked Annalise.
"Of course, she would like some," Antoinette interjects before Annalise is given a chance to respond. "And powder her nose while you are at it. My daughter must look perfect."
There was a knock on the door. "Enter," Antoinette commanded, not bothering to turn around to see who it was.
A maid briskly walked in. "His Lordship has arrived."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Dee_Beaut
Dee_Beaut Like the story so far? Please comment or send a review. I would really like to know what you think.
Full story on Amazon both on ebook and paperback. Just click on the link below
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BH56SX1W
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone