The mansion was busy with getting ready. Mrs. Williams had announced a weekend charity gala to be held and he invited influential families, business associates and friends. Servants ran about with a decoration, chefs experimented with menu and Sophia got her chance.
This was no ordinary occurrence, this was a stage.
She was in front of her mirror, fixing a necklace of diamond which shone on her white skins. Her mirror grinned back at her and was lovely and sure. Ethan will be seen with me at the gala. And Christiana? She will be no better than an orphan girl in the background.
In the mean time Christiana sat in her room, wrestling with a gown which Mrs. Williams had presented her with. It was a gorgeous thing, of ivory silk--so soft, but she did not belong there in it, like a child in his play dress.
Ethan tapped and pushed open the door. Thou lookest... beautiful, said he in earnestness.
Christiana flushed, and peeped as she looked down. I do not feel like I fit in here, Ethan. All of this...it's not us."
He leaned nearer and speaking in a lower tone. "Maybe not. But whether we are at home or abroad You will always be with me.
A shiver of a smile came on her face, the first she had smiled in days.
However, when Ethan was about to say anything further, Sophia came into the doorway, her voice as buttery as possible. Ethan, Father, he wants you to come and receive the guests to-morrow. You don't mind, do you?"
Ethan frowned slightly. "I'd rather..."
Sophia interrupted him easily, with a glittering look. "It's important. Father has made a bet in me, and I need you. We will be representing the family after all.
Her eyes went to Christiana who blushed a little under the pressure of the words spoken by Sophia. Ethan was indecisive but eventually shook his head.
Sophia's smile widened. "Perfect."
On the following evening, the ball was shimmering in chandeliers and golden lamps. Music was floating through the air and the guests in gowns and suits were mingling in the marble hall.
Sophia skipped in on the arm of Ethan, flushed in crimson silk, her head held high. Whispers came with them...a most striking couple the daughter of the Williams and her handsome acquaintance.
In her ivory gown, Christiana hovered about the fringes of the crowd, and she felt unseen. She attempted a smile, as Mrs. Williams presented her to visitors, but she was always seeking Ethan. And wherever she met him he was at Sophia.
At some moment, Sophia bent over Ethan and whispered in his ear which stiffened him. Christiana only saw how close they were, across the room, the familiarity with which Sophia was touching his arm, the manner in which they were stared at as they should have been.
Her chest tightened.
Sophia saw her staring at her and she permitted a winning smile to pass across her lips.
The first move had been made.