Constance & Flynn (3) At that moment while Constance was contemplating her mean fate, a knock at the door startled her. She trudged from her seat and took her place by the door. She waited sullenly while her mother bustled down the hallway. Constance watched her mother curiously. Her bun had been unraveled and her blonde hair was loose in it's golden splendor. Her beautiful dress was creased down the back and bunched around ankle height revealing pristine white petticoats. Her face was flushed from some unknown exertion. She flung the door open with much relish and gave a breathless, "Hello." A shy quiet voice piped, "Hello, how do you do?" "I do quite fine." "That's w-w-wonderful" "What business have you here?" "I am Naomi." "I said, why are you anywhere near my house?" said Belinda clearly aggravated. "Pardon me, ma'am, b-but I do b-believe I have b-business with y-your daughter," the girl stuttered. Belinda's eyes narrowed on the thin girl standing before her. "Constance." She stepped back and returned to her room. Constance stepped forward and extended her hand. Naomi regarded Constance's hand warily before taking it. Constance looked over the painfully timid girl. She had thin, soft strawberry-blonde hair, which fell in a short cut along her jaw line. Her skin was so pale it was almost transparent. Her white dress fell to her toes almost sweeping the floor was plain without adornment. A dark blue cloak hung over thin shoulders in a protective manner, her Matching blue mittens covered long thin fingers and soft frail hands. Naomi shivered slightly, Constance said quickly, "Oh! So sorry, how rude of me please come in. I am just so disgruntled from all of today's events." "My grandmother sent me to ask you if, er, you received the invitation for the musical soiree." Constance nearly fell over Naomi's speech was so slow and deliberate it was obvious she stuttered. "I did." "Okay, thank you.." She turned to leave. "Uh, Wait! Let me just get my gear and maybe we could walk into town for something sweet." Naomi smiled and nodded, "I would like that." After Connie was suited up Naomi informed her, " The walk is r-r-reasonably long." Outside was an open carriage with two matching horses ad driver waiting next to the door slapping his hands to beat off the cold. Constance said, "Splendid. I left a note to my mother of my whereabouts. Let us leave." The driver swung both girls into the seats. Naomi gave directions to the driver and settle the carriage blankets over their legs. The evening wind bit their faces while Constance gave her the gossip on the kids on the walkway. "That's Pamala, my friend. Pronounced Pa-MAW-la. She can be a perfect pain but still... Oh! There is Jacob and Rosemary, perfect couple if you ask me, they are so nice. Did you happen to know that Jacob is a mute? I think it's a bunch of bosh and he just doesn't want to talk to all these pathetic people, I don't blame him. And here we are...stop the carriage." The drivers helped the girls down. The driver mumbled as he climbed back into the seat, 'I'll be waiting down the street for miss," and with that he clicked the horses forward. They walked to a shop called 'Candys.' Connie pulled two pennies out of her reticule and placed it on the counter. "Two sugar-coated maple sticks." Two wrapped sticks were given to her and to Naomi. Naomi stuttered as she pulled the brown paper off. "T-t-thank you." Constance nodded looking warily into her baby blue eyes. She wanted to laugh at her silliness of being so tense around Naomi but her fragile body made her protective of the slight girl. She watched as Naomi licked her stick with small quick darts of her tongue. As Constance and her walked the streets she saw Flynn. "Flynn! You vagabond what are you doing here?" His head snapped up and he looked pleased to see her. They crossed the distance in a short time and met in the cobblestone street. Connie introduced Flynn to Naomi. Flynn being polite gave his customary greeting before turning back to Connie. "Isn't it too soon to be out?" "No, I feel fine." "I found the dress." "Perfect. However there is the matter of how you acquired the gown." "My mother." "Of course, although I must have it fitted for me, I'm sure whatever your mother wore was just marvelous." He handed her a brown box. There was an odd silence until Naomi squeaked, "I don't mean to be a bother but I f-feel a b-bit cold." Flynn ushered Naomi and Connie onto the sidewalk he gave a lopsided grin, “I guess this a wrong time to ask anyone if they want and ice.” “Not at all,” Constance said dryly, “but hot chocolate would be amiss.” Naomi nearly squealed, ”Yes, hot chocolate please.” “Then shall we?” He proffered his arms to the two girls who took the invitation grandly. “Good practice, eh Connie, ol’ girl?” Flynn joked. Connie merely sneered at him. Naomi seemed intent on licking the fingers on her other hand clean. When she was done she wiped them on her lacy handkerchief. By accident it slipped from her fingers. Flynn bent to pick it up and he handed it to her valiantly. Naomi had been pulling on her gloves and when their fingers touched she blushed from her neck to her hairline. Flynn smiled down at her. Connie watched the interchange with little interest. Naomi didn’t have the feminine wiles of Pamala to entice him and didn’t have her independent streak to interest him in companionship. Although as they walked Naomi slipped a bit on a patch of ice and clutched at Flynn’s sleeve over long. Her cheeks flushed wit color again, and Connie wondered irritably if Naomi could do that on command. When Flynn right her, Naomi’s carriage appeared to escort her away. Naomi bid her shy stuttering good-byes and climbed into the carriage. Especially when Flynn kissed her hand she performed her blushing act again. Constance said agitated, “I’m going home as well.” And with that she climbed into the carriage. Flynn waved as he watched both girls leave. Naomi giggled and said, “Flynn is so very manly.” “If he was womanly I fear I would think him a pederast.” “You and him are attending my grandmother’s soiree?” Connie nodded. The two girls were silent until they reached her house where she said goodbye. As they drove away Naomi could only think of Flynn, it sent a shiver down her spine buy she couldn’t help but notice how apprehensive she was around him. After the ride Connie went straight to bed after bathing from a cold bucket of water. * * * Connie awoke with a start. She realized that there was a rapping at the door. She wondered what really woke her up, normally she slept like the dead. She slipped out of bed and wrapped the single sheet around her lithe frame. She walked to the trunk and pulled out a modest gray gown. The collar went up to her neck, the sleeves to her wrist, and her hem to her toes. She pulled on her sturdy brown ankle boots and descended the stairs. The rapping continued this time more insistent. She stopped by the pail and splashed some water on her face. She pinched her cheeks to bring color to them. She pulled a strip of leather from her pocket and caught her hair up in her hands with little curls hanging around her face. She opened the door, her mother usually slept until ten. It was Naomi and Flynn. “Interesting you would come to call so early. Even though you know my mother is sleeping, but I can’t ignore your calling now can I? Fortunately for you I’m in a good mood. Now what do you want?” Flynn answered, “Well I realized you might need a bit of help with the dress… did you look at it yet? No? Don’t worry, Naomi has some skill with the needle and of course my knowledge of style will come in handy with the modifying and you will be helping naturally.” With that said he proceeded both girls into the house. He went straight up to the loft and pulled a small case from his pocket, I brought the thread and needle and other sewing necessities, it belonged to my mother. I think we can take extra material from the hem because my mother was much taller than you.” Constance sprung into action, she retrieved the box from her trunk and opened it. She gasped. Inside was the most illicit dress she ever laid eyes on. She pulled it out of the box. Connie reached over and held Flynn’s hand, “Thank you, it’s really something.” He grinned awkwardly, “Let’s set to work then.” It took them the better part of the day to finish it but by dinnertime it was sight to behold. They had some hot tea and biscuits for break before they adjourned to their homes. After they left Constance whispered, “I am blessed in my friends.” * * * The next day when she woke up she heard the sounds of a busy body in the kitchen. She frowned in puzzlement. Mother was never up and about this early. She descended the ladder in her usual manner and peeked into the kitchen. Empty. She sighed in exasperation, her mother would be in her own room of course. Connie peeked her head inside. Her mother was in the iron wrought tub soaping her hair. At that moment her mother turned to her and smiled. “You get it next, so be ready, don’t want the water cold.” With that she disappeared underwater to finish cleansing her hair. Connie ran upstairs took off with the necessary things and went into her mother room. Her mother was there with a single towel wrapped around her. Right before she left the room with her dress she tossed to her a package wrapped in cheesecloth. She opened it hastily and inside were things like lip cream, lotion and low and behold make up. She looked up at her mother in curiosity. But her mother just nodded and left the room majestically. Connie took care of her washing in the blessedly hot and friendly water. By the time she was done washing her hair and combing out the long tresses into smooth dry locks it was near to one. Apparently she herself had overslept. She sat in front of her mother’s vanity and began to apply her makeup. The party was at four she had little time to waste. She applied and slight smear of lip cream and moved on to her eyes. She painted on an indigo color that brought out the dress. She applied her face paint or better known as blush lightly and her over all look was splendid. She pinched her cheeks to give them that natural glow. She had to decide what to do with her hair. It took forever to pull it up into one long loose ponytail with little myriad of curls and streamers surround her face. When she was finally done she decided in leave her hair down with some over each shoulder for effect. She threw off the towel and donned the gown. The black silk rolled luxuriously over her skin. She pulled on black slippers and with black stockings. She felt like she was breaking some rule but it was a wonderful feeling. She went to her mother. Her mother was adorned in red silk. The dresses sleeves left her shoulders bare but her arms covered with sleeves. The bodice was close fitting and flaunted the fact of her endowments. Her mother’s waist was small and trim and the dress was straight and down. Molding her legs and hips bolstered her slim shape. Her mothers hair was in bun at the top of her head with a bunch of curls on each side of her face. She looked exotic. “Mother, you look splendid. Do you know when Arnold shall arrive?” “Soon, we will be taking a closed carriage in style. You look magnificent yourself. Now we will drop you children off first and then see to ourselves.” There was sharp rap at the door. “That must be them, right on time. “ Her mother picked up a white reticule off the table and Connie picked up a dark blue one. They opened the door. Flynn was decked out in the same dark evening wear all of it uncut except for when the white of his shirt met the black of his coat. “Shall we?” He proffered his hand. She looked stunning. She was wearing his alluring black gown. The bodice and chest fit tightly giving hint to her assets. Where at the hips the dressed flared out by the many unseen petticoats. The dress was pleated and the sleeves were a small strip of black sash that hung off her shoulders. “We shall.” “You look delicious,” Flynn remarked as he helped her into the carriage. “Not too bad yourself, and I could say the same. They were seated across from each other and the parents followed suit. It was a long ride to Mrs. Anderson and they had to get started immediately. The silence was occasionally broken by the usual questions. ‘Are you excited?’ ‘How is your health?’ ‘The weather is marvelous, no?” Constance was ready to scream. The silence was interminable and it was bugging her to the point where she was about to take action. After an hour of countryside it was bugging her. Until finally they pulled into the circling driveway. Because of the winter weather it was evening already and nearing four. Flynn jumped from the carriage lightly, visibly glad to be free of it, and turned to help her down. Naomi was waiting on the steps and ran down the long majestic steps to meet them. “You two will turn heads. You’re simply marvelous looking.” Naomi was once again in almost an identical dress to Connie’s but hers was a light pale blue it was almost white, and she did not have the long black silk elbow gloves, but white ones. “This way.” She led them into a massive ballroom where already scores of their friends were dancing and laughing. Connie and Flynn were turning heads when they first started dancing and whispers were going among the gossipmongers. Flynn whispered down to her, “We are putting on quite an impressive show, hm?” “I should say so.” He waited until the music stopped to ask her if she wanted some air from being in the closed carriage to being in the ballroom. She gladly agreed. They stepped onto the balcony. “Flynn it’s wonderful out here, the gardens are beautiful.” “Yes.” “And Rosemary and Jacob made quite a couple. I wonder what is really going on though, don’t you?” “I don’t pry.” “Well I don’t either,” she squawked indignantly. “Constance, enough with the small talk. I need to get this off my chest.” Constance stared into his dark eyes. She pretended to lift something heavy from his chest with some difficulty and threw it over the edge. “Much better?” He couldn’t help himself. He laughed, but he quickly sobered. “Connie, we have come of age when it is time for us to get serious of our future.” Connie didn’t like the direction the conversation was taking. Flynn noticed that as the breeze began to blow it was sweeping her hair languidly about in an interesting manner. “I need to say this. When you were sick it opened my eyes to how much I really care about you and I was just wondering if you felt the same way.” There it was said. She reached over and took his hand. “Oh, Flynn…” He leaned in and slipped his arms around her waist and while she put hers on his shoulders. He leaned his head down and kissed her slightly parted lips. She tastes sweet, he thought. Constance began to protest, “No, Flynn, no, Flynn, don’t---“ She began shoving and pushing at his shoulders. “Stop it!” she shouted. He let her go. He looked at her and said, “I thought you shared the same---“ “You thought wrong. How dare you assume you can take liberties with my person. “ She spun on her heel and made an elegant entrance back to the ball room. Naomi came out onto the balcony slightly flushed. “Flynn, I want to go to the gardens.” “They are yours aren’t they?” “Yes, but it will l-l-look wrong with all those c-couples and I’m alone. It’s just for observation p-purposes you s-see?” “Very well.” Flynn steered her through the ballroom and out the back door and into the gardens. They strolled for a while talking of nothing and everything before stopping by a fountain behind a high hedge. “Flynn, you seem absent minded, tonight. Are you n-not enjoying the soiree?” “The soprano was awful I could hear her while we were strolling.” “Oh really? I thought she was charming.” “Why do you stick around with me even when I’m sour?” “I’ve only known you for two days.” “Enough to know everything about me. I’m not that mysterious. Tell me what you think of me?” “You are strong and noble, trustworthy and independent. And you are handsome of course.” Flynn leaned into her while she outpoured all his characteristics. He reached over and took her hand. She came to a full stop. She looked into his eyes and he followed suit. She looked embarrassed but not afraid. He leaned over and began kissing her. She parted her lips a bit and began to kiss back. She leaned into him also and placed her arms on his shoulders. He began to stroke down her back. He reached for the thin white pearl buttons that closed the back of her dress. He began unbuttoning them. “What are you doing? Can’t we just hold each other? I’m not sure if…” He was almost finished with the buttons. He started to peel away the clothing. “You’re not Constance…” He pushed her onto the ground and she fell back with a startled cry. He slammed his hand over her mouth and straddled her. His hands snaked from her chest and down lower and lower. He unbuttoned his britches adjusted himself between her legs. Her muffled screams became more insistent. He shoved her skirts higher until they were bunched around her waist. Naomi began fighting in earnest. But it did nothing. He no longer was her handsome prince that noticed her, but he was mean and cruel and he was going to do the unthinkable. Rape. Before he did it the last thing she heard him say was, “You’re not Constance.” Constance strolled the perimeter of the ballroom languidly, her thoughts not giving hint in her body language. She waltzed with a few boys that she was familiar with but she was distracted. Flynn looked shot down after their encounter but she had to take a stand. She observed him escorting Naomi from the ballroom and hadn’t seen him since.
Copyright © 2002 Julissa Gayle Raven |