Never Too Far Away

By Thriasia

A Bast Ball

o~o~o~o~o

The next week proved to be one of bustle and excitement for Bast. Farmers chattered in the streets as they distributed produce to each shop, maids traded whispers as they picked up their mistresses' shopping orders, and the whole town was abuzz with freshly cut news.

The Duke and Duchess of Westcliff had announced their annual spring ball and one was either incredibly envied for being invited or incredibly envious of those who were. There was no in-between. The Westcliff Ball was a highly coveted affair and attended by some of the most affluent families in the country. Countess Rainford was, of course, on the list and had been for many years along with her late husband. So by association, Ella had the privilege of being on that list as well.

Though Ella had imagined a much more subdued and tranquil visit to her aunt's, she was obviously not immune to the anticipation of such a grand event. Her aunt was in high spirits that Ella was present during this "auspicious time" (her words, not Ella's) but Ella had to admit, the joviality was a bit contagious.

"Dear," Helen Rainford murmured after a small nibble of her tartine, "I've booked us an appointment with Madame Sophie-Anne this afternoon for our fittings so let's make the smallest haste with our breakfast."

Ella looked up from her task of spreading jam on toast with a questioning look. "Fittings?"

"Why of course!" Helen waved her hand gracefully. "We have less than a fortnight before the Westcliff Ball and absolutely not a stitch of clothing to wear."

Glancing down at the seams that held her sleeve together, Ella held in a laugh. "Aunt, you know quite well I have many stiches of clothing and some in the form of entire gowns."

Helen chuckled, "Cheeky girl, you know one cannot wear a used gown to the Westcliff's." She continued to chuckle at the absurdity, shaking her head, imagining the scenario.

I truly think she's picturing me in a potato sack with lace trimmings, Ella thought amusedly.

Where one would have been insulted by believing Lady Rainford thought their wardrobe shabby and only fit for a scullery maid, Ella knew that her aunt had long become accustomed to the excessively lavish Court traditions, level-headed noble though she may be. Ella had never felt the need for an overly elaborate collection of clothing but was not necessarily displeased by the notion of a new, fancy ball gown.

I mean, she was still a girl, wasn't she?

o~o~o~o~o

The bell above the door made a curt jingle as Helen and Ella stepped into the esteemed Madame Sophie-Anne's dressmaker shop.

They were by no means alone as several groups of women littered the space, mostly being ladies trying on dresses, seamstresses trying to sell those dresses to them, and their poor maids towing after them, arms overflowing with fabrics.

Gliding out from one of the curtained dressing rooms, a gorgeous young woman assumed a modeling stance in front of the mirror, wearing a decidedly un-gorgeous bright canary yellow gown.

"Well what do you think, darling?" With a flick of her wrist, the woman pointed her stare into the mirror at her maid standing in the background.

"Mhhh huhhh mmhn," the young maid muffled from behind stacks of silk and organza piled in her hands that towered precariously high above her face.

"Speak up, Diana, darling. I can't hear a thing. Isn't it the most ravishing shade of violet?" The woman took a quarter turn while holding up a corner of the gown in her fingers.

Ella wasn't sure she heard correctly. Either her definition of 'violet' had been wrong her whole life or Bast truly was a different culture.

That woman's dress was most definitely yellow. Very yellow.

And not at all ravishing with her fair complexion and blond hair. Which was a shame since she herself was so lovely.

The maid known as Diana took an exasperated hand and placed it less than delicately at the top of fabrics she held and compressed them to a level that allowed her freedom of speech. "How many times do we have to do this, Miss Elisabeth… that is not purple. It is yellow. And hideous. They are always yellow."

Elisabeth released a sigh of disappointment. "Not again, surely?" She took a layer of tulle and brought it to her face for closer inspection. "How beguiling…"

Suddenly, she turned to Ella and asked, "How violet does this look to you?"

Turning around to see if the woman addressed another, she only saw her aunt discussing with Madame Sophie-Anne.

Glancing back to the lady, she responded wryly, "As violet as the sun."

Elisabeth let out a hoot of laughter behind a gloved hand and Diana giggled. "You're funny," Elisabeth remarked matter-of-factly. "I like you. As Diana will tell you with little patience, I have a devil of a time with my violets and greens. Been that way my whole life."

"You mean yellows and blues, Miss," Diana clarified pointedly.

"Yes, yes, Diana, we get the idea. Pray, what is your name?" Elisabeth turned blue eyes at Ella expectantly. "I don't believe I've seen you before and I've seen everyone."

Ella made a gentle curtsy. "Ella of Frell, pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Elisabeth of Downey," she reciprocated with her own curtsy. "Ahh, now I know who you are - the niece staying with Lady Rainsford. How fortunate I am to meet you first, I do love being first!" Elisabeth clapped happily. "Of course you must be here shopping for the Westcliff Ball, yes?"

Ella was shocked that there was any general inclination to meet her from anyone, let alone this elegant woman. She also wondered how much more Elisabeth knew about her, as she gathered Elisabeth was someone well situated in Court if the attention given to them by the rest of the shop patrons was any indication.

"Yes, it appears along with the entire Royal Court," Ella observed.

Elisabeth grinned. "All of whom are not terribly interesting," she said quietly. "Which makes it a relief that you have arrived to add some liveliness to our society."

"That," Ella indicated, "I cannot guarantee, but I shall try my utmost." Regardless if she was sure that she already liked Lady Elisabeth, she knew her aunt would want her to be as pleasant as possible to someone of Elisabeth's status. "It will be my first event in Bast so no one will have yet heard me repeat my jokes."

With a laugh, Elisabeth said, "Well you must seek me out at the ball, darling. I have loads of peoples to which I will introduce you and must certainly catch up with Lady Rainford as well."

"Until Saturday…", Elisabeth chimed with a wave, strolling towards the register. "Diana, add that lovely emerald number to the group, would you please." She gestured to a display piece hanging to her right.

Diana penguin-walked with her encumbered arms over to the displays.

She grabbed the navy blue dress with a slight roll of her eyes.

Ella smiled at the pair's antics as she was ushered by seamstresses into a dressing chamber of her own.

o~o~o~o~o

Looking one last time in the floor length mirror of her bedroom as her dressing maid pinned the last of her curls, Ella fidgeted with her skirts a bit. She was draped in burgundy silk that left her shoulders bare with sleeves that hung loosely off them. The bodice and sleeves were neatly outlined with beaded pearls, which were then dispersed randomly throughout her large skirts.

Simply put, this was the nicest dress Ella had ever owned.

The look was completed by soft ringlets of curls pinned atop her head with some tendrils framing her face. While she was no stranger to balls and parties, they were not quite at the caliber of the royal court. She might have felt over-dressed if not for the insistence of her aunt who was dressed even more elaborately than she.

So, that was a comfort.

Taking her aunt's formal carriage, Lady Rainford and Ella arrived at the Westcliff estate in a brief thirty minutes. Immediately upon passing the gilded gates, Ella was struck by the extravagance of the high arching stone walls that extended several stories high, flanked by towers. All around the circular courtyard were carriages of every color and design, releasing stylish nobles of equally diverse and glittering attire.

Climbing up the stairs, Helen and Ella waited to be announced to the ballroom by the footman.

"Introducing Countess Rainford and her niece, Lady Ella of Frell."

While the massive ballroom hummed with consistent conversation, more than a few groups looked up to take stock of the new addition to Court society.

Ella could feel eyes on her, appraising her, as they took the stairs to the floor. There were smiles and whispers exchanged behind delicate fans.

She was more than happy to follow her aunt's confident stride. Ella was certainly not a shy person but she allowed herself that anyone would think it daunting to be in such company for the first time. The ballroom was packed to maximum capacity and looked like a sea of color.

Everywhere she looked she saw the gleam of diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, which situated themselves on liberally exposed bosoms. The shine of expensive leather shoes and silk cravats. High coiffures of hair and rouged lips.

And here I was afraid of being too opulent, Ella thought with humor.

From her viewpoint, she might be the most modestly dressed woman for miles. She wasn't in Frell anymore.

"Countess Rainford, such a pleasure to see you again!" Helen was bombarded by courtiers, eager to make themselves known to her.

"Here you have the vultures," Helen whispered good-naturedly to Ella. "We pay them attentions now so as to not have to suffer it later."

They weaved in and out of the strains of guests, stopping each time to make introductions and idle conversation. Ella couldn't be sure, but it seemed that the weather was the most scintillating topic that ever existed. That, and of course, the latest gossip on courtships, proposals, and infidelity. Or even worse, the combination of the two.

Lady Alicia had been sure it was going to rain terribly on their wedding day, but can you imagine, it was complete sunshine! She had almost fainted over the anxiety of it all.

That story had been a real nail-biter.

The most exciting piece of gossip would be how one could get a glass of champagne around here...

After some time, Ella could see the crowds part in front of them and she craned her neck to see why. They nobles has begun to make way for Duke and Duchess Westcliff as they headed for Countess Rainford.

"Helen, it has been too long!" Duke Westcliff announced, his loud voice carrying easily over the guests. His wife came up beside him and nodded serenely with a regal smile.

"It's been that long because you have not invited me over since this time last year," Helen berated with a knowing grin.

"Ah, yes," the Duke chuckled. "Time does seem to pass by so rapidly, forgive us. My Duchess has been busy with the completely necessary and not at all expensive remodel of the gardens," he remarked dryly. "But gardens are much less interesting compared to the acquaintance of your niece," he gestured to Ella with a pleased expression.

Ella afforded the noble couple a deep curtsy as her aunt made the necessary introductions. She was amazed by the teasing humor of the Duke and the calming nature of his wife, considering their ranking. Both were dressed in great finery of blue velvet draped with gold embellishments and their presence seemed to fill out the enormous ballroom with ease.

She was not sure she could ever be so natural among this level of wealth, even were she born into it.

"Why, someone get this young lady a refreshment," the Duke summoned a servant with a silver tray of champagne flutes. "You must be parched after having to be displayed to all these prying nobles," he joked to Ella as a glass was hastily put in her hand.

Ok, this guy was all right in her book.

The Duke selected a glass of his own and turned back to her. "Lady Ella, there are two who would particularly wish to make your acquaintance. Please allow me to introduce my sons."

The Duke moved aside with a shallow bow to reveal two tall, blonde, young men that looked as if they could be twins. They stood a good few inches above most nobles in the room and were conservatively clothed in neat black and white attire.

"Enchanting to meet you," one said smoothly with a grin. He looked to be... the older brother?

Both men bowed over her hand, respectively, and kissed it. Ella stood there for a moment and blinked, almost forgetting to curtsy as well.

These were not your everyday men one usually saw on the street.

Did she forget to mention he was handsome?

They.

Both were, that is.

Devilishly so.