Thread: Secrets and Lies (Sync & Mali)

Four years ago, Elsa Strathmore ran away with a young man she met the night of her debutant ball. It created quite the scandal among the high society goers, her family and most of all her reputation. When word came that they had not married, she was officially a ruined woman among New Englands elite. Now, four years later, she has come back and the first place she had gone was home in the hopes of seeking forgiveness from her family. They were delighted to see her again afraid something truly awful had befallen their daughter. And when those pleasantries were over, they ripped her a new one. But when all was said and done, they gave her a condition she would be forgiven by them so long as she was married by the end of the year. It was August now. So she had four months or she would be cast out by her family for good now and they would have done it on their own terms, not because their daughter ran off with some no good boy who wanted to take advantage of her. When asked about what happened between her and that boy, Elsa didnt give much away. She simply said she made a mistake, she was tricked and she came back when she was able to make enough money to come back home. It alarmed her parents as to what means she had to go through just to make money but she didnt say. Neither did she deny anything. What was the point? Her parents and all of society thought she was a ruined woman. So let them think what they wanted. It didnt matter if she pled her case. The peoples minds were set. Nonetheless, the deal was set and she was immediately whisked into a high society party to renounce her arrival and debut. While her parents mingled, she stood in a corner by a table, sipping a glass of water and wearing her finest, listening to the voices around her. She just stared out ahead of her, not looking at anything in particular while people were not very subtle about their gossip behind her back, or beside her in fact. If potential suitors came up to her, it was simply to inquire about what kinds of things they could do with her and how much a night with her would cost. She politely declined, smiled and walked away. Other times, they wanted a dance with the infamous black sheep of high society, so ruined that she wasnt worth anything now except for a dance or a romp in the sack, tangled up in silken sheets. The entire night turned out to be a bust and she was now fearing that if this what all parties would be like at the tail end of the debut season, her parents would be officially disowning her at the end of four months and then she would truly be a lady of the night whose only worth was lying on her back and spreading her legs. When her corset became too tight and she felt like she couldnt breathe as anxiety reigned supreme, she stepped outside onto the balcony of the large mansion from the ballroom and breathed in the fresh air. It did wonders but she was afraid to go back in there. She couldnt face the scrutiny and while Elsa knew there would be much scrutiny, she honestly didnt think it would be this bad. Dressed in a soft crme corseted gown with hand-stitched embroidery and design, she gazed out the horizon as the sun went down, turning the sky various colors of pinks, oranges and yellows. She had in her hand a flute of champagne rather than water, needing something stronger for her nerves. She normally didnt pick up such a bad habit but tonight, she needed the liquid courage, especially for when she would have to go back and face the wolves again. A single tendril of jet black hair escaped from the bonds of her restrained her, plaited into a thick braid that tumbled down her back with ornamental flowers and beads stuck in for design and beauty, cascading over the soft features of her face and skin. She didnt even mind it. If she could unwind, be done with this dress, take her hair down and be free she would. In fact, Elsa would love nothing more than that. Her choice to come home was a difficult one. She had been free. Free from high society and in a place where no one knew her or the Strathmore name, much to her pleasure. But she came back for a reason. And now she had to deal with it and endure the pains and trivial scrutiny that came with it. She made her bed and now it was time to lay in it. Which she might have to do for the rest of her life if tonight was any indicator of what future parties would hold.