Thread: Southern Girl [ Ariamella & Reydan ]

RE Southern Girl Ariamella Reydan It would do good for her to have more shawls and half-capes made as the ones she brought from back home were far too few and far too thin, Lucy thought as she waited patiently at the door. If it had been any colder she would have turned to ice! She had thought this morning's ride would be much like the previous morn, slightly chilly but still with the warmth of the sun to brighten the spirit. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Then after what seemed like eons, but was more likely a few moments, the entrance of the home swung wide open to reveal a butler standing before her. Miss Lucille Rayne, she introduced herself before slipping an envelope out of her purse and displaying a formal letter of introduction, proffering it to the man. Miss Rayne, he said in a kind voice, accepting the letter and stepping aside, allowing her her walk inside. Please do come in. My apologies for the horrid weather. Shall I take your shawl? Please, Lucy responded quietly, hearing him shut the door softly. She shivered one last time at the instant change of temperature, embracing the warmness of the indoors. She began unwrapping the over-sized linen material from around her shoulders and body, revealing a simple, corseted, deep red day dress with white lace embroidery around the sleeves and the bottom of the skirt. It had a moderate neckline that stopped just at her collarbone not as high as other day dress fashions, but not low enough to be considered an evening fashion. Handing it to the butler, she smiled politely at him. Thank you. The butler led her through the house to just outside a closed door. Mrs. Abernathy has been expecting you. Lucy nodded and adjusted her hair, fixing the pins that kept her long golden tresses to one side, all the while thinking to herself Mrs. Abernathy? So Camilla was married, and to a good, strong last name at that. Though, that particular name gave her an empty feeling in the pit of her stomach, as if it were the ghost of a wound that had barely healed. But she reminded herself that Abernathy was not an uncommon surname, and she was nonetheless happy for her cousin. Marriage was such a beautiful thing when done out of love, and Lucy could relate to the feeling of being completely enamored with a man. Well, she figured maybe love had lightened Camilla up since their childhood days. Miss Lucille Rayne, the butler announced after opening the door, and she walked through the threshold. She smiled at the sight of her cousin, surprisingly happy to see someone familiar. Then her eyes drifted to the man across from her. Lucy's smile faded at the face that was too familiar, and the empty pit in her stomach filled with a myriad of emotions that could only be brought forth by the image of Virgil Abernathy. She hadn't realized Camilla married that Abernathy. She hadn't even thought it possible that they would ever meet, but it apparently wasn't so. And all she could feel was the bite of shock, anger, and pain the memories of fondness and affection and even now as he was seated across Camilla, she felt the irrational thoughts of betrayal and jealousy. As for Virgil, the last she had seen of him was 4, almost 5 years ago when he departed Virginia, and he hadn't come to bid her farewell. The news came from his family, and all he had left her with were broken memories and an equally broken heart. But here, memories mixed with reality in the few seconds that she was able to freely look at him, and she noticed the changes to his appearance that had been absent in his 19 year-old self. Though he now sported a beard, he still looked mostly the same despite looking a bit aged... Older somehow, even though he was still young. Then again, the war had aged everyone, and whether the soldiers came from the North or South, the effect was the same. Distantly she wondered if his eyes still held the perpetual twinkle of amusement and silent laughter that she used to love, but when their gaze connected, she quickly looked away. Good morning, cousin, she greeted Camilla in the same polite tone she used with the butler, careful not to disrupt introductions by making it a known fact that she knew Virgil. In fact, Lucy tried to ignore his presence as much as possible as it was terribly distracting just being in the same room with him. If Camilla could sense the tension in the air, she said nothing of it. Thank you, Hoskins, she said before gesturing for Lucy to take a seat. How was the journey, Lucille? Tea or coffee? Oh, it was fine, thank you. And tea, please. Lucy took a seat beside her cousin, and at once a young girl filled an ornate teacup and set it on a matching saucer in front of her. Good. And this is my husband, Virgil, Camilla continued, waving a hand in front of her. He was a captain for the Union army, you know. It was obvious she was trying to show off, even if her voice affected nonchalance at the matter. She was a Holland through and through. Lucy shifted her eyes to the dirty blonde male in front of her. Oh was he now? What a delightful match. Well, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Abernathy. Her pink lips turned up in a sweet smile, but the steely gaze she held in her eyes belied any amiable nature in the way she greeted him.