Thread: Asking for Directions {darkangel76 & Alan23}

The night had been glorious! Andie had dared to dance twice with, Harryher intendedand he was ever the perfect gentleman. He'd bowed and smiled, not once touching her accept for the two times they'd danced and only then it was to lightly touch her fingertips. Only one time had she caught him staring and it was when she was being bold and taking two consecutive sips of her white wine rather than relishing the contents of the first. But... she couldn't help herself. The decadent sweetness of the Riesling was too much and her penchant for such delightful confections overwhelmed her so she succumbed to the temptation. She knew it was sinful and perhaps a small part of her found that to be thrillinga very small part of her, maybe... or was that just rationalizationbut she regained her composure, remembered her place and daintily sipped at her white wine for the remainder of while she'd held onto the crystal glass. The music had been extraordinary, the most wonderful to be heard in awhile. Then again, it was because this was her 'farewell party'. Andie knew that the musicians were giving it their all just for her, their hope for true peace with their neighbors in the south. And she would most certain see that they got it. After all, who couldn't resist the charms of one such as herself? She was Andromeda Hammond, daughter of William Hammond, president of Amerika. Her beauty and charm and impeccable connections would help them to see the error in their current views and just how admirable their sister to the north truly was. Truly, Annesland couldn't ask for a better ally and friend. As the night wore on, Andie knew she would soon have to excuse herself. She had an early start the next morning and the trip she was to take from Chicago to New Orleans would be long and no doubt treacherous! But then, that was why she had an entourage accompanying her. They would see to it that she had all the comforts and protections she would need along the way. She'd overheard her father say that the journey was to be secret and that meant extra protection indeed! Of course, the secrecy was probably to stave off any imbecilic fool who felt the need to interfere with the good deeds of her family for the benefit of Amerika! So foolish! But then, not everyone can see the big picture like those of the Hammond family, not everyone was born into such privilegea sad fact. Bidding her father and Harry 'good evening', Andie began to make her exit for the evening. As she headed toward the staircase and began to make her way up it, she could feel her stockings begin to sag. She bit down on her lower lip and tilted her head so as to peek around her cream-colored skirts. But it was no use. The gown was heavy and long and covered up everything from the waist down. As she continued to walk, she tried to shimmy her legs a bit to try, in vain, to move the stockings a bit. In the end... snap! She heard the garter unfasten and felt the one stocking sag more. Oh dear, Andie muttered under her breath. Immediately, she could feel her heart begin to pound beneath her chest, her cheeks getting hotter by the second. She quickened her pace, but with each step, the stocking begin to droop even more. Brown eyes pricked with tears as she walked, her embarrassment growing as she flushed, though thankful that no one could see her face, especially her father and Harry. Once at the top of the stairs, Andie dashed behind the corner and into the darkened hall where she knew she was alone for the moment. Tears rolled down her face as she hoisted up her skirt and looked at the stocking that had dropped to mid-calf, the garter strap dangling against her milky thigh. Swallowing hard, she frantically pulled on her stocking and began to fumble trying to quickly reattach it to the garter strap before anyone could possibly see what she was doing. If anyone saw... oh she'd be mortified! Finally, Andie got the stocking and strap adjusted and just in time before a servant walked by. She smiled and curtsied so that he wouldn't notice her tears or blush. Letting out a slow exhale, she smoothed out her skirts and quickly rushed back to her room where she knew Helen would be waiting to help her undress and ready herself for bed. Yes, it would be an early start in the morning and a long day and trip ahead of her. But she was ready for it. After all, she was a Hammond and the president's daughter.