Ablaze in Passion 3

After finally finishing up with all their morning duties, the girls were free until the afternoon chores were to begin. Bianca returned to her own small room to remove the apron she wore when on duty. When she entered she sighed to herself when she saw that the blue dress was lying on the floor, exactly where it had landed when she had hurriedly thrown it into her room earlier on. She picked it up and placed it in the small wooden cupboard. Moments later a knock came at her door and then Lucy entered,
"Have you tried it on?" Lucy asked her as she fell onto her skinny single bed,
"No, and I’m not going to either,"
"Why not, I’d do anything for a dress like that,"
"Well take the one in that cupboard then, it’s only going to gather dust,"
"Oh Bianca, I couldn’t possibly, if Georgia ever found out you gave it away,"
Bianca looked towards Lucy, the forlorn look in her eyes. She knew the feeling of never having anything pretty of her own.

"I know, but it doesn’t mean I can’t let people borrow it?" she said trying to take the look away,
Lucy looked back at Bianca and broke into a grin,
"No it doesn’t," she replied, "and it just so happens Thomas wants me to meet him again tomorrow night,"
"Perfect,"
Bianca stood and retrieved the dress, Lucy jumped up immediately, the excitement evident on her face.
"Have I ever told you that you are the greatest friend a girl could ever wish for,"
"Come on Lucy, just try the dress on, we’ll take it in so it fits better, Georgia’s getting a bit on the plump side," Bianca replied laughing.

Later that night after Bianca had finished clearing the dinner table from the tasty feast the cook had made for the Luxembourge’s, and all the dishes had been cleaned, and the animals had been fed. Bianca found herself taking a night stroll through the gardens. She was dressed only in her night clothes and she had left her hair down, which fell to her waist. The moon was full for the second night in a row and she had to admit, Lucy had been right about how beautiful it had been. She smiled to herself at the thought of Lucy, all dressed up in the blue dress; knowing that it had looked more beautiful on her then it had ever looked on Georgia. Thomas and Lucy made a lovely couple, and together they could hopefully leave the Luxembourge’s and have a better life.

She walked into the small courtyard which was situated near the far side of the manor and sat on the small bench there. She found herself in this spot a lot; where she could sit peacefully with no interruptions. She called this place her ‘dream’ place, because she found whenever she was here, her mind would run away with her and she’d find herself daydreaming about what life could be like if she was ever away from here. She even thought up amusing scenario’s of which Georgia would usually lead in; but as she had wisely named this place her ‘dream’ place, these little pleasing thoughts never became more than just that; amusing dreams and desires. Sometimes however she would sit here and not think or dream at all; some nights she would just sit. Silently like a statue; where if by chance another person was to happen by, they were surely to mistake her for one. Even though this courtyard was another part of the Luxembourge’s great Manor, it was certainly the one and only place in the entire household, where Bianca truly, wholeheartedly felt safe. She felt this small secluded forgotten square, that had been designed just to the far side of the Grand Luxembourge Manor was more her own then it would ever be Georgia’s.

Rising to her feet once more as the cool night air sent a slight chill over her skin, she left her courtyard, and headed back to the kitchen entrance. Upon entering however she was stunned to see that instead of the usual quiet, tidy kitchen that generally followed after the afternoon meals; the cook and her many helpers were still bustling around. Lucy was also found in the kitchen with their head of servants and Bianca made her way over immediately.
"What’s wrong?" she asked as soon as she was in hearing distance,
"The Luxembourge’s have decided to tell us at the last minute that they are having guests tomorrow, arriving first thing in the morning that’s what’s wrong; now i have a whole days meals to plan and prepare over night!" replied the cook in a tone of complete annoyance,
"Is this true? But for how long are they staying? Who are they?" Bianca replied turning from the cook to Lucy,
"We aren’t quite sure; but now we have to make up 4 guests rooms and make sure there will be enough chambers ready for their arriving party," Lucy replied grimly,
"So we best get moving then ladies," added in their head of servants.

After a long night making up rooms and tidying the manor so it was in perfect order for the arrival of the coming guests, Bianca and Lucy were once again standing in Georgia’s room. Tired and clumsy from lack of sleep; they weren’t earning themselves many compliments from all their mistakes. Georgia was in a hurry to be ready to meet their guests and not impressed at all in Bianca and Lucy; and for the first time ever she dismissed them from her room and finished up herself.
"Maybe we should be like that more often?" Lucy suggested as they walked back down the stairs,
"Until we get dismissed entirely from the manor?" Bianca replied smiling,
"I hadn’t thought about that," Lucy replied,
They reached the bottom of the stairs and their conversation was interrupted with the sound of running footsteps behind them, turning quickly they saw Georgia had finished rather sooner than they thought and was running down the stairs,

"Move, move!" she demanded as she came within their distance,
They darted out of her way and she ran off towards the dining hall for the families usual breakfast,
"I hope she chokes on her eggs," Lucy moaned to herself,
"That would be 18 years of karma," Bianca replied, however she wasn’t thinking about Georgia choking on eggs. She waved Lucy on and headed towards the dining hall; everyone was keen to find out exactly who was arriving soon, maybe Bianca could find out. She opened the dining hall door and entered mid-conversation,
"But why are both Lord Davenport and Lord Cassidy coming here? And why the sudden arrival?" Georgia asked her Father,
Bianca made her way over to refill their glasses,
"To see how Lord Davenport and yourself get along Georgia, you’re Mother and I have realized that you are very well beyond the usual marrying age, and Lord Davenport is looking for a suitable titled wife,"

Georgia did not reply right away, the sudden realization of what her Father was saying had obviously not sunken in,
"Are you saying that I’m to marry this Lord Davenport?" Georgia replied with complete disrespect,
"Georgia, Lord Davenport is not to be trifled with, he is a very powerful man. You will spend the next fortnight in his company and then he shall make his decision,"
Georgia went to interrupt but her Father continued,
"We want nothing but complete cooperation from you Georgia; if we hear anything that suggests otherwise, so help my temper,"
Georgia sat there with a look of absolute horror on her face, she turned and saw Bianca standing there. Bianca could only smile at Georgia’s misfortune, but like she had told Lucy only moments ago, this was only her karma.