Amrei (Chapter 1)

Winter in Switzerland. šEvery year I came with Aunt Hyacinth and Uncle Edgar, my guardians. šMy mother and father wanted to see me each year to mark my progress and take family pictures. šThey were nothing more to me than gene donors, although one hundred and fifty years ago I didn't know what genes were. šI imagine that after eighteen years they realized their slight, and began to make it up to me; they had a ball at the family house to celebrate the coming of a new year and my birthday. šAll of their friends, the entire family, and all of my friends were invited, in that order. šMother had the entire Swiss manse decorated with English Victorian styles. šThe suites had too much cushioning and too much lace. šThe tables and shelves were dappled with over-polished plates and pitchers that would only ever be polished again or observed by houseguests. šApparently, all this extravagance was only to make me, mother's dear Amrei, feel at home. šI suppose she wanted me to live with her. šThe idea was absurd. šI would not room with a stranger, even if she were my own mother.1

š š š šThe one thing she ever did that tempted me to love her was that she hired a dressmaker and a shoemaker to the Swiss royalty for me. šThey crafted the most stunning attire for my ball that I had ever seen, save on the royal hide of Queen Victoria. šThe dress was a sort of mint green satin with white lace detailing. šThe bodice was corseted satin, overlaid completely with the lace. šThere were mint green buttons up the back. šThe dress had sleeves that were really only poufs of green satin at my shoulders. šThe skirt was full and long. šMost of the fabric was gathered from the front and formed neat little crescent shaped folds on my lap. šIt was completely satin, with a lace petticoat. šMy shoes were perfect, as always. šI had the shoemaker design a pair of boots with the same fabrics as the bodice of my dress: mint green satin with lace overlay and mint green buttons. šThe heel was covered in white leather. š2

š š š šWhen New Year's Eve came, Hyacinth and Edgar presented me with the loveliest string of pearls. šIt was long, so I wrapped it around my neck twice, once close around my throat, and then again draping across my chest. 3

š š š šAt 10:30 most of the guests had arrived, and it was time for the belle to appear at her ball. šI made my way down the thickly carpeted staircase smiling. šI remember looking at Hyacinth and Edgar and seeing their pride beaming out from the pores of their skin. šMy biological parents, whom I called Mother and Father out of respect, simply looked on with dull, expressionless faces. šThey seemed not to care who was coming down the grand staircase, or that I was their daughter. šI realized then that these two strangers did not deserve my respect. šRather, Hyacinth and Edgar were my real parents, and from that night forward, I called them as such. š4

š š š šThe ball was most certainly enjoyable. šI shook hands with so many men and ladies that I lost count and completely forgot most of their names. šThere was one man whom I could never forget. šDominic Callahan was a young gentleman from Ireland, and knew my biological father through business. šHe had short brown hair that looked mussed, a quality that has never disappeared. šHis eyes were deep-set and bluish grey, flecked with yellow. šHe had a strong jaw and full lips, and he looked to me altogether irresistible, although his skin was very pale; he attributed this pallor to a rare sickness caught on holiday in Africa. š5

š š š š"Amrei," he said to me, "how is it that I have never seen your beauty? šEngland and Ireland are but a stone's throw apart!"6

š š š š"My dear Mr. Callahan," I replied calmly, "you do not see what you do not look for, and my father surely does not have business associates that look for his daughter."7

š š š šFinding no reply, he asked with a slight smile, "Would you have some champagne?" as a servant walked by with a tray of full glasses.8

š š š š"Why yes, I would," I answered, smiling playfully. šI had already had too much champagne to remain within my senses, so I asked him why he didn't simply walk away with his tail between his legs. šAfter all, it was the most common response by young gentlemen to my quick tongue.9

š š š šHe thought for a moment and then answered, "I cannot walk away like the many suitors that come to your doorstep because I am not one of them. šMy eyes would have my heart believe I am in love, but my mind cannot abide by such. šI simply wish to make a friend of you."10

š š š šI smiled and said, "Then a friend you shall be, Mr. Callahan." šI took his arm, and we paraded through the house, talking of everything from the colour of my dress to the extravagance of Queen Victoria. š11

Eventually, we landed on a sculpted bench in the sunroom, surrounded by flora from different lands and climates, all tended by the gardeners in Mother's immense staff. šThe sunroom was entirely glass. šI took him there because the view of the stars was amazing. šAt such a high altitude, so many heavenly bodies were visible to the bare eye. šThe room was also very warm without heat; the sun warmed it all day, and even in the deepest Swiss winters I found it at a comfortable temperature.12

š š š šI began to apologize for my earlier behaviour. š"Mr. Callahan-"13

š š š š"Dominic. šPlease, call me Dominic," He interrupted.14

š š š š"Dominic, then," I continued with a sly smile, "I must apologize for my behaviour this evening. šI was too harsh when we first spoke. šForgive me."15

š š š šDominic peered at me in the dim light. šHe seemed to be looking directly into my soul. šHis eyes were deep, and I was almost frightened to look into them for fear of becoming lost in the whole other world locked inside. šBut he gave me a glimpse into the vast darkness that I would later grow to know myself.16

š š š š"All is forgiven," Dominic said through a smile. šHe smiled at me for a moment, letting the music from the ballroom slip into the air between us and seemingly grow louder. šStanding up, he asked me, "Would you care to dance, my lovely belle?"17

š š š š"Why Dominic, I'd be delighted," I replied with a smile. šI took his hand and we began to waltz among the flowers and plants in their small artificial world. šThe music seemed to grow faster, and we kept time with it, dancing and laughing until the room was spinning faster than my own feet could carry me. šThrough it all, Dominic's face remained clear and steady, though the world spun behind him as if we were flying through the stars.18