My Prince Charming [03]

Chapter 4


Arial picked a nice long golden gown with a long train. The gown had a low neck line, but it was still modest. The sleeves went down to the elbows. It was made of a nice flowing silk fabric. With the help a servant, Arial put on her corset, which she hates with passion. And the dress over it. Then she fixed her hair so that two thin braid ran along the side of her head and met up in the back where she clipped them together; which made it work sort of like a bandana. Arial let the rest of her hair flow freely behind her. Then put a few pieces of jewelry, all very small. Arial did not like large flashy things.


“Arial? Goodness, child hurry up! You must greet your father before he arrives you know!” Mary bellowed. She speed walked over to her and started to fix Arial’s hair on their way.


“Mary its alright. I don’t have to be perfect you know. It’s not as if the royal family is coming over.” Arial said and rolled her eyes.


“But there are guests!” Mary said and continued to try fix Arial’s hair to perfection. They sat waiting on front steps, well Arial sat. She soon started to wonder where her sister were.

“Mary, where is Hilda and Linda?”


“Oh they went off to visit Miss Deloncre. Silly girls!” Mary spat. Ten minutes or so later, they saw two carriages heading up the long driveway. Mary pulled Arial up to her feet and fixed her gown.


The carriages circled the fountain in the circular drive up to the manor. The first one stopped and a servant walked up to the doors and opened them. An older man somewhere around his fifties. His once dark hair was a mixture of gray stepped out. His flesh seemed to have sunk. His dark brown eyes seemed to be full of grief and wisdom. His name was Marcus McLake.


“Father!” Arial ran to him after not realizing how much older and different he looked. His face seemed immediately light up at the sound of her voice.


“My little girl.” He cried and opened his arms out to her. She smiled and leapt into his arms, enjoying her father’s scent of parchment, sea and grass. Arial stood hugging her father until she heard a throat being cleared. She turned around and looked at two gentlemen standing behind her. Arial’s face flushed and she let go of her father and stood up straight, facing the gentlemen.


“Pardon me Alexander. This is my youngest daughter, Arial.” Marcus said smiling. “And Arial this is Lord Alexander Warren and his son Alexander II.” The older gentleman was in his late fifties. His hair was pure white, and his eyes were gray blue which had sunk into his eyes. He had sun burnt cheeks and a pale pinkish skin tone. The old man seemed to be very wise and good humored at the same time. The younger Alexander had the same colored eyes but they seemed a bit more cold and distant. His wavy chestnut brown hair almost reached his shoulders. He seemed much like a self obsessed snobbish guy. Arial almost rolled her eyes at his apparel.


“What a beautiful daughter you have! I can only guess that her sisters are such beauties too.” Lord Alexander smiled. He looked over to his son and they seemed to be having a silent conversation. Suddenly Alexander II spoke out.


“Oh, yes. Your daughter is quite a beauty.” He said. Lord Alexander seemed to be shaking his head.


“Thank you.” Arial said politely. The four started up to the house, with the two elder gentlemen deeply engrossed in conversation. Arial followed them with Alexander at her side. Both in an uncomfortable silence. Until Arial had enough and decided to try to engage in a conversation.


“How have you and Lord Alexander meet my father?” Arial said hoping she didn’t sound too ridiculous.


“My father and yours are partners in business and also long time friends.” He replied in a short answer.


“Are you and Lord Alexander staying for the week?” Arial asked
while fiddling with her gown.


“I do not know.” He said again. Arial gave up her attempts to converse with him and removed him from her thoughts. The party arrived at the drawing room. The two elder men sat down with Alexander across from them. And Arial decided to sit away from them. The men talked for a while then called for tea and biscuits. Then her father called her over to him.


“Arial, my daughter. Where are your sisters?” Marcus questioned.


“They went to visit their friend Miss Deloncre. If they had known you were coming, I doubt they would have gone father.” Arial fibbed. She mentally scuffed, her sisters hated father.


“Well, then. I hope you still practice your singing?” He asked.


“Yes I still do father.” Arial answered.


“Then I would like to hear how much you’ve progress since last I heard you.” He smiled.


She gave a smile and a nod and went off to her piano. She opened it up, and picked out her favorite song. She swallowed and cleared her throat. Her fingers began running along the keys and she began to sing. She barely even read the notes because she kknew every single note in the song. Her voice hit all the correct notes and did not falter. After she finished, the gentlemen applauded.


“Good heavens! I have not heard such a voice in the entire course of my life!” Praised Lord Alexander.


“I am quite proud of her.” Marcus said in a proud sort of voice. He also seemed to have puffed out his chest in pride. “I shall miss her when she is married off. My beautiful little girl! I cannot believe you have already grown up. It won’t be long before you catch the eye of a lucky man!” Cried her father.


“I am not leaving too soon father.” She said and comforted her father. He gave her a kiss on her forehead. Her father can sometimes be very emotional.


“It is a pity that! Marcus have you told us that your Arial was this fair, my Alexander could have been her husband. Oh well, I think your Linda is as beautiful as Arial.” Lord Alexander said, causing Arial to turn red as a tomato. She keep her hands her lap and dare not look up to anyone.


The doors suddenly opened up and a servant walked in. “My lord, Miss Linda and Hilda are here.” The servant announced and then retreated out of the room. Then Linda and Hilda walked in. Arial sneaked a glance at Alexander’s face and almost laughed as his face distorted into a grimace. Then a complete silence over came the whole room.


“Father? Who are these people?” Linda asked rudely.


“BLOODY HELL!” Alexander shouted and fainted.