Inhale.
Exhale.
Alice let a small sigh escape as the lace collar on her dress scratched the persistent itch on her clavicle. Sitting for portraits was by no means a new activity for her, but those small itches from hours of idleness never stopped coming. Fortunately, today Alice had something to occupy her mind other than the usual small happenings just outside her window.
Her Mademoiselle Valérie was much more interesting than a game of croquet.
Alice had been intrigued from the moment they met almost two years ago. As she sat under the warm sun beams and the warmer gaze of Valérie’s desire, Alice set her eyes on Valérie’s and let her mind wander.
It had been her 16th birthday party and her parents, the master and mistress of Penningwood estate, insisted on making a grand affair. The menu consisted of braised pheasant, a whole roast boar, vegetable prepared every way the cook knew how, fresh fruits, frosted pastries, spun sugar delicacies, edible floral arrangements, and wine from five countries. The decorations were all color-coordinated with Alice’s dress: a ball gown inspired by Marie Antoinette’s latest fashion in periwinkle with cream and gold floral details and a year’s worth of lace. Alice smiled as she remembered that Valérie had unintentionally matched as well.
“Alice, ma rêve, no smiling,” Valérie quipped.
Alice settled back into her daydream. The dancing! Dancing was her favorite activity and her parents planned accordingly. The best cellists and violinists were invited to play and Alice’s mother practiced with her for many hours leading up to the party. Valérie’s dancing was how she first caught Alice’s attention. Alice had a reputation for being light on her feet but she watched Valérie float across the floor, never touching the earth while the music was playing. The soft blueish purple material of her dress swished through the air. The gold details on her neck and in her hair drew Alice in until Valérie’s image consumed her and she couldn’t breathe until they met. As soon as they were introduced, they danced together and a hush fell over the room as the two girls flew around each other, unnaturally in sync. They spent the rest of the party together, discussing their passions, for Valérie loved painting and trading secrets. As the sun rose over the gardens, Alice asked Valérie to stay with her and study her art in the city, and Valérie gratefully obliged.
At that very moment, two years after that fateful night, Valérie was painting Alice’s portrait to commemorate her next milestone of womanhood. Next week Alice would turn 18 and make good on her promise to commit her life to l’amour de sa vie, the love of her life.