It was eight o clock when Lex finally got called to dinner. She was wearing yet another of Julian’s deceased mother’s dresses- this one was long, black silk velvet and uncomfortably tight. She recalled loudly complaining earlier in the day as Margaret viciously tightened her corset before thrusting thegown upon her. She could not recall ever being so tightly compressed in a garment before. Her cheeks flamed with unwanted embarrassment as she noted how her breasts were unnaturally thrust out and just how low her neckline was, her waist suffered the opposite extreme, the waist line was exceedingly high. She peeked with disdain at her ample bosom. I look like a peacock, she thought, with tremendous disgust. Her raven locks were pulled up in a way traditional to the times, long dark gloves hid her pale arms from view, and a high feathery black hat completed her official transformation into peacock, or, more accurately, peahen land. She let out a heavy sigh. Due to her unaccustomed blushing, even her cheeks held an unusual rosy glow. She was not Lex anymore, she was Alexandra, Julian and Margaret’s false creation.

The fact Julian refused to purchase new dresses and continued dressing her in clothes that used to belong to his mother, both unnerved and humiliated her. Since they fit in with the time period, Lex figured that they were worn by her in her later years, and it could not have been that long since she passed away, in fact Lex should probably be thankful that his mother had at least seemed to possess good taste, otherwise who knew what she would be forced to walk around in.

Lex may have not liked to behave the same as her fellow gentlewomen , yet she still wished to have a decent wardrobe. It was just the constant preening, cheek pinching, calculated dressing, she did not care for. She had no desire to draw attention to her bosom or conform to an ideal, her look was unique, and , although, she secretly envied the look of ladies such as Annette Oak, however much she was loathe to admit it, she would not change herself in order to be accepted or lavished with praise- she had too much pride.

Besides, she mused, if fitting in involves discussing such noteworthy topics such as hair, coy behaviour and how to obtain an eligible gentleman, I want no part of it.

She frowned once again , casting a look at her reflection. The dress was pretty, in it’s own unique way, although wearing black for dinner was most uncommon and Lex wondered if Julian’s colour choice held a deeper meaning than at first it would appear, and , she ruefully admitted yet again, it did suit her, serving to combine with her dark hair and unusual eyes to give her an irresistible aura of mystery and wicked danger. No, what bothered her the most was wearing a dead woman’s clothes. She did not understand why, for she was far from easily spooked, or superstitious, but, still, she could not shake off the feeling it was a bad omen, or a symbol of doom.

Do not be foolish! The only person contemplating and worrying over bad omens here should be Julian! I am his bad omen, and he will be in doubt over that fact after tonight.

With a malicious smile, Lex quit her chamber, and headed for the dining room Tonight, Julian would learn first hand what mistreating her would bring. She would humiliate him beyond all endurance, and make him the jester among his friends. Her only regret was in doing so, she would most likely shame her papa too.

No, that will not happen, she consoled herself. Papa respects my spirit, he always has, he shall excuse my behaviour tonight and take it as a sign of my clear distress.

There was no danger of Julian suing him for breech of the marriage contract either. Julian would not want her after tonight, she would happily make sure of it. Concealing her grin, she entered the dining room ……and promptly froze.

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Does anybody forgive me for the wait? I was just tr ying to sort out Bitter Blood, but I'll be updating more often now. If anybody even remembered this and reviews,you have a seat saved in heaven.