Chapter 52: Fancy Dress Part 2

Crysabel looked at the gown in wonder.
"Can I try it on?"
"Of course." Cal helped her friend out of her dress, then put the gown on her, gave her the gloves.
Crysabel looked in the mirror.
"It's like I'm in one of those fairy tales." She touched her reflection.
"You'll set the ball on fire, and no leaving at midnight." Cal pulled out a roll of paper and flattened it on the table. "Sit and I'll draw your portrait."
"Now? But my eyes are all red."
"I won't draw your red eyes."
Crysabel sat in the chair with the grace Cal had seen in her from their first meeting. Her hair looked gold in the soft light. She looked young and vulnerable, but her eyes were determined.
As with Lord Carroway, Cal took her time, looking beneath the surface. Cal had a better idea of what she was doing and she put all her talent to work creating a portrait to speak for her.
When she'd finished, Cal treated the paper with the varnish, then called Crysabel over to look at it.
"Don't touch yet," Cal warned her, "not until tomorrow."
"That's me?" Crysabel was mesmerized by the portrait. "But I look strong, determined."
"Compassionate, gentle." Cal brushed her finger across Crysabel's cheek. "You are all those things and more."
Still in a daze, Crysabel took off the gown and hung it up carefully. She put the gloves on the dresser.
Cal tucked her into bed, then crawled into hers, strangely content after the events of the day.
***
Cal had thought the day would pass slowly, but it felt like she'd hardly got out of bed before the time had flashed by and they needed to dress for the ball.
They did each other's hair, or rather, Crysabel arranged Cal's hair and Cal called in Meireka to help with Crysabel's.
The two of them helped Crysabel into the gown, making sure it flowed exactly right. The gloves went on next. Cal put one of Crysabel's hats on her, then tied the feather necklace on.
"There, half the room will die of heart failure, the other half from jealousy." Cal adjusted the hat slightly and Meireka nodded.
Cal reach under the bed and pulled out her other bundle, she unrolled it and Crysabel laughed.
"You did get a uniform." She touched the gown. "You were right, this is better."
Meireka turned to leave when Cal started to change.
"Stay, we're all sisters here, and I have a favour to ask of you."
She pulled on the pants and set the crease just so, then the blouse; the jacket last with its gold insignia.
"You look amazing," Crysabel said. "This is going to be so much fun."
Cal handed Meireka a bundle of pencils and a few sketchbooks.
"Bring them over as soon as we're seated. Put them on a tray so it isn't obvious."
"You're going to draw all night?" Crysabel raised her eyebrows.
"Someone has to record the event." Cal grinned. She put her arm out. "Shall we go, Lady Crysabel?"
"We shall, Lady Cal."
Cal led down the stairs slowly, moving over to the big spiral stair for the last flight down to the ground floor. People stopped and turned to watch, then formed a path for them to walk through to the ballroom. It already churned [KB2]with people, but they too stilled as the women entered. Pentam turned, then looked like he'd been struck by lightning. The music faltered briefly, then picked up again. Cal led Crysabel straight to him, and put her hand in his.
"Be good to each other." Cal bowed to them and backed away.
She turned to catch Baroness Dimant with an expression of wistfulness. It was quickly replaced with a frown as she headed toward her daughter. Cal intercepted her.
"Baroness Dimant." Cal took the woman's hand. "I'm Calliope Shillingsworth, Engineer First Class of the HMSV Peregrine." She guided the Baroness to a table where she had a good view of the room. Pentam and Crysabel were already dancing, soon joined by other guests.
"What is going on?" The Baroness leaned to look around Cal at the couple.
"Why did you bring Crysabel on a trip to see the world?"
"What? To show her the world, of course."
"One hotel looks much like another."
"Your point?" The Baroness glared at Cal.
"Pentam Booksdale is a scientist, soon to be a renowned scientist. He's the protégé of Sir Shillingsworth. Your daughter mentioned seeing his name at the museum. That will be Pentam's name soon. Then eventually he'll settle down as a professor to teach the next generation of explorers."
"Why should I care about some explorer?"
"Because your daughter cares. She wants to see the world, not hotels. Pentam can give her that, and he'll keep her safe."
"The girl is a romantic."
"Yes, she is, but also determined, kind and compassionate. The kind of person the world needs."
"She thinks I don't know about her orphans." The Baroness' lips twitched. "I fund that orphanage, there's nothing there I don't know about."
"So why let her sneak out?"
"If I just gave her permission, it would be too easy." The woman's face gave up the struggle and relaxed. Without her anger the Baroness was a handsome woman.