Behind the Curtain by Elizabeth J. D. (free children's ebooks pdf TXT) 📕

the shining red monstrosity.

While on the topic of colors, it must be noted that Chiumbow quite fancies the color red, which to some may be seen as simply scandalous. Indeed, Madame was of this mind when she first beheld Chiumbow's most-preferred gown; a great work of flounces and bows, every one of them red. And to add to her horrified thoughts, the dress did not even have proper sleeves! This was on the first day of Finishing School, mind you. It was an important day for making first impressions, which, as all those in society know, is a very important impression to make. It would seem that perhaps her teacher would take her as a bold and indiscreet girl of ill repute, for wearing such a thing. Somehow, however, Chiumbow persuaded Madame to allow her the privilege of not being forced to part with her precious red flounced attire. In time, the other girls even began to follow! Some shook their heads at the immodest creatures that Chiumbow seemed to have ushered into society. However, others thought the new style simply ravishing and longed to have a dress of the same making for themselves.

Apparently, as demonstrated by the situation concerning the dress, Chiumbow's nature was rather more like her distant cousin, Dolly, than she had imagined. On this note it is necessary to explain a bit of Dolly's character; determined, slightly mischievous, and quite a trend-setter without her being aware of the fact. Her cousin Dolly is far below Chiumbow in financial prestige; however, this does not appear to nag at either one of their friendly feelings for each other. After all, Chiumbow had never been a properly fine lady to begin with. She simply knows how to 'play her cards,' and which ones to play when she is in various different companies.

Madame's Finishing School For Ladies

Only the very blessed with large sums in the family bank may even begin to contrive to secure a position in Madame's Finishing School For Ladies. It is the top-rated finishing school in the world, and therefore many cultures meet in the ballrooms and halls. Perhaps the reason for the immense popularity and good repute is Madame's reputation for ensuring that many past royal children bloomed fully into their full potentials. It does not harm her at all that she is from a line of Duchesses herself; nor does her mastery of Latin and French, along with arts, have any ill bearing on her repute. Her passion in life is to equip others with the knowledge of all the societal rules and customs necessary to make a debut and - in turn - a grand addition to society.

Becoming a fine lady, princess, duchess, or otherwise is not as easy a role to fill as some may have been led to believe. It requires dedication to one's studies; it requires a unique love of beauty; it requires patience while learning the fine arts. Fine arts alone include the learning of the piano; of painting; of ballroom dancing, and a myriad of other various and lovely pastimes. If one believes that one has all the qualities required, in addition to a wealthy family, one should attempt first to attend Madame's Finishing School For Ladies before casting a sideways glance at any other school on the planet.


Details, my dear!

♠ Sixteen years of age - a bit late to be beginning her second year of finishing school, but Madame feels she has done quite well. In fact, Chiumbow passed her beginning year with flying colors...in spite of her independent spirit.

♠ Five-foot, seven inches in height. Quite above average, but Madame promises her dedication to the refining of all young ladies. In particular, those who are of a willing disposition to learn from her expertise in all things dealing with society.

♠ Chiumbow quite fancies the color red, as described before.

♠ In concern to her eye color, she possesses two bright windows which are a dark color of green.

♠ In concern to her hair color, she possesses a wealth of shining brown locks. Not nearly as wealthy, of course, as her father; for it was he who paid the ludicrous tuition for Chiumbow's finishing.


Gongorian - Socialite King of Hearts

Introduction

Due to my impeccable ratings in my studies, I have been hired on for one year to Madame's Finishing School for Ladies. I shall be teaching, primarily, the Dance class. This class shall include any and all ballroom dances, and any sorts of dance which may be shown to be of necessity to the highly social and busy lives of those I will be teaching. The students are a mere three years younger than myself. It is my hope that I shall be readily agreeable to them and easily related to, due to this fact. I have heard tell of a spit-fire who belongs to the class I will be teaching. I look forward to overcoming this new and exciting challenge. I am not much one for giving up once I set my sight on a goal.


The Arrival

Whump!

went the automobile as Alexander pulled into the half-circle of rocky driveway in front of Madame's Finishing School for Ladies. Thunk! went my head against the back of the cushioned interior of the back seat. Thankfully for me, it wasn't made of anything too frightfully hard or injuring, else my head would have been highly displeased with the treatment it was receiving. As it was, my neck was not in the best of moods, and protested - in a rather hissing sort of tone - at me that I had better not whip it around like that again, or it would make me sorry for it later. I rubbed the back of it consolingly and promised it a warm rag or some such thing later to lessen its annoyance at me. With a few twists side to side it was loosening up a bit and grumbling that maybe it wouldn't be quite so harsh on me. Which was quite agreeable in my sight, as I dreaded beginning my first day with so many flowers of the female race looking like a stiff, stuffy old man with a bad neck.

'I'd prefer to be able to nod my head in greeting, thank you very much,' I thought with a decisive nod of my head and a determination to ignore any setback to this particularly glorious afternoon. Even if that particular setback may be Alexander's driving, the poor old jolly soul,' I mumbled fondly as the said driver came around so as to open the door and release me into the adventure which awaited.

"Good job, old fellow," I grinned at him. "One more fabulous performance like that and I'll be about as stiff as you are!" I slapped the back of his shoulder jauntily.

"Indeed, Sir, I don't see as that there was much way to prevent the jostling in the rear end of the car. It was acknowledged in my quarters as well, be comforted by that fact if you may," he protested, trying to sound formal, detached, and indignant; as well as looking characteristically as high-strung as a taut wire, as straight-backed as a church pew, and as serious as a comedian trying to play the role of priest. Trying to be stuffy and deep-voiced and nasally about any and every thing which he could be 'high-fallutin'' about, as they say, but failing miserably for the slight twitch always tugging up at his wrinkled mouth - as if he really were a puppet and someone were tweaking the strings incessantly.

"Oh, dear me, how I am going to miss your flexibility of manner and exceptional sense of humor," lamented I, mockingly. Then, frowning a bit as the thought of being parted for a twelvemonth, "But in all seriousness, old man, I'm going to miss you about as mightily as a mother hen misses its chick," I admitted, with a strange feeling in my throat and in a tone more solemn than most occasions found me. It was true that I would, perhaps, miss the old fellow as much as a mother hen would miss its baby chick, but the roles were, in reality, quite reversed. Alexander had been with our family since before I was born, which translates to over nineteen years. When I was beginning to learn to drive on my own, it was he who taught me. And before that event, when I was much younger, even then he would amuse me by setting me up into the front seat to allow me to toot the horn and twist the steering wheel this way and that in a rapid way one would never use on an actual road. He had been, in a way, my playmate. And then as I grew older, my mentor, so to speak, in many ways. He was a second father figure, though more accurately perhaps only an uncle. Still, one would miss their uncle nearly as much as their father, surely, if they had lived with their uncle all their life, would they not?

Alexander's deep grayish-blue and tired but merry eyes softened. "Ah, lad, I'll miss ye as well," he nodded, his voice coming a bit gruffly as he resorted to his more natural way of speaking - how he spoke when he was not attempting to be 'high-fallutin'.' "Ca'mere," he said, gathering me into a hug which consisted of each of us squeezing the other's shoulders briefly and then stepping apart. It did not appear to be overly significant, but we did not need blubberings about our emotional longings to remain in the same state as we had been, or other such things. That is left to the female race. And mighty attractive it can be, too, though I hate seeing anyone upset. We men, well, either we have not the skill in the art to blubber as we should, or we simply do not handle things in quite the same way as a woman would in the same situation.

"Wall, then..." Alexander began, taking a decisive sort of 'let's-get-going,' breath. "Let's get yer bags and git 'em up the stairs, eh, me boy?" he suggested, then rounded his way to the back of the automobile to pop open the trunk to obtain my suitcases which were, if I say so, rather handsome. They had been bought only a fortnight before my departure from home, and they were made from the finest quality material. I was hopeful of their lasting quite some time. But, ah! No matter. I cannot help it if quality and fineness is something I admire. I am not spoiled, I assure. Only appreciative of what is good and beautiful in life.

"Well!" came a voice from the porch beyond the front stairs. The voice was high, clear, and pleasant-sounding; yet, it was obviously indicative of one who held power and commanded herself with the utmost poise. And it was, apparently, surprising as well, if my sudden start and Alexander's narrow escape from thwacking his head upon the trunk door was any indicator. Though, to be fair, we hadn't expected the voice. So perhaps it wasn't always the herald of injury resulting from surprise. Or at least, I should surely hope not. I was to spend a twelvemonth living in her school. I'd hope not to be injured every time I heard her speak, or I'd come back a right rainbow of colors. (On a side note, would that make me any more attractive? I do know how women love colorful hair ties and such fripperies. However, maybe the same is not necessarily true for a human face...) Anyhow!

"Well!" called the voice, as aforementioned. "How lovely to find you here, all safe. I