Palace of Versailles, 1742...
The gilded halls and opulent splendor of the palace had attracted the elite nobility that the King of France had hoped.
They poured into the palace ballroom, dancing gracefully as the well trained orchestra played. Silk and satin dervishes of color filled the room as couples spun to an energetic waltz, while others conversed cheerily over glasses of wine.
Among them was a sole figure from across the ocean. High cheekbones, a small, button nose, and pouty lips all combined in a face that was mesmerizingly beautiful, while long dark brown hair tumbled down her back, the darkness giving a sharp contrast to her tan skin.
Her eyes had a smoky appearance, and her lips were a deep shade of red that was completely natural.
She was incredibly tall, thanks to long, slender legs that were visible through a slit in the skirt of her flowing grass green dress. The corset part of the dress was held up by firm yet relatively small breasts.
A few thin silver bracelets clung to her slim wrists, while a very beautiful silver necklace containing several sapphires hung from her neck.
She was stood by one of the windows, her eyes on the whirling pairs as they danced their way through a particularly fast number.
None of the men had offered to dance with her, and none of the women had struck up a conversation. Until one woman saw her across the ballroom and gave her one of the most breathtaking smiles she had ever seen.
She was incredibly beautiful, her narrow eyes a vivid shade of cerulean blue, long dark blonde hair tumbling down past her slender shoulders.
Her black and white pinstripe silk dress was almost as beautiful as she was, clinging to her body like a second skin and drawing attention to her supple curves.
There wasn't a man in the ballroom that hadn't stolen several glances at her. Quite a few women had too, though most were seemingly jealous of her beauty.
She glided across the ballroom with graceful ease, men and women stopping her every few steps to ask her to dance but she politely turned them all down, coming to join her by the window.
"Hello. My name is Fenella Rearden. It may be impolite, but you looked so very lonely over here. What is your name?" she asked, extending her hand in greeting.
"Dolores Ryker."
"It is nice to meet you. What brings you to Versailles? Because you do not seem like the usual guest."
"I am in France on a holiday, and since these balls are the talk of the country, I decided to see what all the commotion was about."
"Understandable. But I myself find them to be terribly boring in all honesty. So tedious, so repetitive. Would you care to join me in a walk of the gardens?"
"That sounds lovely."
Fenella swept from the ballroom with Dolores clinging onto her arm. The two women passed away into a garden full of exotic smells and vibrant colors, the flowers in full bloom as summer was in full swing.
As they passed through a row of arches, Fenella picked a rose from the bushes and gave it to Dolores, who ruefully smiled and accepted it with a nod.
She was unsure why, but Fenella was making her feel more respected and attractive than any of the upper class noblemen in the palace had.
"Versailles is so beautiful this time of the year." Fenella sighed. "I wish I could live here all year round."
"As do I. But your accent sounds like you are from Italy, if I am not mistaken. It would be little struggle for you to move here if you wished, if you are of noble birth."
"I spent a great deal of time in Rome, that is true. I picked up the accent. But I was originally from Romania."
"Hmm... I have always wished to visit that part of the continent, but I never seem to move on from France."
"Is that through choice or fate?"
"Fate mostly. But I must admit I enjoy it here, especially with such occasions as the one tonight."
"Maybe some day, someone will take you away from here and show you the rest of the beauty this world holds." Fenella smiled shyly, getting an equally bashful but beautiful smile in return.
"Maybe you." Dolores challenged softly, and Fenella briefly grinned, before glancing back at the palace.
"I couldn't. It would be improper. There are so many men out there that could take you." She said, a tinge of sorrow in her tone that wrenched Dolores' heart.
Stepping forward, she glanced around the gardens to ensure no one was watching them before taking Fenella by the hand and leading her into a small arbor.
Sitting Fenella down, she kept hold of her hand as she spoke. "You feel it, don't you, that pull between us?"
Fenella nodded.
"I feel it. I can't explain it. It feels like the way old poets describe the way love to be, but I shouldn't feel this way about a..."
"A woman? Why not? You cannot choose who your heart desires. And it is foolish to fight it if you know it is what you want." Dolores smiled, a smile that brought a quirk to Fenella's own lips and a slight blush to her cheeks.
"It is still improper. We would be cast out as perverts and freaks if anyone was to discover our... predilections."
"What predilections? We have done nothing except talk. And what is it to them what we do in the sanctuary of private quarters?"
"You have private quarters? How rich are you?"
"I have a small fortune. I come from a wealthy family, and now that they are dead, the fortune they amassed is mine. I would happily share it with you."
"What? You barely know me."
