The Jane Effect
By Angel of Death
Part 5: Palatial Gifts
Elizabeth doused the cloth in warm water, and brought it to her face. Slowly, she swept it across her flushed cheeks, hoping to rid her skin of the cinders from the fire. Maxine's cheerful humming filled the air as she glided across the room. Her manner was amazingly joyous ever since the mention of the ball that the Greenly family was attending, come sundown. Through the mirror, Elizabeth watched her young, naive, sister, wishing that she could put sense into that pretty little head of hers. All she could talk about, for the past fifteen minutes, was how the gentlemen at the gala would be beyond handsome and how'd she'd court at least one for the fun of it. It bothered Elizabeth that her sister was as out-going as she was. She was only fourteen but she had the mind of a grown woman. The possibility of her marrying right after Elizabeth was great.
"How about this, Eliza?" Maxine asked, appearing at her side.
Elizabeth looked at her sister through the corners of her eyes, to find that she was holding a dress in her hands. It was yellow, the direct descendant of the sun. It had a blue bow tied around the waist and silk, birthed by the most delicate of silkworms, draped the radiant fabric. This gown looked to be fit for a princess, it certainly was gorgeous.
"Are you not wearing what you have on right now?" Elizabeth asked, picking up a brush.
Maxine gave Elizabeth a soft smile, then thrust the angel's dress into her hands.
"Its for you, my dear Eliza. Now, come along, lets get you dressed," Maxine replied, locking Elizabeth's hand with hers.
Elizabeth let herself be guided to the vanity chair where Maxine always sat, and then took a seat. With one quick movement, Maxine had all of Elizabeth's hair in her hand. In the mirror, stared the sun, watching as Elizabeth looked at herself in the looking glass. What Elizabeth saw, surprised her. For once, her pale cheeks actually were rosy. Even the brown of her starry eyes was lighter and more appealing. Now that all of her hair was pulled back, her heart shaped face was feminine, almost prettier than Maxine's. A smile gave birth to itself underneath Elizabeth's nose, for once, she saw beauty, and that pleased her.
"Your hair is such a pretty shade. I wish my hair could be as dark as yours," Maxine noted, sighing.
Eyes widened, Elizabeth looked up at her sister. Maxine never in her life complimented Elizabeth, it was always her nature to receive them. This new, unexpected gesture made Elizabeth smile even wider. Then, a pang of regret surged through her soul. It was just this morning when she scolded her sister in an act to make her jealous. Elizabeth had always let her jealousy overrule her rank as Maxine's older sister. Without thinking, Elizabeth reached up and took Maxine's hand into hers. Maxine put down the brush, she now had, and knelt before Elizabeth, worry prominent in her eyes.
"I am sorry, my darling little sister. I shouldn't have spoke to you in such ways that I did. Can you ever forgive me?" Elizabeth asked, frowning.
Maxine nodded her head, then brought Elizabeth's hand to her full, apple's lips and kissed it.
"Yes, I believe I can but I'm afraid I should be the one making amends, Eliza. If it wasn't for my nonsensical inquiries then..." Maxine started.
Elizabeth held up her free hand to stop Maxine from saying anymore than she had to.
"You were just concerned for me, and I love you for caring so much. Maxine, you don't need to worry about me, though, I'll be fine. You are my younger sister, I'm supposed to look after you. It is not vice versa. Now, lets not get all teary-eyed. We have a gala to prepare for," Elizabeth interrupted, standing up from her chair.
Time passed by and the two sisters actually enjoyed each other's company. They ate cookies that Maxine stashed from desert last night, with the chamomile tea Emily brought up, when Maxine rung the bell. When Emily walked into the room, her facial expression grew sour. It was unexpected to see the too Greenly daughters behave in such a civilized manner towards each other. Elizabeth laughed joyously, for Emily turned a odd shade of green before she backed out of the room.
When the moments before sunset were winding down, both Elizabeth and Maxine checked themselves in the mirror, smiling at what they saw. Elizabeth had her hair in a fancy bun, while Maxine wore her long, pale hair around her face. Falling, like grapevines on the side of a fence.
As Elizabeth admired the yellow against her tanned skin, she wondered where the dress came from. She knew it didn't belong to Maxine because the Greenly family, well, couldn't afford it. With a sheepish grin on her face, Elizabeth waltzed over to where Maxine was sitting, by the window, and poked her on the shoulder. At first, Maxine, who looked to be deep in thought, didn't startle. When Elizabeth nudged her a second time, her blue eyes flashed to Elizabeth's face, sorrow swimming around her irises.
"Where did this dress come from? I never seen it in the wardrobe before," Elizabeth asked, squinting her eyes.
Maxine looked as if she wanted to lie but instead, she hesitated on the truth. Elizabeth beckoned forth the honest truth with her eyes, hoping their newfound friendship would win over in the end. After minutes of silence, Maxine finally turned away, her cheeks as red as her lips.
"I promised not to tell. Even so, I really don't know," Maxine replied, softly.
"Come on, Max. I really want to know," Elizabeth pleaded.
Maxine let out a sigh and then parted her lips as if to speak.
"Daniel got it from somebody, but he wouldn't tell me who. He said he swore to secrecy," Maxine admitted, looking out the window once more.
"Max you wouldn't deny your darling si..." Elizabeth started, pouting.
Elizabeth was interrupted by a knock at the door. In unison, both sisters looked up to find their brother, Daniel, dressed in a handsome suit. Over his eyes, rest a black mask with the nose of a bird. Maxine stifled a chuckle, roses blooming on her cheeks.
"Do not make jokes at me, little sister. At this sort of party, I'll be one of the wise," Daniel retorted, smiling.
"I wasn't," Maxine argued, softly.
"What are those in your hand?" Elizabeth asked, advancing towards her brother.
In Daniel's hands, were two boxes, neatly tied with beautiful white ribbons. He looked down at them for a couple of seconds, then handed one to Elizabeth. Elizabeth kissed Daniel softly on the cheek, then gracefully untied the bow. Inside the box, lye a beautifully carved mask, embroidered with pearls and light blue sapphires. Awe spread across Elizabeth's face. Never in her life has she been this close to jewels of such undefined radiance. She looked up, only to meet her brother's warm eyes, unable to speak.
"It is not I you should be thinking, Beth. Someone else is the angel behind these masks," Daniel said, taking Elizabeth's free hand.
"Who?" Elizabeth asked, eagerly.
"I am sorry to say that I do not know. When I was in town, a messenger came to me and told me to deliver these three packages to you. When I asked them who they were from, he only dismissed me and walked away," Daniel replied, handing Elizabeth the other box.
As Elizabeth pulled open the next box, only one person came to mind,William Harvey. Although they didn't know each other very well, he was the only one that she knew that could grant such palatial presents. Inside the box, were two diamond earrings almost as beautiful as the mask. Tears in her eyes, Elizabeth handed the gifts to Daniel, and then took a seat on the edge of her bed.
"Are you alright, Eliza?" Maxine asked, flatly.
Elizabeth nodded her head. Slowly, her lips were pulling up at the corners. A happy laugh escaped from her lips, filling the air with light.
"Oh, you're messing up your face," Maxine grunted.
"Its fine," Elizabeth replied, taking her earrings out of her ears.
Elizabeth held the gold earrings in her hands, then got up, walked over to the vanity, and put them in the jewelry box. Again, she was met with her incandescent face. It was staring back at her with a new sense of life. Never had she seen such a look on her face. It was a expression of pure joy tainted with the slightest of happiness.
"You look exquisite tonight," Daniel said, kissing Elizabeth on her cheek.
"Thank you, my darling brother," Elizabeth replied, smiling.
"Now come, our chariot awaits," Daniel said, holding out his hand.
Laughing, Elizabeth took her brother's hand and let him lead her out of the room.
