The Silas mansion was indeed resplendent. The mansion itself was of a Greek revival style, and the surrounding landscaping was impeccably manicured with a variety of shrubs and flowers. Inside was no different. The highest ceilings, the finest tableware, the most expensive decorations. Maybe this wouldn't be a bad party after all.
Madeline stepped from her carriage and entered the mansion. A servant immediately offered to take her shawl. As she casually walked around the front hall, she drew many looks from the ladies, some of silent offense, others of envy. The gentlemen, however, were far more approving. It was not long at all before she was flooded with how-do-you-dos and other pleasantries. Her deliberate allure had its downsides, though; up came Peter Goodwin, a wealthy but portly and altogether unappealing fellow.
"Ms. St. Claire! How delightful to see you!" he droned. "I must say, you look positively ravishing tonight." He made no effort whatsoever to conceal the fact that he was undressing her in his mind, a fact that made Madeline nauseous. "I see that you are here without a gentleman to escort you. I would be happy to take up that role on your behalf to protect you from untoward advances while you are here. Might I suggest we retreat to a guest room upstairs" I can assure you, you will be much safer there." Madeline's eyes narrowed seductively, and she flashed a tiny smile. "Oh, Mr. Goodwin," she leaned in suggestively to whisper in his ear, "what would your wife say?" With that, she left.
Nursing a glass of champagne, someone finally caught her eye. Truly, she had noticed the young lady in the corner much earlier, but as the night wore on it seemed as though she was always looking her way. The young lady offered an inviting smile. With so-called gentlemen like Mr. Goodwin as the alternative, she accepted the invitation. "Good evening, miss. I couldn't help but notice you've been alone all night. Might I make your acquaintance?"
Their eyes locked and she smiled. Such deep eyes...."It'd be my pleasure, my lady. Sarah Whitaker. Enchanted, truly." Madeline returned the smile and introduced herself. "Madeline St. Claire. A pleasure." She laughed slightly, saying "No need, my lady. I know who you are." Madeline was puzzled by her reply until she continued. "Your family is quite well known here.? Madeline supposed this was true; her family was not so well off as the Silas family, obviously, but her father was no stall merchant either.
At ease once more, Madeline pressed her for conversation. Her efforts proved fruitless, however; she spoke much but said little, and every evaded question was met with a question for her. Perhaps it was the mystery, or perhaps it was simply that she found her strikingly beautiful, but she was enraptured by the conversation nonetheless. She found herself wanting to continue it somewhere more private; it was then that Sarah suggested a walk around the grounds. Madeline eagerly agreed, to Sarah's delight. She suggested they bring a bottle of champagne with them, to continue the celebration of their chance encounter. She was more than happy to do so. Once she had returned with the bottle she left, and Madeline followed several moments later so as to avoid scandal.
They continued their idle conversation as she led her to a grove of trees near the property's edge. Madeline was still sipping from her glass as Sarah guided her into the grove with a hand at the small of her back. She felt warm at this gentle display of control. She removed her cloak, placed it on the ground and guided her to sit upon it. She refilled a glass of champagne and offered it to Madeline. Madeline thanked her and sipped from it; anything to quiet the flutter in her stomach. She poured herself a glass and set it upon a nearby tree stump. She was speechless when Sarah took her hand and kissed it. She struggled somewhat to remain so when she placed several more kisses up her bare arm in succession. Her heart began to quicken more and more with each tender kiss. In a further effort to calm herself, she drank more of the champagne. When she had kissed up the full length of her exposed arm, Madeline could barely keep from stirring. When Sarah took her again by the small of her back and moved past her dress to kiss her shoulder, she could no longer contain herself and let a small moan escape her. Her breathing began to quicken. She again took from the champagne glass, leaving it empty. She attempted to replace it upon the stump, but a sudden tingling wave caused her body to tremble and her hand to miss its mark. Sarah continued up her neck until it was more than she could bear. She moaned audibly. Sarah's gentle attack on her neck continued unabated until Madeline could stand it no longer. She gripped Sarah's head firmly to pull it away, and once her face was in sight she kissed her fully. She returned the kiss with equal fervor as Madeline's hands began to wander, searching desperately for any path inside Sarah's dress they might come across. Lost in the ecstasy of her passion, she paid no mind to the way the world seemed to be slowing all around her. When the world stopped, she slipped away into unconsciousness.