If I had to describe and compare myself to the rest of my family, I'd have to say I'm like one of those backgrounds you pick out at a photo booth for your picture. Nice enough, basic, simple. Something that blends into the background and makes the picture's subjects stand out. My life was easy and simple, and I liked it like that. My parents were decent. My sister Silvia was a little dramatic and Mary-Anne was aloof but both have never been cruel. Cyrus and Curtis are pranksters, but who doesn't like a good prank every now and then? And Lucy. Lucy was slightly spoiled but she has been told no before. My point is that life isn't terrible for me.
The carriage my mother, siblings, and I were riding in to my sister Silvia's engagement party to Sir Jacob Carter was our second older one. The seats were not padded so every bump in the road was felt and the windows do not open to let air in on this warm spring day. My mother sat across from me in her nicest brown gown with her hair up. Even at forty-two years she still looked simple and elegant. I hope that trait passes to me. My younger fourteen year old twin siblings Cyrus & Curtis sat next to both of us.
My father and other siblings were riding with my sister in the better carriage and Mary-Anne, the eldest, was to met up with us later in the evening. Though considering we left two and a half hours after the first carriage left, she's probably already there before us.
"Cat, you look as uncomfortable as I feel." Cyrus complained while fanning himself.
I pulled the collar of my light grey-blue dress from my neck, "The carriage is a bit warm."
The sweat was making it stick to my neck. Thankfully, even though it did have a collar the back was open. I suppose there are some perks to having Silvia and Mary-Anne's old clothes.
Curtis sighed next to me while gazing out the window, "I imagine Silvia and the others are not baking in their carriage like we are forced to endure."
"Children, please" mother put her hand on her head to wipe the sweat off, "Let's just be thankful there is only a short distance left of this trip and try to not look as exhausted as I no doubt we all feel."
"No, of course not." Cyrus began, "Wouldn't want to ruin Silvia's fourth, or I'm sorry is this the fifth? Big day. All I'm saying is that father could have at least gotten the windows fixed in here before we decided to make this hellish three hour trip."
"Three hours and forty-two minutes actually." Curtis added.
Mother sighed while leaning back in the seat, "I tried Cyrus, I did. But your father said there wasn't enough money in our budget for both your sister's engagement party dress and to fix this carriage."
"If she didn't insist the dress be so elaborate there might have been," Curtis added yet again.
Mother sighed, "Yes, well lets hope this is the one and only time she'll marry."
Cyrus and Curtis continued the conversation with mother. Though saying that she was part of it would have been exaggerated. It was more of the boys voicing complaints while the cause of said complaints wasn't present. Mother just happened to be the ear they could grab a hold of.
I had my head turned to the window as the scenery passed us by. It was nice. Quiet and tranquil. The fields and meadows we passed held simple wild flowers and trees.
Finally we had arrived at Viscount Carters house, though we were far from on time. It seemed there were no other carriages pulling up to the entrance but ours. We were late. Very late.
I bit my the top of my nail on my right thumb, "You don't think they'll announce us still? Do you?"
I was hoping we arrive in the middle of everyone coming so that we could blend into the oncoming crowds.
Curtis put down the book he had been reading to pass the time, "God I hope not. Everyone will be talking about how late the bride's family is."
"Even worse, we'll all have to hear it from Silvia. My ears bleed just thinking about it." Cyrus mumbled.
Mother gave them a look as she accepted the footman's hand, "Enough you two. I let you complain long enough on the ride here. I don't want to hear it for the rest of the evening. Help your sister down so we can get today over with."
I took one of the boy's hand as I looked around the Carter estate. Compared to our home as a baron's family, this place was massive. A two story white-ish brown house with a red roof and six large white columns decorated the front. A large first floor front terrace and a small second story balcony faced me as I made my way inside.