by Allison West
She kept to herself in the playroom as much as possible. Mollie, however, had soon befriended her, sharing her pastels and later her dolls, along with the dollhouse. The wooden dollhouse had needed a little care, which had been provided when the girls were not around. The roof had been secured, and the house for the dolls now looked as though it had never been knocked over in a tantrum. It seemed as though Gia may not have been the first to make a scene in the playroom, or at the very least, not the last. Each girl found herself in trouble on occasion; whether it was a fight when it came to nap time, sneaking out of their room early for additional play, or just being too wild and rambunctious, and Gia no longer felt embarrassed. All the girls had been corrected, with their bottoms in the air and their nannies disciplining them with a well-deserved spanking.
Little Gia was finding it impossible to sleep. Her nanny had put her down for an afternoon nap. Why would she be so cruel? Her thoughts were all in a jumble, and she found sleep to be the furthest thing from her mind. Whispers of the annual Ashby ball had been echoing around all week, and the littles and papas would all be attending. How could she close her eyes and rest her head when she had not seen her papa in days?
Would her papa be there, or had he decided that she was too much work for him? Surely he could not have discovered the lie, that she truly was a street urchin, and had been tossed out of her home. Had he known the truth, Mr. Hartley would have had a word with her, and possibly sent her back out onto the streets.
The good news was that the forty-eight hours were up. If Theo wanted to relinquish his rights as her papa, it was too late. At least as far as receiving a refund for her schooling. Papa Theo had seemed well off, but not so wealthy as to have inherited land without the need for a job. Gia had yet to discover what he did, and though she longed to ask him, all she really cared about was throwing her arms around him and seeing him again. Feeling him against her skin, embracing her… that was what she needed.
The sun peeked through the thick curtains. Unwilling to stay in bed, she climbed down from the mattress, used the chamber pot and then opened the shades to allow the afternoon light into her room. Gia picked up her new favorite book, the one papa had started reading to her, and carried it to the bed to quietly read. Would her nanny be livid that she had sneaked out of bed? At least she remained in her room and kept out of trouble. She did not bother to pretend to sleep. The minutes ticked away in slow succession, making it feel as though hours were passing by. At least reading passed the time.
She had managed to get through quite a bit of the book when Nanny Vivian opened the door and shook her head, seemingly disappointed. "You were supposed to nap, little one."
"I was resting," Gia said, countering her argument. She had had quiet time and allowed her nanny some time on her own. Was that not what nap time was about?
"Well your resting time, as well as your reading time, is over. It is time to get you ready for the annual ball at Ashby. Are you excited?" Nanny Vivian asked.
"I hope Papa will be there," Gia said as she clapped her hands in glee. She sat up in bed, her feet dangling off the side of the mattress while Nanny Vivian retrieved an ivory gown with a ruffle that went around the front of the dress. It dipped low down her back, ending just above her bottom, making the dress far more scandalous than any other gown she had been required to wear thus far. "Are you sure that is for me?" little Gia squeaked.
"Yes. It was bought especially for you." Nanny Vivian gestured for Gia to come closer.
"Did my papa buy it?"
Nanny Vivian did not answer her question. Gia's face scrunched up at the sight of the gown. It was most definitely beautiful, but would she not stand out? "What are the other littles wearing?"
"That is not for you to worry about. You will wear this gown and, unfortunately, I do not see a way for bloomers to fit nicely underneath. I think just the dress will be appropriate." Nanny Vivian slid her hand up to Gia's waist, pulling down her bloomers. Once the material hit the floor, her hand returned between Gia's thighs. Vivian felt over her folds, skimming from top to bottom. "You are smooth. I shaved you yesterday, and do not think any hair or color will show through the material."
Gia's cheeks burned as her nanny touched her intimate area, the place where her papa had done things that made her feel delirious and woozy.
As quickly as her nanny had touched Gia's quim, her hands had dropped, and she worked the laces loose from the bright pink gown, stripping her of the dress. "We will have time to fix your hair and add a little color to your cheeks. Although that may not be necessary," Nanny Vivian said as she glanced Gia over. "It appears you are quite flushed already. Are you feeling all right?"
"Yes," Gia said, fanning herself. "I am excited about the party." Perhaps her nanny would accept that as an answer, and leave her well enough alone with the questions. She held out her arms for her nanny to slide the beautiful ivory gown over her skin.
"I am surprised to hear that, although undoubtedly your papa will be in attendance. It is usually the littles who have experienced a friend graduating who are most enraptured with the idea of such a party."
"So my papa will be there?" Gia asked. She had been pestering Nanny Vivian all week for details about the event; who would be attending, and whether Vivian had heard from her papa. The answer was always the same.
"You will find out tonight, and not a minute sooner, little one. Now come. Let me properly fix your hair. Bring me your brush."
Gia went to the side table and handed the wooden brush to her nanny. The dress felt strange, thin and wispy, like clouds surrounding her, grazing her skin. Sitting perched on the edge of the mattress, Nanny Vivian retrieved a comb, with three large flowers decorated with pearls. She placed it onto her lap as she sat with her charge.
"You will look beautiful tonight, Gia."
"Thank you," she whispered, staring down at her hands, hoping her papa would be there to see her.
Nanny Vivian brushed the long brunette strands, securing Gia's hair up on her head before sliding in the comb for the finishing touch. "You look quite angelic in that dress," she said.
Gia could not remember her nanny ever paying her so many compliments in an entire week, let alone in one day. What had got into her? Did she know something that Gia did not? The butterflies returned to her stomach, making her anxious and wary as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"We will get your stockings on and then your shoes. The party will be starting soon enough, and we do not want you to be late."
Nanny Vivian retrieved a pair of stockings from the drawer and slowly slid them up her charge's thighs, one leg at a time. The tops rested above her knees, the dress hiding their height but showing far more leg than she felt appropriate. Was she really supposed to go out in the gown? Would it not create a scandal for her or for Theo? Ladies did not dress with hems so short that they revealed skin! Even with her stockings covering her to mid-thigh, she felt improper.
"Where is the party to be held?" Gia had not heard the specifics, only that there would be girls who had already graduated in attendance with their papas, and new gentlemen seeking a little of their own. Desperately, she hoped her papa Theo would attend. The mere thought of any other man laying eyes on her made her stomach clench.
"Downstairs in the ballroom, around the back. You will be delighted by the party. Try not to eat too much."
"Yes, of course." Gia did not know whether she was supposed to act like a little or like an adult. The gown made her feel grown up, but being in the presence of her nanny brought back the mindset of a child.
"Come. I believe you are ready for the littles' grand entrance. You will wait in the hall while the other girls get into line. You will be presented all at once," Nanny Vivian said, leading her charge out of the nursery.
Presented at once? Did she have to put on a show, too? Gia hated the idea that men would gawk at her while she walked into the ballroom. But perhaps it would not be as bad as her nanny made it sound.
She slippe
d on her black shoes and stepped out into the hall. Teresa had already lined up, as had Mollie and Gracie.
"There she is," Teresa said, huffing under her breath. "Did your nanny have to smack your bottom? Is that why you were late?" She turned around to face Gia, only to get a good look at her dress. Her mouth hung agape.
Gia smiled, proud that she had been given a gown fit for a queen and not a princess. Teresa's dress was short in the back, revealing her bloomers, and was an odd hue of the ocean, bright blue and turquoise, with shimmers and sparkles that fanned out far above her knees. White stockings ran up Teresa's thighs, but the dress looked ridiculous, as did most of the littles' outfits. Having taken a long glance down the hall at Mollie and Gracie, Gia saw that Mollie was also wearing a little's dress, one she had seen the girl wearing earlier that week. Gracie was the exception. Was it because she, too, had a papa and was not available for marriage?
She had no time to ask and could not even if she had wanted to. Her nanny stood behind her, keeping the girls quiet as Nanny Beth walked at the front of the line, escorting them down the locked corridor, on to the ground floor, and then out through the front door.
The air was frigid and without a coat, Gia wrapped her arms around herself. She shivered and stamped her feet, trying to keep her extremities warm.
Stepping carefully along the stone path with her head bent down, she followed the girls across the steps and around the back of the building, in through another door. Could they not have led the girls in any other way, without them having to set foot outside? Shivering, Gia felt relieved when a blast of warmth hit her upon entering the building.
It took several minutes for her teeth to stop chattering as she bounced aimlessly around as she stood, waiting. Slowly, the girls standing idly by began to disperse. When Gracie laid eyes on her papa, she squealed and ran off to him, throwing herself into his arms.
Even the headmaster had a beautiful young blonde, with blue eyes and a light dusting of freckles on her skin, attached to his arm. Gia had heard Mollie speak of an 'Etta', who had once been a student; who had recently graduated and was now married to Mr. Hartley. Could this be the young woman who had been talked about? The woman was dressed in sheer silver, which sparkled under the chandelier lighting. The gown had been made short and scandalous; not even her white stockings could save her from the scandal of what she wore, much the same as the other littles in the room. Were the attendees all to sign a contract that barred them from speaking about what they saw at the event? Certainly those who had been a papa or little would understand the lifestyle, but what about those who were curious, and had come based on an invitation that they did not fully comprehend?
Etta smiled politely in Gia's direction, catching her eye, before whispering something into the headmaster's ear. He nodded and unhinged himself from her grip as she strode straight towards Gia.
"Hello," Gia said, her voice catching in her throat as she smiled politely. She felt awkward standing around by herself. Where was her papa?
"Hi, I'm Etta Hartley," she said, holding out her hand for a proper introduction.
Gia shook the young woman's hand, she did not seem to be much older than herself. "I am Gia Hayes. This is quite the party your husband has put on."
Etta smiled and nodded, glancing back toward Philip. "Yes, he does love reminiscing. How long have you been at Ashby? I do not remember him mentioning a little Gia."
Gia blushed. Why would Mr. Hartley mention her? Had he ever told his wife that he had hired a nanny who had eventually become a little? Her cheeks burned just thinking about the embarrassment she would feel if everyone discovered the truth. "I have only been at the chateau for a short time." She did not wish to lie, and she had now been a little for the same length of time she had been a nanny.
"I remember my first days quite clearly, as though they were just yesterday," Etta said, with a smile and shining eyes. "Are you getting along with the other littles? I remember little Gracie from my time at the Ashby." Etta waved to the other girl, having caught sight of her friend.
"Yes," Gia said. She did not wish to elaborate on the difficulties she had had with befriending the other girls. Gracie had sided all too quickly with Teresa. Mollie had been kind, but Gia desperately wished Teresa would leave the chateau. Could she be so lucky as to find a way to get her expelled? Was it even possible?
"Excuse me," Etta said, sounding much more grown up than little. She rushed across the marble floor and squealed, jumping up and down as she threw her arms around Gracie, reuniting with her old friend.
Gia watched from a distance, jealous of the affection the friends shared for one another. She had not felt that way even towards Mollie. When she eventually graduated, would she be forced to return to Ashby with her papa? It was not that she did not enjoy her time under Nanny Vivian and Headmaster Philip's care, but Gia was not sure that she would want a yearly reminder of the discipline and life she had been faced with.
"You seem awfully quiet."
His voice startled her, and she felt his warm hands touching her shoulders.
"Papa!" Gia squealed, delighted that he had come. Her heart pitter-pattered and her cheeks further reddened as she spun around and threw her arms around him in a tight hug. She did not wish to ever let go. "You came to the party." The smile did not leave her face, no matter how hard she might have tried to hide it. She had missed her papa, and had not wished to disappoint him.
"Of course. I would not miss such an extravagant event, especially if it includes my little Gia." He pulled her back into his arms, his hands on her lower back as he brushed his lips against hers.
"How long have you been here?" she asked. The room slowly began to crowd with more people, most of whom she did not recognize.
"Only a few minutes. I would have come earlier but a tree had fallen on my route, which caused a delay. I am sure you do not care about that," Papa said.
She shook her head. That was not true. She did care about him, and wanted to know all about his coach, where he lived, what he did, and when she would see it. She had not had time to answer when a man cleared his throat behind them.
"I would not have expected to see you here, Georgiana."
Gia's face lost all color as she spun around on her heels. His dark brown eyes and receding hairline made his face appear oblong. Cousin Oliver. What was her older cousin doing here? Two thick wrinkles protruded from his forehead, and his brows formed a frown that never ceased.
"What are you doing at Ashby?" She felt certain her heart would stop beating at any moment.
Papa's hand dropped from her shoulder to take her hand. Was he trying to make it clear that she was taken? That was not what Theo needed to worry about. There was no reason to be jealous.
"I would ask the same of you, but then again, this is much better than living as a street urchin or a whore," Oliver said.
Gia pursed her lips, breathing heavily in through her nose and exhaling just as loudly. Thankfully, the room was filled with chatter and no one but the three of them could hear their conversation. "You do not get to go around calling me such names!" she said. Unafraid of her cousin, she stepped closer. "It would be best if you left, before I bring over the headmaster and have him toss you out on your arse!"
Oliver's eyes narrowed and his nose twitched. He showed no hint of fear at her threat. "What lie did you tell this gentleman to get him to choose you as a little?" He turned to Theo. "Did you know that her parents threw her out because she had been drinking? They found her with blood on the sheets and a boy in her bed. If you are expecting a proper lady, I can assure you all you will find with Giana is a scandal."
"Get out!" Gia screamed, her voice this time rising above the noise and the chatter.
Her papa's hand fell from hers as he took a step back. "I did not lie to you," Gia said, glancing at Papa.
"It is better he learns the truth now than to discover what a whore you are after you are wed," Oliver said, stepping toward the door. "I do not know how you disc
overed a street urchin as a little, but if all your girls come from such reputable backgrounds, I am sure you will stay in business forever." His sarcastic tongue landed him a sharp slap to his face; for Gia could not contain herself.
The room had fallen silent and as Oliver stepped outside and the door shut behind him, all eyes had landed on little Gia. She swallowed nervously, not enjoying being the center of everyone's attention. There were times when she did not mind Papa's affection or Nanny Vivian's ministrations, but this was too much.
Papa's gaze narrowed as he stepped closer to Gia.
Whispers filled the room, but no one appeared to resume their conversation or ignore the scenario entirely.
"You lied to me," Theo said, his voice loud, stern, and sharp.
Gia took a sharp breath, her heart speeding up quickly at the fear that he would abandon her. "I never lied to you."
"You told me your parents were dead!"
She hung her head, embarrassed and filled with shame. "You're right, and for that I am sorry." She could not deny the lie she had told, any more than she could change the scandal that had in no way been her fault. Would he even let her explain her side of what had happened?
"How can I trust you?" he asked. "You promised to be honest with me, Gia."
"I have been." Her voice hitched and trembled as her eyes glistened with tears. No. She would not cry. She swallowed the pain and the sadness, for she needed a level head and a clear mind. They had to work this out.
"Since when? What have you told me that was truthful? You swore you had two parents who died. I respected your wishes by not asking further questions, and I now see what a fool I have been. How could you do that?" Theo made for the door, the same one that Oliver had been told to leave from. Except Gia did not wish for her papa to go.
