Gilded columns supported the
ceiling, gilded... Gilded columns supported the
ceiling, gilded flat column pilasters filled the walls between the tall
windows draped in gold-fringed crimson velvetGilt armchairs
upholstered in crimson surrounded the supper tables along the walls,
each table centered with a gold candelabrumGilt covered the
intricately carved gaslit chandeliers and the massive canopy above the
gold and red thronesGold lace trimmed men's court dress of
brocaded
silk skirted coats and white satin knee breechesGold buckles
decorated their satin dancing pumpsGold buttons, gold epaulets,
gold
frogging, gold braid gleamed on the dress uniforms of regimental
officers and the court uniforms of Viceregal officialsMany of the
men wore bright sashes
tiffany co jewelry slashed across their chests, pinned with
jewelled orders; the Viceroy's knee breeches touched the Garter
around
hislegThe men were almost more splendid than the womenAlmost,
but
not quite, for the women were jewelled at neck, breast, ears, and
wrists; many wore tiaras as wellTheir gowns were made of rich
materials-satin, velvet, brocade, silk-embroidered often in glowing
silks or gold and silver threadsA body could get blinded just
looking, I'd better go on in and make my mannersScarlett made her
way across the room to curtsey to the Viceregal host and hostessThe
music started as she finished"May I?" A gold-braided red arm
crooked to offer support for her handIt was
Charles RaglandShe'd met him at a house party,
balenciaga motorcycle handbags and he had called
on
her every day since her arrival in Dublinhe made no secret of his
admirationCharles' handsome face blushed every time she spoke to
himhe was awfully sweet and attractive, even though he was an
English soldierThey weren't at all like Yankees, no matter what
Colum saidFor one thing, they were infinitely better dressedShe
rested her hand lightly on Ragland's arm, and he escorted her into the
pattern of the quadrille"You are very beautiful tonight,
Scarlett
"So are you, CharlesI was just thinking that the men are more
dressed up than the ladies
"Thank heaven for uniforms
Knee breeches are the devil to wearA man feels a perfect fool in
satin shoesThey've been peeking at ladies' ankles for
hermes wallet ages,
let them see what it feels like when we ogle their legs
"Scarlett, you shock me The pattern shifted and he was goneI
probably do, Scarlett thoughtCharles was as innocent as a schoolboy
sometimesShe looked up at her new partner"My God!" she said
aloud"Now flattering," he said with his twisty half
smileNo one else smiled like thatScarlett was filled with light,
with lightnessShe felt as if she were floating above the polished
floor, buoyant with happinessAnd then, before she could speak
again,
the quadrille took him awayShe smiled automatically at her new
partnerThe love burning in her eyes took his breath away
Her mind was racing: Why is Rhett here? Could it be because he
wanted
to see me? Because he had to
omega olympic watch see me, because he couldn't keep
away?
The quadrille moved at its stately tempo, making Scarlett with
impatienceWhen it ended, she was facing Charles Ragland- took
all
her self-control to smile and thank him and murmur a excuse before
she
turned to search for RhettHer eyes met his almost immediatelyhe
was standing only arm's length away
Scarlett's pride kept her from reaching out to himhe knew be looking
for him, she thought angrilyWho does he think he anyhow, to come
strolling into my world and just stand there expect me to fall into
his arms? There are plenty of men in this room, even-who've been
smothering me with attention, hanging around my drawing room,
sending
flowers every day, notes, and even
vuitton pink bag jewelry