“An inferior isn't completely restricted in what they may do in the presence of a superior.” (The Proverbs And Epigrams Of John Heywood)

It was an hour and half before three o’clock and the upcoming ball. Lucy Hyde was pacing in heavy steps around her high fashion room. “Miss, please hold still. You are going to ruin your dress,” a calm voice from her lower left side had spoken in a soft tone.
Lucy stood still for a moment. Her mind was in deep thought and she did not notice that her maid, Evara was trying to hem her newly made pink satin floral gown that was completely covered in lace from head to toe. The new fashion from London was to have a bustle in the back which made the dress look full and was more comfortable than the corsets Lucy was used to. However, fashion was the last thing on her mind. “Miss. I’m sure young master Coley will be home soon, please do not fret.” Evara had continued. Even with Evera’s assurance Lucy’s mind wandered back to her midnight’s rest the night before.
The time was now a half hour until the start of the ball and as always Lucy was impatient waiting for the carriage to arrive at her summer villa. Her auburn hair was glistening in the sunlight. Most of the servants would always agree that of her image was like a princess though on the inside she was as impatient as a bee in the middle of the spring. This was her greatest burden.
Finally at a quarter till four o’clock a black wooden carriage with golden trim pulled by two white horses stopped in front of her door. A short young man in his twenties with brown hair and grey shaded green eyes wearing a top hat and coat escorted Lucy to the carriage door. When he opened the door, Lucy looked in to see another man who looked like the coachman was inside. “What took you so long?” Lucy had said with a sigh. She then looked up at the man’s pale blue eyes and was in complete shock because she did not recognize the man at first because of the dark shade in the coach.
“Hello, Ms. Hyde” the man had uttered. “ You don’t remember me, do you? It has been quite a while since we last spoke. We do not have much time please watch your step.” Lucy, not saying a word, did as she was told. The coachman closed the door and the carriage started to move. “Let me introduce myself. Please call me William Coley,” He started to say. Lucy tried to hide the disgusted look on her face by covering it with her laced fan. After all, this was the man that her father arranged for her to marry in the summer. She admired her father, but did not ken with his idea of her marrying this man, for she did not love him.
William went on with his one sided conversation for a while, and all Lucy wanted to do was to give him a piece of her mind although that would be considered un-ladylike of her. She wished more than anything that (scumbag) William would disappear. He was a young scholar and a good friend of King Charles II, which meant Lucy had no choice in her marriage. More than anything she wanted to be free from the clutches of being a wealthy daughter of a governor of parliament.
They were almost two thirds of way to the ball when they suddenly stopped. Lucy had forgotten that she was trying to cover her impatience and blurted out, “Oh, what now?” William startled by the comment, notified Lucy that everything would be okay and was not to worry. Lucy was curious as to why they had stopped, opened the door to yell at the driver to keep going, but instead found something unexpected.
There before her stood was girl with musty auburn-brown hair. Her dirty old matted clothing was so ripped and torn that Lucy could see her skinny ribs. The girl was carrying an empty metal pail about the size of a night owl. She was so covered from head to toe in dirt that her skin color was brown.
Lucy’s eyebrows rose to the top of her head. Other than the plantation and the summer villa, she was completely surrounded by the beauty and glory of up scale ballrooms with the finest fish and wine every night. Lucy was curious, but not completely patient, with how this situation was turning out. She hissed at the driver to move on, but as if by magic he had disappeared.
“Oh great! Now we will completely miss the ball, for sure.” Lucy scoffed. All the while the young girl, keeping her distance from the newly addressed stranger, spoke quietly as if frightened by the sight of Lucy. “Umm… Miss who are you talking to?” Lucy replied with “Can’t you tell I’m talking to Lord Coley.” The girl stood with one hand on her hip still holding the empty bucket and had a most puzzled face. “No, Miss, I don’t see anything at all.”
Lucy was confused as well. She turned back to find that the beautiful black and golden trim carriage had disappeared. Her breathtaking pink satin floral gown that cost nearly a fortune had turned to rags. Had she been dreaming all this time? If so she hoped that she would wake up as soon as she could. She wanted her maid Evera to come in and open the shutters and bring her a hot bowl of porridge while she tried to ignore the blazing sun beating down on her soft pale skin. She wanted to be wearing her overly tight corset that she could barely breathe instead of her London gown.
Lucy who was now frightened asked, “What happened to my…” She was interrupted by the young girl, “It’s alright you are not going mad. You’re just as sane as I am.” As she was coming closer, Lucy realized that she looked exactly like her not just in appearance, but in health as well. Lucy curiously asked, “Child what is your name?” The girl replied, “My name is Lucy Hyde.”

6 days till