The Standwell Estate

Charlie Rue. Fashionable. Elegant. Daring. Wonderful. He moved with grace across the ballroom dance floor. He knew all eyes were on him, though no one else thought him aware. Charlie walked with a purpose and in no time came to stand beside Greer Colborn. He was thought to be secretly courting her, after all they had known each other for quite some time. Almost 12 years to be exact.

After some convincing Charlie finally led Greer onto the dance floor just in time for a French waltz. Now Greer was a fantastic dancer; and, much to anyone surprise, absolutely love to do so. However, she would not dance in front of others but for the nitpicking of Charles Rue Standwell. This was much to the dismay of many other suitors. Everyone assumed that Greer’s heart was spoken for.

As Charlie spun his partner up and down the dance floor, he leaned as to kiss her neck, but instead whispered, “How much are you willing to bet that the Trebeck sisters are planning in our wedding as we speak?”

Now this very thought caused Greer to lose all control of her feet in a fit of laughter. “Us married?! Wouldn’t that be a sight!” They both smiled and continued their dance. “How is it going on the Emily front anyway? Convinced her to go on a date yet?”

“Sadly she, like everyone else, is convinced you and I are destined to wed. She won’t touch the idea!” He spun Greer around once more as the music came to an end.“It’s a pity really, since I’m such a catch and all.”

They both laughed as they exited the dance floor, and we’re surrounded immediately by their peers. As predicted the Trebek sisters were at their side within seconds asking if they should be expecting a date anytime soon.

The Trebek sisters were one of a kind. Not only did they plan all the weddings in the town of North Barry, Connecticut; but the five surrounding towns as well. They were wealthy, thanks to their fathers money and we’re making pretty little fortunes themselves now that he had passed.

Mr. Trebek died four years ago in a mining accident and left the two sisters and their widowed mother to split his $3 million estate. The mother soon died after and sent her inheritance to the town orphanage. Not that they actually used it for the children’s betterment. It was recently shut down due to its cruel conditions and all the children were sent out to the other orphanages in the state.

The two sisters were Angelina and Sarahcena. Angelina, the eldest, was 29 this May. She had long blonde hair that she always wore in a very nice updo, and was very fond of wearing the color red (which surprisingly did not wash out her skin tone). Sarahcene was the baby and rightly so. She would turn 20 this coming August. Sarahcena had curly, long, ginger locks that she mostly wore down with the front flipped to the right allowing a bit of volume to appear. Sarahcena was a bit more colorful with her outfit choices, but always wore blue on wedding days. Says it’s good luck to the bride and groom.

Angelina thought an autumn wedding in the countryside would highlight them well. “Y’all are already like family. The countryside would give your guest that homey feeling as well.“

“I think a summer wedding near the Ebeny waterfall would show off the elegance in class that you both display. Not to mention it would be the perfect spot to start a honeymoon,“ Sarahcena chimed.

“Buttercup flowers would be quite nice in the summertime. Oh! And they would be paired perfectly with hydrangeas.”

“I think fallen leaves and painted pinecones would look lovely as a centerpiece.”

As a Trebek sisters rattled on about which wedding was better, Charlie caught the knowing eye of Greer and nodded for her to follow him out. Once they were close enough Charlie held out his hand for Greer to take hold. He led her out to the garden across the small but decadent bridge that led into the courtyard. Greer loved the smell of the courtyard at night. They could just hear the soft beckoning of the band inside. Charlie watched with admiration as Greer released his arm and began to spin around the fountain. When the next song had a bit more rhythm he jumped in with her; not so much dancing, more twirling their cares away. They eventually lost their footing and almost fell into the fountain itself. They both smiled with a soft giggle beneath their breath. Charlie pushed Greer’s hair out of her eyes and rested his hand on her cheek.

“It wouldn’t be such a bad life you know.”

Greer let her head fall deeper into his hand as she murdered her reply, “What’s that?”

“Me and you. Married.“ Charlie pulled her close so that her head was comfortably on his chest. They just laid there as silent fell and the night became dawn.