Georgina, Elizabeth Holland's Cousin

Georgina perched on her red velvet stool brushing her long wavy hair. As she gazed in the mirror she scowled. Most girls would kill to have her deep blue eyes or her long golden locks but not Georgina. She had always envied Elizabeth Holland; she could get any man she wanted with a bat of her eyelashes. It was the smooth dewy complexion that most of the handsome men in town fell for; Georgina on the other hand had soft skin with freckles dotted over her nose and cheeks. Her Mother would say she looked cute but Georgina didn’t want to look cute. She wanted to look like her cousin Elizabeth.

“Annalaise, do come in, Mrs Holland is upstairs in the Drawing Room.” The housekeeper announced as he invited Georgina and her mother in to the Holland household. Georgina pulled up her blue silk dress as she ascended the marble stairs that lead to the upstairs of the Holland residence, her mother behind her also making sure her beautiful gown didn’t get dirty. “Annalaise, Georgina! How wonderful to see you both. Take a seat and we will get some tea.” Mrs Holland said as they walked into the drawing room. The grand plush settees sat in the middle of the enormous room with a chaise longue and a grand piano in the corner. Georgina was rarely at the Holland’s house but her mother has decided it had been a long time since she had seen her sister and her niece. Georgina glanced over at Elizabeth; as usual she looked stunning in her rose, satin dress. The servant then came in behind her taking Georgina and her Mother’s coats. “Claire is just getting us some tea” Mrs Holland said giving the young servant holding the coats a look. Claire nodded and scurried out the room. Georgina and her mother sat down on the settee across from Elizabeth Holland and Mrs Holland. “Excuse me Aunty Louisa; I have to use the bathroom. Where is it?” Georgina asked politely. “Just up the stairs, it’s next door to Elizabeth’s room. I’m sure Elizabeth can show you.” She replied looking over at her daughter. Georgina hesitantly said, “No its ok, I’m sure I will find it.”

Georgina left her mother, cousin and aunty to chat while she climbed the marble stairs up to the third level. Upstairs was warm and cosy and seemed less pretentious. Georgina glanced around the landing looking for Elizabeth’s room, she didn’t actually need to go to the bathroom but she needed an excuse to leave the boring conversation. She curiously opened the door to Elizabeth’s room. Inside there was a four poster bed with lavish curtains draped on the window next to it. Georgina gazed around the room and noticed the dressing table in the corner next to the chest of drawers. Cautious of being caught Georgina crept across and looked at the items on top of her dressing table, everything that Elizabeth used to make herself beautiful and as lovely as ever sat in front of her. Georgina glared in the mirror at her 15 year old face and wished she looked more mature for her age she then picked up the bottle of perfume and spritzed it on to her neck.

“Yes so we will be getting married as soon as possible” Elizabeth grinned as she and Henry Schoonmaker held hands. Georgina entered the room, her heart beating faster as she saw the handsome Mr Schoonmaker. Henry was the most sought after eligible bachelor around – every girl found his charm irresistible and he had exceedingly good looks. Georgina’s butterfly’s soon disappeared to be replaced by an inner feeling of envy once more when she realised that they were holding hands. “That is lovely. Well I dare say it will be the wedding of the century!” Her Mother laughed. It was then that she realised they were getting married. Georgina looked at Elizabeth her eyes searing into hers, how much she had wished she was Miss Elizabeth Holland. Now she wished she was Mrs Henry Schoonmaker.