<hr/><div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/4c/Ginny_06a.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Virginia 'Ginny' Mary Lou Whateley<br/><strong>Faction:</strong>Whateley Family<br/><strong>Date:</strong>May 3rd, 1876<br/><strong>Time of Day:</strong>Early Evening<br/><strong>Location:</strong>The Golden Mare<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Open, Marguerite, Harley, Maybelle Greene<br/><hr/><br/><strong>"Why that's jist fascinating..."</strong>Ginny lied straight through her teeth, a smile plastered on her face, as she listened to the beau her mother had set her up with regal her with war stories about the latest battles he had participated in.  Dressed in her finest, one could hardly recognize her even if they knew her.  She was wearing an elaborately designed one piece ballgown with short sleeves, leaving her arms largely exposed, with a skirt supported by a wire-frame bustle and a voluminous petticoat so large that she had trouble moving in it.  Pink was the order of the day along with delicate, gauzy frills both at the shoulders and the modest neckline that dipped ever so slightly to show off her pale skin and the fine golden necklace with a tiny crucifix that dangled from it.  Elaborate scrollwork that was lily-white was at the bottom of the skirt to draw attention to the wealth invested in the silken cloth.  To complete the image, she also wore white cotton gloves with a tiny of a frill at the end.  Even her golden locks were pinned up with a series of tiny red ribbons and curled so they flowed all over her shoulders like an long, elegant mane of gold and her face was done up with the best beauty product that money could buy, giving her the look of a painted doll more than a living breathing person.<br/><br/>Absentmindedly, she stirred the cup of tea, wishing she could be at the Casino right now.  Her fingers itched for some cards and coin and her bloomin' ass wanted to wear her comfortable breeches once more instead of this torturous metal prison.  Though Ginny's facial expression never betrayed her discomfort.  She was a Whateley, after all.  Edward Baldrick was a nice enough fellow, a young, dashing First Lieutenant for the Confederacy that was obviously moving up in the command chain.  If the young Whateley played her cards right, she could end up as a Brigadier General's wife.  A feather to his proverbial cap.  Prestigious for her family.  Not that she cared a whit, of course.  He wasn't even that bad-looking with a close-cropped black beard and a fit frame though he would soon be a full decade older than Ginny, a fact that hadn't escaped her notice.  Still, she would thank the good Lord for small favors; the last suitor had been nearly a quarter of a century older than she was.  Thankfully, she had managed to wriggle her way out of that particular match without too much trouble!<br/><br/>And in truth, her mother, Mary Ann, had gone to a lot of trouble to set up this first date, hoping that the two would strike it off when they meet.  But it wasn't meant to be.  After tonight, Edward would chase after other skirts and Ginny would have to put up with her mother's disapproval of yet another failed match-making attempt.  The older Southern woman could convey her icy displeasure even through the terse letters of a telegram.  But thankfully, if she just gritted her teeth it would then be over.  Then, Ginny would continue being able to do what she did best, namely, spend the Whateley family money at an alarming rate.<br/><br/>It was then that Ginny noticed that Edward's eye was wandering.  Apparently, her noble beau's eye had found some other sight more appealing than Ginny as he seemed to crane his neck ever so slightly.  He seemed interested in the happenings at a table towards the back.  Even while still talking about glorious battle.  And despite the fact that he was boring and stuffy, the young Whateley still felt a stab of irrational irritation.  After all, it was rather rude to not even be looking at her!<br/><br/>...nevermind the hypocrisy.<br/><br/><strong>"Edward?  <em>Edward?</em>"</strong>Ginny emphasized his name the second time as he broke off his description about how he was readying a cavalry charge on some Union artillery.  He seemed to be a bit surprised since this was the first time she had tried to speak with him outside of the meaningless pleasantries.  Fixing those green Whateley eyes on him, she gently raised her cup and sipped at the tea and resisted to make a face.  She had let it get cold in the passing of time.<strong>"Is thar sumthin' the matter?"</strong>It was a question, but not really a question, as she continued to watch him, much like she'd watch a mark at the poker table.<br/><br/>"Nothing's wrong, dearest Virginia!  It's just that your radiant beauty has stunned me so."  He declared this with such sincerity that most women would have been sighing over his words, fanning themselves.<br/><br/>But Ginny could hear a lying snake from a mile away.  And it was obvious what had caught his attention was some other woman.  Inwardly, the young Whateley resisted the urge to turn around and see who it was that had caught his eye.  It wasn't becoming though it did increase her irritation another ten-fold.  Still, appearances had to be kept as she gave a vapid, tittering laugh and allowed herself to blush a little.  It was easy for her to fake blush with such pale skin.<strong>"Yur jist tryin' tah flatter muh!"</strong>she declared in mock triumph, all the while seeming pleased that he had given her such a rosy compliment.  Her thoughts, on the other hand...<br/><br/><em>"This'ill be the part whar he'll 'scuse himself.  Say he needs tah go to the wash or sumethin'."</em><br/><br/>"Excuse me, Virginia.  I need to freshen up."  He showed her a spot of tea that he had accidentally managed to get on the cuff so his dark formal wear.  It wasn't even visible.  "I'll be right back."  With that, he smoothly rose out of his seat, leaving a fuming Whateley in his wake who drank her tea tight-lipped before she angrily snatched a wafer and bit off a piece with a sharp crunch.  They said hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, but the author had yet to see Ginny's temper...<br/><br/>~*~*~<br/><br/>Boldly, Edward strode over to the table where Marguerite, Harley, and now Miss Greene were seated.  Stopping in front, he gave a formal bow, his right hand resting on the ceremonial sword he wore to signify his military rank.  A charming smile was offered to Marguerite even as those eyes of his lingered on the graceful swoop on her neck down to the front of her dress, tight across her bosom.  Those eyes remained locked on Marguerite's ripe form even now as his gaze turned to trace the contours of her face.  "You are far too beautiful to have come from such a small, dingy town.  From the east?" His tone was confident, obviously this was a man who was used to be respected and used to be right.  "I'm sorry, I know this is rather forward but it seems as if you could use an escort."  The words were directed to Marguerite, completely choosing to ignore Harley outside of a side, flickering glance that took her in and then contemptuously discarded her.  Though he did respectfully tilt his head in Miss Greene's direction to offer her a proper greeting as one would offer a lady.<br/><br/>"It's not a safe town during the night.  No doubt you were concerned for your safety without a<strong><em>man </em></strong>around here."  A clear and definite snub this time sent in Harley's direction.  Putting his hand to his chest, he continued on.  "Edward Baldrick, First Lieutenant of the Confederate Army.  It would be my honor  to keep you company this evening."