I was not expecting any new dolls to be arriving at my house anytime soon. But when the Ruby Red Fashion Friend sale came on because they wanted to clear out all the dolls in the NJ distribution center (It’s still going though many are sold out!) I couldn’t pass it up. As one person said, “They’re practically giving these dolls away!” I felt the same and and was so excited to purchase my very first limited edition doll, Constance, and a third RRF doll, Bella.
Camille and Madeline had just opened Bella:
and had started to get to know her
“I’m Bella but you can call me Lizzie or Lizzie-Bella.”
Hannah came over to Constance’s box and lifted the lid:
There are some rare times where I’ve opened a doll for the first time and their personality hits me over the head like a hammer. Samantha, Lindsey, and Elizabeth have probably been my most memorable but Constance surprised me too. She’s my first little doll with a sweet face but no smile, so maybe that’s why her personality is so strong.
We were all surprised to see her only in her underwear in the box (they dress everyone else!). I took the pilgrim outfit she came in for her to try on but her first words to me were, “Oh no! I’m not putting that thing on! There’s not an ounce of pink in it. IF I have to wear it at all (and I hope I never do!), I will only wear it during Thanksgiving season…..Bartholomew isn’t here, is he?”
I shook my head. Bartholomew is the boy pilgrim who was also on sale but I didn’t want to buy him even for so cheap. How can you play with a boy with a beard?! It’s just WAY too weird!
“Well, good thing for that!” She went on, ignoring the four dolls standing around her and only talking to me: ” I didn’t want him following me around like a black shadow. He was doing that all day at the distribution center. I will wear pink because that’s what I look good in. Will there be tea this afternoon? The dolls at the distribution center told me to make friends with whoever I’m living with and I would like to make friends with dolls who like tea and nice dresses and things. I’m not sure I’d be the greatest friend to….those dolls…” Constance waved her hand over towards Lizzie, Hannah, Madeline, and Camille who, seeing Constance only wanted to talk to me, had gone back to jumping around and acting silly and excited over each other and the new Bella.
“Oh, that’s no problem at all!” I said, “I know just the dolls you’ll enjoy!”
I was very glad the pink dress that used to be Madeline’s that I now presented to Constance was acceptable to her. It’s the only fancy dress that could work as a tea party dress. Constance said she would be excited to become a Colonist whenever Nan wants to be modern. And Constance told me secretly that although she prefers to be fancy, tidy, neat, prim, proper and gentlewomanly, she wouldn’t mind wearing modern clothes once in a while. And even be called Connie, but only while wearing modern clothes.
I showed her Elizabeth’s room, thinking she would probably have fun meeting her:
Constance walked into Elizabeth’s room without knocking. She looked around the room and felt like she belonged there. This was the type of bed she had imagined she’d be sleeping in, and the clothes press where she’d put her clothes and the vanity where she’d do her hair. And then she took a good look at Elizabeth. Or, the back of Elizabeth since Constance had come in so quietly, Elizabeth still hadn’t heard her and she was so busy getting her collar, cuffs, and hair ribbon perfectly straight, she hadn’t noticed.
Even though Constance hadn’t even seen this doll’s face yet, she was already the most beautiful doll Constance had ever seen. She had the longest, most golden hair, wrapped in a perfect low ponytail, she was wearing pink from head to toe and it was the most beautiful color pink in existence, and the way Elizabeth was getting ready was so full of grace and elegance it was almost like a dance. Constance didn’t just want to be her friend, she wanted to be her!
“Good afternoon,” Constance startled Elizabeth, “Heather told me to find you here. You must be Elizabeth?”
“Yes!” Elizabeth said, “Who are you? You must be new here?”
“Yes, I’m Constance. I just arrived with Lizzie-Bella today. I was wondering if you’d like to have some afternoon tea with me?”
“Oh! Well, I’m about to go horseback riding with Felicity because we are celebrating Stables in April this month but afterward I’d love to have tea with you!”
“Would you want to come riding with us?” Asked a voice who’s body came into view behind the bed. It was Felicity.
“Good day! You must be one of the new dolls who have arrived today! I am Felicity Merriman.”
“I am,” said Constance. She paused not quite sure whether to accept this invitation. She knew horses were big, burly, messy, and unpredictable beasts which terrified her, but she also knew that young ladies rode horses and she wanted to be a young lady just like Elizabeth and if Elizabeth was riding horses she certainly ought to!
“I will go with you,” she gulped.
“Splendid! Do you have any riding clothes?”
Constance swallowed, “Umm…no…”
“Not to worry, I think you’ll be all right. We’ll have to lift you onto the saddle anyway,” and Elizabeth led the girls outside.
“I guess everyone’s wanting to celebrate Stables in April,” Felicity said as she watched Kaya come up the green toward them.
“Were you wanting to ride Steps High too?” Kaya asked.
“I was about to give Constance here her first riding lesson,” Elizabeth said, “but if you’d like to go first, you’re welcome to.”
Kaya looked at the horse, “Oh, she’s saddled already. You go ahead and when you’re done take the saddle off and hand her to me. I ride bareback now.”
Kaya stayed and watched as Elizabeth turned to Constance, “We are gentle ladies, so we do not ride uncivilly like men,” she gave a great stink eye to Felicity (who was well known to borrow breeches and ride horses like men) who suddenly found a blue jay the most fascinating thing in the world.
Elizabeth continued, “We ride completely out to the side, that way all the men can admire our beautiful dresses and riding clothes. We have a cane, here, that we use to control the horse since we cannot control it with our legs. Felicity, would you be my groom, please.” (It was not a question)
Felicity helped her up on the saddle and Elizabeth walked the horse around them in a circle.
Constance was feeling more and more fearful as Elizabeth instructed. This beast was so huge. It was far bigger than she had imagined. And how was she ever going to remember everything Elizabeth was telling her? Before she knew it Elizabeth was holding her arm out and telling her it was her turn. Constance gasped as, Elizabeth boldly grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her onto the horse.
Unwanted terrified tears spilled out of Constance’s eyes and she gave out a most unladylike wail, “I caaaan’t!” She felt so unsteady, she was certain she was going to fall off any minute and fall to her death, or worse, get her skirt caught in the saddle and get dragged. “Please!!” She begged.
“Oh, dear girl!” Elizabeth quickly took her off and placed her gently on the ground.
“It’s just Kirsten’s Blackie here. Kaya pretends it’s Steps High, but Blackie is the sweetest horse and will never let you fall off. Why don’t we do this: How about you and I ride together and I can make sure you’re safe. Would that be all right?”
Constance still didn’t quite trust herself to speak, but she nodded.
Felicity helped them get up on the horse and they set off.
Elizabeth could feel Constance’s tense, shaking little body slowly start to relax.
This wasn’t so terrible after all. It felt wonderful to get to see the world from a new height. Constance also couldn’t help feeling so thrilled to be so close to the person she admired and was now beginning to love the most.
Elizabeth was the most wonderful doll.
“Shall we go to the stables and see what the other dolls are doing with their horses?”
“Yes please!”
“And then we’ll head back and Blackie can become Step’s High for Kaya.”
“Don’t you have a horse of your own? Or do you always have to share with others?”
“Felicity has been dreaming and wishing for her Penny but there’s been no talk of getting her yet. I don’t mind sharing and the other dolls mostly do what Kaya does – pretend the horse is theirs when they ride, so it all works out.”
They visited the stables and said good day to Evette who was mucking out the stalls and Nicki who was just about to ride on the ranch.
“Sing me a song in the saddle!” Kavi crooned as she opened the gate for Nicki, “In the clear blue sky above!”
On the other side of the stable, Jackie, Heather and Laurel were getting Adagio ready for show jumping.
“Here’s a carrot for luck!”
Constance hoped that some day she might be able to be brave enough to jump with a horse too. It looked like flying. She felt like flying as they galloped back home and had a most wonderful teatime together:
“Welcome to the doll house, Constance!” Elizabeth said.
-Heather
dollightful dolls 
