As any regular reader of this column knows and every or almost all members of society knows, there are two groups of people in London who shall forever have different opinions towards one another; Ambitious Mamas and Unyielding Bachelors.
The Ambitious Mamas have one thing to themselves; daughters of marriageable age while the Unyielding Bachelors however does not want what the Ambitious Mamas have. However, some unyielding bachelors do yield to these mamas at the end of the ball....most particularly at a certain event. The reason for this topic of discussion is due to one thing.... Lady Kenwood's ball...
To those without a brain—not that This Author think some do not—they simply lack the sense or to those who are new in Town. Lady Kenwood's ball is one in which many who attends get married. It is believed to be an honor to be invited to such event. The ball is said to take place in a week time.
Five eligible ladies were proposed to on marriage at the ball the previous season and This Author can only wonder how many will have such opportunity this season..
Lady Ravenscroft's Society Papers, May 1812.
Helena could not stop thinking about the events of the previous night at Lady Halloway's ball. The Viscount had revealed that Lucia was not more than a sister to him. A revelation that has left Helena's cheek to turn pink.
"You did not end up revealing the conversation you had with Lord Sinclair when you two danced?" Lady Beaumont asked as she walked into the drawing room where Helena and Hiliary where seated.
"We were too busy with the Viscount's explanation about Lucia Halloway yesterday" Hiliary said looking at her with a smile which Helena returned with a glare.
"He asked about how I find the countryside and boast about his cottage which is rather too large for one as well." Helena said at which she shake her in disapproval of her dance with Lord Sinclair the previous night.
"The opposite of the Viscount." Hiliary pointed out.
"You do not need to say that." Helena warned although she was with a smile of her own.
"Men are prideful beings and I am sure he did that just to get you to know that he is wealthy enough to take a wife." Lady Beaumont explained.
"I do not care about his wealth." She said smoothly.
"But you care about the viscount." Hiliary mocked earning a glare from Helena and a smile from Lady Beaumont.
"He does not care about me." Helena responded.
"He does." Her mother responded.
"He does not." She reaffirmed.
"He does." Her mother countered.
"Who are we talking about?," Hiliary asked in confusion, "The Viscount or Lord Sinclair."
"The Viscount." Both women said at once.
"The same one who made sure you knew that he and Lucia Halloway do not harbor anything for one another." Hiliary asked in confusion.
"You do not know that." Helena said.
"He made sure to let you know before disappearing last night." Hiliary said in frustration.
"He might as well be lying." Helena said with a sad face slumping in her chair.
"And when has he ever lied to you.?" Hiliary asked to which Helena remained silent.
"I do not understand how I have much more sense than the two of you combined," she said with a frustrating sigh. "In case you are confused, I am talking about you and the viscount. It is clear to anyone with eyes that the two of you have feelings for one another but you both are too proud to admit." Hiliary said with frustration.
"Hiliary!!" Lady Beaumont warned.
"What," she said innocently picking up her sweets "If someone do not tell the two of them, they won't do anything about. I cannot imagine how you gave birth to someone as clueless as Helena when it comes to love matter, Mother." She said nitpicking on the sweet.
"You did not have to say it like that," Lady Beaumont begin before sitting beside Hiliary. "But it is true."
"Mother!" Helena said with a groan.
"You cannot possibly be blind. Helena," Hiliary said with her mouth full earning a glare from their mother.
"The man was jealous." Lady Beaumont said
"Jealous?" Helena asked as she sit right.
"Was your conversation with Lord Sinclair that intense that you did not see the expression on his face?" Hiliary asked.
"I did not bother to think about that. I was angry." She replied.
"Angry about the fact that he was talking to Lucia?" Hiliary asked and she stayed silent.
"The important thing for you to note is that the man is jealous, or at least he looked like he was." Their mother said disregarding Hiliary who is more invested in her sweets.
"What did you say to him while you were dancing?" Helena asked her sister.
"Nothing" she replied to which the two women turn to look at her.
"Surely," Helena begin as she grab her shawl. "You can do better than to lie."
"It is a secret between me and the Viscount. I do not need to reveal our conversation with you."
"Why?" Helena asked.
"You do not need to know."
"What does one not need to know?" Lady Morribel asked announcing her arrival.
"Good day to you, Lady Morribel." Ann Beaumont greeted as she stood up along with her daughters.
"Sorry to impose but I want to go out to the park and did not want to do so alone." She explained as she sit beside Helena.
"So you decide that your victims would be Helena and I or perhaps Helena alone." Hiliary said with her mouth full once again.
"Hiliary!!" Lady Beaumont warned with a yell.
Hiliary was confused...was she warning about her mouth full or her statement?.
Or perhaps both....
"She is correct and I love you for that." Lady Beaumont said to which Hiliary gave her a smile. "You are both my victims."
"Good to know," Hiliary said as she set down her sweets finally. "I could use a bit of fresh air and peace away from mother." She said as she stood up.
"Hiliary!" Lady Beaumont warned again.
"What," she asked innocently. "I would come down in a moment." She said to Lady Morribel who nodded.
The walk round the park was not anything new but with the two ladies by Lady Morribel's side, there was chaos. Hiliary was determined to let Lady Morribel know about their conversation before her arrival at their home while Helena was determined to let her keep quiet.
"Lady Morribel, Miss Beaumont, how lovely to see you all." Lord Sinclair greeted as the trio end up in front of him unknowingly.
"Lord Sinclair," Lady Morribel begin keeping the girls quiet. "It is nice to see you."
"What brings you to this part of town My Lord?" Hiliary asked to which Helena glared at her wondering why she needed to know about the man's movement.
"A walk along with my mother who has abandoned me for Lady Dennis for a bit of gossip." He explained to which she smiled.
Lady Sinclair arrived just in time when the conversation was about her.
"Lady Morribel, Miss Beaumont and the younger Beaumont. It is good to see you." Lady Sinclair greeted as she walk towards them.
"It is good to see you as well." Lady Morribel replied.
"I heard an interesting piece of information that you danced with my son last night," she said looking at Helena with a smile. "I was unable to attend due to a cold." She added.
"Yes, My Lady." Helena responded.
"He couldn't stop talking about you when he got home. She seemed to know more about you than anyone else." She said sweetly.
"Based off one dance?" Hiliary asked and Lady Morribel pinched her by her side.
"Ow." She said quietly.
"I do intend to know you more Miss Beaumont," Lord Sinclair said. "If you would allow me." He added.
"Right." Helena said confused on the right answer to give.
Hiliary laughed silently.
Lady Morribel is quiet about the exchange.
"The two of us seem to have a lot in common and I would love to know you more." Lord Sinclair said.
"No problem, My Lord." Helena replied.
"It is nice to see you all," Lady Sinclair declared. "Perhaps we can sit together for dinner at a later date?"
"Perhaps..." Lady Morribel responded before the mother and son left.
"So Nicholas might have a challenge to face." Lady Morribel said after the two left.
"How did this conversation end with the viscount?" Helena asked frowning.
"Pardon me but were you two not getting to know each other the last time I checked?" Lady Morribel asked.
"We were...we are?" Helena asked confused herself.
"That answers a lot." Hiliary commented.
"We shall head to the Harrington's before going back to your place." Lady Morribel declared.
"What!!" Helena said or perhaps yelled for those near to hear.
"Surely you did not think I drag you out for only a walk in the park." Lady Morribel said. "You should know me better by now." She revealed earning a chuckle from Hiliary.
Helena was about to run mad.
She is not prepared to meet the viscount....at least not now.
Meanwhile at the Harrington's estate, Nicholas decided that it was time to visit his elder sister Amelia to greet her and tell her about Catherine's predicament. He had written to her when their mother and siblings left but did not get a response and wanted to know if she is doing well.
"Where are you headed?" Felicity asked as she run into him.
"Amelia's." He replied.
"Can I come along?" She asked hopefully with a glint of smile.
"Do you have lessons for today?" He asked.
"It is piano lessons." Felicity said with a pout.
"Oh," he said. "You cannot follow me then."
"Why?" She asked in confusion.
"You need the piano lessons more."
"What?!" She exclaimed not knowing whether to be offended or not.
"I shall deliver your greetings." He said with a smile.
"Did I ever mention the fact that I hate you?" She said coldly.
"I love you as well." He said as he head towards his carriage before instructing Michael to head over to the Curringworth estate.
The ride to the estate was a long one. The Curringworth estate is at the outskirts of town which explains why Amelia rarely visit the family home and soon enough he was at his sister's place. The servants all flee out to welcome him almost as if they were awaiting him or rather someone.
"Is Amelia home?" He asked the butler who kept his mouth shut. "I believe that I asked you a question."
"She is, My Lord." He answered quite nervously.
"Well, inform her that I am around or is something amiss?" He asked confused about the reaction of the staffs present.
It was almost as if they wanted to tell him something but find it difficult to do or perhaps say...
"Say your mind." He said annoyed at their behaviour.
"I believe it is better for you to see the situation at hand." The butler—Samuel said firmly giving room for him to pass.
Nicholas walked into the family room confused about what the staffs wanted him to see.
The Curringworth is a close knit family to which Amelia married into about five years ago. Amelia had two daughters—Violet and Marina aged three and barely one respectively. The Curringworth estate was rather small but cozy and has a family touch to it. The estate was different from others of the Ton due to the privacy that it provides and Nicholas always wanted something similar by the time he gets married and has a family of his own rather than staying at the Harrington estate.
Nicholas was ushered into the drawing room and was confused at the scene in front of him.
Lord Curringworth—Amelia's husband, John is scolding someone with his back faced towards Nicholas, Lady Curringworth—John's mother is in a corner acting—or perhaps she is scared. The person in question is kneeling in front of him.
At first, Nicholas thought he was scolding the maid or a worker but he was measures beyond wrong.
"You all belong to the kitchen and nothing else." He yelled confusing Nicholas even more.
And in an instant, John raised his hand and punched the person.
The scream of the person was more than familiar to Nicholas... that was Amelia.
That was Amelia screaming....
"Viscount Harrington is here, My Lord." Samuel—the butler announced as if intentionally.
John turn to look at the door and Nicholas could clearly see the situation at hand.
Amelia is scrouching down covering her children with her face swollen up with blood all over her.
That bastard......