After dinner she composed a letter, then crumpled it and threw it away, unsatisfied with it. She tried again – Mr. Davis, thank you ever so much for your kind arrangements with the museum. We are delighted and indeed can accept the offer, as well as the date and time you stated. You are too kind and we are grateful. Happy Christmas to you, Miss Willameena Davis and Mr. Robert Davis. Then she signed it simply and concisely, Miss Katrina Proctor.
Katrina read the letter again and again, making sure that there were no undertones of something romantic, or misleading. Satisfied, she burned the stick of red wax and sealed it.
“There, that will do, and I shall send it in the morning.”
The next morning she did send the letter, and the Saturday after next, the whole party went to tour the collections of the museum. Katrina and Adeline had never seen such things before, for they were country folk and the latest findings of history and science were not to be seen in Hertfordshire.
Katrina and Adeline walked the galleries together, arm in arm.
“See Katrina, I think this Mr. Andrew Davis understands the way to your heart – through knowledge.” Adeline teased.
“Oh Adeline, do not say such things, you will only make me uneasy.”
“Katrina I do not see your resistance to such a man. He is kind and so well-off I dare say he would make all of mamma’s wishes come true.”
“And you forgot handsome,” Katrina teased her back. Adeline laughed alongside her. “I suppose you are right Adeline, and now that I have experienced this museum visit I dare say a partner that understands these sorts of things are close to my heart would be a very agreeable partner indeed.”
“There now, then perhaps you will not shut him out when next we see him again. He is not proposing marriage, Katrina, but simply a friendship to get to know you better. Why can you not be open to such a thing?”
Katrina, in that moment, thought of Mr. Byers secretly visiting the bedchamber of Eleanor Dawson. She was sure that particular indiscretion started as a friendship, and she never wanted to lead a man into believing a friendship with her, was a way to evolve it into such indiscretions.
“I suppose you are right Adeline. I will be open to a friendship with Andrew Davis if you open yourself to one with his brother.”
“Katrina! Shocking reply.”
Katrina laughed.
“Girls, you must come look at this. It is a cabinet of curiosities,” Madame Douvaine tugged them along. Katrina and Adeline smiled at each other as they saw Madame Douvaine’s enthusiasm.
When ten days passed and Katrina did not hear again from Mr. Andrew Davis, she assumed that she had worried for nothing. Perhaps his museum arrangements were simply keeping his word and nothing more.
But three weeks before the eve of Christmas, an invitation arrived.
“Girls, girls! We have all been invited to a small gathering at the Davis once more,” Madame Douvaine said coming into the drawing room with the invitation.
“What?” Katrina asked.
“This is an invitation from Miss Willameena Davis inviting us to dine with them and some of their closest acquaintances in a gathering. Supper, cards, and entertainment to start the Christmas season, it says. She ask if we will perform a piece for her. Oh yes, we shall. I am delighted to.” Madame Douvaine happily said.
Katrina looked to Adeline. Adeline’s wide eyes implored Katrina to come to her side. Without making too much of a fuss, Katrina moved behind Adeline and placed her hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
“Is that all it says, Madame Douvaine? Does it say which acquaintances are to be present at this gathering?” Katrina said with an excited smile to hide her growing anxiousness as well.
“No, no it does not say. Though I am sure they will be just as agreeable as the Davises. Oh! We must go shopping for something to wear. I am off to ask Mr. Douvaine if he will not support a trip to Bond Street, for I am sure that elegant dresses will be in order on this occasion,” Madame Douvaine left the drawing room in haste.
“Oh Katrina, you do not think that –?”
“That the Dawsons will be in attendance?” Katrina sighed. “There is no way of knowing, is there? Adeline, are you alright?”
“I do not know. I thought I was fine but hearing this invitation has made me feel, dare I say, nervous and uneasy.”
“Yes you may. I have no wish to run into the Dawsons or Mr. Byers for that matter.” Katrina held Adeline’s hand and paused. “Would it be so awful if we were to suddenly be ill that night?”
“Oh Katrina, we could not do that to our employers, though it does seem a way out of it does it not?”
“Then, what shall we do?” Katrina asked.
“I suppose there is nothing we can do. We shall grin and bear it,” Adeline said with such sadness that it brought Katrina great discomfort.
“Maybe it is premature to fret over something we are not certain of. Perhaps the Dawsons are not invited at all and we have worried for not.”
But this did not bring a joyful reaction from Adeline. “I think I must lay down for a bit,” Adeline said as she stood up.
“Adeline?”
“No Katrina, I am alright. Please tell our Madame Douvaine I am in bed with a sudden headache.”
“Well, shall I attend you?”
“No. Please, I just need to be alone,” Adeline said and left the room.
Katrina plopped herself on the chair in anger. Oh how she hated Mr. William Dawson and his superior friends for causing such grief in her sister. If he did attend this party she was not certain that she could hold her tongue.
The next day, true to her word, Madame Douvaine had Mr. Douvaine take them all shopping in the very prominent Bond Street. Katrina and Adeline had never seen such fine fabrics and dresses.
“These are the latest fashions of the long sleeves,” Madame Douvaine pointed out. Adeline and Katrina were overwhelmed, but after a full day of shopping, they settled on their gowns. Katrina chose a gown of green silk and white trim, while Adeline chose a red silk gown with white trim. Together they would be quite festive at this gathering, celebrating the start of Christmas season.
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Davis House was brightly lit as the Douvaine carriage pulled up in front. Katrina grabbed Adeline’s hand, giving it a squeeze of comfort before they stepped out. Indeed it was on her mind and Adeline’s that the Dawsons might be in attendance at this particular gathering in celebration of the Christmas season.
Together they looked at the stately home across the street; the Dawsons. There seemed to be light coming from only two windows and the house seemed dark indeed. This only made Katrina more nervous for it looked as though no one was home except for the servants.
“Are you alright, Adeline?” Katrina whispered as they stepped out of the carriage and walked up the steps.
“I must confess I am a bit nervous Katrina, really.”
“Well you look absolutely beautiful in that dress, and if Mr. William Dawson is in attendance he will, I dare say, know what he is missing,” Katrina whispered.
Adeline laughed, which indeed was the aim of Katrina’s comment. Making light of the situation was her way of calming dear Adeline, but she knew that she was also in state of anxiousness toward the oncoming party.
“This way, if you please. May I take your coat?” the servant that opened the door led the friends and the Douvaines into the foyer where their coats were collected and where the Davises stood waiting to accept them. The scent of cinnamon and orange peel filled the air, lending a sense of atmosphere to the occasion. Red, green, and white ribbon tied on in great bows decorated the stair banisters. Fresh pine needle wreaths with ribbon hung from the walls in elegant fashion.
“Mr. and Madame Douvaine and Miss Proctors, so glad you have come,” Mr. Andrew Davis stood beside his sister and brother Robert, greeting the newly arrived guests.
“Thank you for the invitation and happy Christmas season,” Mr. D
ouvaine said with a bow and the ladies exchanged a curtsy.
“You are the last of our guests to arrive, therefore we are very happy to be able to escort you ourselves into the drawing room where we have gathered.”
“Oh, I hope that we are not late and inconvenienced you sir,” Mr. Douvaine said.
“Oh no, not at all. You are right on time. It is just that our other guests live so very close I dare say that they arrived early,” Mr. Robert Andrew said.
To this Katrina looked to Adeline, for it was very possible that what he meant was that the other guests lived just across the street.
“Miss Proctor, if I may?” Mr. Andrew Davis held out his arm for Katrina, making her blush.
“Thank you sir,” she said. She placed her arm in his and together they led the entire party down the hall. Mr. Robert Davis took Adeline in one arm and his sister in the other, while Mr. and Madame Douvaine walked together and behind the Davis family.
Katrina smiled a polite smile at Andrew Davis, but in truth she wished she was on the arm of Adeline because she wanted to be near her sister when they entered the drawing room.
“I am to thank you again, Mr. Davis, for your kindness in arranging our visit to the museum,” she said.
“You had a good time then?” he asked.
“Oh yes indeed we did. I love such things, knowledge and history,” she said.
“Yes, indeed I hardly ever meet a woman such as you to like such things. It is refreshing, as I have said so before.”
Katrina looked at him as his gaze moved from her eyes to her lips, and then forward. Indeed her breath quickened, for she did not know what to think. It was a very bold move on his part, but it was not without some enjoyment on her part, for who could deny such a man?
“Here we are,” Andrew said as the door to the parlour was opened by a servant and music and conversation spilled out of the room. The music coming from the pianoforte stopped.
“May I introduce our acquaintances that have just arrived? Mr. and Madame Douvaine and their actresses, Miss Katrina Proctor and Miss Adeline Proctor.” Andrew Davis said loudly as the entire party entered. Katrina was astonished, as she did not think to have such an introduction. She dropped her eyes to the floor and curtsied as her family bowed and curtsied in their own right.
“Now that we have all arrived please mingle, play cards, and have a grand time. Dinner will be served in one hour’s time,” Andrew said. The music started again and Andrew bowed to Katrina, moving deeper into the room to mingle with his guests.
Katrina quickly turned to Adeline who was still conversing with Robert Davis at her side, as Katrina was too anxious to look about the room to see who was in attendance, but she wagered on first glance that there were about twenty or so people there.
“Thank you again for this invitation,” Katrina said to Robert.
“Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to have you all here with us. Please, walk with me this way for refreshment,” he said. Katrina and Adeline nodded, following Robert Davis toward one of the many tables adorned with drink and food.
It was at this time that Katrina allowed herself a peek around the room. Her eyes landing squarely on Mr. William Dawson who had a look of complete shock on his face. It was then that she realized that perhaps the Davis had not informed the Dawsons of who all would be in attendance. Dawson’s eyes were on Adeline, and it seemed as if he had been denied a breath of air. Katrina turned away, not ready to continue her exploration of the those in attendance, for she knew if Dawson was there, his friends must also be.
“Here you are,” Robert handed Adeline a glass first, then Katrina.
“Thank you sir,” Adeline said.
“To Christmas in London, then,” he raised his glass to them and they in turn repeated, “To Christmas.”
“Come, I would very much like to introduce you both to my employers. I dare say that since our parents passed many years ago they are the closest we have to parents these days and mean a lot to me. Would you do me the honour?” he asked the friends.
“Oh but yes, of course,” Adeline said. Katrina nodded.
“Good. This way if you would follow me, there they are across the room, by the fire,” Robert moved in that direction but as he did so, Dawson stepped in his path.
“Oh, Mr. William Dawson,” Robert said. Dawson nodded and then nervously smiled at the Proctor friends.
“Miss Proctor, Miss Proctor,” Dawson said abruptly, as he bowed to them.
“Oh yes, of course you are acquainted with the Proctors,” Robert stepped aside and now the four of them faced each other.
“Yes, it is my great pleasure to know the Proctors,” Dawson said.
“Mr. William Dawson,” Katrina said. Adeline was simply quiet as she smiled politely.
“And I hope your family is well and in good health,” Dawson said.
“Oh yes, thank you for enquiring,” Katrina said.
An awkward pause of silence followed as Dawson stared at Adeline. In this feeling of discomfort, Katrina turned to see the room. Lo and behold, Mr. Byers stood in the corner of the room as proud as ever, with stern pursing to his lips that she had not forgotten. It felt too overwhelming, so she turned back to Robert and Dawson.
“Are you never to return to Linwood Manor then, Mr. William Dawson?” Katrina asked.
“Oh no, indeed I do mean to. In fact I feel that with great regret I made a mistake by leaving at all,” he said as he looked back to Adeline.
“That is good to hear, sir, for it would be best for the neighbourhood if you would give the place up entirely if you mean to never return,” Katrina said.
“Yes, quite right,” Dawson said nervously.
“Well, if you will excuse us, Mr Dawson, we were just on our way to my employers you see there. I want to introduce Miss Proctor to them,” Robert said as he looked squarely at Adeline. Dawson’s face crossed with confusion as he looked to Robert, then Adeline, “Miss Proctor...?” A sudden realization came over him as he saw Robert’s meaning. “Oh, but of course. I hope I have the pleasure of conversing with you again Miss Proctor when you are done, for it has been too long.”
“Yes, that would be agreeable,” Adeline said.
Katrina could scarcely stand the discomfort any longer and took a step away to start the movement toward the Davis’s employers, but they were not to get too far.
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“Miss Katrina Proctor, Miss Adeline Proctor, how delightful,” Eleanor Dawson said as she and her sister Mrs. Louisa Ashford stepped in their path. Together curtsies were exchanged and Katrina stood proud and braced herself for whatever venom Miss Dawson was to lash out.
“It is so good to see you again. Dear Mr. Davis, you did not tell us you were acquainted with the Proctors, though I can see how it would escape you,” Eleanor Dawson said.
“Indeed I have not spoken with you since I have met their acquaintance. My brother is acquainted with Mr. Douvaine, you see.”
“Oh yes of course, in dealings of business or trade I presume. Well, we are very glad to see you here. Tell me, are all the Proctors in London?” Eleanor Dawson asked.
“No, no ma’am it is just my sister and I as you see here.”
“Oh, good. One would think it would be a great place for a family of five friends to find a husband during such a time of giving,” Eleanor Dawson said. Mrs. Louisa Ashford restrained a laugh.
“Oh? Do you know as such from your own experience of this time of year, Miss Dawson?” Katrina asked. Mrs. Louisa Ashford gasped and Robert sensed the tension.
“We were just on our way to introduce to my employers if you ladies would excuse us,” he said as he held Adeline’s arm and moved them toward the fire to make the introductions at last.
But as Adeline made conversation with the Davis employers, she took it upon herself to take in the room. There were many elegantly dressed guests, and about seven to eight that she did not know an
d was glad for it. For she could not handle any more relations that were tied to her past.
They spoke amongst each other, some played cards, others sat and conversed, one or two ladies took turns playing the pianoforte, including Miss Willameena Davis, and all seemed to be in jolly spirits. That was with the exception of one corner in which the Dawson women spoke to each other, with ardent whisperings, as they looked in the direction of Katrina and Adeline. Mr. Byers and Mr. William Dawson stood in another corner also indulging in a serious conversation, to this one Katrina was more attendant to. For it looked like Dawson was chastising Mr. Mason Byers, for whatever for she did not know what. Mr. Mason Byers had a dark look to him as ever, and Katrina sighed, knowing nothing had changed. Though she was sad to see that Miss Miranda was not among the party present. Indeed, she wondered if the young lady would be joining Mr. Mason Byers when Christmas was closer, for she did long for her companionship, and only her.
Noticing her Madame Douvaine left to herself on a bench Katrina turned to Robert, his relations, and Adeline. “I pray you would excuse me. It was lovely to meet you both.” She bowed and moved to Madame Douvaine.
“May I sit with you, Madame Douvaine?”
“Oh, but of course,” Madame Douvaine said. Then she whispered, “Though you are wasting your time with me and I dare say would be better served giving your smiles to Mr. Andrew Davis who has not taken his eyes off you since we arrived.”
“Has he?” Katrina said suddenly, remembering he was present, for the shock of seeing Mr. Byers and the Dawsons had rendered her numb to all else.
“Oh yes, indeed he has not. A fine handsome gentleman is he not?” Madame Douvaine said.
“Yes, very handsome indeed.”
“And who was the fine gentleman you spoke with? Adeline seemed greatly discomforted.”
“That is Mr. William Dawson, and those two fine ladies are his friends. The gentleman he speaks with now is Mr. Byers, all of whom were in Hertfordshire and who’s acquaintance we know.”
“Oh I see. Mr. Byers is a very handsome man as well.”
An Alone and Destitute Girl (#3, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel) Page 7
