As they approached the grounds of the grand estate of the Earl of Matlock, she noticed out the carriage window that there was a very long line of elegant carriages waiting to enter the gates toward the massive house. There was certain energy in the night air that was lit by torches all along the grand entrance. It reminded her of Brentwood Manor and even Mayfair house.
She suddenly found herself anxious. But she was feeling some gratitude that she would be able to at least be in the environment of a beautiful ballroom, string quartet, and lots of crystal. Even though eyes and gossip would be on her, at least she could take in the beauty of the ball. Finally, the carriage pulled up to the entrance and the door and stairs were open. Soon climbing the stairs to the massive house and entering the grand entrance hall. A servant helped with our cloaks and Sir Norington held his hand out and in order to escort her in.
"I am very excited to show you off her dear," Sir Norington whispered in her ear.
"I hope to please you sir," she said in return. At least Sir Norington was escorting her, as eyes began to turn. She could hear whispering as fans went up around the mouths of ladies in order to gossip to each other in secret.
She held her head high and continue to walk with Sir Norington trying to stare straightforward and not let it bother her, the actress playing this part. Though it was hard to do such a thing. As she walked through the grand house with Sir Norington at her side and his family following behind us, she was able to look around at the grand decoration of the house for the festive event. There were large chandeliers hanging from the gold leaf and painted mural ceilings. There was a side room which she could see that there was a grand buffet of food, desserts, and drinks where people were gathered. Then we continued into the hall into the main ballroom. It was a long and narrow room where people were already dancing happily.
"Sir, so good of you to come. Of course you know my wife Marie Matlock," the Earl said as he greeted Sir Norington.
"Thank you, and yes I am acquainted with your lovely wife," Sir Norington said as he bowed before her. "Allow me to introduce to you Katrina Proctor. She is my guest at Norington."
The Earl bowed to her as his wife also gave her a small nod and smile as they said, "How do you do? "
"My, she is a jewel," the earl said to Sir Norington.
"Yes, she is a treasure," Sir Norington said as he looked at her up-and-down.
Katrina smiled politely and was glad that the Earl nor his wife did not snub her or throw her out because of her scandal, which meant that her name was not known in these parts, for now.
Perhaps they did not know. Perhaps they did not care to cause a scene in their home. Whatever the reason, she was grateful to go unnoticed.
“Please enjoy your time in our home. There is plenty to eat and do take this jewel of yours out onto the dance floor. She will only make the ball seem more elegant than it really is," the Earl laughed to Sir Norington.
"Yes, yes, I will make sure she has many dances," Sir Norington said as he led her away from the them into the outskirts of the dance floor. His family still followed behind as Sir Norington made introductions to almost every person he passed. It seemed that many gentlemen wanted his attention to speak about some business proposition or other. Finally he took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor.
She could feel eyes on her, but because she was with Sir Norington she was accepted. This is why she needed him and why it would be good for hide from the sapphire jewels scandal. This station as Duchess would make her scandal disappear and hide from the sapphire jewels scandal could have a somewhat normal life. Sir Norington’s dancing was slow and clumsy, but she did not expect that he would be a good dancer.
Every now and again she could hear some whisper about her as she heard her name alongside the word scandal before she would quickly move away. Just when she was beginning to feel somewhat comfortable in this environment, Sir Norington abandoned her. She had turned to grab a glass of wine off a tray that a servant held. When she turned back around, Sir Norington was gone. She now stood alone in her very revealing red dress and felt panicked.
The room became a whirlwind of faces all looking at her with eyes of judgment. she felt her face flush as women looked at her up-and-down in disgrace. It was very embarrassing to be standing alone without anyone to converse with. Her breathing grew rapid and she felt the dress tightening around her.
"May I have this dance?” a familiar voice said to her. She turned to see Alex bowing before her with his hand extended. He was saving her.
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"I would be honoured," she said, as she put the glass down and took his hand. He moved her onto the floor with such elegance and skill. He was a very good dancer and knew how to lead a woman's body onto the floor, though that came as no shock to her.
His hands on her lower back burned through her dress as though she could feel his bare flesh. He periodically squeezed her hand and never looked away from her face. That is with the exception of glancing down at her cleavage and then looking back at her eyes with a smile. He was being a complete rogue. She wondered how many eyes were on them and wondered how many could see the obvious passion he had for her, which she found embarrassing and awkward.
Here she was making another scandal of herself with the most scandalous man possible yet, but in this moment of this dance she did not care. She wanted to enjoy it, if just for a moment. Perhaps this would be her very last dance at a grand ball like this if Sir Norington did not see fit to marry her.
After that dance, she danced a few more with Alex. Then Sir Norington was obliged to allow her to dance with a few other gentlemen that asked his permission. It was very shocking and nice to feel like the belle of the ball, since she was nothing but a country girl turned courtesan and actress.
Although it did not escape her attention that all the women were giving her dirty looks, but the men on the other hand only had smiles for her. She guessed she could deal with that for now.
It turned out to be quite a fun evening, to her surprise. In the late hours of the night they returned back to Norington estate for a nightcap in the parlour. The two sisters excused themselves to bed fairly early after arriving in the parlour. Sir Norington was drinking so much wine that he kept nodding off to sleep in the chair.
The next day she mounted a horse and raced into the village. Once she entered the village she slowed her pace as to not draw attention, though she was a stranger here. She nodded politely and said good morning to the people walking on the village streets.
“What are you doing out here?" Alexander said from behind her. She turned to him and shock.
"How did you find me?" she asked.
"I did not. I was on the way to an appointment and saw you standing here.”
"Oh, that makes sense." Was all she could say.
"Come with me," he said to her.
She pointed out the horse that she had road and he walked over to it and led it by the reins as they walked together closer to the outskirts of town which made her very nervous indeed.
A few moments later, Alexander and she were walking into a stable building of sorts. It was long and narrow and there were many men gathered. The atmosphere was festive, which she thought was strange for a stable house. Many men were drinking ale and money was being exchanged.
"Where are we?" she asked him.
"You see. I found myself in circumstances where I need to release much anger, as I’m sure you can understand. This is where I come to do that," he said as he handed the horse off to a man who nodded at him and took the horse into a stall.
Then Alexander shocked her as he began to unbutton the buttons at the end of his sleeves. Then he unbuttoned his shirt all the way down the middle. He took it off and exposed his bare chest. She was in shocked over what he was doing. Why was he taking his clothes off?
But seeing his bare chest brought familiar feelings of desire to her and of Mason Byers doing
the same thing when she first stayed the night with him in Portsmouth.
He leaned in close to her and said, "Do not be shocked. Just watch."
The crowd grew rowdy as Alexander stepped into an empty stall with another man who was also bare chested. Men climbed the stall fencing and everyone was cheering. She peaked over the side railing of the stall and watched.
“Go!” A young boy shouted as he waved his hand in the air with a white handkerchief. Then Alexander and the other bare-chested man began to punch each other. They rounded the stall with precise skill landing expert blows on their bodies. she could not believe it. This was not the behaviour of a gentleman. He was behaving like a commoner with this bareknuckle boxing. She loved it. She admired him even more for mixing with these types of people, and not thinking himself above it. These were her people, just like the farmers she knew in Cottered. He was using this sport to release his anger instead of taking it out on those close to him. But why was he so angry?
The fight only lasted a few minutes and Alexander landed the last blow across the man’s jaw, and the man went down. Alexander raised his arms in the air in victory. There was cheering as well as moaning in disappointment of losing money. Alexander moved out of the stall, looked at her, and winked. He had a nice purple and blue welt on his cheek that was growing darker by the second.
"Are you all right, Alexander?" she asked him quietly.
"Never been better, my dear. Let us get a drink," he said as he moved over to the makeshift bar while putting on his shirt. He grabbed two rustic mugs of ale and handed her one.
"Come with me," he said, as he led her out of the stables onto the field and said, "This bar has the best view." He sat down on a bale of hay and patted the empty space next to him.
She laughed and sat next to him, and drank ale and had a pleasant conversation until he asked, "So, Katrina, are you going to tell me what you are doing, taking my father’s invitation to stay with us? I know you do not love him."
"Are you going to tell me why you are so angry that you need to come here and beat up other men?" she asked him in return.
He laughed and said, "Fair enough. If I am honest with you, will you be honest with me?"
"Yes, she said feeling terrified that she suddenly had to tell him the truth, though he was going to find out sooner or later.
"I came to fight because I realized when I woke up this morning that I want you to be the one for me. Instead you are with my father. This makes me angry. Your turn," he said.
His words shocked her. It wasn't exactly a marriage proposal. But in this moment Alexander Norington wanted his woman. But it would only be a fleeting moment because she was about to tell him about her past, and then he would not want her anymore.
"You will not think that way after I tell you this. I have a long history of a terrible and unfortunate life. Lately I was accused of stealing valuable jewels from a woman of high society. Therefore I was banished from my employment at a theatre house and have nowhere to go. Your father always came to my plays when in London and we became great friends and made an offer to Madame Douvaine to have me come her instead of be homeless on the street.”
Alexander was quiet for a very long time. He seemed to be even angrier. He slammed down the rest of us drink and then finally said, "We must get you back to the house." That is all he said.
Together they rode on the horse that she had come on but he said nothing. He said nothing once they arrived back at the estate stables. He simply walked away from her.
But indeed she knew that this was coming. This was how it was going to be.
That night she lay in her bed crying. Sir Norington was drunk and kicked her door in. "Where were you today?!” He shouted at her, in a very loud voice that echoed through the house.
"I went for a ride!" she shouted back.
"Lies! You are a whore! You went whoring!" He shouted as he began to undo his belt. He moved toward her and tore at her night dress. She shouted and screamed, "Leave me alone! Leave me alone! You are drunk, don't touch me!”
"Let her go, you filthy animal!" Alexander’s booming voice said as he came into the room.
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Alex grabbed his father and threw him against the wall. His father was shocked and then in a rage. They shoved each other back-and-forth.
"Get out of here son! This does not concern you! This is between me and this whore!"
"Leave her alone! She does not want to be with you!" Alexander shouted. She was terrified.
"Get out of here! Leave this estate and do not return!" Sir Norington yelled.
"Fine! I am off to the White Horse Inn, but I am taking her with me," he said as he pointed at her. Sir Norington smiled at him and said, "Why don't you ask her that?"
Both men looked at her as she sat there shaking on the bed. She had to make a decision and it was not an easy one.
"Go, Alexander. I belong to your father," she said in trembling tears.
Alexander threw a vase off the side table and left the room. Sir Norington laughed and shut the door behind him. Minutes later he was on top of her, punishing her with a sloppy hard kisses. Fortunately he passed out before he could punish her any further.
"Wake up," Sir Norington said as he nudged her with his hand.
"Sir, good morning," she said to him trying to get some sense of composure back.
"Do not good morning me. Is this what it will be like having you for a wife? You will disappear, and forbid me in your bed? Why should I marry you at all?" he said as he got dressed in an angry fashion.
"No, of course not. I apologize. I am not myself as of late. Once we are married I will be much happier to oblige you.”
"Marriage? Who the hell spoke of marriage. You are to be my mistress!" He said. Her eyes grew wide in shock.
Sir Norington laughed and said, "You naïve child! You did not think I was serious? Don't you know a flirtation of empty promises when you hear it? I have no plans to marry you now. I simply want you to live here so that I can have my way with you all day and all night if I wished and nothing more. I wanted to show you off at balls and parties because you, my dear, are stunning. But I am not going to damage the Norington family name with whore wife. You are very dumb, "he said as he buttoned his trousers.
She stood up in shock. She could not believe it. Katrina moved over to him and slapped him in the face. He grew dark and angry. He pushed her against the wall and she fell. She quickly got up and grabbed her riding coat from the bench and boots and ran down the hall.
"Where do you think you're going? Get back here!"
She ran out in her night dress and pulled on her coat but ran in her bare feet toward the stables. Once she was inside she pulled on her boots and secured her coat. Anyone would think she was wearing a dress underneath that coat, instead of being practically naked. She jumped on the horse and rode into the village, straight to the White Horse Inn.
"Katrina! What has happened? Are you all right? What did he do to you?" Alex said as he went to her.
"Oh Alexander. It is awful. It is just awful," she said.
"It is all right. You are safe now. Come inside to my room upstairs. I am going to take care of you," he said as he led her inside and to her upstairs room.
Once upstairs she helped her out of her coat and saw that she was in nothing but her night dress. "What happened? Did he hurt you?" he said, trying to control her anger.
"Yes." She said.
"I will kill him." he uttered as she looked her over.
"No, it was not like that. Shortly after you left last night he passed out and did not touch me. But he never had any intention of marrying me. He said as much this morning and I ran away as soon as he told me. He pushed me against the wall and I fled," she said crying into his lap.
He soothed her by running his hands through her hair and trying not to be so angry as to race back to Norington and confront his father. He would not be able to control
his anger and would possibly kill him. Then he would be in prison and no one would be left to help Katrina.
"Listen to me. I have a cousin, a clergyman, Mr. Franklin, who lives with his wife Elizabeth Jenkins Franklin in a country cottage in Hunsford County. I can send you there but I cannot go with you. They are good Christian people and will take you in for a spell if I ask them to. I must stay here and tend to these matters of my family. I lied to you before, Katrina,” he said.
“You did?”
“The truth is, I am betrothed.”
“What?”
“Yes I am, and I cannot get out of it. I am betrothed to the daughter of a Duke. It is my blasted name. There is nothing I can do to change that. But I cannot see you on the streets. Will you take my recommendation to stay with my cousin?”
“Thank you, yes. I do not see that I have a choice. You have been such a good friend to me Alex. I cannot thank you enough.”
“I am off to fetch you some clothes and then I will make the arrangements.”
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Mr. Mason Byers had not been himself at all since the scandal of Eleanor Dawson’s jewels.
Indeed, the entire scandal vexed him greatly. Just because he had met Katrina at a brothel for did not make her a thief or a bad person. In truth he knew her honest journey toward her downfall of being captured by bandits, sold to a brothel, and then forced to become an actress or face destitution. Yet, why had he not stood up for her in that moment? This plagued him greatly.
He had left Brentwood Manor after the wedding of his cousin, to the go on his ship and make some trade in the East. But the entire voyage was filled with thoughts of Katrina. He felt that he had wronged her somehow.
So when he returned to Brentwood Manor he went straight away to the maid that had said she saw Katrina in Eleanor's room.
“I want you to tell me once and for all what happened. Tell me the truth about those jewels," He said.
An Alone and Destitute Girl (#3, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel) Page 18
