Selina rolled her eyes. “Trust Mama to do such a thing. I am surmising that she did not go searching for me or else you would have informed me by now.”
Ophelia shook her head. “No, Papa intercepted her. I think that he heard of her intentions, and Papa being Papa, came to our rescue.”
Selina reminded herself to thank her father later.
“Thank goodness for that. Mama can be the most determined of women when she sets her mind on something. It would be wonderful if she would focus her attention elsewhere.”
Ophelia was thoughtful. “I cannot blame her. She has raised two daughters, and she believes that she must ready us for marriage, and then marry us off to a suitable man. Only then will she believe that she has done her duty as a wife and mother.”
Her sister was right. Their mother was merely doing what her mother had done before, and her mother’s mother, and so on. The English life was a series of rules and traditions all aimed at keeping women in line, while men enjoyed all the freedom. Some may argue that it was to protect women, but protect them from whom if not the men? It seemed that there should be rules to govern men and their behaviour. As far as Selina was concerned, they were the problem.
“I do understand that, but it does not make it any more palatable. I loathe the fact that I must bend to what society deems acceptable, while the rules are bent for men.”
“But what can you do, Selina? You cannot change how things have been for several centuries, nay, from the beginning of time.”
That may be true, but that did not mean that she had to enjoy it.
“Perhaps one person can make a difference by not allowing these rules to ruin their lives.”
Ophelia rolled her eyes. “Ruin, Selina? Is that not too strong a word to use? Getting married and having a family is not your ruin.”
Her sister did not understand what she meant, and neither did Selina wish to elaborate any further. She took her sister by the hand and led her to the parlour.
“Come, let us go before they send out a search party.”
Selina could see that Ophelia wished to discuss this subject further, but it would be useless to do so.
“Yes, we had better go. Mama’s patience is wearing thin.”
They walked hand-in-hand, laughing along the way, but Selina couldn’t help feeling that she and her sister were becoming miles different in their beliefs, thoughts, and views. Ophelia sees the world differently from me, but that is only because she has not seen what I have seen. The world can be a horrible place, and I hope that she is not exposed to that.
“Papa, it is your turn. Make your move.”
Selina stared at the chess pieces, trying to deduce the best possible manoeuvre with the least casualties. Ophelia sat beside Uncle Edmund and she sat beside her father. They were not allowed to help the gentleman, but that did not stop them. Selina watched as her sister whispered a possible strategy into their uncle’s ear. He nodded, clasping his hands and holding his chin between his index fingers.
“Do not rush me, Selina! This is a game of patience, not speed. I will make my move when I am ready.”
Selina coughed. “The bishop.”
Her father looked at her. “Are you coming down with a cold?”
Her mother looked up, narrowing her gaze at her. Selina gave her father a slight tap on the arm.
“Of course not, Papa. I just had something in my throat, that’s all.”
Selina’s mother turned her attention back on her aunt again, but Selina could see by the tension in her neck that she was still listening. Getting sick would prove her mother’s point: it is not suitable for a woman to be prancing about the estate at all hours of the day.
“Papa, bishop,” she coughed again.
Comprehension dawned. “Oh, oh! I see now.”
He moved his bishop, putting the win of the game in jeopardy for her uncle. Uncle Edmund scratched his balding head, stumped.
“Selina!” Ophelia exclaimed. “That’s cheating!”
“Ha! Were you not just conspiring with Uncle Edmund yourself?”
“No ...”
Selina laughed. “You are such a terrible liar. Come, let us leave them and play a game of cards.”
“And what of my game, Selina?” her father asked.
“Really, Robert,” her mother said. “You cannot be encouraging such dishonest behaviour! Your daughters are already wild creatures; do not add this to their list of unwanted attributes.”
“But Charlotte, a bit of help cannot hurt a soul.”
Her mother wouldn’t hear of it. “Come away, you two. Let the men see to their own chess game. Come and sit beside your aunt and I–we have much to discuss.”
Selina and Ophelia exchanged looks. This did not sound like anything Selina wanted to be a part of, but they dutifully made their way to them, having a little struggle as they scrambled to choose the best seat near the fireplace.
“Girls!” their mother scolded.
They automatically sat down, with Selina having to choose the seat closest to her aunt. This is going to be a long night. Her mother waited for her to settle before launching into her speech.
“Your aunt and I have great news. We have been invited to a ball tomorrow evening!”
Selina stifled her groan. “Oh, good.”
Her lacklustre reaction earned her a stern look.
“You would do well to be more excited, Selina. There will be many people there, most who are bachelors.”
That did not make the news any better. Rather, it just gave her an instant headache.
“It’s my next-door neighbour,” her aunt continued. “The 6th Baronet of Chesterfield. He is a bachelor himself, although he has been somewhat of a recluse. I would rather we leave him out of potential suitors.”
That piqued her attention. Alex must come from the baronet’s estate. I wonder if I will see him there?
“Why ever not? Is not the main aim of the ball to find as many suitors as possible and then choose from them?”
“Selina, if your aunt has said to leave this man out, then we will do so; do you understand me?”
Her mother’s voice did not leave room for argument.
“Yes, Mama. Of course.”
“Good. Now it is a matter of choosing the perfect dress. Ophelia will look lovely in blue to match her corn-blue eyes and blonde hair. Selina, you, of course, must wear the emerald green dress–it is your colour, and we must embrace it.”
Her mother spoke as though there was something wrong with the colour. Selina happened to think that emerald green was the most majestic colour, and coupled with gold, it was just magical.
“We must be aware of the competition, for it is great this time around,” Aunt Dorothy said. “The Sheffields have had their daughters enter into society, and they are causing quite the stir. Not to mention the Montagues! I have long since said that Helen would become a beauty, and look at her now! A vision of English beauty: fair, blonde, poised, and possessing such a perfect form that makes one wonder if she is not indeed part angel.”
For the first time in her twenty years, Selina felt the stirrings of jealousy. If Alex was to see this Helen, would he also think the same?
“Oh my! I have nearly forgotten about Lavinia Mostyn. And what a dark-haired beauty! Raven-coloured hair, beautiful skin, and wonderful manners. She will surely garner much attention tomorrow evening.”
“Mostyn?” her mother asked. “The name rings a bell, but I cannot place just where.”
“Adolphus Mostyn, dear,” her father answered. “They were our neighbours for several years before they moved. They had a daughter–I believe that was her name, Lavinia.”
Oh no, it cannot be. That Lavinia? The one that called me a carrot top and pushed me head first into horse manure?
“Oh yes,” her mother continued. “How could I have forgotten. You were friends with her, Selina, were you not?”
There were many things that Selina could call her, but friend was not one of them.
“Not exactly ...”
“Well, it will be good to meet with her. Maybe she can show you a few tricks on how to behave more appropriately in public. I do not want the same thing that happened in London to happen here. Heaven forbid it!”
Her mother was still going on about the Season. Selina couldn’t exactly turn off who she was! Perhaps it was time for other people to change rather than have her do all the bending to society’s rules. And the last thing that she wanted was to receive any ‘tricks’ from Lavinia Mostyn. Selina would sooner walk on hot coals than sit through a lecture concerning her. Her mother turned to her aunt, no longer interested in speaking with her daughters.
“And what of that roguish baronet next door? I hear that he is wealthy. His estate is bigger than this one, is it not?”
“Yes, he is rather wealthy but rather odd. I would keep my own daughters away from him.”
Talk of the estate next to theirs had Selina thinking about the stable groom she had met just that afternoon. I wonder if he is thinking of me at all? Fancy going to the very estate where he resides! Selina did not know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. She certainly wanted to see him again, but what would her family think if she was to sneak off away from the ball in search of him?
“They would probably call my behaviour scandalous,” she murmured.
“Did you say something, Selina?” Aunt Dorothy asked. “Speak up! It does not help to mumble.”
“Oh, no Aunt, I apologise. I was simply practising my singing voice.”
Her mother suddenly clapped her hands with glee. I know that look! She’s about to give a notion of sorts.
“Why don’t you girls do a duet tomorrow at the ball? I am sure that the baronet would not mind.”
A duet at a stranger’s ball? Had her mother gone temporarily insane? There was simply no way that she could stand before all those people and sing. After all, Ophelia was the songbird of the family. Selina looked at her sister, who had clutched her neck, a stricken look on her face. Neither did her sister wish to be a part of this madness.
“Mama, I am sure that the baronet has arranged entertainment for tomorrow. We need not steal the show with our singing.”
Please say yes.
“I suppose that you are right, Selina. We do not know him well enough, either. Although I gather that you know him, Dorothy, rather well as well.”
“Yes, I knew his father and mother well, but they passed away some years ago. Their son has managed well for himself, what with taking care of the estate and various business deals. Their country estate has grown to new heights. Edmund actually sold a piece of this land to him. That piece had perfect grazing conditions.”
Aunt Dorothy obviously still felt sore about the selling of their piece of land. Her husband sent her an apologetic look before returning to his game. Selina was not bothered by the baronet in the slightest, but she was interested in his employee. Mama will never allow me to marry a man below my station, and neither would Papa. I am resigned to pick from a field that I am just not interested in. Alex is like a breath of fresh air compared to these stale wealthy men. They are so stiff necked and pompous, believing that they are owed all that the world has to offer. I will have trouble pretending to be interested in the ball. The fact that I have to see Lavinia once more just about galls me. Perhaps she has changed. Selina doubted that. People with evil hearts tended to stay that way. At least she will not be interested in a mere stable groom, but that is not to say that Alex will not admire her should he see her. If that were to happen, how would she feel about it? Terrible, I would feel terrible. Just because I cannot marry him does not make it any easier.
Selina had been taken in by his kind smile and gregarious nature, not to mention his handsome appearance. She would much rather bat her eyelashes at a man who worked, was fit and healthy with colour on him, than a pasty gentleman who allowed his belly to grow rotund with excessive indulgence. Alex’s hands had been calloused, but Selina found that she did not mind that at all. Rather that than soft, pudgy hands that are wet. She recalled how his hair had fallen over his brow, one single curl that she had sketched into her memory as well as her sketchbook. Selina had hid the book away, frightened that someone might discover it and demand to know who the man was. What would she have said then? Her aunt might just send her packing. Selina pulled a face at the thought. Her mother would be livid. Ophelia tapped her arm.
“What?” she asked.
“Why is your face all screwed up like that? What are you thinking about?”
“Being kicked off the estate.”
Ophelia’s eyes widened. “Whatever for? Have you done something?”
Selina shook her head. “No, not yet.”
“Not yet?” Ophelia said, her voice high pitched.
“Not yet what?” their mother asked.
What was it about mothers and entering a conversation at the wrong time?
“Nothing, Mama. Phee and I are merely discussing the ball tomorrow.”
Her mother looked at her Ophelia. “Is this true?”
Ophelia squirmed in her seat. “Yes, Mama. We were discussing possible hairstyles.”
“What is there to discuss?” asked Aunt Dorothy. “You will both have an updo that is in keeping with the fashion. There is no sense in going against what is stated as acceptable.”
Selina smiled. “Yes, of course, Aunt Dorothy.”
Satisfied, both ladies returned to their gossip, their chatter animated with stories and probabilities of the next evening.
“That was close,” Ophelia whispered.
“Tell me about it! Do not raise your voice again–I do not need a repeat.”
“But what did you mean by ‘not yet’? Are you going to do something?”
Selina shook her head. “I wish that I could, but it is impossible, I’m afraid.”
“That is a relief! I would hate to see you sent home with a scandal of sorts looming over your head.”
Selina would not hate that at all, but would she risk it all just to be with a stable groom? She wasn’t entirely sure about that. Would he come to her rescue if such a thing were to happen? Selina could see him doing just that. He had that air about him, as though he were a knight saving the damsel in distress from the fire-breathing dragon. There was something else that she had picked up from her afternoon with him. Alex was just a little bit dangerous–how could he not be with all that strength in his body? Selina had felt it when he had pulled her up with one hand as though she did not weight much. Danger somewhat spiced one’s life, and Selina would not mind having just the teensiest bit of danger in her life.
Alex knew that he would see Selina again, and he was looking forward to it. He had thought nothing else since returning home after their afternoon spent together.
“The woman simply intrigues me like no other woman has done before. Hosting this ball had become a bother, but it will now be a pleasure.”
The only problem was his identity. He had not revealed it to her, although she had hers. Would she hold that against him? A knock at his door drew his attention.
“Enter.”
Smith, his steward, walked in, carrying some papers.
A Charming Lady for the Intriguing Baronet: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 5
