The James family and Mr Crossbury left the Layles's family to continue mingling about the reception room. Gemma looked at Hilda and squeezed her hand.
“What a fine gentleman he was, was he not?” Gemma said.
“Yes, quite handsome. Though I am distressed that you will leave my side in the first dance,” Hilda said.
“Do not worry, for I am sure that your hand will be asked for by the second dance if not sooner. You look very agreeable this evening,” Gemma reassured her sister.
But Hilda was no longer listening to her sister as her heart dropped to her knees. A tremble took hold of her and before she had hold of her tongue she blurted out to her sister, “Look, look there. It is the MP of Cornwall. Do you think the woman at his side is his new fiancé?” Hilda said as Ross Brookend caught her eye as he stepped into the reception room. Her heart was all a flutter, and she began to feel the heat of the room. He looked just as she remembered when she was younger, though he had only become more attractive with age. The woman at his side was very pretty indeed, and seemed very regal. She must be a person of nobility, with her fine gown, straight posture, and porcelain skin; there was no question to her aristocracy.
“Oh yes, so that is the MP of Cornwall. No, I do not know who the woman is at his side, though I dare say it must be his fiancé. She is quite a pretty thing, and they do seem to be exchanging whispers and smiles do they not?” Gemma said. “She will make a fine Lady once he inherits that title.”
“Yes, I suppose you are right,” Hilda whispered. Her spirits had plummeted, for seeing Ross looking as fine as he did it was hard for her, but then seeing him on the arm of his fiancé was much harder. Still ,she could not stop looking at how handsome he was. His dark hair was polished but yet still unruly as a lock fell over his brow. He wore a light grey coloured waistcoat underneath a regal dark navy blue tailcoat, beige pantaloons, and a cream-colored cravat. His dark eyes, were framed by long dark lashes, and his square jaw gave him the appearance of a very strong man, not to mention his broad shoulders.
“Hilda, I do believe that you are staring,” Gemma said, drawing Hilda out of her gaze at the MP of Cornwall.
“Heavens, you are right. I feel foolish. Shall we get some refreshment before the dancing begins?” Hilda said, wanting to pry away from being in sight of the MP of Cornwall.
“Yes, let's get refreshment and let us mingle as well,” Gemma quickly reported their activity to their parents and then they were off, walking around the reception room to take refreshment from a servant who held a silver tray with port.
“Look Hilda, is that not the Lord of Croydon?” Gemma asked her as they moved through the crowds.
“I am not sure,” she replied.
“I believe it is. Such nobility in attendance,” Gemma said.
Hilda looked around and saw that Gemma was correct. The Baron Greystone was in attendance along with his family. The Earl of Manchester and his family was also in attendance and the Viscount of York. There were families with titles everywhere they turned and Hilda wondered how there was room for families such as hers to be in attendance.
“Let’s continue in this direction, for I do find all of these flowers quite pleasant,” Hilda said urging her sister toward the edges of the room simply to escape feeling overwhelmed.
Gemma laughed. “Such fine clothing and people, and leave it to you to want to give all your attention to the flowers.”
“I like what I like, I suppose,” Hilda laughed.
As they moved to the edge of the reception hall, Gemma was right, for it was not long before another family acquaintance was introducing a few more gentlemen to the young ladies, who then asked for their hand in a dance. Mr Roberts asked for Hilda’s hand in the first dance and she was glad for it, for he was an old family acquaintance. He would not make her nervous and she had danced with him plenty of times before at other occasions.
By the time the music began, Gemma and Hilda had several dance partners waiting to partake in the amusement with them on the dance floor, yet Hilda could not keep her eyes off the MP of Cornwall every time she came into the area where he stood. Though he was too far for her to hear him, she could see him. Why had he not said hello? She was his charge after all. Did he not recognize her?
Hilda danced with Mr Roberts and then for the third dance with Mr Travis Mynes and on and her dance card was quite full, as they say. Though none of the men sparked any interest in her heart except for polite conversations.
The evening continued on and every now and then Hilda would find a moment to rest at her mother and father’s side before being asked yet again for a dance. She dare not say no, for her mother and father would scold her.
After Hilda had filled her responsibilities to those she had promised dances too, she felt overwhelmed and overheated. Therefore she stepped out onto the veranda, off of the back reception room that overlooked the gardens, to take a breath of air. But in truth it was so that she could come to terms with how startled it was for her to finally see Ross Brookend again, for he had become something of a myth to her and her diary.
“He has a fiancé Hilda, do not worry your heart of him any longer. He can never be yours. You must enjoy yourself tonight, no matter how torturous it is. Just get through the night, just get through the night, just get through the night...” she repeated to herself over and over, trying to convince herself that she could remove the man that had taken up so much space in her heart for so many years by just talking him away from her mind. A notion easier said than done.
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Ross danced with Mary Anne on the dance floor and all eyes were upon them, for the news of their engagement had spread throughout the town. They found it very humorous, and knew that it would be a scandal when it turned out to be a false engagement. Though they considered it a very fine joke.
Indeed it was Ross's idea, in order to help his dear friend, and to help himself. Since they both had parents that were pressuring them to be engaged by year's end, they decided that it would be beneficial to both of them if they entered into an engagement. This way Jonathan Harper would have time to come up with the finances to support Mary Anne when they decided to elope. This would also get the Lord of Cornwall off of Ross's back, and be happy that he was marrying a family friend of nobility. It all worked out for the best, and when they came up with the idea, they announced their engagement that very evening at dinner after having a full day of garden games with the Woodleys.
Now it was their secret to bear, and they were having quite a diversion with the entire thing, laughing and whispering amongst each other at the ball. Anyone that saw them would think they were laughing and whispering out of romantic passion and love, but indeed they were laughing and whispering about their false engagement.
“I do not think I have ever attended a ball where men are not vying for my affections with the most ridiculous of words,” Mary Anne said to him as they danced around the ballroom.
“And I do not think that I have attended a ball where daughters are not being thrown at my feet, and pushed to try to manipulate me into asking for an invitation to dance. I must say this engagement is quite liberating,” He said, enjoying his newfound freedom.
“Yes, I agree. I'm free to simply have a good and fun time, so refreshing.”
“Yes, it is quite. Shall we take some refreshment? I have grown exhausted from all this dancing and I am not one to take on the amusement for more than a few dances at a time,” He said.
“Yes, I am quite aware that you prefer your books and your intellectual materials, and managing the logistics of your estate to the sorts of activities of society, manners, and dancing. For I have known you a very long time Ross. Though it was not always so, when you were a child you were quite rambunctious and loved the diversion of lawn games, especially those of chasing girls around.” She teased him.
“If it was a game without consequence I would still do it, but when
one is an eligible MP of Cornwall, you cannot engage in chasing girls, for fun or otherwise. Now that I am engaged it would be scandalous to do so,” He said.
Mary Anne let out a delightful giggle, as he led her off the dance floor and over to the long banquet tables.
Ross was astounded at the excess, for he himself was used to such lavish luxury being the son of a Lord of Cornwall, but at his country estate, in Cornwall, he was quite involved in the activities of his tenants, making sure that they had plenty to eat and plenty work. But the villages surrounding, were often full of poor and less fortunate, and it sickened him so to see such foods going to waste. Some would call him a rebel for thinking such things of his own society, but he could not help the matter when it was directly in front of his face.
In that moment, Mary Anne took up conversation with a few women, and he saw it as a moment of escape.
“If you will excuse me ladies, I see some gentlemen that I must engage in business conversation with, a pleasure,” He said bowing to all of them and kissing the top of Mary Anne's hand before excusing himself.
But Ross had no notion of engaging men in business conversation, he had a more pleasurable destination in mind as he took his beverage onto the veranda overlooking the garden, for a breath of air.
He wanted the moment of solitude, in order to get away from the overwhelming congratulatory responses that he and Mary Anne were receiving. For everyone wanted to be friends with the MP of Cornwall that would become the Lord of Cornwall one day when he inherited that title from his father as well as the woman that would become the Lady.
But as he walked onto the veranda, he heard a soft voice. It was a woman, and for a moment he regretted his decision to walk out onto the veranda alone, for no doubt whatever women were speaking outside would soon decide to engage in conversation with him.
But as he braced himself to be bombarded by the ladies of society, he realized that it was only one small girl, standing against the railing with her back to him. She was speaking to no one, except for herself. He leaned in slightly, and could hear her talking in a way that was almost giving herself a lecture, “just get through the night.” He had never heard anything so absurd, except when he had talks to himself as well. On this note, he could not restrain his laughter. Perhaps it was louder than he expected because the young woman turned around to him. There was shock on her face as she gasped.
Ross stared at her, as soon as the light hit her pale complexion. She had deep set green eyes, wide in shock. Full rose coloured lips parted slightly in astonishment, and her red hair was up on her head with delicate lace weaved in and out. In fact the way the light hit her cream-colored gown, made her seem as though she was glowing, and for a moment he wondered if he had stumbled across a ghost, for she was radiant and illuminating. It was not a thought that would have crossed his mind had he seen her in a crowd, for she was not something to be noticed, but in this moment, she was, and he realized that he had not looked away nor said a word in quite some time.
“I apologize ma’am if I have interrupted your lecture, for I would not wish to do such a thing. Please continue with your talk to yourself,” he teased.
“I apologize sir, I did not know that I was not alone out here. Please, excuse me,” she said turning back toward the door.
“No, stay. For it is I that have interrupted you, I should be the one to leave.”
“That is not necessary, I will go.” she said.
“But you were here first, madame,” he said, giving her a bow.
“Thank you sir, but it is not necessary really. I must be heading back inside, I must confess I do feel quite foolish,” She said.
“It is not necessary. Please allow me to introduce myself so that we will not remain scandalous. I am Captain Ross Brookend, at your service ma'am.”
“I know Captain. It is me?”
“Me?” he said.
“It is me, I am your charge. I Miss Hilda Carson.. well Layles now as it were.” She gave a very low and regal curtsy.
He stood there as though frozen as he looked upon her.
“Sir?” she said. “Are you quite alright?”
“Well then, you see we are acquainted and our speaking to each other now is not scandalous. I think we can congratulate ourselves on avoiding such a disastrous moment at the ball,” he said.
“Yes, quite so. It is very good to see you again sir.”
“And you, Hilda. My I did not recognize you and I must apologize,” he said still in a state of shock.
“No need to apologize sir. It has been a long time since we saw each other. I am forever thankful to you sir. I am at your service, always,” she said.
“No, I am at yours ma’am,” he said.
Hilda noticed he was no longer referring to her as a child.
“In that case sir I shall ask you to keep my secret.” She said.
“And what secret is that ma'am?”
“That you found me speaking to myself outside in the dark on the veranda, for I do not wish to cause any other scandal with my behaviour, that society might find peculiar.”
Ross took a step toward her, intrigued by this beautiful woman who had captured his attention. “I myself enjoy peculiar, in fact I seek it out whenever I may.”
“Well then I am fortunate, that you of all people stepped out onto the veranda when you did. Any other busy body that enjoys idle gossip would already be wagging their tongues at my peculiarness,” She said.
“I am quite enjoying your wit Miss Hilda, you have changed.”
“And I yours, sir,” She said.
“There, now we have both said very bold statements indeed, it is as if we are throwing out the rules of society altogether, even though they are steps away from us and would be judging us with the most crucial of eyes if they could hear and see us.”
“Indeed, that is very reckless, and I should not occupy your time any longer. It was a pleasure to see you again sir,” She gave him a curtsy.
“No, the pleasure is all mine, and I shall give you your privacy once more.” Ross quickly gave her a bow, and walked away rapidly, stepping back into the ballroom reception, for he was not going to give her a chance to walk away, he wanted to give her her privacy back. Though it did grieve him so to leave her side. Talking with her in such a manner was the most pleasant exchange of conversation he had had all night, and possibly for months.
Miss Hilda Carson Layles, he whispered on his tongue. For she would not quickly leave his thoughts, and he looked forward to taking a position around the dance floor, simply to be able to watch her without her knowing. He suddenly wanted to know everything and anything about her, including who her dance partner's would be.
“There you are, my love,” Mary Anne came to his side.
Ross looked at her with astonishment, for in the past few moments he had completely forgotten that he was engaged, a false engagement or not, this meant that he could not pursue Miss Layles openly. Such an inconvenient time to be falsely engaged, for any other ball he had attended in his years he would have been very happy indeed to have an engagement keeping women from overwhelming him, but at this particular ball, the false engagement was suddenly a very great inconvenience. Pursuing Miss Layles was now completely out of reach.
“Here I am,” he said.
“Come. I am famished. Shall we sit for the late supper? I believe that they have started to serve,” she smiled.
“I am not hungry as of yet,” he lied. For he had worked up an appetite but he wished to stay in the ballroom merely to see the beautiful Miss Layles again, and see who she danced and conversed with.
“Oh, but how will it look if I take a seat and you are not at my side? Just fifteen minutes for I am not one to eat for very long,” she pleaded.
“Very well, you are correct, as usual. Let us go,” he said putting his arm out to her. He then escorted her out of the ballroom, through the reception room and into the grand dining hall where various tables were set up.
The eati
ng arrangements at a ball were always informal, allowing people to come and go as they pleased. Ross situated himself at a seat facing the door, waiting to see if perhaps Miss Layles would enter.
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Hilda was quite beside herself as she watched the MP of Cornwall walk back into the building. Her astonishment at his appearance as well as their conversation was one that she could not restrain. She turned around and faced the railing, over the garden, she let out a quiet squeal, that one might think was a mouse if they heard. Her excitement was beyond measure. Her heart fluttered and her breathing was at a rapid pace. He had not recognized her and that meant that she had blossomed into a woman.
Did that really happen? Did I just have a delightful conversation with Ross, the conversation that I have been dreaming since I first met him? Not only was it delightful, but he was very pleasant and agreeable, and she was quite proud of her own wit and humour during the conversation. It had been a very risky event, for it would send tongues wagging if anyone had come across them out on the veranda together. It seemed quite romantic, especially because he was now engaged, and that would cause quite the scandal indeed.
But Hilda was glad that it had happened. Why could that conversation have not happened a year before? But it was enough to make her evening, the best evening she had experienced in years.
“Is this where you have been hiding? I have searched for you everywhere,” Gemma said as she came out of the building onto the veranda. Hilda could not hide her smile.
“I am sorry sister, I'm merely needed a breath of air and a small respite from the overwhelming crowd inside.”
“Well you shall not meet anyone out here, and I dare say if Mother saw you out here she would scold you indeed for not making use of the time. It is a good thing that I found you and not she.”
A Farm Girl's Despair (#5, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel) Page 9
