A Farm Girl's Despair (#5, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel)

by Dorothy Green

  Her first morning waking up in the grand house, there was a loud knock at the door and she sleepily opened it. A rush of women flew in and begin to talk loudly as hot coffee and pastries were pushed in front of her face. They began to measure her with tapes and fabrics thrown across her body.

  "Bring in the gowns! "The woman said.

  "Gowns? What is going on here "she said trying to wake up still as she drank of the dark and bitter coffee. A moment later beautiful gowns of all colours were all over her room on the bed on the floor on hooks with slippers and cloaks of velvet and wool to match. she thought that maybe she was dreaming as she did not know what was going on then she said, "Mr. Francis has asked for their services since you will be attending many society events with he and your sister. It is expected that you represent the family well. "

  Now she understood. Her clothing was considered dull and unfashionable. So Francis took it upon himself to make sure that she was in the latest fashions as not to embarrass him and her sister. She shrugged her shoulders and let the women go about their business. Who was she to be appalled by his notion. If she got free dresses and shoes out of it she would not to be complaining. She spent the entire morning trying on dress after dress as they poked her with needles while they made alterations and chose very elegant gowns of silk and taffeta for balls and garden parties. There were so many colours and so many fabrics that she could not keep track as they stuffed her wardrobe with them. It was a rainbow of clothing. Besides the very elegant dresses for night time there were also the daytime dresses that were more suitable to walking around in the gardens and parts of Brighton. Or to have afternoon tea at the grand hotels. These too, although made for daytime, were still finer than any clothes that she had ever owned. She was giddy with delight and felt very excited and grateful that her sister had married such a kind man, even though in reality he was saving his own skin.

  Today her sister and she would be going with a chaperone to a garden tea party in an estate on the outskirts of Brighton for a very high society family. The dressmaker pulled out a dress for her to wear to this very occasion. The dress had all the latest designs made of soft lace with beaded details and the entire colour of the dress was a soft peach that matched her pale skin and made her blue eyes pop. She grabbed her blonde hair and piled it high on top of her head into an elegant style that framed her face as the woman pinned it with flowers of white baby’s breath. Now she was ready for the day.

  Just then Elizabeth, who was full of energy like a child, burst into the room in a frenzy. She hopped around in a soft blue dress and then looked at her and said, "Beautiful! Hilda, you are absolutely stunning! " She grabbed a parasol and opened it playfully, and giggled and laughed as she plopped herself on the bed.

  "Since Francis will not be joining us today, his aunt, Mrs. Price, will be escorting us to the garden afternoon tea. You will like her, Hilda. She is a widow and well into her 50s with loads of money. She does not think that a woman needs a husband either, just like you," her sister said, jutting her chin out at her, proudly making fun of her.

  "That is very cute Elizabeth," she said as she playfully swatted her leg with her fan.

  A few minutes later the three of them, Mrs. Price, her sister, and she were in a grand four horse massive carriage that left the safety of the gated house and went into the cobblestone and brick streets of the very vibrant and busy town of Brighton. She stuck her head out the window, happily enjoying the scenery of the town and the sea, which only reminded her of Ross.

  There was nothing like the sea and now that she had been away from it she appreciated it more than ever. A good quarter of an hour later, they pulled up into a large driveway with stonewalls that had vines growing all over it with white flowers. It smelled of jasmine and lavender and she inhaled deeply of the heavenly scent. Soon they were in a long line of carriages, as passengers were let off at the massive doors to the estate. They waited patiently for their turn and finally it came. The carriage door was open and they each stepped out onto the stone steps.

  They were led through the house all the way to the back until they came upon the veranda that led to the back garden. It was an awesome sight. The party was grand indeed and the host spared no expense at making it a grand afternoon tea. There was a seated quartet of stringed musicians in the corner that played softly. Rugs and mats were laid out on the green grass while furniture was set on top of it with tables and banquets full of cakes sandwiches tea flowers and plants. A few people played croquet in the corner of the lawn and on the other side horse shoes. Elizabeth and she followed Mrs. Price around as they twirled their parasols behind them.

  Soon she found herself on her own, hovering over a large banquet table full of foods. She was greedily stuffing her face, not caring about the impression she was making. She was hungry and she was going to eat.

  "How does that taste? "A low voice said behind her in a very sensual way.

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  She turned to see a very tall man wearing a white stiff blouse with a fitted black vest over it, trousers and mid high calf boots. He was very tall; almost 6 foot 1 with dark long hair and dark brown eyes. She didn’t think she had ever seen such a handsome man, but he was also familiar. He captivated her with his broad shoulders and stiff way of standing. It was very improper for him to be talking to her right now, because they had not been introduced. It was not the way of things.

  "It is very delicious, sir," she said as she tried to move away from him. She looked up and made eye contact with him as she passed, and he had a very arrogant grin on his face that was absolutely infuriating but attractive. She was intrigued and needed to know who he was and why he had approached her in such a manner and looked at her in such a way.

  She decided to keep this interaction a secret, as she did not want Elizabeth to think that she had to be nervous about taking her places and for Francis to find out she had talked to a strange man that she was not acquainted with. He would probably think of her as a flirt.

  When they made their way home from the afternoon tea party, they took a short nap in order to be ready for the dance and dinner that evening. When she woke up from the nap she took a hot bath in front of the fire. She picked a blue gown to wear that matched her eyes. The empire waist of the dress was a slightly darker shade of blue then the rest of the skirt that flowed down her legs. It was very beautiful and she once again had to remember to thank Francis for the beautiful clothes.

  Just then Elizabeth rushed into the room and said, "Oh Hilda, I could burst with joy, I'm so excited about this dance! Francis looks absolutely divine tonight; you should see him in the billiards room now. And his friend The Duke of York, Mr. Reeves, has just arrived. The men look very handsome together and are having Scotch as they wait for them! Are you not as excited as she am for the evening?!” She jumped around her.

  She kept rambling on as she always did when she became very excited. The skirts of her dress made a swishing sound as she pounced around the room. It was a soft pink colour with silk and lace and it looked very pretty on her.

  "Elizabeth, who is this Mr. Reeves? A Duke? Did mother put you up to this? I hope that she has not made you her partner in trying to marry me off to some stuffy old husband. I will not have it," she said as she put her hands on her hips.

  "Oh no! No no no, mother would definitely not approve of this man as a husband. He is simply a friend of Francis and he is a rogue indeed. If he didn't make Francis so much money by running a shipping empire I'm not sure that Francis would be friends with him at all, due to his womanising reputation. He is said to love nothing more than his freedom and does not wish to settle,” she whispered out those last words.

  "I see," she said, as she put the finishing touches on her outfit.

  "Francis just told me now that he would be staying with us as our guest. It was most unplanned," she said as she pinched her cheeks in the mirror.

  Hilda sighed feeling disapp
ointed that she would now have to share the house with a man with a womanising reputation. Of course he would get on her nerves she absolutely already knew it.

  Finally, Elizabeth and she made their way down the stairs and into the billiards room where the men were drinking Scotch and waiting for them.

  "Elizabeth, Hilda, may I introduce a dearest friend and a business acquaintance, Mr. Lance Reeves, Duke of York" Francis said as they walked into the room.

  Hilda stopped in her tracks as she saw the face of the man. It was the same man from the garden party that had so brashly approached her. He gave her a sort of knowing look as he bowed and lifted his eyes to her. Elizabeth curtsied and Hilda did absolutely nothing, until she prodded her with her elbow. Then she curtsied as well.

  "Well, if we are ready we should be on our way," Francis said as he put his arm out to escort Elizabeth out of the room.

  "Yes! I am going to dance and dance all night," she said, as she grabbed her husband's arm and they left Hilda behind with the womaniser.

  Mr. Reeves looked at her up and down, his eyes roving over her body as much as he pleased. Then he moved his arm into a looping position beside her, as if asking her to take it. She pushed her nose in the air and snubbed him. She walked ahead of him not using him as an escort. She could hear him laughing at her as she walked ahead of him and it took everything in her power to not turn and slap him making his cheek red. The rogue must've known who they were at the party earlier that day. He was trying to cause a scandal, what a rogue... What a very handsome mysterious and intriguing rogue, but in that moment she thought of Ross.

  When they arrived at the grand dance and dinner later they were greeted by the charming hosts and entered their ballroom. It was an enormous and ornate room with gorgeous chandeliers that twinkled in the dim light of the room. Everything was shimmering like a dream. Soft linens were hung from the furniture and tables set with purple flowers.

  There was a loud tapping and everyone looked to the corner of musicians as a man tapped on the balcony rail and everyone grew quiet. Then they began to play and people took to the floor to dance. It was very beautiful and romantic. Elizabeth and she sat that one out, finding a chaise lounge to rest in before they spent the entire night dancing, or at least she did. Then Francis grabbed Elizabeth by the hand and led her onto the dance floor, leaving Hilda behind. Suddenly a man sat next to her and she felt his weight move the chair. She looked to see Mr. Reeves next to her. He gave her a look, a very devious look that she knew all too well. Then he stood up and bowed over her extending his hand as he said, "Would you do me the honour of dancing with me? "

  Hilda said nothing but she put her hand in his and he pulled her swiftly to her feet and onto the dance floor. His hand moved her lower back as he pulled her close to him and they twirled around in a waltz. Their eyes were locked the entire dance except for when his gaze would fall to her cleavage with her plunging neck line. It was very shocking for him to steal a glance and the way he was doing it very freely and with a lingering pause. His lips curled up into a sideways smile as he once again looked from her cleavage to her eyes. The nerve of this man, this very sexy man. Now that she was an experienced woman and no longer a virgin she did not walk away in shock like she would have when she was younger. Now she understood attraction and romance and found his bold glances almost intoxicating.

  They danced for two dances, and then he led her back to Elizabeth and left her side. She did not want him to leave, but she could not beg. It was improper to show any sort of wanting. She danced a next dance with an acquaintance of Francis, but she could feel Mr. Reeves staring at her from across the room. It was very obvious. As the night wore on and she became tired she needed fresh air so she went outside through the French doors onto the veranda that overlooked the dark gardens. She could hear couples in the distance walking and kissing.

  "What a lovely night," Mr. Reeves said behind her.

  "Yes it is, Mr. Reeves, "she said.

  "You are a visitor here? How long will you be visiting Hilda? "He asked. “I want to see you often, all of you.”

  She looked at him with shock and said, "Mr. Reeves, that is an improper question and you know it."

  "I am not a proper man, and you know that," he said as he looked down at her from his tall height and moved closer and closer to her.

  "What are you doing?" she whispered

  "Being an improper man,” he whispered in a sultry voice as he brushed his chest against her. “My, you have grown into a very beautiful woman.”

  She sighed as his body rubbed against hers and she felt very aroused for the stranger. His lips brush across hers very softly and a whimper escaped her mouth. He pressed his lips and a full kiss and pushed his tongue into her mouth to explore it. They could get caught at any moment and she would be cast out of society and would embarrass Francis and Elizabeth. In the moment she did not care at all, she let her breasts move against his chest as his arms move down her back and she pushed her hands through his thick dark hair. She would have to pull away soon, very soon, but she could not stop. She indulged in the kiss for a few more seconds and then finally pushed him away. She looked around to see if they had been spotted. It seemed to be clear.

  "Do not worry your pretty face; I don't think we have been caught, "he smiled at her. She looked at him with anger in her eyes that he would take such a risk and then brush it off so playfully when it was his friend and her sister and her husband whose reputation was really at stake.

  "Excuse me Mr. Reeves. Do not follow me inside the room, as it will look like we were out here together," she said as she moved past him and quickly walked back into the ballroom.

  She seemed to be safe as she walked in and no one noticed. She found Elizabeth and sat next to her, trying to catch her breath.

  "Hilda you look very flushed; maybe you should not have any more wine," she said as she looked at her.

  "I have had none it must be the dancing, just need to sit in a while," she said covering up her lie.

  "Oh there is Mr. Reeves! He is a fine dancer, is he not?" she said, as she waved him over to them.

  "Don't wave him over,” But it was too late, she already invited him. He walked over and she said "Mr. Reeves, how are you enjoying the dance?"

  "I am having a very lovely time, thank you for asking. May I join the two of you at the table?" He asked with a polite bow.

  "Of course, my husband is talking business and will be back shortly and you must entertain with your stories of freedom and adventures of the sea, "she giggled.

  Then she looked at Hilda and said "The Duke works with the East India trading company and has been to very exotic places. My husband told me all about it," she said.

  Oh, that was just perfect. Not only was he a womaniser but he was a rogue adventurer that probably had an exotic wife on every island. He was the type of man that could not be tamed and would never settle down with one woman. One woman was not an adventure.

  "Yes I have been to very exotic places and experienced many peoples of different cultures," he said as he gave her a wink. “I do love freedom and have a manner to take off at a moment’s notice; I have been that way since I was child,” he said, looking directly at Hilda and arched a brow at her.

  She knew exactly what he meant, freedom to ruin the reputations of women. Finally, Francis joined them at the table. The servant set down roasted ham and potatoes in front of them and she was glad to eat. She poured wine and drank and ate and drank and ate. Before she knew it was late into the evening and she was very tipsy. She watched as Mr. Reeves danced with another woman who was very stunning and she felt jealous. The drunker she became the more jealous she felt.

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  When they arrived back at the house it was well past midnight. They all climbed the stairs and Elizabeth and Francis went off to the left wing of the house where their rooms were. Mr. Reeves and Hilda were in the right wing and they went down t
he dark hall in silence together. She approached her door and then looked at him. He smiled. She had enough and she gave him a very sloppy drunk kiss. He pulled away from her and said, “I think you have had too much wine. It is best to go to bed." Then he opened his door and went into his room shutting it behind him, leaving her pouting like a child in the hallway.

  In the early morning Hilda had a terrible headache. She stumbled out of bed and was still in her ball gown. She pulled on the rope for the servant and then stepped out of her gown and into her nightshift and robe. She felt absolutely awful and knew that she had drunk more wine than she should have.

  “Yes, miss?” a servant shouted through the door a few minutes later.

  She opened the door just a crack not wanting to call attention to herself since Mr. Reeves’ door was so close by and said, “Could I have breakfast in bed, please? I am very hungry. And also a pot of very black coffee please. If anyone should ask though, I am not awake yet,” she said, whispering out the orders.

  The maid nodded her head yes and gave a slight curtsy, and then scurried down the hall. She was glad she was able to pull that off without calling attention to herself. The hallway seemed quiet and she gave a quick look at Mr. Reeves’ door before closing and locking the door behind her. He was a rogue and he probably would barge in if he wanted too. She brushed her long red hair and then waited until her breakfast arrived. She wondered if she should give this man any attention at all when her heart was set on Ross, but he was out of reach.

  She did not want to run into Mr. Reeves and because of her headache was the perfect excuse to spend the day lying in bed. She ate English muffins, cold ham, and a few boiled eggs with very strong coffee. She lingered in bed, making sure that her door was locked. She had felt very, very, embarrassed about what she had done the night before. She had thrown herself at that man, and he rejected her. Him! A notorious womanizer had turn down a woman. That did not make her feel good at all. Was there something wrong with her? Suddenly she realized that she really cared what he thought about her. How is this possible? She had only known him for a very short time. But it was very unusual circumstances and there was something about him that drew her to him. But she thought mostly it could be her resentment toward Ross for playing with her emotions and wanting to get some sort of revenge on him.