by Gracie Hart
‘Just look at your Victoria. Why, she is the belle of the ball. Just look at the young men that are queuing for her attention. You must be so proud, Eliza.’ Grace noticed the glow of pride on her friend’s face as her eyes followed her young ward around the room.
‘Yes, she’s a perfect young lady. I think I can truthfully say that my job is nearly done. I’ve said she is to stay only an hour with being so young but she looks so happy maybe we will stay a little longer.’ Eliza felt satisfied with herself as Grace and George watched Victoria glide gracefully around the ballroom, until she had to return to them exhausted and out of breath.
‘I’ve never had such a glorious evening, Aunt. My head is buzzing with excitement and I just must have a minute to cool down and catch my breath.’ Victoria sat down giggling next to George, reaching for a drink of her punch while watching other older couples take to the dance floor. ‘Isn’t it wonderful, George? I’ve never been to such like before.’
‘You seem to be popular,’ George said and looked at the flush upon the young girl’s cheeks as she politely refused another offer of a dance from another ardent admirer.
‘Yes, I do, I can’t quite believe it!’ Victoria tapped her toes as the ballroom came to life again to the tune of one of her favourite waltzes.
‘Victoria, perhaps you would like to cool down on the balcony outside.’ George looked serious but she paid little attention to his request, too intent on the gaiety before her.
‘Later, George. Will it not keep? I must go back on the dance floor. Join me for a dance?’ Victoria rose from her seat and pulled on George’s hand. ‘Come on, stop looking so serious and grumpy. You’ll enjoy yourself. My dance teacher has taught me well, don’t you think?’ Victoria giggled and looked across at Grace and Eliza as she pulled the hesitant George from his seat.
‘Victoria, have a dance with George and then we may have to think about returning home. You are too young to be here the whole of the night.’ Eliza looked up at her as she pulled on George’s arm.
‘But I don’t want to go home, I want to dance all night,’ Victoria giggled as she forced George to join her.
George followed her reluctantly – he wasn’t exactly nimble on his feet and he felt awkward as he put his arm around Victoria’s waist as she pulled him onto the dance floor. ‘Victoria, I really can’t dance. I’ve got two left feet. Shall we go outside to get some fresh air?’
The couple moved around the dance floor and as they reached the bottom of the stairs George could wait no longer as the dance came to an end.
In a loud voice just as the music faded he said, ‘No more, honestly, I cannot!’ He stopped suddenly in mid-sentence, realising that all eyes were not on them but on the couple who had not waited to be announced but were walking down the stairs towards them. A hush came over the room and then the sound of the women gossiping as William Ellershaw and Mary-Anne made the most spectacular entrance down the stairs to stand next to George and Victoria.
‘Mama, what are you doing here?’ Victoria gasped, oblivious to the words that George had been in the process of saying to her. She looked at the finery that her mother was wearing and then glanced at William Ellershaw, who was grinning at the reaction of the tittering crowds. She felt herself blush with the embarrassment of the situation and knew exactly why the dance floor was reacting like it was.
‘William was short of a partner, so I have accompanied him. Much to everyone’s amusement and gossip. I hope you will forgive me, my darling.’ Mary-Anne looked around her while linking her arm through William’s, snubbing the ladies that she could hear saying ‘disgraceful, brazen’ and calling her a tart. ‘We were once quite close, so when Priscilla could not attend he asked me. You look beautiful, darling. Are you enjoying your evening?’ Mary-Anne kissed Victoria’s cheek and gave George a quick glance.
‘Very much so, Mama.’ Victoria blushed as she noticed William look her up and down. She couldn’t show her disdain of her mother being accompanied by him but she realised it was wrong and that it would bring back the memories of who she was by birth, and that like her mother, she would also be being whispered about throughout the room. Victoria felt sick inside as all eyes were upon them as they pushed past the full-skirted ladies of the ball room to where Grace and Eliza sat.
The band decided to quell the noise of the scandal that had erupted and struck up with a new tune to get everyone back on the dance floor.
Mary-Anne just smiled at Eliza as she sat down next to her. Grace pulled William beside her, making everyone aware of the words that she was saying to him in chastisement at not bringing his wife to the ball.
‘What do you think you are doing? Do you realise that you have completely ruined my and Victoria’s evening?’ Eliza hissed at her sister, hiding the words she was saying behind the fluttering of her fan. ‘Why did he bring you here? The whole of Leeds will be gossiping about you tomorrow. And you are wearing red, like the scarlet woman that you are!’
‘They’ll get over it, the hypocrites. I hadn’t planned to be here but William insisted that I attended. Priscilla is not fit for anything after taking laudanum. Besides, I always have wanted to see what this great ball was about. I just wish Victoria had not been here. You said you were taking her home after the first hour.’ Mary-Anne smiled as William had obviously heard enough of his sister’s views on his choice of partner as he walked back over to her.
Eliza snorted her contempt and watched as William held his hand out for Mary-Anne to take. ‘She was enjoying herself so much, I planned to let her stay a little longer. Now you have ruined her evening and broken her heart.’
‘I’m doing this partly for Victoria,’ Mary-Anne whispered to her sister.
‘Mrs Vasey, may I have the pleasure?’ William bowed and took Mary-Anne’s hand.
‘Indeed you may, sir. In fact, I think I will dance with you all night if I get the chance.’
William grinned. ‘Indeed I am all yours for as long as you wish because it would seem that I am a cad and of very little standing, even though I am worth more than half the room’s inhabitants put together. That is what my darling sister has just told me.’ William pulled Mary-Anne into his arms and Victoria, Eliza, Grace and George watched in despair as the dancers in the ballroom gasped at the brashness of the couple, who were not in the least concerned by the dirty looks and taunts that they were receiving. They watched as they laughed and danced around the room with only eyes for each other.
Victoria was nearly in tears. ‘Aunt Eliza, Mama is ruining the evening. How could she do this? I am so embarrassed.’
‘Because she is a selfish self-centred woman. Since she came back from America she has had one thing on her mind, and nothing will distract her from getting what she wants no matter who she hurts. My sister has changed and perhaps her previous life and misfortunes have consumed her soul. Don’t you worry, my love, this should not reflect on you. Most of these people here do not know the connection between us and your mother. It will be William that they gossip about. Did you enjoy your dance with George? I saw he was trying to talk to you when your mother and William made their appearance.’ Eliza knew Victoria was upset, this night would put the relationship with her mother back to where it had been when she had first reappeared in Victoria’s life. ‘Do you want to return home or should we stay just a little longer?’
‘George has two left feet – I prefer dancing with boys my own age. Could we stay just a little bit longer? I think I will go out upon the balcony for that spot of fresh air with George. I feel quite faint and upset.’ She looked at George who had gone strangely quiet since he had sat back down next to her with not a word said about his wayward brother.
‘Of, course, but we will not stay much longer. Mary-Anne has spoilt my night as well,’ Eliza sighed.
Victoria sat next to George. ‘Forgive me, George, I had quite forgotten with your brother’s and my mother’s entrance that you were in the middle of asking me to join you on the balcony for some air. Would yo
u like to accompany me now?’
‘I don’t know.’ George looked down at his feet. ‘Our William seems to have upset the apple cart yet again. I’m sure your mother is a decent person but she is causing controversy by attending with my brother. Perhaps it is best that we don’t join one another outside, people might talk about us too. The Eaveshams are still respected in Leeds, it should be Priscilla who is with my brother tonight. My parents will disinherit him for sure.’ George looked at his brother frolicking with his mistress.
‘I know, I’m quite ashamed. I only hope that people don’t think that I’m like her. Aunt Eliza has always brought me up with manners and values.’ Victoria nearly sobbed but then spotted Steven Sanderson making his way through the crowds towards her.
‘You can’t be responsible for your parent’s sins, Victoria. You can just live the life that you want and hope that it doesn’t cause hurt to anyone.’ George stood up. ‘Excuse me, I’m just going to grab some fresh air by myself, I’m afraid it is rather warm for me.’ He bowed his head slightly as Victoria’s younger admirer made himself known to her yet again and wandered off to where the long, tall open windows led out onto a balcony.
‘Will you dance, Miss Wild? This one is my favourites. Do you know it?’ Steven Sanderson held out his hand.
Victoria looked up at the young man. ‘I believe I do, Mr Sanderson. My mother taught it to me just recently. I’m not perfect with my steps but we can practise it together.’ Victoria took his hand and she smiled to her aunt over her shoulder as she wandered onto the crowded dance floor.
Grace sighed and reached for Eliza’s hand. ‘Well, that leaves two old maids sitting on their own, worrying about our siblings.’
‘Why, Grace, less of the old maids, we still have life in us, and besides, I’d rather be an old maid and have money than be tied and beholden to a man, no matter how much I love him.’ Eliza smiled.
‘I was thinking, Eliza, we need to branch out, perhaps open a new shop in the arcade. What do you think? We are always busy and there are some shops not yet taken, I’m sure we could get one in time for Christmas.’
‘I’m in agreement with that. Orders keep coming in; a second shop to serve the very best of society. Like those who are here tonight.’ Grace and Eliza looked around them at all the couples on the dance floor and burst out laughing. ‘Some couples just cannot dance, although William and Mary-Anne look so graceful together, they make a good pair. Poor Victoria, she must be so ashamed of her mother making such an entrance. I’ll take her home once this dance has finished,’ Eliza said.
‘Oh, I think William has met his match. Let us see just how far this new tryst between your sister and my brother goes. He has never been happy with Priscilla, perhaps Mary-Anne will be good for him, despite the scandal. He was not backing down from his forthright views about his love for your sister no matter what I said.’
‘Love, it is that deep?’ Eliza sighed as she sat back and admired the view. So, Mary-Anne had finally got what she had aspired to, but no doubt the road ahead would be a bumpy ride, of that she was sure.
Chapter 31
George and Grace Ellershaw looked at one another across the breakfast table. Both had little appetite. They had not yet told their mother about what had taken place at the previous night’s festivities, as they did not want to add more worry to her shoulders. Catherine had not yet come down to breakfast, as she kept to her husband’s bedside.
‘It is typical of our William. He thinks only of himself and never of the consequences.’ Grace spread her toast with marmalade. ‘Do we tell mother this morning or do we wait until one of her gossiping friends tells her? I’m sure she will have plenty of visitors queuing up to give her the bad news. I think it is better that we do so ourselves when she comes down from seeing Father.’
‘Whatever we do we will be in the wrong, especially me. Although I couldn’t stop my mad brother acting like a fool even if I had wanted to. Even I didn’t think that he would go so far as to show his latest conquest off, and besides, it was a bit of a smack in the face for Victoria. I take it neither she nor her aunt had any idea that Mary-Anne was going to be there?’ George sighed and bade the servant offering him poached eggs to take them away. His stomach felt queasy, both from the excess of drink and the fear of the news that his mother was about to hear.
‘I know Victoria was totally shocked and she seemed more than a little upset, that was until that young lad from over near York came to ask her to dance with him. Eliza just took it in her stride, though she was clearly worried that her sister was the talk of Leeds and was the scarlet woman in more ways than one. That was until I told her that William had told me that he loved Mary-Anne, then she seemed more accepting of the situation. What did Victoria say? You disappeared for a while on your own and I never got chance to talk to you again, and then when I did you were so drunk you could hardly get into the carriage home and made no sense whatsoever.’
‘Don’t ask, I made a fool of myself dancing with her and then she went on to dance with every Tom, Dick and Harry until her aunt decided to take her home. She was like a summer’s butterfly, flitting around the room.’ George sat back in his chair and sighed again.
‘Oh, George, you are just the opposite of our William.’
Grace went quiet as she saw her mother coming along the hallway after visiting their father who was still in his bed.
‘I suppose you two are feeling worse for wear this morning. You must have been late, I never heard the carriage return with you both in it, so, I presume a good night was had?’ Catherine Ellershaw spread her napkin on her knee and looked across at her son and daughter who were looking very sheepish.
‘How’s Father this morning, Mother? Is there any improvement?’ Grace looked across the table and skirted around the question.
‘He’s as well as can be expected. He managed to eat a little porridge and is still attempting to speak a little. But I must confess I can’t make out many of the words and he gets so frustrated with himself. The one thing he still seems to possess is his temper. Now, how was the ball, who was there and who was not? It is the first time I have not attended in over thirty years, I must admit I envied you both slightly last night. Oh, to be young again, they were such good times.’ Catherine looked across at both her children and realised that something was not quite right; neither of them was full of the usual chatter that they indulged in after the biggest night of the year. ‘Well?’
Grace looked across at George and realised that it would be up to her to tell her about the night’s events. ‘It was rather eventful, Mother, and neither of us wants to tell you why, but no doubt someone will not be as kind as us and will gloat with the news when they knock upon your door.’ Grace took courage and looked at her mother who seemed worried as she waited for her to tell her the worst. ‘William attended the ball without Priscilla. He made his entrance with Mary-Anne Vasey – Eliza’s sister – on his arm. It seems that they have been seeing quite a bit of one another.’
‘What are you telling me? That William was foolish enough to take another woman to the ball in his wife’s stead and parade her around in front of everyone like a prize dog, or should I say bitch in this case? We will be the scandal of Leeds, What was he thinking of? Why are we so interlinked with that abhorrent family? You lifted one of them out of the gutter and William, it seems, is willing to put himself and his reputation back into it. Oh, my Lord, how can I show my face to anyone? Bring me my smelling salts!’ Catherine yelled at the servant who tried not to look as if he was listening to the gossip. She fanned herself with her napkin.
‘Mother, you know that William has not been happy in his marriage. Priscilla is so frail, I can understand William looking elsewhere for affection, but I know that does not make it right. Also, I believe Mary-Anne has come back from America and is quite wealthy.’ Grace tried to justify her brother’s actions and also to make a stand for Mary-Anne Vasey, who had looked every inch the right woman for William to have on his arm de
spite him being married.
‘You keep your whore in the bedroom, you don’t flaunt her for everyone to see.’ Catherine scowled at her daughter as she breathed in salts from a shaking servant and regained her thoughts. She glared at George. ‘And I suppose you, the useless leech that you are, stood and said nothing about it, or were you too busy with the young men that you seem to admire? No wonder your father is dying in his bed, you have all driven him to it. Now get out of my sight and leave me in peace. I am truly ashamed of each and every one of you. Even you, Grace – I blame you as well – as you have brought this common, gutter-ridden family into our midst.’
Both her children pushed back their chairs and bowed their heads.
‘I’m sorry, Mama, someone had to tell you. I know perhaps I have encouraged a friendship with Eliza, and Victoria, but I think you will find that Father knows the family a lot better than I. After all, he owned the cottage they used to live in and I think perhaps it is not the first time the Ellershaws and the Wilds have been so close.’ Grace threw her napkin down and glanced across at her brother as they both made their way out of the dining room, closing the door behind them.
George caught hold of Grace’s sleeve as she walked along the corridor. ‘What did you mean by that? Why should our father come into it?’
‘I looked at young Victoria Wild last night as she danced around the dance floor and I couldn’t quite understand where I had seen her features until I looked in the mirror this morning. Yes, she has the looks of her mother, but she also is the spit of me, George. Now, I understand why Father hated the family so much and why he has thrown William out of our home. Either Victoria is his child or she belongs to William, but both have bedded Mary-Anne Vasey, of that I am nearly certain, so Victoria is one or the other’s. Mother always has kept her eyes and ears closed when it comes to Father’s way but I remember hearing raised voices when Eliza and Mary-Anne’s mother died, then she questioned him once about the sisters still living in a pit house when their stepfather left them and his answer made no sense.’
