Chapter Thirty One
A week had passed since the fateful night when the Lester’s had been captured and taken away. As Jules had predicted, Judge Arlington, who was overseeing their cases, had not been pleased with Mrs. Lester’s blood thirsty bid for revenge. Causing four members of the same family to die was considered beyond the pale, and the only thing sparing Katherine Lester from the noose was the fact that she was a woman and of noble birth. She was sentenced to transportation to Australia with no possibility of parole. When she reached Australia, she would be assigned to work as a maid for one of the military officers stationed there for the rest of her life.
Miriam was also sentenced to transportation, but with the possibility of parole after fifteen years. While she had admitted to drugging Lady Sizemore and Lady Penelope and helping to steal funds and documents belonging to the Sizemores, she had not had an active hand in murdering anyone. Mortimer was also sentenced to transportation, with the possibility of parole after twenty years; he’d not murdered anyone, but had taken an active hand at robbing Sir Howard, attempting to abduct Arabella, and helping steal from the Sizemores.
Judge Arlington had not been so lenient with Wade Fletcher or Ebenezer. Ebenezer had been found guilty of embezzling tens of thousands of pounds, helping to poison the Sizemores, robbery, and falsifying documents. He was sentenced to life in prison and hard labor. Wade was found guilty of not only helping to murder the Sizemores, drugging Lady Sizemore and Lady Penelope, and pretending to be a lord. Judge Arlington, after finding him guilty on all counts, sent Wade to Edinburgh to face five charges of murder and theft. Wade was expected to be hung for his crimes.
Jules and the judges had managed to keep the Lesters’ nefarious behavior out of the press so as to not tarnish Tristan’s name. Victor had agreed to print the story of what had happened after Tristan, Arabella and the others had left London for the summer. Tristan wanted the truth to be told, but also wanted to protect Arabella and Penelope from censure and gossip.
Tristan had explained everything to his mother and Penelope, who had listened with no small amount of disbelief and anger at what had happened. Both women were understandably upset that the young woman they had trusted had been dosing them with laudanum for months, while sneaking about the house helping her murderous family. The dowager had tried to deny Tristan’s claims at first, but had finally conceded when he and Marcus had finished explaining everything; afterwards, she had gone to her chamber and not left for two straight days. Penelope had asked numerous questions, then consumed a large amount of port before going off to read the boys a book.
A week after the Lester’s arrest, Tristan, Arabella, and Marcus were invited to the last major social event of the spring season, the Duchess Livingston’s ball to introduce her eldest daughter and Marcus’ three sisters to society before the ton adjourned for the summer.
Tristan stood at the bottom of the stairs waiting for Arabella, while a few feet away, Marcus stood fidgeting with his perfectly tied cravat. Tristan looked at him and smiled as he remembered a few months ago when he was fidgeting with his cravat while Marcus scolded him.
“What?” Marcus quipped as he noticed Tristan laughing softly.
“Just remembering a few months ago when we were at Avondale, and you were chiding me for tugging at my cravat. You’re very anxious tonight, usually you don’t care about these things.” Tristan replied, studying his friend with interest.
“I’m just a bit nervous. Clara is going to be there tonight, and I’m planning to ask her if she will let me court her.” Marcus replied. “And my parents and sisters shall be there. What if they don’t like Clara, or Clara doesn’t like them?”
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Clara is obviously taken with you, and your parents are kind, intelligent, loving people, and Clara is intelligent, charming, and wealthy. Why wouldn’t your parents like her?” Tristan replied.
“I’m thirty and the son of a vicar, who is the third son of an impoverished nobleman. Clara is the daughter of a very wealthy man and a countess. Clara could have a peer if she wanted. Why would she want me?” Marcus asked plaintively.
“Because you are a kind, honorable, handsome, and utterly charming man, why wouldn’t she want you?” Arabella’s rang out from the steps, and both men turned to see her slowly descending the steps.
Tristan’s breath caught in his throat as his gaze caressed Arabella, while behind him, Marcus let out a low whistle. Arabella was resplendent in an emerald gown of shimmering silk trimmed with gold embroidery. Her bright hair was piled atop her head in an elegant coif, with an emerald-colored ribbon was threaded through it that matched her gown. Around her neck was the new gold and emerald necklace Tristan had gifted to her that morning. After the Lester’s arrest, Jules had recovered forty thousand pounds that they had stolen in a bank account under Tristan’s name. Tristan had used some of the reclaimed funds to lavish jewelry on Arabella and buy a brand new carriage.
“You look amazing,” Tristan said, holding his hand out to Arabella as she descended the last few steps to the foyer.
Arabella awarded Tristan with a dazzling smile as she took his hand and stepped up to him.
“Thank you, you look very dashing yourself,” Arabella replied. “Are we ready then?”
“Yes, I asked Penelope twice if she wished to join us, but she declined. After some prodding, I discovered that Jules is coming over soon for a late supper and chess. She also said it would be too much of a scandal for her as a recent widow to attend a ball,” Tristan replied. “Shall we then?”
“Yes, don’t want to be late, mother would have my hide,” Marcus commented as Buttons stepped forward to open the door for them.
“Thank you, Buttons, we’ll be back late,” Tristan said, giving a nod to Buttons, who returned the nod.
“Very good, sir. Have a good evening, and I’ll keep an eye on Lady Penelope.” Buttons gave Tristan a conspiratorial wink as they stepped out the door.
“Buttons is irreplaceable, remind me to give him a raise,” Tristan said as he helped Arabella into the waiting carriage.
“Indeed, mother said to bypass the receiving line when we arrive and come straight in. Father and my sisters will be in the line, so no need to stop and say hello,” Marcus commented as the carriage began rolling forward.
“Good to know,” Tristan replied as he settled into the seat beside Arabella. “Penelope says it’s bound to be a crush as it’s the last ball of the little season.”
“Indeed, I know you’re planning to leave for Rawlings in a few days. I hope you don’t mind if I stay behind for a bit. If Clara agrees to let me court her, I want to stay behind to do so. Victor told me that Clara and her family will be staying in London for another week or so, then returning to Avondale. I don’t want to miss my chance with her.” Marcus shifted uneasily in his seat, and Tristan grinned. It was good to see his friend finally in love.
“No, that is fine, besides it will give Arabella and I some time alone, well, if you can say having Penelope, mother, and the boys along alone,” Tristan quipped.
The carriage rolled quietly through the streets as Tristan reminisced about his visits to Rawlings as a boy. The manor house, Tristan told the others, was over two hundred years old, built of sandstone and contained some fifty rooms, a large stable, and a rambling hedge maze that had been in need of care when he’d been a boy. After a short ride, the carriage pulled into a line of carriages before a large three-story flagstone house that was blazing with light as every window facing the street contained a lantern.
After a few minutes, the carriage stopped, and Tristan opened the door and jumped out quickly, motioning for Jeremy to stay on the box. Using his toe, Tristan kicked down the steps as Marcus appeared in the door and quickly clambered down, then turned to hold the door while Tristan helped Arabella down.
“Thank you,” Arabella said as Marcus closed the carriage door behind them, then slapped the side of the carriage, letting Jeremy know he could move forward and clear the line of waiting carriages.
Tristan took Arabella’s right arm while Marcus took her left, and using their combined bulk, pushed their way through the throng waiting to enter the townhouse and up the five steps to the wide double door. At the door, red liveried footmen stood greeting the guests and checking their invitations. When they reached the door, Marcus nodded to the footmen, who, recognizing him, motioned for people to step aside and let Tristan, Arabella, and Marcus enter.
Once inside the echoingly large foyer, Marcus released Arabella’s arm and guided Tristan and Arabella past the long line of elegantly dressed people as they waited to greet Duchess Livingston, her children and Marcus’s family. They stepped through another set of wide double doors into a cavernously large ballroom, illuminated by three crystal chandeliers and numerous six-foot-high silver candle stands stationed around the perimeter of the room.
Massive flower arrangements of pink and white roses, set in highly polished brass buckets, ringed the ballroom, scenting the air with their heady perfume.
Arabella let out a soft gasp of amazement at the dazzling ballroom. Marcus had said that Duchess Livingston was wealthy and that after the death of her abusive husband, she had taken control of the estate, made it enormously profitable. She had also refused numerous offers of marriage, preferring to be single than under a man’s thumb.
“Clara said the duchess asked her to help with the flowers,” Marcus commented.
“She did a marvelous job; everything looks lovely,” Arabella stated.
“I’ll let her know,” Marcus replied, as he guided them towards the side of the room where Mrs. Waterhouse was standing with her children, Lady Williams, Lady Martin, and five young ladies, who, judging by their features, were related to the two elderly sisters.
“Ah, ladies, you all look so lovely tonight,” Tristan said, giving the ensemble ladies a bow.
“Agreed, what a group of lovely young ladies, Edgar, what a lucky man you are,” Marcus added, awarding the ladies a roguish smile.
“Indeed, I am. Victor will be jealous that he arrived late,” Edgar replied with a grin.
“My what a couple of charmers you both are,” Lady Williams replied, earning a nod of agreement from her sister Lady Martin.
“Ladies, I would like you to meet my good friend Mr. Marcus Berkley and my wife, Lady Arabella. Marcus, Arabella, I would like you to meet Lady Williams and her sister, Lady Martin. They were kind enough brief us on Katherine Lester and Hastings House.” Tristan said, making introductions. “And these lovely ladies must be your granddaughters.”
“Again, a pleasure, ladies, I hope you have all saved me a spot on your dance cards,” Tristan said.
“You are indeed a charmer, Lord Tristan; I would like to introduce you to my two granddaughters and three great nieces. Heather, Flora, Matilda, Margaret, and Daisy pay your respects to Lord Tristan and Lady Arabella.” Lady Williams stated.
“A pleasure, ladies, and Miss Clara, you look stunning,” Marcus said giving her a wide smile.
The young women, as one dipped curtsies to Tristan, Arabella, and Marcus.
“Thank you, Mr. Berkley, you look very fetching yourself,” Clara said with a winsome smile.
“Thank you, Miss Clara, would you do me the honor of the supper dance and the last dance of the evening?” Marcus asked, looking surprisingly flustered for a man who had been in battle numerous times.
“Oh yes, that would be very agreeable.” Clara held her dance card and the tiny attached pencil out to Marcus, who took it and jotted down his initials in the two coveted spaces. Then, with a small bow, he handed it back to Clara, who looped the attached ribbon about her wrist, then smiled back up at Marcus.
“That disagreeable Belmont chit is here, I have been told that she is already spreading tall tales about you and your charming wife, my lord,” Lady Williams stated, leaning closer to Tristan.
“Indeed, thank you, my lady. I think it is time I put Lucinda Belmont in her place, shall we, my love?” Tristan turned to Arabella, offering her his arm.
Arabella took Tristan’s arm with a nod while she tried to repress the gleeful smile that twisted up her lips. It was past time for someone to put Lucinda in her place; she had bullied Arabella and Elizabeth every chance she’d gotten. Apparently not happy with tormenting Arabella back home, Lucinda had continued her hateful spewing of lies now she was in London. Tristan would not stand by and let his beloved be bullied a moment longer or let her name be besmirched, not while he had any say in the matter.
“I believe she is in the corner over there, with her cohorts, Hester, and Olivia. They made a point of criticizing my gown when they arrived, before they sailed off.” Clara said with a lift of her shoulders.
“Was that who I saw speaking to you, my dear?” Mrs. Waterhouse asked, and Clara nodded. “The nerve of the girl, her brother has asked for your hand three times now, as if we would let you marry that dowry-hunting rake. And there is nothing wrong with your gown, it is new and of the latest style.
“Indeed, you look lovely, Miss Clara, and if anyone says otherwise, they shall have to speak to me,” Marcus stated, his face twisting in anger.
“Then perhaps Miss Clara, you would like to accompany us. It is past time for a reckoning with Miss Belmont; someone needs to put her in her place, and here and now is as good a place as any,” Tristan stated, and Clara nodded as Marcus stepped forward to offer her his arm.
Tristan turned and walked slowly towards the corner of the ballroom, followed by Marcus and Clara, while Edgar trailed silently along behind them. Tristan cut a swath through the guests, making directly towards the back corner of the ballroom where he could see Lucinda Belmont and her two friends holding court with several other young ladies and five young gentlemen who were dressed like fops.
Tristan slowed as they neared Lucinda and then stopped a few feet away from her group to listen to what was said as he planned his attack. It didn’t take long to hear Lucinda spouting her lies.
“Yes, yes, it is true Lord Sizemore was and is madly in love with me. He told me so more than once. He told me he wanted to marry me, but he was forced to marry that plain, dried-up little blue stocking Arabella Layden. It is such a pity, he is a fine gentleman, but it is just as well he is scarred from his years in the army.” Lucinda sighed dramatically. The girls flocked around her all sighed or made sounds of sympathy.
“Oh dear, truly, I heard he is very handsome?” A young blond woman in white said.
“Perhaps some think so, but he is damaged and crippled now. Just as well that he married that dried-up little blue stocking, as no one else would have him or her. They are both shockingly plain and simple-minded.” Lucinda stated with another dramatic sigh.
Tristan had heard enough and stepped closer to the group. “You should be on the stage, Miss Belmont, with the amount of lies you are spouting and how dramatically you are telling them. As for being madly in love with you, that is an outright lie. I met you exactly twice, once you were in your carriage and I was walking with Miss Layden, and you made improper suggestions and the second time was at your family’s dinner party. You flirted outrageously and would not be put off.”
A loud collective gasp went up as Lucinda spun to see Tristan, Arabella, and the others behind them.
“Lord Sizemore,” Lucinda stammered, blanching as she stepped back, her eyes wide with shock at seeing Tristan and Arabella.
“Indeed, it is, and I take exception to my wife being called a dried-up little spinster or plain. Not only is she younger than you, Miss Belmont, but far more attractive, intelligent, and kind. She is thrice the woman you are or will ever be.” Tristan fixed Lucinda with a long, piercing look. “You would also do well to watch the lies you spread, for if you were a man, I would call you out for besmirching not only me, my wife, but our friend Miss Waterhouse.”
“But, my lord I, meant no slight,” Lucinda protested with a forced smile, while she fluttered her eyelashes at Tristan and tried to give him a coy look.
“No slight, no slight, saying I am damaged and crippled in one breath, while you slight my wife in another. You should watch your words, or you will find yourself on the wrong side of the ton; they don’t like liars or spreaders of false tales. A little gossip is fine, but not outright lies.” Tristan intoned and was gratified to see Lucinda’s eyes begin to water.
A young man dressed in a bright pink waistcoat with far too much pomade in his dark hair stepped forward as if to challenge Tristan.
“Come, sir, you go too far. Miss Belmont was just having a little harmless fun by telling a few tales; no great damage was done.” The young fop said.
“And you are Sir?” Tristan demanded, skewering the younger man with a piercing glare.
“I’m Reginal Stanley, Baron of Holly worth.” The young man retorted swallowing nervously under Tristan’s glare.
“Indeed, no harm done, you claim, and who are you to say that no harm was done? How do you know? Have you had to suffer her slurs and the gossip they cause? Have you had to hide in shame because people believe her false claims?” Tristan inquired, stepping closer to the fop and forcing him to step back. “How would you like it if I went around the ballroom tonight telling everyone that you are madly in love with Miss Belmont, but she thinks you are foolish and a fop. Or perhaps I could tell everyone I meet tonight that you are a wastrel and a rake that you enjoy excessive drink and frequent unsavory establishments, and have the pox. That young ladies should avoid you like the plague, as you are a fortune hunter? I mean, it would just be a few little lies, and no real harm would be done?”
Baron Stanley paled as he shook his head, “No, no, you would not, I would be ruined.”
“But I would be having just a little harmless fun by telling a few tales. Not so amusing when it is you who is the brunt of lies and gossip, is it?” Tristan demanded, his eyes boring into the fop who stepped back, swallowing repeatedly.
“I stand corrected, my lord.” With a bow, the young lord made a hasty departure.
“Lord Sizemore, please forgive me. I promise I will guard my tongue in the future.” Lucinda simpered.
“Perhaps, but perhaps not, I do not trust you, Miss Belmont. You owe my wife, Miss Waterhouse, and me an apology. And be warned, if I hear one word of gossip about my wife, my friends, or myself, I know it will have come from you, and I will see you destroyed. I will see that you are given the cut direct and never invited to another event, not a tea, a card party, or a ball.” Tristan intoned. “One word from me with our hostess tonight, and you will be ejected. You see, she is a rather good friend of Mr. Berkley and his family, as well as the Waterhouses. I don’t think the duchess would like to know you have been spreading false tales about her friends.”
Lucinda shook her head, “But you wouldn’t, I would be ruined.”
“But yet it is acceptable to you to destroy my reputation and that of my wife and friends for fun, now go get out of my sight,” Tristan said evenly. Tristan had not meant to be so harsh when he’d first heard that Lucinda was here, but hearing her spread tales and laugh at Arabella was more than he could tolerate; the cruel, conniving girl had to be taught a lesson. Lucinda gaped at him like a fish out of water, then, realizing he was serious, she turned and hurried away. It was amusing to see the people who had been hanging off her every word giving him small bows, with averted eyes, before scattering like a flock of pigeons. Nothing but a pack of spineless jackals happy to tear down someone they saw as weak but not willing to stand up for themselves or others.
“I say that was masterfully done, Victor will be sorry he missed it,” Edgar said, awarding Tristan a wide, amused smile.
“Tristan was famous for his set downs of new recruits,” Marcus quipped, earning a scowl from Tristan.
Before Tristan could respond, Victor stepped up to them and awarded them all a beaming smile.
“Ah, I have found you, mother said you were here.” Victor stepped up to give first Tristan, then Marcus a hearty handshake, followed by a polite nod to Arabella.
“You just missed Tristan giving Lucinda Belmont an epic set down; he practically had her in tears. And he even put one of her followers in place.” Edgar stated, giving his brother a twisted grin.
“I am sorry I missed it. But before it gets too much of a crush, I wanted to invite you both to a small party in five days to celebrate the launch of Clara’s book, well, Clara and yours, considering that without both of you creating all the illustrations, there would be no book.” Victor handed a white invitation on thick paper first to Tristan, and then one to Marcus.
Tristan looked at the invitation and gave a mental curse. The party was after the date he had planned to leave London for Rawlings, but they couldn’t miss Victor’s party. Tristan turned to show the invitation to Arabella, who gave him a nod of acceptance.
“Even Marcus has work in the book; he submitted several herbal recipes from India and Greece.” Victor declared. “We have already had three hundred presales, and my editor predicts that it shall be a great success.”
“Of course, we shall attend, we would not miss yours and Clara’s big day,” Arabella said, reaching out to take Clara’s hand and give it a squeeze.
“Wonderful, mother suggests we should take a promenade about the ballroom. She said that as a new lord and lady, it is a good way to be seen and to meet people of importance,” Victor stated.
“Lead on,” Tristan said as he offered his arm to Arabella as Marcus offered his to Clara, who took it with a shy smile. While he hated being on display, Mrs. Waterhouse was correct, he needed to make friends and appear sociable.
Victor and Edgar walked before the two couples as they began to make a circuit of the huge ballroom. Arabella glanced up at Tristan from time to time and then about her, marveling at the elegantly dressed people, the glittering chandeliers, and the bouquets of flowers. She still couldn’t believe that she was here in London, in the ballroom of a duchess on the arm of her husband, who was an earl, and befriended by three of the richest people in England. Arabella kept thinking it was some sort of dream, but it wasn’t it was her life. Her wonderful new life thanks to the late Sir Howard.
“Oh, Arabella, do you remember my friends Lady Lucinda, Lady Fanny, and Lady Winifred?” Clara asked as the group paused to politely nod to a group of well-dressed people they passed.
“Yes, I do, they had all promised to visit me, but as of yet have not,” Arabella replied. She’d wondered if she’d said something wrong to the other women, as they had never come to visit.
“Well, don’t be too upset because Winnifred is now betrothed to Lord Maxim and Lucinda to Lord Percival. Apparently, whatever you said to the gentlemen made them see my friends in a new light. Lord Maxim has been extremely attentive to Winifred. They have been together almost every day in various parks, walking arm in arm, and Lord Maxim named a new perfume after Winnifred as a tribute to her. Winnie told me that Lord Maxim got down on one knee and asked for her hand at a picnic in his rose garden. He even signed an agreement saying that her dowry shall be hers after they are wed. It is all rather romantic,” Clara said with a breathy sigh. Beside her, Marcus mumbled something that sounded like interesting, but Clara ignored him keeping her attention on Arabella.
“My, that does sound romantic. I am so happy for Lady Winifred; she seemed very kind and intelligent. And you said Lady Lucinda is also now betrothed?” Arabella stated, conscious of the fact that Tristan was politely listening but staying quiet, allowing her and Clara to chat.
“Indeed, Lucinda told me that Lord Percival came to visit her at the family estate the day after the ball and asked her all sorts of questions about animal husbandry. And that he began to visit her daily, and when she was out, he kept encountering her and asking if he could keep her company. Lucinda said that she thought at first he was simply being nice to her to obtain pointers on breeding animals, but Lord Percival also began paying her compliments, asking her to go walking with him, and then asked her to tea to meet his mother.” Clara gave her a beaming smile. “The other day, he came to call with a basket of long-haired kittens and got down on one knee in her morning room and asked for her hand in marriage. Lord Percival told her that she was the kindest, most interesting, and lovely young lady he had ever met and that he couldn’t imagine living without her. He also signed an agreement saying that her dowry would be put in a trust for her future use or to go to any daughters they might have. That he didn’t want her money. Isn’t that marvelous? I’m so happy for them and a bit jealous, but it has also enraged all the so called diamonds of the ton as two wall flowers have successfully ensnared two of the richest bachelors of the ton. It is positively delightful, but my friends have also been subject to many cruel comments and gossip, people claiming they somehow tricked the lords or trapped them into proposing.”
Arabella nodded in agreement, happy for the two young women. It was wonderful that other wallflowers had been truly seen by gentlemen and acknowledged for being the wonderful women that they were. She had found her happiness with Tristan, and she hoped the girls would be as happy as she was.
“That is indeed wonderful news. We shall have to find a husband for Fanny now.” Arabella stated with a soft smile. “Will they be here tonight?”
“Oh yes, they all said they would be. Last ball of the season and all, and after years of being snubbed, Winnifred and Lucinda finally get to prove that they have worth and are more than just pretty faces.” Clara replied.
They came to the end of the long side of the ballroom, and as they made the turn to go walk around the end, they paused as before them was Fanny, Winifred, and Lucinda being beset by none other than Lady Florence and several other young women, all in white gowns that made them all look like a flock of pigeons.
“Tristan, we might need your help again. The three young ladies against the wall are friends of Clara’s and good acquaintances of mine. The girls before them are as bad as Lucinda, if not worse. In fact, the girl with the dark hair and the enormous bow on her gown is Lady Florence; she has been most cutting to Clara and I,” Arabella whispered, pausing to tug on Tristan’s arm to draw his attention.
Tristan frowned, not liking what Arabella told him, “What are your friends’ names?”
“Winifred, Lucinda and Fanny. Winifred and Lucinda just made brilliant matches, and are very kind young women who I am trying to befriend.” Arabella replied.
Tristan patted Arabella’s hand where it rested on his arm. “Introduce me to your friends.” He hadn’t planned on becoming some kind of knight errant when they had agreed to come to the ball, but he would not stand by and see anyone bullied.
Arabella turned to give Clara a nod, then they followed Victor and Edgar to their friends, who were obviously being verbally abused by Lady Florence and her four companions.
“Come now, surely you jest, Lord Maxim would not marry someone as pathetic as you,” Florence said, giving Winnifred a scathing look, while her companions tittered behind her. “He is a gentleman of class and good taste; why you are nothing more than a pathetic, plain little wallflower who likes to dig about in the dirt like an animal.”
“But it is true, he will be here soon.” Winifred protested, her face pale and her eyes starting to fill with tears.
“Ah, ladies, what a pleasure to find you all here, Lady Winnifred, Lady Lucinda, I understand congratulations are in order.” Tristan said loudly as Victor and Edgar paused at the edge of the circle of white-garbed young women.
All eyes turned to Tristan, then slid to Arabella, Clara, Marcus, Edgar, and Victor. The young woman who had been speaking blanched her eyes, darting about the ballroom as if seeking an avenue of escape.
“Hello, Winifred, Lucinda, I was just telling Lord Tristan, Lady Arabella, and Mr. Berkley about your stupendous news,” Clara stated with a beaming smile. “They wished to come and congratulate you.”
“Indeed, mother mentioned it to the duchess earlier, and the duchess said it might be agreeable to have a special waltz just for both of you and your betrothed as a proper send-off to the little season,” Edgar put forth.
“What?” Florence stammered. “You mean it, they are both betrothed. It isn’t a lie?”
“Of course it isn’t a lie, the notice was in all the papers,” Fanny responded.
“But they are so plain, and wall-flowers,” One of the girls beside Florence protested, her nose wrinkling as if she smelled something bad.
“Who is plain?” A man’s voice cut through the tension, and all eyes turned to the left where two finely dressed, tall, dark-haired-gentleman dressed in the height of style were standing. One man was sporting a bright pink waistcoat festooned with brocade roses, while the other a light blue waistcoat decorated with cats.
“Oh, Maxim, you are here at last,” Winifred said as the man in the blue waistcoat stepped up to her and took her hand, while the other gentleman stepped up to Lucinda and kissed her forehead, causing gasps of shock from the assembled flock of women.
“Is something wrong, my Petal? You look upset?” Lord Percival asked.
“Yes, Miss Florence and her flock were being cruel to Winifred and Lucinda, claiming that you didn’t mean to actually wed them or that you had trapped them in marriage. Lord Sizemore and the Waterhouses were just coming to their defense,” Fanny stated, drawing herself up to her full five foot three.
“I am sorry for our tardiness, my Petal, but there was a terrible crush outside, and mother insisted on coming tonight,” Lord Percival stated, raising Lucinda’s gloved hand to his lips and placing a kiss on the back of it. He moved to slip a possessive arm about Lucinda’s trim waist, then turned to skewer Florence and her friends with a look so dark and hateful it was a wonder the girl didn’t collapse on the floor.
Lord Maxim took Winifred’s gloved hand and placed it on his arm, where he gave it a gentle pat.
“So these little savages were attacking you and your friends’ Kitten, not well done at all. Well they can just withdraw their fangs and be off before I forget I am a gentleman and tell them what I think of them. Winifred captured my cold heart with her wit, charm, and intelligence, and I daresay if you questioned Percy, he would say the like about Lady Lucinda,” Lord Maxim stated, giving Florence a withering look.
“Well, we should go, mother will be looking for us,” Florence turned and practically ran away, followed by her vicious cohorts in a flurry of white silk.
“That was rather splendid, I say this ball is turning out to be rather exciting,” Edgar said with a wide grin as the girls fled enmasse.
“Do not let the likes of them bother you, Petal. We shall be married soon and away from London. And when we return this fall, you shall be Lady Lucinda Billings, Countess.” Lord Maxim gave Lucinda a soft smile that spoke of deep affection and caring.
“Well, said ballrooms are full of brainless chits like them, my dear. You, Winifred, and Lady Fanny are originals, as is Miss Clara. Now, properly introduce us to your friends, I know the Waterhouses and Lady Arabella, but who are these fine gentlemen?” Lord Percival asked, turning to look at Tristan and Marcus.
“This is Lord Tristan Sizemore and his friend Mr. Marcus Berkley,” Winifred replied. “They had all come to our defense just before you arrived.”
“Well, you have my thanks,” Lord Maxim stated, holding his hand out to Tristan.
“And mine, wait, you are Lord Tristan Sizemore, late of his majesty’s service in India and Earl of Banbury and owner of Rawlings in Kent?” Lord Percival stated as he studied Tristan’s face.
Tristan took Lord Percival’s hand and exchanged a hearty shake as he nodded. “Indeed, I am, Sir.”
“He and Lady Arabella also created all the marvelous illustrations for Clara’s upcoming book,” Victor stated.
“Truly, I ordered four copies of the text, one for each of my houses and one as a gift for Lucinda. I was hoping to encounter you, Lord Tristan; it would seem that my country estate of Lawson abuts Rawlings. I was hoping to find you and speak about a business venture with you,” Percival said before turning to offer his hand to Marcus.
“Shall we walk and talk? Mother is waiting at the other end,” Maxim suggested, tucking Winifred in beside him.
“Capital idea, mother will be worried if Clara isn’t back by her side before long, she wants Clara to help introduce Marcus’s sisters to her friends, and be sure they feel welcome tonight,” Victor stated.
“After you, then,” Tristan said, “Now Lord Percival, you said you wished to speak to me about a business venture.”
“Yes, and please call me Percy. As I was saying, my property touches yours. I make perfume, and according to my land agent, your estate has a rather huge, overgrown, and rambling rose garden, as well as at least an acre of lavender. I was hoping you would allow my gardeners to come onto your property and harvest the blooms this summer and fall. I will, of course, pay you for the blooms.” Percy said as they began to make their way down the long side of the ballroom, nodding to other couples as they went.
“You wish to harvest the flowers, to make perfume with?” Arabella asked.
“Yes, two of my new scents are doing better than I thought they would and selling rather well. As a result I need access to more blooms and a steady supply. I have a rather large flower garden at Lawson, but it won’t be enough to keep up with demand. So would you be willing to sell me the blooms?” Percy asked.
Tristan exchanged a look with Arabella, who nodded. “Yes, that seems agreeable, but I would want some say over what was picked. Arabella is an avid gardener herself and an herbalist; I would not like the garden denuded before she had some say.”
“Oh, yes, that is agreeable and I understand completely. My Petal here breeds roses and would be devastated if I ran amok through her garden.” Percy turned to give Lucinda a smile that made her blush.
“You make perfume?” Marcus asked, giving the tall, muscular man a puzzled look.
“Yes, when I was younger, my father encouraged me to be like him and my older brother. They were both into gambling and racing, and all the pleasures London had to offer. I wished to be a chemist or a botanist, but my father told me that a man of my rank shouldn’t dabble in what he considered peasants’ trades. In part to annoy him, I began making scents at Eaton, but then I discovered I enjoyed it and was good at it and that I was making a tidy sum from selling them.” Percy replied.
“I understand, I ran off to join the army to get away from my father,” Tristan stated.
“I took the profits I’d made at Eaton and invested in a small perfume factory. I made a good profit. A few thousand pounds at first, and as my scents became popular, my profits grew. When my father and then Reginald, my brother, passed and I became Count of Lawson, I saw no reason to stop. And because I make perfume, people assumed I was, well, a bit limp-wristed. I also enjoy colorful clothes. I let people think that so marriage-minded mothers would leave me alone. And then, thanks to the suggestion of Lady Arabella, I took another look at Lucinda.” Percy gave Lucinda a dazzling smile. “And realized that the girl I’d ignored because she was quiet was actually a diamond in hiding and my heart mate.”
Lucinda sighed, then tapped Percy’s shoulder with her fan. “You do say the sweetest things.”
“I was the same, and had ignored Winnifred whenever we met because she was so shy. If not for Lady Arabella’s prompting, I might have never discovered how clever she is, or how much in common we have.” Maxim raised Winnifred’s gloved hand to his lips and kissed the back. “Percy, don’t forget the other matter,” Lord Maxim said, leaning over to catch Percy’s gaze.
“Other matter?” Tristan asked, giving him a puzzled look.
“Yes, the dower house for Rawlings is rather large and near the road. I was wondering if you would consider a joint venture to turn it into an inn, a fashionable one that is. You see, there aren’t any decent inns for miles, and Maxim has suggested that people might like to come and see the gardens at Lawson.” Percy stated. “And of course yours as well. My land agent said he had the pleasure of visiting your hedge maze and, despite being lost, spent a delightful two hours strolling through it.”
“Please continue,” Tristan said, trying to follow Lord Percival’s logic.
“Well, I have a half-brother, Mortimer, born on the wrong side of the blanket, but a rather brilliant fellow. I made sure father recognized him, anyway, Mortimer had the idea of converting your abandoned dower house into an inn where people wishing to visit our gardens could stay. Mortimer would run it, and we could both supply the inn with produce from our estates.” Percy said.
“And Percy could set up a perfume shop as well. And I remembered what Clara told me that Lady Arabella made potions and the like. She could sell her potions and lotions in the shop as well. And you could charge for people using your maze.” Lucinda offered with a shy smile.
“That is a rather splendid idea, Tris,” Marcus said as the group paused for a moment to allow another large group to pass by them.
“It is rather, I’m planning to go to Rawlings in a few weeks to begin setting things to rights. I could ask the local carpenter how much it would cost to do as you suggest,” Tristan stated.
“Excellent, we are planning to have a double wedding in two weeks and then journey to Lawson for a honeymoon. It will be delightful to have you as our neighbors while we all settle in. And before I forget, I won a lumber mill, so I can provide all the lumber needed.” Percy added.
“Come over tomorrow morning, and we can go over everything somewhere more private, but it sounds like a good idea. I was looking for ways to make Rawlings more profitable, as it was neglected for years by my father.” Tristan replied.
“Wonderful, wonderful, we shall be over at say ten then,” Percy stated, earning a nod from Tristan.
“Lady Arabella, Clara told us that you and Sir Tristan had a written agreement between you, a bridal agreement. We would like something similar. Would you be agreeable to us visiting you and asking about it?” Winnifred asked.
Arabella looked up at Tristan, who gave her a smile, and then she nodded. “Yes, that would be wonderful.”
“A bridal agreement, I sense it contains more than amounts of pin money and settlement details,” Lord Maxim stated.
“Indeed, it does the agreement was Tristan’s idea. It states what Tristan and I each want in our marriage, and what we will not agree to, and what we are open to.” Arabella replied, “He wants me to be his partner in life and his equal, not his chattel. It was a great relief to have us both sign it and know that I would not have to worry about certain things, as he is an honorable man.”
“I think that is a capital idea, my late father made my mother’s life hell. If I could relieve some of Lucinda’s fears about marrying by drawing up such an agreement, I would be happy to.” Lord Maxim gave Lucinda a grin and was rewarded with a smile in return.
“When you come over tomorrow, I will happily discuss it with you. I think every man should offer one to his wife. Let them know they are valued and respected.” Tristan replied as he gave Arabella a soft smile.
“I look forward to coming over tomorrow. And now we are almost to Mother, I’m hoping you shall allow me to introduce you all to her. It has been years since she came out, and she is feeling a bit nervous about meeting new people, but she wants to be here to support Winnifred. She had given up on me ever wedding.” Lord Maxim stated.
“We would be delighted to meet her,” Arabella replied. Ahead were six older ladies seated in high-backed wooden chairs, flanked by potted plants. But it was easy to tell who was Lord Maxim’s mother as the distinguished lady at the end of the row had the same color hair and the same nose.
Arabella briefly thought of her own mother and how she would have enjoyed such an event, the lovely flowers, the beautiful gowns, and the elegant people. Arabella leaned against Tristan for a moment, causing him to turn and smile down at her. Her family might be gone, but she had a new one now, and apparently new friends as well, people who valued her and loved her just as she was. Arabella was so blessed to have Tristan, unlike most of the male members of the ton he was not shy about showing her he cared for her, either in public or private.
After Lord Maxim finished the introductions to his mother, the couples broke up, with Marcus following Clara back to his mother as the small orchestra, situated on the small balcony above the ballroom, tuned up their instruments, signaling that the first dance was about to start. Tristan led Arabella into the middle of the ballroom and pulled her into his arms as the strains of a waltz began.
“Are you glad you came?” Tristan asked, smiling down at Arabella, as he twirled her about to avoid another couple.
“Yes, I am. If for no other reason than we made some new friends, and possibly a new business opportunity. I know you wanted to leave London in a few days, but will it be terrible to have to wait an extra week? I’m rather excited at the thought of Victor’s party and seeing the finished book.” Arabella replied as Tristan whirled her about.
“No, not at all, and you are right, it will be wonderful to see the finished book. I’m eager for you to receive the recognition you deserve for your marvelous illustrations,” Tristan saw another couple coming their way and spun Arabella to the left to avoid a collision.
“And you as well, your drawings were amazing.” Arabella gave Tristan a smile. He truly was a marvelous artist, and she was glad that his work was being featured in Victor’s magazine and in Clara’s book.
Tristan laughed softly, “Well, thank you. I think you are amazing, Bella. And I wake up every day amazed and thankful for you in my life. I would suggest that we slip away now, and I show you how beautiful I think you are, but it would not be fair to Marcus or his family. And I did promise to dance with sisters and their granddaughters.”
“I feel the same, and I’m looking forward to seeing Rawlings and just being with you and Tristan, thank you for my life, for taking a chance on me, and for our agreement. It is marvelous to know I matter.” Arabella said as Tristan spun her about again.
“You need no agreement to prove that you matter, my love. You are the strongest, smartest, kindest, loveliest woman I have ever met. And I thank every day for Uncle Howard bring you to me.” The music stopped, and as couples began stepping from the floor, Tristan kissed Arabella, because to do otherwise was madness.
When they finally broke the kiss and stepped back, Tristan and Arabella were aware that they were being watched and gossiped about, but neither cared for they had each other and true friends, and nothing else mattered.
“Tristan, I was wondering if we could add something to the agreement,” Arabella asked, as he guided her towards their waiting friends on the side of the dance floor.
“Oh, yes, and what would you like to add?” He inquired as other couples began to take the floor.
“Children, we have never discussed having any in depth. But I would like to have some,” Arabella said, and Tristan’s eyes widened, and then he grinned and nodded.
“I think a little Arabella or two would be marvelous,” Tristan stated, as he envisioned two little girls with Arabella’s bright hair running about the lawn of Avondale and splashing in the creek with him.
“What about boys? A little Tristan or two would be delightful,” Arabella stated, leaning against Tristan and looking up at him. Tristan smiled then nodded.
“That would be wonderful too, and I suppose I need an heir.” Tristan gave Arabella a suggestive look, making her blush. “Perhaps tonight we should practice when we return home.”
Arabella bit her lower lip to stop herself from giggling and making a scene. She rather enjoyed practicing with Tristan; he was as thoughtful a lover as he was a kind husband and generous friend.
“I would like that, and Tristan, I love you,” Arabella said softly as couples began to swirl about behind them.
“And I love you with all my heart. Now I’d best ask one of the young ladies to dance before I drag you off into a dark, secluded corner and cause a scandal.” Tristan, with reluctance, stepped back from Arabella, then turned to approach their friends, silently thanking Uncle Howard once again for the gift of Arabella.