Almost, Completely His

Chapter 6

Celeste

It was around noon when I walked out to the back patio and the countess and her two friends were chatting and laughing.

When I appeared the countess shrieked in delight and stood. She embraced me and led me to her friends.

“Everyone, this is Celeste Cortez. Daughter of the Spanish Viscount Cortez. She and her brother and father are here visiting for the summer. She will be taking part in the social season. We are eager for her to find a husband!” The countess grinned and squeezed my hand in hers.

“Why don’t you look just like your mother!” A small fuller woman dressed in a light blue smiled at me. She stood and walked over. “I’m Lady Thompson. I was an old friend of your mother’s.”

She frowned a bit and it warmed my heart that someone still showed adoration for my mother. She adjusted the silver necklace around her neck and patted her brown hair. “Maria was truly a charming woman. Not to mention driven and stubborn to the very core.” Lady Thompson grinned and winked at me.

I laughed but before I could respond the other woman present spoke up.

“Oh please Josephine, you say that like it’s a good thing. It’s utterly surprising to praise such things.”

The countess, Lady Thompson and I both looked at the woman in disbelief.

“Helen how dare you say that?” The countess said through her teeth.

The woman lifted her chin and wrinkled her nose. Her blonde hair was in an intricate bun but you could tell it was dry and lifeless.

“Maria was fun and charming, I agree. But I never agree with how she saw life as a game Theodora. And neither should you. I can’t believe you both would even-“

“ you will do better than talk that way about the late Viscountess . Especially in front of her only daughter. Have you no shame?” Lady Thompson cut in and her voice was ice cold.

Helen’s nose flared and she gritted her teeth but said nothing. I realized I had been changing my fists and teeth and my body was tense.

The countess patted my back and I relaxed. “Excuse me dearest, I’m going to have a chat with Lady Sorensen.”

I agreed and beamed at the sight of the countess glaring at the spiteful woman.

“Come now dear, let’s leave Theodora to strike fear into that wench.” Lady Thompson grinned and I smiled at her as she pulled me into the house.

“I do apologize for Helen’s behavior my dear. She can be very cruel with her words. Life hasn’t been good to her and she takes out her frustration on people...”

I shook my head as we both made our way into the drawing room. “It’s still no excuse for her to say what she did.”

“Absolutely not. And she will know better from now on. Especially since Theodora and I will hold her to it, and if I know anything about Maria is that she passed on her spirit to you.”

She laughed as we sat down on an expensive seat near a grand window. We both sat in silence for a bit before I spoke up.

“What was she like? My mother?” I looked at my hands and sighed. “I’ve only ever heard so little and the same stories from father and my brother. But I’d like to know more.”

Lady Thompson nodded and smiled sadly. “Your mother was the bravest most beautiful woman I knew. She was daring, outspoken, stubborn but kind, hopeful and noble.” Her voice broke a little but she continued. “We met after she had married. I was 16 at the time and married to a brute of 35.” She shuddered and so did I.

“It was an advantageous match for both families. But I was miserable. The man was arrogant and distant. He saw me more as an object than a partner and there were days where I felt so alone... and then Theodora introduced me to your mother.”

She smiled, her eyes far away reliving old memories.

“We were all young and new to the world of marriage. We were all 16 and married to men much older than us. Theodora wasn’t in love with her husband but there was a mutual respect. They’re very much in love now after years of companionship but it wasn’t always like that. Gerard was 27 and distant. He was dedicated to being a great Earl and so his wife was ignored except when it came to marital duties. I think that it was after Charles was born 3 years later that their marriage began to shift to what it has become now.”

I only nodded. Fascinated by the stories of the past.

“And your mother... well your mother was one of the lucky ones.” Lady Thompson grinned. “Your father and her were visiting during the social season after my marriage. We were at an opera performance and during intermission is when I met them both. The way your father looked at her.. it was full of adoration, resurrect and desire. Your father was 28, 12 years Maria’s elder, but he didn’t look at her or treat her like she was a child.”

She wiped away a tear from her eye and continued. “I believe she was pregnant with Enrique at the time or was trying to have a child. It’s all a bit blurry now, especially because I didn’t see her often since she lived in Spain. But I know she felt safe with your father, she felt loved and cherished as a wife and a person.”

My eyes were brimming with tears. I knew father loved mother. Whenever he spoke of her it was full of passion and sorrow. He missed her, he wanted her back. But he cherished every moment he had with her. He had never remarried and said he never wanted to. That his heart was my mother’s only.

“And your mother advised me and gave me the courage to fight back. To demand respect. I did that and unfortunately received a purple eye... but when your mother and Theodora found out they raised hell. Even Helen was a force of nature at my side. Gerard, your father and Helen’s brother got involved. I’m not sure what happened but after visiting my late husband I came home to an apology. And he had two purple eyes , a cut lip and a couple missing teeth.”

She laughed and waved it off. “Your family stood by me and made sure I was never mistreated from then on. The man was still a brute but after my son was born I had a different reason to live. I found a strength and courage in myself I didn’t know I had... and I owe that to your mother.”

Lady Thompson caressed my cheek and smiled. I didn’t know I was crying until she wiped away my tears.

“Thank you... for telling me about her... I’ve only ever heard how much I look like her... but nothing else.”

“My dear, you are her replica. With your wide eyes, full lips, dark curly hair and delicate figure. You even have her beauty mark on your cheek... but the fire in your eyes is the same as well. I know you have her spirit, her strength and her kindness.”

She pulled me in for a hug and I relaxed in her warm embrace.

“My dear you are beautiful and strong. You are a force to be reckoned with just like her... and I know that you see that. And the right man this summer will not only see that, but love it too.”