By the River

CHAPTER SEVEN

Chapter 7:

Enrique slowly snuck back into the ballroom looking for his sister whom he found standing next to their friend Nicholas. He walked towards them and tapped his friend’s shoulder and plastered a smile on his face. “Good evening, Nick. Have you been enjoying yourself?” inquired Enrique.

His friend turned and smiled at him then replied, “I am having a wonderful time with such great company to entertain me. Where have you been? Hiding away from all the match making mama is I assume.” Nicholas chuckled to himself.

“I will have you know I know my duty but sadly you know me all too well. I was hiding away. I just hate being forced into this.” Enrique said.

“Pardon my rudeness once again let me introduce you to my companions that have been so kind to keep me entertained for the evening. This here is Lady Gemma and Lady Lily, and this gentleman is Lord Maxwell. You know your sister.” Nicholas laughed.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.” Enrique bowed as the ladies crusted. He smiled in pleasure seeing the spark of interest his friend had in a certain young lady named Lily when he mentioned her name.

‘So, brother I am so glad you came to join us. By the by I was invited to tea by Lady Alexandria and Lady Lily tomorrow afternoon. Is this okay with you?” asked Isabella.

“Of course, sister that is fine with me. I have a lot to do tomorrow. Got to start a search and make some inquiries. I am glad you are making friends. I know it can get boring hanging out with your dear old boring brother.” Enrique looked at her so forlornly.

Isabella smiled and laughed at her brother’s face as he joked with her. They may get into it a lot and drive each other but they loved each other anyways. After all family is the most important thing in the world to them. She turned back to the ladies and continued their conversation about why her brother and Nicholas had caught up since they last saw each other, which was only a week ago. She chuckled to herself how much like brothers they acted.

“So where is this Lady Alexandria that my sister was talking about?” asked Enrique.

“She retired early for the evening. She has a headache and goes to rest.” Replied Nicholas, “Speaking of ladies what kind of search are you doing tomorrow?”

“I saw a lady whom I would very much like to get to know. She caught my attention, but I have no idea who she even is. I never got a proper introduction before she left. I hope to see if I can find her and maybe court her and get to know her and see if she is what I am looking for. Because everyone is right, and I need to step up and do my duty.” Enrique said.

Nicholas nodded his head and gave a small applause to his friend, “I am glad for you. I feel the same as you, my friend.” he said as he turned his head slightly and glanced at Lady Lily.

Enrique nodded his head and began looking around the ballroom hoping his lady would reappear, but she did not.

“Good evening, ladies, and gentlemen. Are you enjoying the party this evening?” Inquired a voice to the left.

“Why helloes there Damien! How have you been? It has been far too long since you been home.” Said Lily.

Damien looked much like his sister Alexandria. Most people who did not know them would have thought they were twins. Though he was much taller than his sister was and broader shouldered. He had a thick set of arms and legs as well as a well-muscled chest from all the work he had been doing in the past two years. He was tanned from the days at sea while he sailed around selling and building up the shipping business his father had built.

Though they were gone he still wanted to make sure the business was a success, and he knew they would be enormously proud of what he had accomplished and how hard he had worked to get where he was. He wanted to make sure his baby sister was well taken care of and had a good dowry when the time came for her to settle down.

He knew his aunt and uncle were encouraging her to settle down and start a family. He just hoped she would find someone who was good to her, and he would not have to worry about her constantly. She was all he had left and wanted all the best for her. She was a sweet girl and should be well taken care of.

“Why lily did you miss me? At least one sister did. I see my sister has escaped once again from the fun.” Laughed Lord Damien.

“Please let me introduce myself; I am Lord Damien Halloway brother to Lady Alexandria, who once again has managed to escape this madness, and nephew of Lord and Lady Northbourne.” He bowed again and smiled.

“This is Duke Enrique Alvarez and his sweet sister Duchess Isabella; you know Lily and Gemma who are usually inseparable from your sister and Lord Maxwell,” said Nicholas.

“How do you both do? I hope you have been enjoying yourselves. My aunt really does love to throw extravagant parties. Are you here visiting or new to the area?” Lord Damien asked as he kissed Isabella hand and smiled kindly to her. He then turned towards the others.

“How are you, Lord Maxwell? How’s business? Hello Lily and Gemma. I am surprised you did not escape upstairs with my sister.”

“I am doing well, and business actually is doing really well. My father is getting ready to hand down the business to me and I am happy about it. Soon I will have to settle down.” Replied Lord Maxwell.

“Well, we decided to stay because it would have been very rude to abandon such wonderful company.” Lily smiled over at Lord Nicholas. “Besides, she had a headache and I know our chatter boxes would only make it worse and we aren’t cruel you know Damien.”

Damien nodded his head, “Tis is absolutely true. It is probably for the best since you trio are dangerous when all together and the things you produce.” The girls giggled and Lily stuck out her tongue to him.

“Oh you!” exclaimed Gemma as she rolled her eyes.

“You two are so lady like. I can hardly believe my eyes,” replied Damien.

Damien turned back to the other men in the group to join their conversation as the girls continued to giggle and stick out their tongues to his back. He shook his head and began listening to the others.

“......Lots of beauties around.” Said Lord Maxwell. “Perhaps one might catch your interest.”

“Yes, there sure is but I think one has already caught my interest and I plan to figure out who she is tomorrow and meet her. I would love to court her if she does fully keep my interest,” answered Enrique.

“Ah the fun of bride hunting, tis the season for it, I fear. I am also being asked to settle down and start my life and give an heir, so the title continues. I swear once we hit a certain age we are pushed to settle,” commented Damien.

“This is absolutely true. At least we are not alone in this matter. I felt like I was the only one and I was not happy about it. Though seeing as I am not the only one, I feel a little better, not happy but less annoyed for sure. Perhaps it will not be as bad as we all seem to think. Though having to give up our freedom and settle down may be a new adventure.” Replied Enrique.

The others nodded their heads in agreement with his words. “With that being said it has been a long evening and I really must beg your pardon, but I need to take my leave if I am my start tomorrow morning. I will not want to be looking a mess if I find the one, I am looking for.” Said Enrique.

“Isabella say your goodbyes it is time for us to take our leave.”

“Have a good evening, everyone. I had a splendid time. I will see you ladies tomorrow for tea. Will it still be happening due to Lady Alexandria’s headache?” said Isabella.

“Oh, she should be simply fine after a night’s rest. It was more an excuse to sneak away and read like she tends to do. But do not tell her aunt that, she would not be pleased at all,” laughed Gemma.

“I will not utter a word to anyone. And neither will my brother or Nicholas if they know what is good for them,” smiled Isabella.

After saying their goodbyes, the siblings loaded up into the carriage and sat back to relax on their journey back to the townhouse they had rented while in town.

“So where did you sneak off to this evening while leaving me to myself hmmm?” Asked Isabella.

Enrique was quiet for a good few minutes before he sighed and decided to tell his sister what happened. He told her about every little detail from when he snuck off until he returned. He was so disgusted with himself he could not even look at his sister to see the pure look of utter horror and disappointment.

Isabella did not know what to say so she sat there before she reached across the carriage and slapped her brother twice and was about to do it a third time when he caught her hand.

“I do not need your help on the abuse sister of mine. I am doing perfectly fine without your help. I already hate myself and have vowed never to touch or abuse alcohol again, never ever again. I need to fix this wrong and do it quickly before anyone can suspect a thing. I will need your help to help me accomplish this,” murmured Enrique.

“I am truly appalled at your behavior brother I do not even know what to say. But I will help you because the young lady does not deserve what you have done to her. I will do this for her sake. Not because you are my brother and I love you but for the young lady in question. Give me some time to think about this and I will help you with a plan as much as a young lady can do. I cannot even imagine if mother and father found out. But lucky for you I do not want to ruin our name, the girl’s name, or give poor mama a heart attack. Now let me think.” Isabella shook her head and pursed her lips in thought.

Isabella could not believe her brother and was deep in shock at his confession. He was the one who was always smart and never did things that would leave them in ruin. She knew he was especially cautious when it came to woman who could possibly trap him in marriage and now, he was one who had ruined a young lady against her will and did not give her a choice in anything.

She glanced at him and just stared as if seeing him for the first time. She knew the stress had been too much and he had finally stepped over the line. She knew she could not let this reach her parents or they would tear him from limb to limb. They would never forgive him for this horrible deed he had done.

She wondered who it could possibly be. She knew that tomorrow she would need to start asking around and she knew just who to begin her inquiries with. Her new friends seemed to know and see everything that others did not see. She just prayed they would be able to help her and right the wrong her brother had done.

Though she was wondering what the poor girl was thinking or if she had already called out the hounds on her brother. She grimaced knowing that if that was the case it was going to be a total debacle even if it did make the whole ordeal easier to find the poor girl.

She sighed and sat back closing her eyes as a headache began as she continued to play all scenarios in her head. This was going to be a long and tedious adventure her brother had brought down on themselves.