Westminster 1822

Emily's Walk

The Bentley mansion was a town over. Only a few hours journey. Furlong had overseen Emily’s preparations, she even made her recite her manners, every do and don’t.

Ella gazed down at her from the top of the staircase. Emily met her sister’s hollow eyes and empty face. Furlong stood by the door and the golden carriage waited by the Angel fountain to take away far, far away.

The clicks of her heels bounced against the cream walls. In her light yellow dress with her hair braided on the top of her head, she walked out the white double doors.

Emily felt Westminster watching her. The wind blew the trees that kept the Castle hidden. She gazed up at the white and baby blue architectural beauty. It had three proud towers, black roofs, tall windows around the house.

Emily caught the glint of the two stained glass windows third flour. Ella’s Mother had them installed many winters ago. Furlong closed the door and the carriage door opened. Emily sucked in a breath.

***

‘Elton! Are you ready? Emily will be here any minute!’ I hope the garden’s ready for tea.’ Countess Lucia dashed through the front door.

Elton shook his head, his brother chuckled. They walked together through the hall passed the living room to the front door.

‘I don’t not envy you brother.’ Liam said.

‘Neither do I.’ Elton grimaced. Liam was in a loveless marriage, he had almost squandered his inheritance and he was stuck under their Mother’s thumb. Soon she’d knocking on his door to give her grandchildren.

Elton was under the British Navy, an opportunity Liam refused, he relayed on his Father’s name and reputation to get his way.

‘The Marquess daughter sounds like quite the handful.’

‘She’s absolutely beautiful.’ Elton caught the blue and white Westminster Castle flag on top of the golden carriage wave in the distance with his intended inside.

‘She certainly is. From what I’ve heard she’ll give you a good ride.’ Liam laughed and Elton groaned.

‘Is that all you think about?’

Liam tugged on his collar. ‘It’s what I need. Amelia’s killing me.’

‘I find her intriguing.’ Elton straightened his back as the carriage neared the house.

‘She’s hardly the socialite.’ Liam grumbled.

‘Neither am I,’ Elton ran a hand through his hair. His Mother hadn’t noticed it was wild and free.

‘Well at least people know you exist!’

Elton shot his brother daggers. The carriage finally came to a halt. Elton could have raised his hands to thank the heavens, he could finally get away from his brother.

Before he could open the door for Emily his Mother materialized beside him.

‘Lady Emily! Welcome to Bentley Mansion. How wonderful to have my soon to be daughter in law with us.’ The Countess said as she walked Emily through the mansion.

Bentley mansion couldn’t be compared to the grandeur of Westminster, even Emily had to admit that. But it spit sophistication and demanded

respect as an architectural masterpiece of its own.

‘Lady Hamilton and I used the same designers to style our drawing rooms. It might remind you of Westminster.’ Emily smiled, she could remember her step mother often speaking lowly of the Countess.

Her face blushed when she remembered Lady Hamilton and a group of Ladies drinking tea and gossiping about the Countless' lack of social grace and desperation to be part of an elite she wasn’t born to.

Elton hung back and watched Emily interact with his mother. She was meek and often bit her tongue. A young maid bowed in front of the Countess and informed her of the tailors arrival.

‘Oh, he’s early. But I must meet him. Elton take Emily to the garden I’ll join you for tea in a bit.’ She beamed and pranced off to meet the tailor.

Emily linked her arm with Elton's. She kept her eyes on the ground and her mouth shut while Elton guided her to his Mother’s favourite garden. It wasn’t as daunting as Lady Hamilton’s courtyard, but it hard charm and peace Emily had never experienced.

The scent of lavender consumed the dome built in the middle of the garden. The garden was hidden by a barrier of tall grass mingled with thorny roses of different colours, purple lavender and jasmine.

‘It isn’t Westminster but—’ Elton pulled the chair out for Emily, but she didn’t sit. She walked around the dome instead.

‘But it’s just as beautiful.’ She whispered.

Elton shoved his hands in his pocket and let his gazed follow her.

‘I can tell your Mother spent a lot of time in this place.’

‘She spent most of her time maintaining the gardens when my Father was alive and more after he died.’ The grounds and gardens were his Mother’s refuge when she endured harrowing violence at the hands of his Father.

‘Ella’s Mother spent a lot of time making sure not a leaf was out of place in the trees. She spent hours fretting about her stamp on Westminster. All she cared about was what people would think about her style and the standard of the Castle. I’ve seen it before.’ Emily swallowed the lump in her throat.

Emily had undone her braid in the carriage, her shimmering brown hair rolled down her back in big curls. She held onto the poll and stared at the wall of flowers. She battled the fire behind her eyes.

Elton’s eyes furrowed, he wanted to close the gap between them but he was glued to the spot.

‘What do you mean you’ve seen it before?’

‘This life! I've seen it being played out from the background. Care for the house, raise the children, the back of the hand when out of line. I want so much more than to repeat the words I've heard before.' Emily had to stop herself.

She squeezed her eyes shut, her stomach flipped. She’d said too much.

Elton crossed the table and stood behind Emily. His hand itched to touch her waist instead he balled his hand into a fist.

‘What do you want Emily?’ The firmness in his deep voice created butterflies in her stomach.

She exhaled and shook her head. Furlong's words echoed in her head. She leaned against the poll and gazed into Elton’s eyes. What she saw she didn’t understand.

‘I don’t want to give you an excuse—’

‘I’d never touch you Emily.’

‘No,’ her head snapped in the other direction.

He pulled her chin back to his face. ‘I’ve seen more than enough brutality in my life. I swear I’ll never lay hands on you.’

Emily pulled her head away and released a breath she didn’t know she’d been keeping in. Seconds later the Countess announced herself to them. Elton stuttered before he shifted back to the table.

***

Ella sat on the bench by the window in her room. She fanned herself to cool then anger within. Furlong burst into her room, Ella dropped the fan and rolled her eyes.

‘It’s not very lady like to walk into someone’s room without knocking, Furlong.’

Furlong closed the doors behind her and lifted her head. Her body stiffened and her blood ran cold. Ella could have laughed in her face. The words “I’m not Emily” were on the tip of her tongue.

‘It isn’t lady like to embarrass your father in front of the Countess and the Lords and Lady Bentley! And avoid me for the entire day!’ She spat.

‘I haven’t been avoiding you Furlong. What for? I don’t fear you!’ Ella marched into her face. Furlong’s eyes turned to saucers.

‘You should fear me.’

‘Your Father—’

‘Will not be here much longer Furlong and Westminster will crumble. Unless you join the victorious side.’ Ella reclined on the window bench, a smile spread on her face.

Furlong straightened her jacket but her lips remained sealed.

‘If Emily marries Elton Bentley, she will inherit Westminster and believe when I say Emily will let it rot! And damn you all you hell! I won’t let my reputation die and my sister inherit my Mother’s sweat and blood.’

‘And what are we going to do?’

Ella’s lips curved in victory.

She pointed her fan in Furlong’s face. ‘You. Are going to tell me what really happened to Emily’s Mother.’