Westminster 1822

Gloves & Schemes

No word had come back about Harris’ condition. Ella had to hide her smirks all day. Liam wasn’t a total fool after all, he was actually good for something that wasn’t s*x. Ella bit her lower lip. The Bentley boys were truly blessed. She wondered how her beloved would be during their wedding night and all other nights.

Ella laughed. Silly Elton wasted his strength buying worthless Emily an engagement ring. Hers would sparkle brighter than a star.

‘Oh Emily, maybe I should enquire about a good convent for you to go to.’ Ella said as she slipped on her gloves.

Who knew what would happen to her once the marriage was cancelled? Maybe she would find herself a nice honourable gentleman in desperate need of a wife. She could get herself a stable hand like the ones she loves so much.

Did Elton know the stories? Ella giggled. It wouldn’t hurt to tell Elton a few stories about her sister’s escapades with the help. How lovely it was for Countess Lucia to hold an intimate tea party that afternoon. Ella had never felt closer to gold.

***

Madam Furlong opted to remain behind in case word of Harris returned to the Castle. Emily believed she didn’t want to sit in the same carriage as Ella. Ella wore a designer baby pink gown with a matching bonnet and the white gloves that were forever meant to be on her hands. Emily wore the purple dress Lady Heather bought her. She hid her engagement ring under her gloves. She knew Ella had seen it, but still felt the need to protect it from her wrath.

‘Countess Lucia would have understood if you remained behind, Ella’ Emily said as they arrived at the castle.

Carriages arrived ahead of them and glamourous women walked out holding mini umbrellas.

‘What do you know about the importance of appearances? I’m certainly not the one to tell you about it.’

Emily sighed, why did she have to be this way? The footman opened the door for them. Ella was assisted out first. They were guided to the garden where the small tea party of fifty women would take place.

Emily thought there had to be more than fifty women present. They all seemed to flock to them then all swarm to Ella to offer their most sincere wishes for Harris. Emily couldn’t help wonder how many of them had criticized the arrangement.

Lucia wrapped her arm around Emily’s shoulder and squeezed.

‘You look absolutely beautiful, wait till Heather sees you.’ She beamed. ‘Oh, Ella dear child. You’re so brave. I hope Harris recovers quickly so we can celebrate. What exactly is the matter with Harris?’ Lucia asked as she led the girls to a medium white table with four seats.

Ella feigned her weakest smile, ‘What a setback indeed. Poor Harris has been complaining of pains and high fever, but Henrietta has the best doctors attending to him.’

Lucia nodded, ‘He’s in the best hands then.’

A lady in a bright yellow hat and orange dress looked up and smiled at the girls.

‘My how time flies, we’re celebrating weddings now.’ Her smile reached her eyes.

Ella had to force her sigh in and her eyes not to roll. ‘How charming it is to see you again Lady Heather.’

Emily’s face lit up. So, this was the woman who remembered her enough to buy her a gift. Heather had smooth hands, healthy laugh lines and big brown eyes.

‘Thank you so much for the dress.’ Emily said.

‘It’s the very least I can do my darling.’ Heather gripped Emily’s hand, she stared into her eyes as if searching for jewels. Lucia left them to cater to her other guests.

Ella exhaled. It was obvious Elton wouldn’t be at a women’s tea party, but she wanted just a glimpse of his bulky frame. Also, to get away from Lady Heather. Ella could still recall her mother’s words about how obnoxious and nosy the woman was.

‘Please excuse me to use the lady’s room.’ Ella said on a sigh.

‘Emily… the girl Cecilia tried to hide.’

Emily’s smile faded, ‘Pardon me?’

‘I only saw you a handful of times when you were a child. Each time you ever came into view Cecilia would throw a fit. I don’t know if you remember.’

She shrugged, ‘I never liked parties, so mother let me stay in my room.’ That was how Emily remembered it.

Heather’s eyes glossed up. ‘She put fear in you as a child. Never show your face when guests are around, don’t step out of line child or you’ll regret it, your father can’t help you now. All the words she used to say kept me up at night. Your father truly couldn’t save you from her.’

Cecilia had always insisted she not attend balls at the castle or go out with Ella to tea parties. If there was a place she could be when guests arrived it was the kitchen or confined to the walls of her bedroom.

‘She was just strict—’

‘Not on your sister though, oh no. Ella is the spitting image of her mother inside and out. You on the other hand represent everything your father ever loved. The few times I saw you together I saw something I rarely ever saw in my life. Love, I saw love come to life when he looked at you. Something that made Cecilia’s heart boil, that he loved you more than her child.’

Emily couldn’t stop her cheeks from turning red, but she contained the tears.

‘She hated me because of my mother. I don’t even know anything about her, not her name nor her face or character. They say Westminster carries my mother’s personality, but all I see are the walls that bind me.’ Her voice cracked.

‘Dear child, your mother is a mystery to many. Your father married early and your mother quite early. It was a short marriage I believe, she died giving birth to you. He married Cecilia shortly after to make sure you had a mother. I never met your mother, but her memory lives on in Westminster.’

Lucia addressed the ladies and Emily had to wipe the rogue tears.

***

Tea parties took forever Elton walked to Liam’s room to see if he wanted to head to town with him. He smelt the faint scent of women’s perfume in the hall. It wasn’t Amelia’s, he was sure. He found the door slightly ajar; giggles came from the room.

Elton shook his head. ‘Liam.’

‘You doubted me the entire time, didn’t you?’ Liam said and Elton paused to listen.

‘Well, of course. I believed your talents lied elsewhere.’ Ella’s voice sparked him to lean on the door, careful not to move it.

‘True, true. There’s still the small matter of your intended’s recovering.’

‘Oh please. He’s deathly ill. It’s my father I have to worry about now then my wretched sister. Father won’t change his mind even if I threatened to throw myself off the tower. He would sooner let me jump than change his beloved daughter’s grand arrangement.’

‘Tell me Ella, what became of your sister’s mother?’

‘Ugh, I’m starting to believe my father made her up. The woman’s a ghost.’

‘Ah, I think we’ve found our chance.’

‘What are you on about, Liam?’

Elton’s brows burrowed. His brother couldn’t be capable of hurting Emily.

‘We should be investigating what made the woman a ghost.’

‘Father won’t even speak of her.’

‘Please Ella don’t disappoint me, there are other ways to gain information.’

Elton pulled himself off the door and marched down the stairs. How could Liam possibly do this? He had to find Emily and warn her, there was a snake slithering in her home.