Westminster 1822

Wild Lace

The finest lace and the softest silk in England stood in front of her.

‘I’ll be damned if Harris ever sees this dress. Westminster will burn before I wear it!’

Ella’s Mother’s favourite pearls had been polished by Agrona and brought up to her room. They sparkled on her desk. Each medium pearl had been hand shined. Henrietta acquired the services of the best shoe maker to craft the most envious pair shoes to be worn for one day.

A day Ella damned to hell. She damned them all. She wouldn’t allow her father to write a destiny she didn’t approve of. Her mother was rolling her grave. Emily wouldn’t have what her daughter was born to have. The storm ripping trees from the ground and drowning the ducks was the doings of her mother’s restless soul.

Ella would bury Emily first before she could ever be humiliated and mocked in public. Westminster would be cursed the day she ran off into a sunset with a man less than Elton Bentley. A man favoured by the King, destined to sit parliament. Not a man destined not to inherit his father’s title. The Marques of Birmingham would vanish if it weren’t for the money Oscar was offering. She wouldn’t be anyone’s saving grace. Besides if the rumours of King planning on terminating the peerage of Harris’ father were true then her humiliation would kill her. Harris didn’t stand with confidence like Elton. He couldn’t hold her the way she knew Elton could.

Ella picked up the music box humming on her desk. She eyed the graceful couple arm in arm. Elton and her on their wedding day when her battle was finally won. Instead, all that manifested in her mind’s eye was Elton pressing Emily against his chest.

‘That little tramp!’ Ella launched the box at the ground. Pieces went flying the beautiful music cut off and died instantly.

‘She’ll regret the name Elton Bentley when I’m through with her.’

Emily had been summoned the Bentley castle. No doubt Countess Lucia was just as excited as Ella’ wrenched mother-in-law to be. The wind slammed against the glass behind the curtain. Ella exhaled. She hoped the storm would rock Emily’s carriage and this time she’d actually die.

***

Emily held on to her shawl for dear life the entire drive to the castle. The weather was menacing. Each thunder clap drew a yelp from her, every flash of lighting across the sky made her fear for the carriage. Although, the clouded parted and the sun seeped through as the neared Bentley castle.

Emily breathed a sigh of relief when she could put her feet on the ground. Countess Lucia burst through the entrance with open arms. Amelia strutted behind her.

‘Thank the Heavens you arrived safely! I couldn’t sit down.’ She squeezed Emily.

‘Fearful of another accident in such terrible weather,’ Amelia frowned.

Lucia shot her a dissatisfied look. ‘Hush now. I’m glad you made it.’ She wrapped her arm around Emily’s shoulder and guided her inside.

Emily caught the bugs under Amelia’s eyes and a deep frown directed at her. Amelia had never been overly welcoming with Emily. They hardly spent time together. Amelia was more Ella’s acquaintance.

A young maiden in a black and white uniform entered the foyer with a bouquet of vibrant flowers and set it on a table with an aging bouquet.

‘Oh, how wonderful!’ Lucia picked the card stuck between the flowers. ‘Countess Constance, sends her love to us. She’s looking forward to the wedding!’

The young girl took the old flowers away and left them. Emily smiled at Lucia’s excitement.

‘Ugh, isn’t everyone excited about their engagement.’ Amelia rolled her eyes.

‘Of course, it’ll be the wedding of the year!’ Lucia exclaimed.

‘You weren’t this excited when Liam and I were getting married!’ Amelia stormed up the stairs.

Lucia placed her hands on her waisted and shook her head. Emily watched Amelia carry her heavy dress up the stairs. She spotted a figure with black hair walk past Amelia, she assumed it was Liam. When his full frame came into being her heart skipped a beat. She threw her hand on her chest.

‘Elton?’

He smiled. She wanted to race up the rest of the stairs and bury herself in his embrace, soak up his scent, melt into him like no one else existed. Though, she kept her legs still and her smile compressed.

‘I thought you were in London,’ she whispered.

He reached out and kissed her forehead as if his mother wasn’t there. Lucia clapped her hands together and beamed.

‘Business finished quicker than I expected.’ He chuckled. ‘I couldn’t wait to see you, Emily.’

‘Oh no, young man! Emily and I have much planning to do for the wedding. Don’t think you’ll steal her from me.’

Elton threw his head back and laughed, the sound provoking the butterflies in her stomach. Lucia couldn’t find her joy.

‘Mother at least let me show Emily her present.’

Lucia’s face lit up in acknowledgement then she nodded. ‘But don’t get carried away Elton.’ She pointed at him then winked at Emily.

They were left alone in the foyer. Elton’s hand slipped to her waist. He led her out the door and to his mother’s favourite garden.

‘I didn’t think I’d see you for another few weeks.’ Emily said.

Elton nodded, ‘As did I, but there wasn’t much that needed my attention in London. I wanted to be here near you.’

Elton backed her against a pole. He caressed the fabric of her yellow gown. He held on to her petite waist and leaned his forehead into hers. Emily shut her eyes, unaware if they should be so close. Although, she couldn’t push him away.

‘To kiss you…’ His hand held on to her face, the other tugging her waist. The first simple kiss triggered a chain of reactions he couldn’t stop. A desire he didn’t know he hand. He felt her heart racing before he even brushed her lips. His own heart felt as innocent as if it were the first time, he ever embraced a woman’s lips.

Emily turned away the red scattered across her nose made him chuckle. He wanted more, but if his mother discovered them, they would be in trouble.

Emily cleared her throat. ‘I… I forgot to say thank you for the flowers you sent.’

Elton brushed her cheek and chuckled at the ground. ‘You’ve secret admirers now?’

Emily c****d her head to the side. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘Hm? I didn’t send you flowers Emily. I guess I should have.’

Emily rattled her head, ‘Liam said you had him bring me flowers.’

Elton raised his brow, ‘Liam? I didn’t send him at all.’

‘That’s odd. I received a lovely bouquet of flowers.’

‘Maybe my brother’s your secret admirer,’ He smirked.

Emily slipped out from under him just as Countess Lucia pranced into the garden with a maid behind her carrying a large basket with a purple bow on top.

‘Ugh mother,’ Elton groaned.

‘I let you have your time dear,’ she said. ‘Look Emily, Lady Heather sent you an engagement present. You know she was a great friend of your mother’s and I. She entrusted me to hand it to you.’

Emily’s heart warmed, one of her step mother’s friends cared enough to send her something. Whatever it was Emily would hold it dear to her chest.

‘Elton, have you given Emily her gift? I don’t see it!’ Lucia frowned.

Elton laughed and reached for his pocket. ‘I would have had you given me more time, mother.’

Elton pulled out a little black box. He took Emily’s small hand in his. She scrutinized him as he opened the box to reveal a golden ring with a rock in the shape of a heart. The diamond sparkled.

Emily gasped, ‘Elton…’

‘It was the whole reason I went to London. I wanted the finest ring for you.’

Emily let him slip the finger on her finger.

‘You didn’t have to.’ She whispered.

‘You needed an engagement ring, Emily.’ He chuckled nervously.

She looked up from the ring and beamed. Her marriage to Elton suddenly felt like a close reality.

***

While his mother and Emily abandoned him to discuss the wedding. Elton went to the stable. He found the footman cleaning the carriage.

‘Just the man I wanted to see.’ Elton said.

‘How may I help you, my Lord?’

‘Did Liam travel to Westminster Castle while I was away?’

The footman turned bewildered, nonetheless answered the question, ‘Yes. He delivered a lovely bouquet of flowers he bought himself.’

Elton nodded, ‘Is that all he did while at Westminster?’

‘I did see him speak to the youngest daughter before we departed.’

‘Thank you, Samuel.’