Westminster 1822

A Lord & A Lady

Emily had spoken to so many people in one magical night than she had in her whole life. She’d been introduction to countless of Countess Lucia's friends, many of Ella’s friends had come up to her to congratulate her on her engagement to Elton. Still there were whispers of how they had never heard of her. Emily sighed, a lot of that was her fault.

She stood beside Countess Lucia while Elton spoke to a tall man in a Royal Blue suit. Emily smiled as she watched him laugh with his companion.

‘You know you’re envy of all the young ladies at the ball.’ Lucia said.

Emily turned her head to the beaming woman. ‘I’ve never been the envy of anyone.’

Lucia squeezed Emily’s shoulders. ‘Oh, dear Emily. I was once like you. No one noticed me, I was the middle child of four gorgeous girls, but my late husband chose me and changed my family’s lives. That was when everyone wanted to know who I was, became friendly. There are many snakes in this society. I want to be more than a Mother in Law, I want to be your confidant.’

Emily had only ever had Agrona as a true companion, but no one really accustomed to the world she was about to enter. She returned Lucia’s smile and squeezed her hands.

Elton and his friend walked to Lucia and Emily.

‘Mother, may I—’ Elton began but Lucia cut him off.

‘Of course, go ahead. We’ll talk later.’ She winked at Emily and left.

‘Emily, this is a good friend of mine Marcel. We served together.’

Marcel lifted Emily’s hand to his pink lips. All the while she felt Elton scrutinize her every move.

‘I must say you look nothing like the thorn in my side Ella.’ He smirked.

Emily smiled, she really did look nice like Ella. ‘We’re quite different.’

Marcel grinned revealing a dimple in his right cheek. ‘I must say Elton, you’ve found yourself a beauty. You’re a lucky man.’

‘I have my Father to thank for that.’ He spoke to Marcel, but his gaze was forever on Emily.

Many a time Elton believed married life would slow him down that was before he met Emily. The girl who fell from trees and ran around castles. He remembered the day he met her and watched her remove her corset while still in her dress in her Mother’s garden then be chased by her governess. He hoped society wouldn’t change her, he looked forward to an entertaining life.

Liam watched his brother entertain another one of his prestigious friends. Lord Marcel was also a member of the House of Lords. Why did Elton have to get everything? Mother’s undying devotion, a new title, a dazzling bride even the King sang his praise.

‘Good for nothings, the lot of them.’ Liam lifted his glass to them and wandered out the ballroom.

‘The best Castle in the King's Kingdom serves lousy wine.’ Liam staggered through the Castle.

He came to a set of stairs and decided to climb. ‘Let’s see if there’s any good wine around here.’

He stumbled upon the white double doors to the Marquess' private room. He threw the doors open and pranced in.

‘Surely the old man keeps all the good stuff for himself.’

Liam eyed the tall glass bottle by the small table near the window. He tripped himself to the bottle of alcohol. He poured himself half a glass, tipped his head back and drowned it.

‘Does my Father not serve adequate wine, Lord Liam?’ Ella said from the couch at the far corner.

She crossed her legs and smiled at Liam, tempting him if anything. Liam shook his head.

‘Not adequate enough for me, Lady Ella.’

Ella chuckled. She picked up her glass and walked over to Liam to pour herself some of her Father’s Scotch.

‘You’re a man of very fine taste Liam. Quite like me.’ She lifted the glass to her red lips.

‘It is no secret.’ Liam replied.

Ella poured him another drink and handed it to him. ‘As is the fact that you’re a very intelligent man. Capable of making important decisions if need be. It also isn’t a secret you’re a squander and your Father’s inheritance is long gone. Your marriage to poor Amelia is worse on her for surely her Father’s money is nearly up.’

‘Watch yourself Ella! I’m not one of your Lady society friends!’ Liam spat.

‘Of course not! Because even they would have planned a better murder attempt than your sorry excuse at it.’

Liam’s fingers around the glass tightened. He threw his head back and finished the drink.

‘You run your mouth too much Ella. It would do you best to keep it shut.’

Ella laughed low. ‘No Liam, it’ll do you best to be quiet and listen to me.’ She grabbed his collar and threw him on the couch.

Liam stared bug eyed at Ella who towered over him. She leaned closer to him that he could smell her perfume.

‘You need me to have what you want and you can assist me achieve what I seek.’

‘And what is that?’

‘You want a seat in The House of Lords, wealth, status.’

Liam shook his head. ‘Ella you know I cannot marry you I’m already trapped—’

‘I wouldn’t want to marry you!’ Ella straightened up. ‘I want your brother. Emily doesn’t deserve him. She doesn’t deserve him and I have a feeling she has no claim to many things.’

‘How do I get what I want?’

Ella rolled her eyes. She hoped he would be a better tool that he let on.

‘When I marry Elton if all goes to plan you will get a portion of my Father’s estates. I will convince him to transfer his title to you. Believe me when I say when all this is over Emily will be disgraced and forgotten and the Marquess will be wrapped around my finger.’

‘You seem very confident. What if Elton refuses to marry you. If you haven’t noticed he’s very smitten with your sister.’

‘He will marry me! He will. There is still an agreement to be honoured and all I have to do is get Father to switch the details a little bit.’

Suddenly Liam felt a hundred percent sober. He raised his hands in surrender then extended his palm to seal the deal. He just hoped Elton wouldn’t hate him for what he would do.

‘Good. Make sure to be discrete. Keep that mouth of yours shut or I’ll demonstrate how to get rid of a thorn effectively.’

Liam swallowed, what had he done?

***

Oscar watched his daughter smile and laugh with people he had associated with a few times in the past. What really warmed his heart was the young man watching her like a hawk. In a good way. He recognized the look he gave her. He’d given it himself to a woman he could never erase. Her smile appeared in every dream, every lapse in concentration.

He wished he could thank his friend for raising a fine young man, despite the monster he was of course. Emily would be fine, he sighed.

His knees ached and he wanted to sit down when he was caught on the arm by another old friend.

‘Edgar!’ The Marquess of Birmingham and Father of Harris Kelly. Beside him stood his Henrietta and their son Harris.

‘I do hope you’re enjoying yourself. I was just going to sit down.’

Edgar frowned and glanced at his wife.

‘Everything does not appear to be alright Oscar. I believed we had an arrangement.’ Henrietta said.

‘Why, of course we do. What’s the matter? Everything seems to be going fine.’ He looked between them.

‘Let us talk outside.’ Edgar suggested.

The party moved out of the ballroom, leaving hundreds of people chatting and dancing. Oscar guided them to his small study on the main floor. He locked the door behind them, thankfully the music wasn’t too loud for them.

‘Please what ever is the matter?’ Oscar finally sat, giving his knees sweet relief.

‘It seems your daughter wants to break our arrangement.’ Henrietta said.

Oscar rubbed his forehead. ‘Ella shall be the death of me.’ He muttered.

‘She didn’t exactly say that Sir, although she does seem very disinterested in our union. She’s denied many formal requests to visit our Castle, or for me to visit her.’ Harris explained.

‘You see Oscar these are worrying signs. Ella is a headstrong lady. If she sees fit she may break this agreement. Can you imagine the scandal?!’

‘Relax my love. Friend, we want to be assured of this marriage. It is too late to back out now.’ Edgar said.

Oscar nodded. ‘Ella will marry Harris and the sooner the better.’

Henrietta smiled. ‘I believe we are speaking the same language.’

‘Yes, dear Henrietta. Westminster will see its first wedding in a week’s time. Ella shall be wed.’ The words of the Marquess were final. He only prayed his heart would take his daughter’s reaction.