Chapter Three, Part Two - Dinner Parties & Sneaky Sisters

 

Emilia was inwardly cursing her sister's name as she waited for their guests with Lydia and Beacon in the foyer of their Simdon home.

“Of all the nights to have a dinner party!” She thought.

Her sister had smile on her face as the door knocker was heard. Lydia tightened her hand around Beacon's arm before beginning to greet their guests.

One or two of the people Emilia was helping to greet she would be able to recognise from her previous season in Simdon, although she understood from Lydia that the remaining guests would have to be introduced.

 

Emilia watched from the side as Lydia and Beacon worked together to introduce and greet everyone.

Even being newlyweds still, they had obviously become quite comfortable and were exceedingly capable of making people feel welcome.

Emilia smiled and greeted Lord and Lady Merriweather and their daughter as they entered.

Next to arrive was the Viscount Featherstone.

Just as she was waving Viscount Featherstone towards the dining room, she was taken aback by the appearance of the Duke of Simmendish.

Had his manner changed so much in the past few months? He seemed to be in particularly good humour and as he approached Emilia, offered her a very gracious smile.

 

Emilia was gobsmacked at the change, but after a second to compose herself decided the change may just be due to the smile on his face, so rarely seen on his face when in her company.

“Miss Wharburton,” he greeted her, “I hope you are not overtired from your journey. I had heard from Beacon there was a little trouble with the horses.”

 

Emilia smiled softly.

“Indeed Your Grace, but as the trip is not terribly far in the first place it was no matter.”

 

Lydia and Beacon turned towards her.

“That is everyone arrived now, Emilia. Shall we adjourn to the dining room?” Beacon looked at her meaningfully.

The Duke gallantly offered Emilia his arm.

As they took their seats at the table the Duke seemed to be determined to continue his conversation with Emilia.

 

“Was the inn at Simley to your taste at least?”

She laughed quietly.

“Unfortunately Sir, it was quite the opposite. I swear if my sister and her husband had not invested in the feather mattresses that they have, my back may never have recovered!”

 

He laughed and made a glib remark about the state of public lodging these days before a lull in the general conversation necessitated their attention.

 

“Featherstone, that simply won't do,” Lord Merriweather bellowed.

 

Emilia looked at her Lydia to find her wincing at the man's volume.

 

“A well-read wife? Perhaps that may be the way in the county you are from up north,” he snorted, “but here in Simdon, my good man, we have no need for bluestocking wives running around with their noses in books.”

 

Viscount Featherstone rolled his eyes at the ridiculous man beside him and sent an imploring look towards Beacon.

Beacon looked between his guests, hoping to ward off any argument about to start.

“I am sure Featherstone is simply pursuing a sensible wife, for who would want some silly young thing Merriweather?” Beacon offered.

His Lordship snorted once more.

 

“It sounds as if he is after a continental girl, with a mind for science and mathematics.” He said derisively, spitting out the words as though they were poison in his mouth. “But to each his own, I suppose.”

There was a short uneasy pause and Emilia directed her attention to Lydia who was regarding the loud man stonily.

After a beat everyone begun once again to engage in their respective conversations and Emilia found herself unable to get a word in with Lydia as she was deep in conversation with Lady Cora Merriweather, discussing mathematics much to Lady Cora's father's disgust.

 

Emilia herself was drawn back into conversation with the Duke. He was singularly surprising her with his affability and humour tonight, she was taken aback and knew from her sister's sly looks that it was apparent on her face.

The man obviously knew how to converse with great skill, where was this last season?

Perhaps it was because she was now related to the Earl? Was the sister-in-law of an Earl more deserving of condescension? 

 

  Despite any reservations she held Emilia spent the rest of the courses thusly engaged by the Duke, with occasional glances at her sister who was quite amused by the turn of events.

 

The final dessert course came, and with it her favourite French pastry millefeuille. The Duke was quite gallant in serving her the sweet treat, and seemed quite disappointed when the course was cleared signalling the end of dinner and separation of the sexes.

 

  The ladies left the gentlemen to their devices in the dining room and removed to Lydia's newly made over drawing room that contained the main instrument of the house as well as the card tables.

Just as soon as they ladies had all found their place, the conversation was dominated by the eldest lady in attendance.

Lady Merriweather it seemed was a great lover of rumours and was one of the main contributors to the Tonne's gossip mill.

Lydia rolled her eyes as the senior lady talked about Miss Farnham and her removal to the country, so suspiciously timed apparently.

Just as another story was about to be shared, Lydia interjected with an offer to play some music.

 

Lady Cora jumped at the opportunity and took a spot close by the pianoforte under the pretence of turning the pages for Lydia and commented on the player's capital performance.

Emilia offered her ladyship a grim smile before moving closer to her sister and their guest.

Above a half hour they spent like this, before the gentlemen once again joined their company.

 

Wanting to distract their guests, Lydia took one look at her husband and at once offered the use of the card tables. The Merriweathers thankfully accepted, as did the Viscount, leaving Lydia to entertain the Duke, her husband and Emilia - much to her satisfaction.

 

The Duke took a seat beside Emilia and continued their conversation from dinner. They talked about everything and yet nothing at all.

Emilia found herself so well entertained that she would be hard pressed to have any complaint about his manner.

Indeed, Emilia was not dissatisfied with the turn of the evening, the Duke being everything charming and well mannered. 

After a few rounds at the card table it seemed that the guests were readying to leave and with their goodbyes, the small family party found themselves also making their way to bed. The night had been a success, however trying and Lydia was keen to get some rest before the inevitable visiting that would come on the morrow.

When Emilia rose the next morning, she made her way down to the dining room for breakfast and found her sister already there, sans husband.

 

“Where has Beacon got himself off to then?” She asked.

“Oh, off to his club or some such. I was half asleep when he left, he knows I despise rising before 9.”

Emilia smiled at their domesticity and took a seat before offering more conversation.

 

“Last night was a true success. I believe her ladyship will spread the news around town for you and your reputation will be sealed as one of the most proficient hostesses.”

Lydia smiled wryly.

 

“I am not sure if that is a good thing or not, I excessively dislike hosting dinner parties, Emi.”

“I fear you shall not have any choice after she has her way!”

“And what of you and your Duke, hmm? Do you think she found anything rumour worthy there?”

Emilia crossed her arms.

“What are you talking of?”

“Well you spent almost the whole dinner talking quietly together. You quite left us all bereft of your company, the two of you.”

She looked pointedly at her sister before continuing.

 

“And then to sequester yourself off when we were rejoined by the gentlemen...well.”

Emilia had not thought of things that way.

“Do you really think she will gossip about it? His attention was not so decidedly marked.”

 

“You are a fool Emi if you do not recognise the man is half in love with you already.”

Emilia was struck by her sister's words.

“Whatever do you mean?”

 

“Since last season. I disagree with you, his attention has been decidedly marked. You were so adamant about disliking him because you felt he had no humour though.”

 

Lydia was smiling broadly by now.

“Do you not remember when he convinced Mr. Seabrook not to dance with you? He told the man you were already engaged for the set, when you were actually lacking partners that evening! I thought it was a devious ploy to get you to dance with him, but he never asked.”

Was it really true? Had she misinterpreted his intentions so?

 

“I don't know about that Lydia...”

“Well, I do and so does Beacon. I happen to know for a fact that he intends to ask you for a courtship during his time in Simdon.”

Emilia gasped.

“He has confided this in Beacon?”

Lydia sighed.

“I suppose I have let the cat out of the proverbial bag. He asked father for his permission while he was in Simbury for the wedding.”

 

“Why did he not feel fit to inform me!?”

Lydia looked at her sister seriously.

“It is your decision. It was always your decision whether to accept his offer or not. It's not a proposal, Emi. It's a courtship.”

“Even now, I'm still getting to know his character.”

“Last night proved that. You were always too harsh on him.”

“Because I thought he was sabotaging my season!”

“Well he was,” Lydia laughed.

 

“But not with ill intentions, I guess you could say.”

Emilia stopped and thought back on their acquaintance.

“I thought he was very handsome that first night, but I supposed he had taken offense to my manner.”

“Well now you know better. Will you give him a chance to win you over?”

“I haven't been fair on him. I suppose I would not be wholly disinclined to becoming at least a friend to the man.”

Lydia beamed at her sister. It was increasingly obvious that her hat was in the Duke's corner.

 

“What of his offer of courtship?” Lydia asked.

“If he were to ask me today, I could not accept. If we were to continue our acquaintance favourably... I may.”

Lydia stood up and drew her sister into a hug.

 

“A wise decision.”

Emilia wasn't sure that was the case, but knowing her sister's to have generally very good sense, she decided to go along with Lydia's suggestion for the moment.

“By the by Emilia, I've organized a trip to the theatre tonight. Your favourite Simspeare play is premiering at Her Majesty's.”

Emilia perked up at this news. To see A Midsimmer Night's Dream was quite the treat for a lover of theatre such as herself.

Just as Emilia was planning her outfit and accessories in her head, Lydia dropped a bombshell with a sly smile.

“The Duke has invited us. We are to be seated in his private box.”

With that, Lydia strutted off out of the dining room.

 

“Bother.”