A Farm Girl's Despair (#5, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel)

by Dorothy Green

  “A pleasure to meet you all, and especially you, Miss Layles. I have never seen you in society before, regrettably I must say.”

  “Nor I you, sir,” Hilda smiled. She realized she was doing exactly as her mother had told her to do, smile and lean into the conversation, though she was doing so by choice, which felt good for a change.

  “You must be very good at cards sir, to have won a guinea. I must say I have never been good at games, but that does not mean that I don't enjoy them,” Hilda said. She felt quite shocking having said such thing, especially in front of her parents and the elder Mr Drake. But it just slipped from her mouth.

  The young Drake smiled, it was obvious that he rather enjoyed her sentiment. “ I would be happy to instruct you on the games of cards anytime you wish Miss Layles; indeed it would give me great pleasure.” He said.

  “I might take you up on that offer, sir.” She said.

  “Then pray tell me, would you take me up now on the offer of allowing me a dance?” He said putting his hand out and leaning his body forward in the most gracious bow wow, very playful.

  It made Hilda giggle slightly, and she took his hand. “I believe I can honour that request, sir.”

  She glanced quickly at her mother and father; her mother especially had the biggest grin on her face that was almost ridiculous, and Hilda had to restrain herself from bursting into laughter. Perhaps she would have a very enjoyable evening after all. But as Mr Drake escorted her from the group toward the music room, she caught sight of something that made her heart fall.

  Ross stood there, tall and arrogant. He stared directly at her and his jaw was locked as though he was grinding his teeth together. Indeed he looked angry, and Hilda was shocked.

  Then she saw that Miss Woodley was at his side, with her arm looped into Ross's arm, as she greeted Sir Hubert. They stood at the entrance, only having just arrived. Hilda quickly pulled her gaze from Ross, and turned to look forward toward the music room.

  “Are you unwell, Miss Layles? For I have never seen such a turn from a smile to a pale look of nervousness? I hope I did not displease you by taking your hand so quickly?” Mr Drake asked.

  “Oh no sir, I beg you to forgive me. I only saw something that made me have such a reaction, but I am better now.”

  “The MP of Cornwall?” Drake said bluntly.

  Hilda gasped. “Sir, you are quite blunt.”

  “You may call it blunt, I call it being honest. What has the man done to you? I will make sure that he pays for it,” He said taking her into the music room complete. They stood beside the dancing couples, waiting for the song to finish so that they may start the new song together.

  “He has done nothing sir, though I am flattered by your intention to defend me against him, after only having known me but a few minutes. That is quite honourable of you,” She smiled. Suddenly she felt herself back in the conversation with this man as she locked onto his green eyes. His lips were pink and full and his jaw with square, he was quite attractive.

  “No need, I saw the way he directed a look at you, and I dare say a jealous look at me. Well, if he wishes to dance with you then he shall have to fight me for your attentions tonight. For I have never seen a woman as beautiful as you. I dare say that I cannot take my eyes off of you, as bold as it is to say it, being strangers.” he said.

  Hilda's eyes grew wide and her pulse quickened. For she had never been spoken to in such a manner, especially not by stranger. Who was this man? Could it be possible that he would be the distraction that she needed in order to keep herself from making a fool of herself by indulging in her affections for Ross, and allowing him to give her false hopes that he returned those affections, even though he was a man that was engaged to a very regal and noble woman? No, perhaps her mother was right in this aspect, and that she should take notice of the other men in attendance, especially since done so easily gave her attention and was very agreeable indeed.

  “Ah, that is our cue. Shall we?” Drake said as the song ended and the piano alerted a few notes that a new song would be played.

  “I would be honoured sir,” she said as he led her onto the marble floor, decorated in a square pattern that outlined a perfect area for dancing.

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  chapter

  3 8

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  The MP of Cornwal,l Ross Brookend, was quite beside himself as he just walked into the salon of Sir Hubert. With Mary Anne on his arm, and the fact that she knew that their engagement was a false one, he felt the liberty to look about the room to see if Hilda was indeed in attendance.

  That he was not prepared for the site that found him, Hilda on the arm of the infamous Mr Ian Drake. Hot blood boiled in his veins, and his jaw clenched together, grinding his teeth. His eyes focused on the pair, laughing and smiling together. Hilda looked to be flirting and enjoying herself, something that he had only seen her do with him. He did not like it one bit. For he had already grown some attachment to her, and was starting to consider her his, as unfair a notion as it was.

  But could she possibly know the type of man that Ian Drake was. For though he had not made his appearance in London society, he knew him very well from a few years back when he took a trip to Paris and went to stay in the south of France with some friends. There was when he came across sir Ian Drake. No he was not an acquaintance of his, but everyone in that small society of countryside in the south as France knew of the man. He was not a man to be respected. He had acquired significant and gambling debts in the rural village, as well as caused many women to lose their reputations, he ruined them and abandon them. Of course anyone at this society party would not have heard of him, for he was new to London, as was his father. Now, the scoundrel had set his eyes on Hilda, and Ross was not in a position to stop him.

  “Thank you for the invitation, sir, you do us great honour and we are very excited to join your party, I think the MP of Cornwall here is keen to play at the tables,” Mary Ann said.

  “As am I, sir. Though I dare say we should hold on to our guineas, for it seems that a mysterious Ian Drake is something of a very lucky man, and has already won a guinea,” Sir Hubert said.

  Mary Anne smiled and gave him a curtsy and Ross quickly nodded to Sir Hubert and then led Miss Woodley into the salon, nodding and greeting passers as they walked.

  “There is your friend Adam Crossbury, and I dare say he speaks with a very pretty young lady; should we say hello?” Miss Woodley said to Ross. He looked in the direction and saw that Ross was speaking with Gemma, and he was quite eager to find out what they knew about Hilda's friendship with Mr Drake.

  “Yes, straightaway,” He said, grabbing two glasses of sherry off a tray and handing one to Miss Woodley.

  They walked to Adam and Gemma.

  “Miss Layles, it is a pleasure to see you again ma'am, and you my friend Mr Crossbury,” Ross said.

  “And you, sir,” Gemma curtsied.

  “May I introduce Miss Woodley, this is a family relation, Miss Gemma Layles, and of course you know my friend Mr Crossbury.” Ross said.

  Miss Woodley and Gemma exchanged curtsies, and smiles.

  They were quick to engage in conversation, and before Ross knew it, he had stepped aside and engaged Adam in a quiet conversation, while the ladies talked about their gowns.

  “What do you know of Mr Ian Drake?” Ross asked.

  “I know nothing. I have only just heard of him tonight, for he seems to be quite the lucky man at the gaming tables.”

  Ross turned to see Ian escorting Hilda from the music room back to the salon.

  “But now I see your interest. Did our talk mean nothing? And now that Miss Woodley is even here at your side,”, Adam scolded his friend.

  “But in this case, it is important. This man has a reputation, something I came across when I was in France a few years before. He is an infamous man of gambling debt, and ruining the reputations of women. I see he has set his eyes on his next target,” Ross said.

  “Are you sure
if such a thing? For if you are wrong and you intervene, that will not look good, for you or Miss Woodley.”

  “I am, I would not get something of that calibre wrong.”

  “Still, perhaps you should let Hilda defend herself, and not interrupt her fun. Perhaps she does know of his reputation and does not care if solely for this one night to have some fun. I am sure that he will not be the only man here to pursue her attentions. Leave it be, I beg you and pay attention to your own fiancé. Now if you will excuse me I would like to return to the smiles of my partner.” Adam moved back to Gemma's side, enjoying the conversation with Miss Woodley. Ross took a step forward, with his eyes focused on Hilda as he took a drink of his sherry.

  Then Hilda turned and locked eyes with him. Her lips parted slightly, and he wondered if she knew the truth about Ian question or was there something else that she found shocking?

  “Darling, should we partake in some food? I think I'm famished,” Mary Ann said at his side. It pulled him out of his gaze toward Hilda.

  “Yes, as am I. Let us go,” He said escorting her across the room to a banquet table. They were stopped by people along the way, having casual conversation, taking them a while to get to the table. But when they finally arrived, they each picked up a small plate and placed delicacies upon it, and took to a small table and sat down, and ate along with a couple Mr and Mrs Jackson, an elder couple that had much to say about everyone's way of dress of the evening. Ross was glad for the diversion, because it gave him time to look at Hilda. Indeed, after Ian had escorted her back to her parents there was another suitor at her side, asking to allow him to escort her for a turn about the salon, which she accepted. She smiled at the young man and seemed to laugh a lot. Hearing her laugh float across the room only made Ross angry.

  At the table, Mary Anne leaned in. “You seem quite distracted this evening Ross? Are you going to tell me?”

  “I could, but I think that you would find it upsetting,” He said.

  “Nonsense, take my hand and take me out onto the veranda and tell me all. I insist.” She said putting her hand up. He stood up and took her hand, and together they excused themselves from the table to the elderly couple.

  Then Ross took her across the room, nodding in greetings to those around, and sneaking a glance at Hilda smiling and laughing with the young suitor. Once they were on the veranda, the smile fell from Mary Anne’s face.

  “Now tell me, for it is not just this evening, in the last few days you have been strange, something has happened and I demand to know. We tell each other everything, do we not? No secrets.”

  “Fine, it concerns a woman, one that I have taken a fancy to and did not expect to. And happened suddenly, and in truth I do not know how to react to it.” He said.

  “Ross, that is divine news, I am so happy for you. For I have never known you to actually put into words that you fancy a woman; she must be very special indeed.”

  “I believe that she is, but there are obstacles, and I cannot pursue her, as you know.”

  “Yes, because of our engagement, but do not worry for it is only temporary. Once we announce that our engagement is off, you are free to pursue this woman.”

  “That is easier said than done. For there is the possibility that she might be pursued by another that will get there before me. Even if she is available when our engagement is off, there is also the matter of my father, for she is not a woman from a family with a title or substantial wealth, so you see my predicament.” He said.

  “And this woman is here tonight? That is why you froze when we walked in, is it not?”

  “It is. You spoke with her sister, for Adam has taken a fancy to Miss Gemma Layles, and I to the sister Miss Hilda Layles. But I froze because I saw her on the arm of a scoundrel, one whose reputation is not known in this society.”

  “Dear me, now I see why you are in such a sour mood, that is a lot to take in. Then I shall tell you what, let us have a dance, to get it out of the way in order to keep tongues from wagging. Once we are done with our dance, you should proceed and do what you need to do. Go and speak with the girl, then check back with me and have another dance to make appearances. All that I ask is that you do not make a fool of me by declaring your intentions to this girl before our engagement has been announced to be off? Can you agree to that?”

  “I believe that I can. You are a very good friend, Mary Anne, I am very lucky to have you in my life.”

  “And I, and I am only returning the favour, for Jonathan and I will owe you so much. This is nothing in the form of a prepayment, only trying to figure out a way that you do not lose a woman you are interested in, because you are helping me. Now, no more secrets, for we can work through this thing together. It is not altogether that difficult, especially not for a marquis,” She smiled.

  Ross instantly felt better, for Mary Anne had a way of calming him, which was why they had been good friends for many years.

  “Now how about that dance?” she put her hand out.

  “It would be my honour,” he said.

  “Good, make a good show of it,” she said.

  “As you wish, my lady.”

  He took her hand, and they walked fairly far apart, making an entrance back into the salon. A few people turned and looked at a couple, for they were nobility after all. Ross smiled and nodded, as did she while they walked into the music room. A song was just to begin, perfect time for both, and he took her to the dance floor and they lined up for the next dance.

  Though Ross wanted to look about the room, to find Hilda, he knew that he needed to honour and respect his friend, and looked directly at Mary Anne, smiling for her only. He made a good show of it, as she had requested. They danced two dances, before he was escorting her back into the salon, and joined a large party gathered in conversation.

  “If you excuse me, I am to the gaming tables,” he said to her for all to hear.

  “Then I hope you shall win something for me,” she said playfully.

  Then he walked away, stopping to allow his glass to be refilled, but it was just a cover an order that he could scan the salon. Hilda was not in there, he looked into the music room, she was not there. Lastly he checked the gaming tables, she was not in there either. But he made note of something else, Ian was nowhere to be found as well.

  Panic began to take hold over him. Was it possible that Ian had already worked his magic on Hilda, and had her pinned against some corner while he violated her? His thoughts ran away with him and rage filled his heart. His breath quickened, as so did his steps. For where had to get scoundrel taken her? He stepped out onto the veranda, checking every dark corner and crevice that people could stand. But the couple were nowhere to be found.

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  chapter

  3 9

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  Then Ross moved his attention to some couples that were strolling in the garden. Torches were lit along gravel pathways, lighting the gardens, and he had remembered that he told Hilda about the wonderful gardens and that she should take a stroll in them, but he had meant with him, not with the scoundrel. So how could he know that he would be in attendance and set his sights on Hilda. He had a mind to tell Ian that Hilda was not a woman of substantial means and have a small dowry, in order to move in on to another woman.

  Ross walked down the steps off the veranda that led into the garden, there were fountains in the front, and a lawn, and beyond that were paths of flowers and arbours. Though this was a London home, these gardens were quite large and there were many places where a couple could steal kisses, or a scoundrel could ruin a woman's reputation.

  He walked swiftly down every path, searching. He was almost at a point to start calling out her name and making a scene, but he had promised Miss Woodley that he would not do just that.

  He turned a corner down an arbour, and there she was, Hilda smelling a rose on a vine. He was glad to see her, but quickly searched for Ian. He must be lurking, and excused himself for only a moment, possibly to prepare himself to vi
olate Hilda. Still, he wasted no time and walk directly up to her.

  “Miss Layles,” He said. The words did not come out with a friendly tone; his anger was present on every syllable.

  She gasped. “Mr Brookend. You frightened me.”

  “Did I? Why? Because you do not want anyone to see what you are doing?” He said.

  “What I'm doing? Smelling a rose? Has that become a crime amongst the town?” She said.

  “No, but stealing into the gardens for secret kisses with a scoundrel like Ian Drake is. Where is he?” Ross looked around, expecting Ian to appear around the shrubbery at any moment.

  “What? I do no such thing. All I do is...”

  “What? Steel to the gardens alone to have one of your conversations with yourself? I think not. Ian, show yourself,” Ross said loudly. A couple walking down a nearby path turn to look, with words of shock on their lips as they continued walking.

  Hilda flushed. “You are embarrassing me as well as embarrassing yourself, sir. I am here with no one. I was only heading your advice to take a turn about the gardens here, you boasted of them greatly. I stole away alone to do so, but now you have ruined that for me.”

  “I wish to believe you Miss Layles, but that is a hard notion after I have seen you on the arm of Mr Ian Drake all night. You smiled and flirted with him, inviting him. Have you no shame?” Ross said with his jaw clenched. He knew he had gone too far in his words, but he could not stop himself. He was feeling so angry, very angry that Hilda would be in the arms of someone else. He had no control.

  “How dare you say such a thing? You have lost your manners, sir. Now, if you will excuse me I do not wish to subject myself any longer to your offences,” She said, stomping passed him.

  But Ross could not stop there, he wrapped his hand around her wrist and stopped her.

  “Hilda, you do not know that man. I do. He is a scoundrel, if you only knew the things that he has done in his past then you would...”

  “What? What would I do, Ross? Stop my flirtations with him? They are just harmless flirtations, and why do you feel that you have a right to step in the way? You are nothing to me, nothing but an acquaintance. You do not have the right to stop any suitors that may be in my path; that is for me to decide. You have no right to do such a thing as step in a courtship from anyone, you forget that you yourself are engaged, sir. The only scoundrel that I see in my path, is you. Good evening.” She said pulling her arm from him and stomping away.