He felt quite at home this year at the banquet, conversing with the Roma, all the Quartermasters and their families, and the entire Talbot household with ease. He was accepted into this community as readily as he ever was, and much more so than in the society of his uncle.
As was his habit, he positioned himself carefully so as to have the first dance with Dahlia as well as the last. His vigilance turned out to be necessary, for Edward Standford appeared to have designs on the first dance with Dahlia as well. Unbeknownst to either Dahlia or James, his father had insisted that he interject himself between them for the first dance. The attempt was not successful, however, due to a lackadaisical execution. Edward’s timing was such that he arrived at Dahlia’s side as James was taking her hand to lead her to the dance area. He was forced to request the second dance of her, which she accepted, not knowing how to respond otherwise.
When the second dance began, Edward engaged Dahlia in the first real conversation she could recall in their entire acquaintance. “You are very fond of Mr. Kent.” It was a statement, not a question, and she merely confirmed it with a word.
“Yes.”
“And your father approves of this attachment?”
Dahlia was caught quite off guard as she had not even had such a direct exchange with Lady Sweet with whom her intimacy was unequaled. To be asked so specific a question from Edward, who was more of a stranger than a friend, she was quite unprepared to answer. “I’ve not discussed it with my father yet,“ she stammered. “I am but fifteen. My fondness for Mr. Kent, or anyone at this point, hardly signifies…” She stopped, not knowing where to go with her answer.
Edward merely nodded his head. “But if he were to disapprove of your attentions to one another, it would sadden you at this point.”
Again, Dahlia answered honestly, and succinctly. “Yes.”
“Our parents are schooled to tell us we should have everything we want in life, but only when what we want is what they want for us.”
Dahlia had no comment to make. She intended to contradict Edward in defense of her father, but it would only serve to condemn his by comparison.
“It would make everyone happier if the aims of our contentment were in line with those of our parents.”
“Or should we say if theirs were in line with ours,” Dahlia countered, thinking Edward spoke of his own situation.
“Yes,” he said, looking at her as if he had, at last, found someone who comprehended this.
Very few people at the banquet took notice of Dahlia’s current dance partner, but James did. Not willing or able to forget his harsh treatment of Dahlia when they first met at the Cirencester Ball, nor his ever lurking presence around her when he was at Talbot Hall, James kept an eye on the pair as he danced with Christina. He did not hear their conversation, but he noted that Edward was actually talking to her tonight. In the past, he only discerned disinterest on Edward’s part and forbearance on Dahlia’s when they danced.
William Standford noted the difference tonight as well, and the fact that his son had finally engaged the Talbot girl – who seemed for once to be genuinely interested in what he had to say – put him in a very triumphant mood.
When the dance ended, Edward bowed and actually smiled at Dahlia. She bowed in return but could only stare at him, not remembering the last time – if ever – she had seen him smile. She walked back to her family and friends somewhat bewildered.
“Everything alright?” came a whisper in her ear as James walked up behind her.
“I think so,” Dahlia answered, still pondering the exchange with Edward.
“I hope you don’t look so out of sorts after we dance.”
At this, Dahlia could only laugh. From what Matty and Lady Sweet had told her, she had a very different countenance after dancing with James. “You should know very well I don’t.”
Pleased with her answer, he did not seem interested in asking her anything further about Edward. For this she was grateful, as part of the conversation had involved her feelings for him.
Contrary to Dahlia’s thinking, James was very interested in what had transpired between the two, curious as he was about what Edward could have said to catch, and keep, Dahlia’s attention the whole of the dance. He would let her tell him on her own, though, rather than pry it out of her.
Although the revelry of the banquet continued long into the night, Edward did not approach Dahlia again. His aunt and father left mid-way through the evening after Alyce danced with one of the Smythe twins. William watched as the other twin headed in her direction for the next dance and intercepted her. Without a by-your-leave, he ushered her away from the brilliantly lit banquet area, calling something to his son who made to leave with them. Instead, he sat back down. Waiting until his father and aunt disappeared into the darkness, Edward finally got up and left – in the direction opposite his estate.
Given Dahlia’s habit of trying to ensure Alyce was included in the festivities, coupled with Edward’s strange conversation during their dance, she noted these movements. Trying to puzzle out the motives of any of the Standfords was difficult enough on a good day. On this day, when she was so filled with happiness and surrounded by the people she loved most, Dahlia chose not to even try.
-----
Josephine McElroy arrived at the Cirencester station the next day with all the fanfare that her music heralded in Dahlia’s mind. It was impossible not to smile when Dahlia saw her friend, and she half expected a troupe of trumpeters to follow her out of the railcar. James, Tom, Lady Sweet, and Dahlia’s father greeted Miss McElroy without the benefit of an accompanying symphony, but the joy she infused in their hearts with her genuine affection – not to mention her flamboyant salutations – was equally uplifting.
She nearly took the wind out of James in an effusive hug. “And look at you! Mon dieu! What a long year it has been without the pleasure of your company at my soirees! My reputation has suffered considerably in your absence as I have not been able to replace you with an equally amiable, intelligent young gentleman.”
“Mon cherie,” James replied, sounding quite the Parisian. “Your dinner parties always include more male than female guests. I would hazard to guess my absence has been lamented only by you.”
Josephine chortled, then stared at Peter gravely. “You see what I must endure at the hands of these young people - slights, jests, and insinuations. Never mind they are right!” She laughed at her own amusement.
Peter wasn’t sure whether to laugh with her or not. Accustomed as he was to the quiet elegance of Lady Sweet and the other ladies of the county, he couldn’t quite make out how to react to Miss McElroy’s flamboyance.
“Oh, yes. Quite right,” he agreed tentatively, and held out his arm to escort their guest to the open chaise. Sharon and Dahlia followed her in, taking seats opposite her. As Peter sat next to Josephine, she exclaimed, “What of the young men? Where are they to sit?”
Tom, who had liked Miss McElroy enormously on first meeting her at the Cirencester Park ball replied. “James and I will ride escort to your carriage, milady. Unless of course you’d prefer we exchange places? A little exercise might do you good after such a long train ride?”
Josephine gave a whooping laugh, which was just the reaction Tom hoped to prompt. “Good Lord, man! There’s not a horse big enough in all England to carry me!”
Peter chuckled despite himself, trying to cover his laughter with a cough. Used to her extravagant expressions, Dahlia and Sharon laughed openly. She heard James laughing too and smiled in his direction, receiving a wink in return. As he urged his horse on, Dahlia thought she saw Edward Standford on the opposite side of the street. He was walking hurriedly, with his head down. With a furtive glance in either direction, he stepped quickly into the milliner’s and was gone from sight. She began to question why he’d be going to that shop at all, but the lively conversation in the carriage drew her thoughts back to less mysterious topics.
Josephine was thanking Peter again for his hospi
tality and kind invitation to stay at Talbot Hall. “You know I normally stay at Cirencester Park, but Allen is abroad and didn’t care overmuch for an entertainer staying there unchaperoned. No doubt he feared I’d paint the manor pink!”
Josephine’s energy was limitless and she shared it with everyone on the Talbot estate. Glenda was made to come into the dining room from the kitchen so she could try and wheedle the recipe for asparagus soup out of her. Glenda herself came in to serve the main course and stayed to hear her review of the lamb with cherry sauce, which was conveyed, with her mouth full of the dish, in a series of humming noises. By the time the hazelnut soufflé was devoured, Josephine was full out trying to hire her away from the Talbots. Glenda beamed with pride at the compliments. Dahlia added that Miss McElroy’s personal chef was from Paris, at which point Peter finally had to interject.
“Enough!” he exclaimed with mock exasperation. “I shall have to increase her salary as it is now. I refuse to get into a bidding war with you, Miss McElroy, in order to keep her here.”
“Nonsense. I couldn’t possibly compete with a squire’s resources,” Josephine retorted. “As good as he is, Chef Michel was acquired after he was forced to leave Paris due to an unfortunate encounter with a lady. The unfortunate bit of that story being that the lady was the wife of the owner of the restaurant where he worked. I saw the immediate opportunity this would afford my household and took him away with me. I pay him but a paltry sum my income will allow. Truth be told, the scandal of the affair had ruined his opportunities in Paris. He ought to be paying me!”
Peter laughed. “Glenda would not leave in any event. She’s family. Isn’t that right, Glenda?”
“Quite right, sir. But it does my heart good to hear just how much our guest is enjoying the fare.”
“Shame on you for not voicing your appreciation more,” Josephine scolded Peter. She looked around at each of the men in the room. “Every gentleman should know just how much the ladies like to hear their accomplishments praised.”
“I hardly need to voice my compliments to Glenda,” stated Peter, standing up and patting his girth. “I wear them around my waist for all to see!”
Everyone laughed and followed Peter into the library. The evening was warm and the windows were all still open. A constellation of lights from the Roma encampment could be seen across the estate. As the company sat around the room, Peter asked their guest if she would delight them with a song. Josephine laughed, assuring him she would, but only after digesting such a sumptuous meal. She begged instead that Dahlia play for them for a bit. She obliged them at the grand piano with Halborne’s Elizabethan Dance Suite.
Little Rory danced in circles at Josephine’s feet as she talked to him excitedly. He finally jumped into her lap and curled up as she queried James about his year in Paris. As she did at all her famous dinner parties, she drew in every person in the room as they commented or interjected into the conversation. Her back to the group at the piano, Dahlia smiled. By the end of the evening, Miss McElroy would know as much about her brothers, father, and James’ exploits abroad as she knew having spent considerably more time with each of them. There were no secrets to be kept from Miss McElroy.
After three quarters of an hour, she learned that Tom and Michael each played instruments, though they assured her they did not play so well as their sister. She insisted at that point that they exhibit their talents while she and Dahlia sang together. The violin and the flute were tuned up and the brothers accompanied the two ladies.
James had started to feel remorse at not continuing his musical studies, as his mother had wanted, in the company of this family of accomplished musicians. This night, however, he rejoiced in his lack of talents in this area. It afforded him the opportunity to just sit back and enjoy the entertainment. The brothers were very good at their respective instruments, though James found it hard to concentrate on their expertise when Dahlia and Miss McElroy were singing. Both were exceptional in their own right. Both had a technical capability well above the norm, and an unwavering love of executing their abilities. Furthermore, both presented a very different vision of beauty, though James only looked on Miss McElroy to avoid staring at Dahlia during the entire performance. It was hard enough not to stare at her every time he saw her, and it became a physical chore to draw his gaze and focus on anything other than her.
Following the duet, Dahlia sat down at the piano and began to sing an Irish ballad that Matty had taught her. It was slow and melancholy, but beautifully haunting. Peter’s eyes closed soon after she began. Michael and Tom were playing chess, and Matty and Miss McElroy took up needlework while the music floated through the room. James was therefore at liberty to imprint the image of Dahlia on his mind. The Roma fair was two days away, and then he would be for London. He would not see Dahlia until the Christmas holidays – should she come to town. He was expected back at his studies, and he had no business that would bring him back to Cirencester before then. Last year, he left for France knowing he would not see Dahlia for a year. Then, he left an adolescent, and knew the year would exert its inevitable toll to bring her into womanhood. A young woman she may be, but a woman she now was. The metamorphosis was nearly complete.
James watched the candlelight illuminate Dahlia’s face and cast a golden warmth on her auburn hair. As he had noted the first time he saw her sing, she was feeling the emotion of the melody and the story it told. Her eyes were closed as if she were the maiden betrayed by a wood elf and felt the loss of her heart’s desire. James smiled inwardly. God help the wood elf if he crossed this maiden. She would no doubt pinch his pointed ears until he cried uncle. No, he thought, this was not a woman with which to trifle. Nor did he intend to. The song came to a close and Dahlia opened her eyes. The pale green spheres were directed at him, and he saw truthfulness and openness. She had always been truthful with him, and open and direct with everyone with whom she interacted. He resolved then to always respond to her in kind. This in and of itself was a departure from his usual conduct with most women, but he satisfied himself that such behavior was a response to their innate or learned expectations. From his observation of Dahlia, she had only expectations of forthrightness. While he would continue to work to meet the young lady’s expectations, in the case of Dahlia, that would mean exhibiting behavior and reactions quite contradictory to his norm.
Chapter 43
In the following days, James had little time to contemplate the pending seven month interval during which they would likely not see each other. Tom, Dahlia and James would ride together in the morning, but then the day’s activities would separate them until dinner time. Dahlia and Miss McElroy visited Lady Sweet and spent time closeted away in the library turned conservatory going over music. He thought he heard snippets of the music he had sent Dahlia from Paris, but her brothers or father had their own activities in which they wished him to participate. Both Dahlia and James visited the Roma camp as well, but it seemed that they were always crossing one another with destinations in opposite directions.
The day of the Roma fair dawned with a brilliant blue sky. Talbot Hall was bustling with activity earlier than usual so that the day’s obligations would be completed early in order to attend the market and evening festivities. It was an altogether happy household in general, but today the Hall was infused with added excitement and expectation. Little Rory danced around and gave little barks of joy as his mistress bustled about the house. He took full advantage of the fact that everyone was so busy that no one seemed to notice when he last had a morsel and plied the ladies with gentle begging every time he went into the kitchen. More than a couple of times his earnest demeanor and whines were rewarded with a treat of some little delight and a quick rub of his ears. Soon he had been plied with enough to equal a meal and lethargy set in as the sun hit its apex and he retreated to the quiet of the corner in which Isolde lay, only to awaken when the large wolfhound got up to accompany the family to the fairgrounds.
The fair had grown substantia
lly over the years. When the Roma first camped on the Talbot estate, fear and mistrust had kept most folks away. Based on the gentle prodding by Squire Talbot and the positive accounts from select farmers and the other Quartermasters, the visitors to the fair expanded. Empirical evidence soon overcame the doubts formed by rumors and today, with more than a decade of experience, the fair was a thriving annual exchange of goods and services. Merchants from Cirencester and surrounding towns came to set up booths to capitalize on the traffic of buyers and traders.
Dahlia, Lady Sweet, Miss McElroy and Matty formed a contented group perusing the fabrics, hats, and jewelry. Josephine’s vocabulary proved to have no limits to the exclamations and explicatives for the wild assortment of merchandise from both the Roma and county folk. The Roma in particular seemed to welcome her enthusiasm and extroverted personality. As a matriarchic society, the Roma appreciated her strength and vitality, which they found lacking in the staid and polite demeanor of most British women. Their appreciation was noted by Lady Sweet and Dahlia in the favorable prices quoted to their friend. The barter system included a sliding scale of pricing that was adjusted based on the seller’s estimation of the buyer. Miss McElroy’s clothes, jewelry, and effusive delight with every item would normally increase the initial quote. She was, however, given quite reasonable prices, owing to more than her acquaintance with the daughter of the fair’s sponsor. The greater surprise, however, was the manner in which Miss McElroy bartered them down considerably. She did quite well in obtaining a number of items for nearly half of the initial price with both parties equally happy with the transaction.
“And you thought Glenda drove a hard bargain!” said Lady Sweet.
Hearing her comment, Miss McElroy arched a brow. “I am Scottish, you know.”
Dahlia's Music Page 29