Tempted by Curiosity

by Angeleke Kaldis

  It was curious, very curious.

  Marcella stretched out her arms as far as she could, and then she yawned widely without a care in the world if it was unladylike. She squeezed her eyes shut and then blinked them open.

  Today was a new day, and something wondrous was going to happen today. She could feel it in her bones. With that thought in mind, Marcella got out of bed and slowly walked over to the basin bowl in the corner of the room.

  The water was lukewarm, but it did the trick to awaken her senses as she washed her face clean with it. Anne had left a bar of lemongrass soap next to the bowl, and the sweet smell of home was resonant around her. That bright lemony smell with an undertone of Hertfordshire woods was her haven.

  It was her home.

  Who would’ve thought that a scent alone could make someone feel so relaxed and at ease? Marcella took the towel that was hanging from the side of the bowl and patted her face down with it. She then went over to the vanity table to brush out her knotty hair.

  One brushstroke alone made her cringe, “Blasted hair, one day you will cooperate with me. One day!”

  Marcella stood up from the vanity bench with frustration and walked towards her new wardrobe instead of dealing with her hair.

  Thankfully, Anne had just come from the kitchens to help Marcella don a pretty changeable silk in a purple-blue color with a glorious brocade of copper, blue, and white. The bodice was dropped slightly lower in order to accommodate the current fashion in London. Not too much, but proper enough.

  This was one of Marcella’s favorite dresses. She rarely had the chance to wear it at home, so today would be the perfect instance in which she could actually wear the darling garment.

  After all, today would be her first day out and about in London, and it was also her first steps into London’s imposing society.

  She wanted to look her best, because she had to look her best. She would most likely meet someone, or a couple of somebodies, today who would talk about her arrival to town, and if she wasn’t up to snuff for them then they would label her unapproachable.

  She had to look like her authentic-self.

  Marcella’s hair had been pulled back loosely, with half of it pulled up into a braided crown. She then walked over to look at the selection of accessories that she had brought with her from Hertford.

  She decided on her grey silk gloves, and her favorite reddish brown laced up walking boots. Marcella traced her finger over the various pasque flowers on the tapestry purse as a tear fell onto her left cheek.

  Pasque flowers were the county flowers of Hertfordshire. They were yet another reminder of her home, and Marcella knew that taking this purse along with her out today would bring her some comfort.

  Marcella placed the purse next to her dutiful grey knit shawl, and then pulled out her small jewelry box. She skimmed the box quickly, then happily decided on her citrine and pearl necklace with a pair of matching pearl earrings. The set went well with the copper and white colors in her brocade dress.

  Marcella felt that she looked like a sophisticated country girl, but she also wanted to be seen as a lady of the ton, and a true contender on the marriage mart, but most importantly her family’s savior.

  This whole look would help Marcella achieve just that. Anne helped Marcella with some last minute details and then stepped back to see the whole look.

  Anne clapped her hands together with glee as she said, “My work here is done! It’s time to go downstairs dearie.”

  With that said, Anne left the bedroom to attend her duties. Marcella followed suit and made her way down the stairs to attend breakfast. She was suddenly famished, and she was ready to eat something, anything really. Even kippers seemed like a delicious treat at this point.

  The door to the breakfast room was wide open, and Marcella could already smell the food. As she entered the large room she was greeted by a beautiful display of sweet and savory breakfast pastries all lined up next to a large platter of eggs three ways, smoked kippers, as well as a glazed ham, and a large pile of honeyed bacon strips.

  Marcella was so hypnotized by the food around her that she almost didn’t notice that there was a conversation going on at the table. She paused at first to see if she was interrupting anyone, but she realized that she wasn’t so she went straight over to the sideboard, picked up a plate, and loaded as much food as she could possibly eat onto it.

  Marcella rarely had such a large appetite in Hertfordshire, but there was something about being in London that made her super hungry. For the first time in her life, she felt as if she could actually indulge herself without worrying about if there would be enough food left for the others. That was a nice feeling.

  With her plate full to the brim, Marcella turned around to face the table head on. She was assessing where she should sit. She saw that Lady Pinkerton was at the head of the table, with Lady Rachel to her left.

  Marcella looked to the other side of the table and saw Louisa happily gesturing for her to come and sit by her. So she did.

  “Good Morning Marcella, I hope you slept well last night.” Louisa looked a bit tired as well, but she had a smile plastered on her once weary-looking face.

  That smile alone made Marcella feel a thousand times better. She wanted her new friend to smile more, because Marcella believed that Louisa had much to smile for.

  Marcella then set her heavy plate down upon the cloth place setting that was right next to Louisa’s on the table.

  She then answered Louisa with a pert nod, “Well enough, but I’m quite hungry this morning.”

  Louisa simply nodded in response and continued to eat her breakfast, which consisted mostly of breads, jams, and fruits.

  Marcella quirked an eyebrow at her friend’s plate because she hadn’t seen any fruit out on the sideboard. If she had seen some she would’ve placed some of that delicious looking pineapple on her plate.

  It looked mouthwatering good. Marcella sat down promptly and began to pick at her own plate, even though she desperately wanted to ask about the fruits.

  Yet, she took this moment instead to curiously examine the room in the daylight.

  She noticed that the furniture around her was all made of a dark chestnut wood. There were a few tapestries that were hung up high on the walls above them, and Marcella also noticed that there was a large painting that featured a hunting party in a forest chasing a fox right above the sideboard.

  It was an imposing piece of art that stood out amongst the rest in the room. Just as Marcella was about to ask Louisa about it Lady Pinkerton stood up from her chair and made an announcement to the table.

  “Ladies, we’ll be leaving soon for some last minute shopping errands. We need to be prepared for the Stanton’s Ball in a few days time. We have some last minute fittings for your new gowns. So, please do finish up your food and then go grab your wraps, or whatever else you might need with you. It may be a bit nippy out, and no one wants to catch a chill.”

  The girls ate up what they could, and then went to gather their belongings for their day out. Marcella grabbed her purse and her grey knit shawl. She put her shawl on, and took her pasque flower purse in hand. She then rushed down the stairs and out the front door to join the Pinkerton ladies who were already stepping onto the sidewalk in front of their home.

  Lady Pinkerton smiled up at her, “It’s going to be quite a busy morning my dear, your mother gave me your measurements last week and I took the opportunity to send them to our seamstress, Ms. Janice. She also happens to be our favorite dressmaker as well. We have an appointment at noon with her so that you can try on her designs, and see what you like best. She’s never seen a redheaded woman before, at least not a natural one. So do not be frightened by her attentiveness towards you, she’s an extremely extroverted woman. You’ll see what I mean when you meet her.”

  Marcella thanked her humble hostess for the kind warning, then Rachel took Lady Pinkerton’s arm to whisper something to her as they began their walk to Ms. Janice’s.
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br />   Louisa came over to Marcella’s side and leaned in to whisper, “I’m not sure if you noticed or not, but neither father nor Zachary came down to breakfast this morning.”

  “Is everything alright?”

  Louisa shrugged inconspicuously, “Father caught Zachary trying to sneak out last night. Apparently, he was on his way to meet some of his old friends at a gentlemen’s pleasure-hold. A place that is known for many ungentlemanly activities, if you catch my meaning.”

  Marcella tried to conceal her grin, “Of course I do, where is the young buck now?”

  Louisa shrugged again with a nonchalant grin, “Rachel thinks that he may have found another way to go meet his friends. I’m quite positive that father let him go out anyways.”

  Marcella puckered her brow, “I wonder why Zachary was so desperate to sneak out. He must be hiding something, or someone.”

  “You’re quite right, I assume he’s been gambling at this new establishment that just opened up. Only wealthy gentlemen are allowed in, regardless of rank too. If you have money and it’s known, you’re allowed access. Please don’t tell my parents that I know of such things.”

  Marcella could tell that Louisa was serious, “I promise to not say a word.”

  “Thank you Marcella.” Louisa sighed.

  “You’re welcome Louisa.”

  The rest of their walk was quiet, which was nice because it gave Marcella a chance to take in the city around her as she walked on by it. It wasn’t what she’d expected, it was so much more. She’d noticed how busy the city had become in such a short amount of time, and in that moment of joie de vivre Marcella realized that she was most definitely not in Hertfordshire anymore.

  Chapter 6

  As Marcella and the Pinkerton ladies arrived on the street right across from Ms. Janice’s studio, a rough rain began to pour hard upon them. It had looked to be a clear and sunny day that morning, and there had been no inclination that rain would fall, but lo and behold here it was.

  There hadn’t even been a single cloud in the sky when they’d left the house. If there’d been even a hint of a cloud in the sky when they left the house then at least one of them would’ve brought a parasol as a precaution.

  Yet, there hadn’t been and no one had.

  Lady Pinkerton shepherded them under hanging shop signs until they could find a safe way to cross the street as one whole unit. Marcella learned that the London weather was uncontrollable the hard way.

  Not even the Queen of England could control the weather. Anyone who’d ever lived in London could tell you that it was important to be prepared for every sort of weather pattern known to man. London was unpredictable, and that just made Marcella love it even more. The city had proven to be the opposite of boring, and she was thriving on its curious nature.

  In a few quick strides, Lady Pinkerton ushered them one by one into the studio. A bell on the door sounded as they entered the establishment one by one. They found themselves standing behind a short line of women accompanied by their maids.

  Marcella looked around the room and took it all in. The studio was uniquely furnished. There were several fabrics draped on a large rack in the corner by the window. It was the perfect window attraction to enrapture any and all customers.

  There was a beautiful chandelier hanging in the center of the room right above them. It glimmered and gleamed like a piece of broken glass in the sun that reflected thousands of different lights and colors around it.

  To Marcella’s amazement, the ceilings of this studio were quite high. No one would have assumed such a small place from the outside would be so large on the inside. It was a juxtaposing anomaly.

  The store was fashioned in very dark cedar wood panels, a good choice for a business that had to do with clothing.

  The couches around the room were all covered in a deep purple fabric with a distinct paisley pattern, and the chairs in each corner of the room were this bright crimson red fabric with a striped pattern.

  A dazzling mannequin stood in the corner of the room, and on it was one of the most gorgeous and unique looking dresses that Marcella had ever seen before.

  It was a breathtaking dress made of a classic British burgundy silk brocade, with a pair of Chinese dueling dragons encircling the bottom skirt in a golden thread.

  The top part of the dress was made with a deep red velvet fabric. The collar, the cuffs, and the trim of the dress were all designed with a garnet Dutch lace. There were gold buttons on the cuffs, and the belt at the waist was a combined twisted gold and red cord fabric.

  This dress was a work of art, a true masterpiece. Any person who could create such a design for a dress could surely design a proper dress or gown for her to wow the ton in.

  Lady Pinkerton moved ahead of her daughters and made her way over to the main counter to seek out Ms. Janice for their appointment.

  Marcella stayed put towards the back of the studio, she then turned around slowly to admire the rest of the studio in peace, but before she could actually do that she felt as if she was being watched.

  She marginally turned to her left and saw that a young woman was looking right at her. She had dark blonde hair, almost golden in the chandelier’s candlelight.

  The lady in question was wearing a hunter green walking dress. Her jacket and skirt combo were detailed with Venetian point lace, and her hair was pulled back into a side chignon that was held together by an enormously large emerald hairpin. This lady was the epitome, as well as the definition, of the words rich, elegant, and beautiful.

  Marcella lowly whispered to Louisa, “Who is that lady over there? The one who seems to be staring right at us.”

  Louisa looked up from her wrangled hands to look in the direction that Marcella had been looking in and gasped with delight as she saw whom her friend had been referring to.

  Rachel looked as well, and then smiled greatly. Before Marcella knew it, Rachel had left them at the back of the studio and walked on right over to the mysterious lady. Mere seconds later the two women had started up a lively conversation.

  Louisa whispered back to Marcella, “That would be the Lady Emilia Hamill that we were talking about last night at the chess table.”

  So this was the infamous Lady Emilia Hamill that everyone talked about. Marcella saw Rachel motioning for them to join her. When they hesitated to move from the back of the studio, Rachel decided to bring Lady Emilia over to them instead.

  “Louisa, Marcella. This is Lady Emilia Hamill. She is also acquiring her gown from Ms. Janice for the Stanton’s Ball. What an exciting coincidence.”

  The ladies all curtsied to one another, and then Emilia looked them both up and down. Marcella could tell that Lady Emilia was assessing her and Louisa. Judging by the direct look in her kohl-lined eyes, they had passed some sort of unknown test.

  Lady Emilia then spoke with a velvety voice, “It’s such a pleasure to meet two of the finest young ladies participating in this years season. I must say that I’ve heard quite a lot about you in particular Lady Marcella. You’re quite the mystery to the ton here in London, and that hair of yours. Goodness, it’s striking!”

  Marcella was utterly surprised to hear that as she asked, “My hair?”

  “Well of course! Red hair is all the rage this season, and you my dear happen to have a mane of it. All the gentlemen will have their eyes on you.”

  Marcella struggled for a moment to find the right words to say aloud, and that never happened. Thankfully, she found a few.

  “Well, I must say thank you Lady Emilia. I truly appreciate your kind words. It’s an honor to make your acquaintance. I’ve also heard quite a lot about you as well, all good things I assure you.”

  Lady Emilia grinned, and then replied quickly, “Like what? If I may ask.”

  Marcella gaped at her, so Louisa smiled and gladly saved Marcella from any sort of embarrassment that could’ve ensued, “It’s a well known fact that you happen to be a great chess player. That you stay true to your beliefs, and that you
do not let the men of this world belittle you based on your sex.”

  Emilia looked at Louisa with a gentle kindness in her eyes, “Now that Lady Louisa is proper flattery, and I can say that I am truly shocked by your benevolent words. I wouldn’t say that I’m the best chess player in all of England. I’d like to think that when it comes to my hobbies, I’m a much better cards and billiards player. As for the latter part of your statement, I’ve decided that if I’m going to be happy in this life I might as well do what I want. No regrets, just lessons learned. Men have so much to say, and seldom get called out for their nonsense.”

  “Wise words indeed.” Rachel nodded.

  Lady Emilia continued, “Thank you. Time and experience truly bring about the wisdom in all of us. I’ll let you ladies know that the only reason I’ve even chosen to partake in another season is because I intend to stir up some well-needed trouble.”

  Lady Rachel looked a bit cautious as she said, “Good trouble, I hope.”

  Lady Emilia gave her a playful side eye as she continued on, “Of course, all trouble is good trouble Lady Rachel. I learned that the hard way.”

  Marcella loved everything about this. She was immensely curious now, and a thought imprinted itself in her mind. They could really use someone like Lady Emilia in their group of friends this season. They could all learn so much from her, if she was willing to befriend them.

  Lady Emilia turned straight towards Louisa and said, “Lady Louisa, I don’t think you know this, but I too have also heard a lot about you. From the late Lord Davenport to be quite frank. May his good soul rest in peace. I believe he said that you were an expert huntress, and that you had a way with a bow and arrow. I love archery myself, we must try out our aim one day soon, maybe a country retreat before the Christmas holiday. What do you say?”

  Marcella could see that Louisa was overwhelmed and delighted to hear that the Lady Emilia Hamill had known about her, and actually wanted to spend time with her. The archery invitation alone was mind-blowing, but the chance to be invited to a country retreat by a Duke’s daughter was an absolute honor.