Tempted by Curiosity

by Angeleke Kaldis

  All of the Stansfield’s were sad to see them go, but they knew that happier times were coming for all of them very soon.

  The trip away from Hertfordshire was nicer this time around, and Marcella knew that the reasoning behind that was because she was in high spirits. Her family was safer now than they could have ever hoped to be.

  Both emotionally, and financially.

  Marcella cozied up to her fiancé, and she let him rest his head atop of hers. She was beaming with love, and so was he. They were safe from harm, so they dozed off.

  They reached Pinkerton house late in the afternoon. As they descended their carriage they turned around to wave goodbye to Officer Paul, the young man waved back at them as his carriage drove on down the road.

  Alexander and Marcella walked hand in hand up the steps of the Pinkerton town home.

  “Are you ready?” Alexander asked her.

  Marcella nodded, “Yes, more than ever.”

  They turned to the door and knocked on the door together, the footman answered it with a wide smile on his face as he said, “Good afternoon Lord Westbrook, and welcome home Lady Marcella. The Pinkerton’s are in the study awaiting your arrival. This way please.”

  As Alexander and Marcella entered the study they were surprised to see a bashful Lord Robert Dover sitting with the whole Pinkerton family. They were all laughing boisterously, and there was a festive spirit in the air.

  Zachary saw them enter first and announced, “Welcome back you two! We’ve got some good news!”

  Rachel rushed forward and hugged Marcella with an iron grip. Marcella was completely caught off guard by the hug.

  “My goodness, what has happened to the Pinkerton’s?” Marcella jokingly asked the room, but she curiously wanted to know.

  Rachel pulled back from the hug to show Marcella her left hand, which was sporting a very large oval amethyst engagement ring with a diamond halo around it on her left ring finger.

  With a toothy smile Rachel announced, “Lord Dover proposed to me this morning in the study, and I said yes!”

  Rachel jumped for joy and Marcella congratulated her as Robert then walked over to shake hands with Alexander, who was offered his own congratulations to the happy couple as well. They were all ecstatic.

  Marcella noticed that everyone in the room was bearing bright smiles on their animated faces, except for Louisa. Her smile was slight, but visible enough to show her support for her sister and Robert’s nuptials.

  Yet, there was something going on here, and Marcella knew that she would have to ask her friend all about it later tonight when they were alone. Rachel kept on showing Marcella her ring, and it truly was amazing.

  It was a unique lavender stone from the Dover’s mines in Scotland. The diamonds were shining as bright as Rachel’s smile.

  Lord Pinkerton invited everyone over to the liquor cabinet to have a glass of brandy to celebrate his daughter’s future wedding to Lord Dover. The Pinkerton’s were eager to finally have something happy to celebrate after the death of Rachel’s first fiancé.

  With brandy in hand, they raised their glasses high, and drank to the future.

  Alexander spoke with Robert and the Pinkerton gentleman by the bookcase, while Marcella chatted with the Pinkerton ladies by the settee in the middle of the room.

  Marcella became so distracted by the seductive glance that Alexander was sending her way from across the room, that she couldn’t recall what the conversation around her was about, so she simply nodded.

  That nodding in turn made Rachel clap excitedly, but made Lady Pinkerton gasp aloud, “Marcella, you agree?”

  Marcella didn’t know what to do, so she looked to Louisa for some help. Louisa had an inkling that Marcella hadn’t been paying any attention to the conversation being had.

  “Mother, I think that Marcella finds the idea of a wedding a week or so before Christmas as a novelty rather than a faux pas. Which is a good thing.”

  Marcella sighed, “Yes, a wedding before Christmas would truly set the tone for a joyous holiday season for both your families. It would be a gift to all of us.”

  Lady Pinkerton snorted, “Fine, but you must speak with Lady Dover about this before finalizing any plans Rachel. She needs to have full notice if we’re all going to be staying at the Dover’s Estate in Winchester for the wedding, as well as for the Christmas holiday.”

  The wedding was going to be in Winchester? How lovely, Marcella had always wanted to go there. She had heard from Charlotte that the countryside in Winchester was lovely, especially around the Christmas season.

  More wedding plans were spoken of as the time passed, and it was getting rather late. The majority of the Pinkerton’s had become quite tipsy.

  Tomorrow the ladies were all invited to a tea gathering at Lady Westbrook’s house, and there was no denying that they all had to look their very best. This was an exalted invitation of much importance, and of great status for all those whom were invited.

  Supper was served, and after that Lord Pinkerton offered a scotch in the study to Alexander and Robert before they left.

  Marcella was back in her guest room on the second floor, and once she was settled back in she decided to make her way down the hall to Louisa’s new room.

  As Marcella arrived outside her best friend’s bedroom door, she could hear a slight whimpering. Marcella was hesitant, but she knocked on the door anyways.

  Louisa answered the door with tears in her eyes as she said, “Come in Marcella.”

  Marcella walked in and let Louisa close the door behind her, before she asked “What is it? What’s wrong Louisa?”

  Louisa made her way back to her wing back chair by the fire. She shrugged with indifference at Marcella’s question and then took a gulp of whisky. Marcella had no clue what to say, the sight before her was rather baffling.

  Thankfully Louisa chose to speak first, but in a very sarcastic tone, “Everything’s wrong Marcella. Nothing ever seems to go right for me. Ever.”

  Marcella worriedly asked, “What do you mean exactly? Your whole family looks quite happy, and in good spirits.”

  Louisa nodded, “That’s just how they are, don’t you see? They’re always so lucky in everything they do. Zachary makes a complete fool of himself, then pulls off some sort of miracle by cleaning up his act. Which I might add results in him becoming my father’s favorite. Rachel’s fiancé dies, but then Robert finally makes a move, and now she’s all butterflies and rainbows again. Once again, Rachel is engaged to be happily married, and then there’s me.”

  Marcella walked over to kneel before her friend as she gently asked, “And you?”

  Louisa looked into the fire and said, “For starters you should know that Lord Bradley completely ignored me this week in the park. He looked right at me Marcella, and then looked the other way. He snubbed me, gave me the cut direct. It’s not like I’m some sort of monster! Why does my life always seem to be in ruins when everyone else around me is thriving? It’s almost as if there’s an invisible force out there that hates me and want me to be unhappy.”

  There was another silence for a moment, but then Louisa looked towards Marcella with tears in her eyes and asked, “When is it going to be my turn? Where’s my happily ever after? When am I finally going to be the favorite?”

  Marcella reached out to hold Louisa’s hands tight in her own as she said to her, “Lady Louisa Pinkerton, you are a smart, and beautiful young woman. You deserve a life full of happiness, and it will come to you when the timing is right. Lord Christopher Luke Bradley is a complete fool if he can’t see the extraordinary woman that you are. Alright?”

  Louisa concurred, “Alright. I know I’m smart Marcella, because I’m the only one in this house who noticed that you too happen to be wearing an engagement ring.”

  Marcella looked down at herring and smiled, “Well, because you are the brightest person that I know, and the rest of your family was rather in their cups. How are you not tipsy?”

  Louisa wip
ed her rogue tears away as she said, “Simple. I didn’t drink any of that brandy downstairs, I poured it into a pot behind the settee. Those poor flowers.”

  Marcella stood up, pulling Louisa out of her chair and into a loving hug. Louisa had become another sister to Marcella, and Marcella dearly hoped that their friendship would last forever.

  Pulling away slowly, Marcella then said to Louisa, “No more crying tonight okay, you have to tell me everything that I’ve missed since you sent me your letter.”

  Louisa huffed, “It’s nice to see that you haven’t change a bit. Oh fine, you’ll have to sit down for this though.”

  Marcella did just as her friend suggested and made sure that her mind was clear. She was so tempted, and beyond curious to know what was about to be said.

  Louisa sat down and took a deep breath, “Are you ready for this? After Alexander came by here that fateful morning, Rachel called on the Dover’s for tea. The twins showed up that afternoon. Most likely to check on Rachel, and maybe me, but I doubt the latter. Anyways, Robert disappeared with Rachel for a while and I got stuck entertaining Andrew. Apparently, after he rings in the New Year at the Hamill’s Gala in Oxford, he plans to leave England for a while. No clue as to why, but I am sure you’ll weasel that out of him eventually. I’m assuming he’ll head north towards Scotland. I must say that he didn’t seem like himself.”

  Louisa stopped for a moment and asked Marcella, “Are you still with me?”

  Marcella nodded and Louisa continued, “Good. So then the day after that the Butler’s Ball was canceled because Lord and Lady Butler welcomed another child to their family. I believe it may be their ninth, but I’m not certain. The babe came earlier then expected, but there is nothing dubious about the situation because both Lord and Lady Butler are obsessed with one another.”

  “Why would anyone assume otherwise?” Marcella asked.

  “Marcella, you’ve yet to be introduced to the harshest tongues that lash about London town. In a way, that makes you one of the lucky ones.” Louisa honestly, and rightfully, stated the truth about the world they lived in.

  Marcella enquired, “Is that all?”

  “Not yet. The day after that, Emilia came by and heard about your situation from me. She then mentioned that she had a huge fight with Vincent the night before and that she just needed some time to cool off. As you know, they’ve been living in very close quarters. She didn’t seem as extroverted as she usually is, she reminded me of…”

  Marcella interrupted her, “You? She reminded you of you. Am I right?”

  Louisa nodded, “Yes, I never thought that of all the people out there in the ton that I would have anything in common with the Lady Emilia Hamill. I’m quite flabbergasted to be quite frank with you, and you know what else I found odd.”

  Marcella shook her head, “What?”

  Louisa smirked, “She wasn’t wearing the color green. Not even the slightest hint of the color.”

  Marcella jokingly gasped, “What was she wearing?”

  Louisa said, “Pink, with a few strands of purple silk here and there. She had also forgotten to wear her bonnet. Her hair was down, and she looked very pale. I think she might be catching a cold or something.”

  Now that was indeed odd.

  Everyone was going through something in their lives, and yet they all pushed away their true emotions, as well as their personal problems, aside in order to portray a façade that would be approved by the London ton.

  That was the world that they lived in, and these were in fact the days of their lives.

  Louisa and Marcella chitchatted for a while longer, but then they said their goodnights and Marcella went right to bed.

  The next morning, all the ladies were readying themselves for Lady Westbrook’s Annual Tea Gathering. Marcella’s maid Anne had gone back to Hertfordshire to help the her family because they’d needed her assistance more than Marcella did in town.

  Today Marcella would be washing herself, doing her own hair, and even dressing herself. She liked the idea of being independent when it came to taking care of her own body.

  Everyone should know how to take care of themselves, regardless of their station in life. Just because you had the means to acquire someone to wash you while you were in the bath, did not mean that it was a necessity in life.

  After a quick washing, Marcella decided to keep a good portion of her hair down, she pulled half of it back and braid it nicely into a floral design that her own mother had taught her when she was a young girl.

  She then noticed that she had a small hat that she could wear to keep her hair out of her face, and still remain classy enough for a first meeting with her future mother-in-law.

  Marcella forcefully pinned a little hat, with a ruffled ribbon and feather on it, down on her head. It matched perfectly with her burgundy and white bodice, as well as her pleated bustled skirt. Marcella then looked down at her left hand and saw that her ruby thistle engagement ring was twinkling.

  It too matched her outfit impeccably.

  She then walked on over to her full-length mirror, and looked at her reflection.

  Marcella couldn’t help but smile back at herself through the mirror, she then said to the mirror, “Quite acceptable indeed.”

  She felt optimistic about the day ahead of her. Marcella then walked around her room for some time to make sure that her skirts were at the proper length that they should be with the white-heeled boots that she had chosen to wear.

  Marcella also made sure that her fancy boots were laced up tight. Today was not the day to trip in front of anyone, especially not her future mother-in-law and her friends.

  Marcella had to prove to Lady Scarlett Jane Westbrook that she was a well-dressed Lady who was respectful, and worthy of her only son. Marcella loved Alexander very much, and she hoped that she would be able to prove that today in front of his mother.

  In this outfit, and with this new attitude of hers, Marcella could easily be true to herself. After all, today was her judgment day in Mayfair.

  Chapter 20

  As Marcella and the Pinkerton ladies took off from Kensington the sun was shinning bright in the sky, and there was a slight breeze in the air. For once, Marcella thought to herself, London smelled quite decent. There was no horse excrement on the pavement, nor was the Thames giving off its infamous odor.

  The Pinkerton carriage arrived in front of a beautiful home in Mayfair. It was a three-story home constructed of gorgeous red brick. As the ladies reached the door an older poised gentlemen sized them up, then spoke, “Lady Westbrook is awaiting her guests on the back terrace.”

  As the ladies paraded through the house, a footmen took the Pinkerton ladies one way, but the butler had stopped Marcella from joining them, “I presume that you are Lady Marcella Stansfield of Hertfordshire.”

  Marcella nodded politely, and the man continued to speak, “Lord Westbrook is waiting for you in the study.”

  Marcella asked, “Thank you sir, which way is the study?”

  He pointed behind her and Marcella turned around to see Alexander leaning up against a door. He was dressed in a fit burgundy suit jacket, with dark hessian boots, paired with black and burgundy plaid trousers that were altered to perfection.

  He looked so handsome as he motioned for her to join him in the study, “Come in.”

  Marcella followed him into the study with a grin on her face. She had so much to say to him, but before a word could even form on the tip of her tongue he closed the door behind her and kissed her hungrily against the door.

  When he finally finished the kiss he whispered against her lips, “I missed you.”

  She hugged him low around his hips as she replied, “It has only been a day my love, you could not have missed me that much.”

  He nuzzled into her neck, “I know my sweet, but that alone had felt like an eternity for a rakish lord like me.”

  Marcella grinned, “Alexander, we can do this later. I want to see everyone on the terrace and meet
your mother while I’m still properly dressed like this.”

  He agreed, “You look very beautiful today my love, but before we join the others outside I have something special for you.”

  Marcella watched as Alexander let go of her and went around the main desk in the room. He pulled a huge box that had been hiding from underneath the desk and placed it on the desk.

  He beckoned her over to see it, and then said, “This is for you.”

  “For me?” She asked excitedly.

  “Yes my darling, for you.”

  Marcella smiled nervously as opened the note attached to the box first. She suddenly recognized an excerpt from Lord Byron’s poem Don Juan.

  “Down her white neck long floating auburn curls…”

  Marcella looked up at him with a slight blush as she put the note down, and then took off the lid from the box. She pulled out the linen that had been safely holding her gift in it.

  She looked down at her present and gasped with amazement. It was the dress that she had been admiring at Ms. Janice’s studio that very first day when she’d met all of her friends, and her darling Alexander.

  The burgundy British silk brocade dress was just as beautiful as she last remembered it. She placed the dress upon the desk and then skimmed her finger over the Chinese dueling dragons at the bottom of the dress.

  She had happy tears in her eyes as she said, “Alexander, is this truly for me?”

  He answered, “Yes Marcella, it’s yours. The first day I met you, I saw how you looked back at that dress, and I knew that it was you who was meant to have it.”

  Abandoning the dress on the desk she went to him and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him sweetly.

  She nudged his nose with hers, “I love you Alexander, thank you for the dress.”

  “You’re very welcome Marcella. It’s the first of many gifts coming your way.”

  Marcella smiled, “If we stay in this room any longer things are going to happen, and if those things happen then we’ll never get out of here.”

  He chuckled, “I would be fine with that.”