"Yes my lady."said the maid looking shocked that I did not know of the ball to be hosted that night. "Her graciousness, your aunt, has requested that you bathe in only the best salts of the British Empire and that you shall wear the finest gown in Lord Fairlaw's possession." She explained.
"None of that will be necessary I can assure you."I said feeling embarassed.
"Oh but it is. Your aunt, her graciousness-"
"I will speak to my aunt personally if I have to."I said. Then, the maid handed me the tray with food and turned to leave. However, before I could shut the door completely, the maid turned to face me once again, this time an envelope in her hand.
"This came in the mail this morning my lady."she said shyly.
"A letter?"I asked in surprise.
"Yes my lady. I believe it is."she said handing it to me.
"Thank you."I said as my lips curved into a smile. I quickly hurried to the desk in my room and tore up the envelope.
To: Charlotte
From: Adrian
Written by: Fr. George
Dear Charlotte,
You know I hate to write but I figured it is the only means by which we may communicate now that you are no longer home. (In case you were wondering how I obtained your address, your mother kindly gave it to me. )
I hope you are well and that you will find someone who will learn your affection just as I have. I am truly desolate that I could not persuade your aunt that we could be happy together. It is so hard waking up in the morning and not watching you return from an early morning hunt.
Lastly, I wish you the very best and I hope that you will not forget me once you are married off to some filthy rich
merchant.
I, without the slightest feeling of regret, send you my deepest love...
Adrian
I cried there and then. I didn't want to, but I did. My vision blurred as some of my warm tears fell on the sheet of paper. I couldn't help myself. I started filling up with anger, throwing everything within reach onto the floor. At one point, I sent a hairbrush flying against the wall which must have made quite a sound as my aunt was within moments knocking on my door. I quickly tried to clear away some of the mess I had created and before opening the door, I picked up Adrian's letter and hid it.
"Took you long enough!"complained Aunt Monica as she quickly entered the room.
"How may I help you aunt?"I asked.
"I am here to prepare you for tonight. I am going to teach you what must and must not be done at the ball..."she began. I sat down on my bed. This was going to be a very long afternoon.
***
At seven sharp that evening, I was fully dressed in a midnight blue gown with crystals stitched along the neckline and sleeves. I was wearing a pair of black lace gloves and a pair of sapphire earrings to match the headress I was wearing in the shape of a butterfly. Soon, Aunt Monica called me to present myself downstairs as the carriages had arrived.
Lord Fairlaw would travel in the first carriage along with his page, whereas aunt and I would travel in the second one. The footman shut the door to our carriage and with the stomping of hooves on the ground, we were off.
"Remember, you must act proud but poised."said my aunt breaking the silence in our carriage. "And you must not, strictly must not ever refuse to dance with a man who requests your hand. It is irrelevant whether the man is the wealthiest of the land or the one of least importance at the ball." I kept on staring outside the carriage window. She knew I was unhappy about the situation but she cared no less than to keep bringing it up.
"I would appreciate it if you actually listened."my aunt scolded. "You know I understand how you feel. But please understand that I am doing what is best for you. And if not for you, I am doing this for your brothers and your mother. I know what it feels like. I was driven into the season because my mother was sick too. I tried to save her but she died. I was stuck with a man who rarely ever exchanged more than a word with me in a week, but I lived comfortably. I had anything I could ask for." She reached for my hand but I quickly pulled away. "I would not like to see you in a few years' time, running around with ten children, the slave of your husband. I would however, like to see you living a luxurious life where you want for nothing even if you and your husband cannot stand each other for more than a minute."
"But no matter what, I will never love him... rich or poor."I frowned.
"Oh... because you love a boy who cannot even write..."Aunt Monica mocked.
"Don't you dare pull him into this!"I yell.
"Of course... Adrian Adrian...and what dowry would he have offered? What help could he have been to your ill mother?"added my aunt.
"Shut up!"I yelled at her in a rageful tone.
The carriage went quiet then. I could bear my aunt's insults and lectures, but it was unacceptable for her to talk of Adrian that way.