"I must say this is not the most awful gathering I have attended." Helen said with a sour expression.
After just a week of planning Ella and Becca somehow managed to pull off throwing a ball. Everyone in attendance seemed to be pleased with how everything turned out much to Ella's surprise.
"To be honest this is not exactly something I enjoy doing." Ella admitted.
"I can tell. Everything has a certain small village assembly charm to it." Helen shrugged.
"That is what I feared you would say."
"Like I said I have been to worse."
As the ball hit its peak Ella took a moment to take in the sights. Becca and Charles danced together as they had for most of the evening. Helen had joined a few of the dances but mostly chatted with other ladies from the village. James had made his rounds and engaged with the guests much like Ella herself. While looking around the room she spotted James speaking to members of parliament who resided nearby when he looked toward her and began to approach her suddenly.
"I believe we should at least amuse our guests with a dance." He coolly stated.
"We would not wish to disappoint the masses." Ella agreed as the two headed to the center of the floor well aware of all eyes on them.
"Have you at least been able to enjoy yourself?" He asked as soft music began to fill the room.
"Have you?" She countered.
He smiled softly at her before speaking, "You and Miss. Chambers did a wonderful job with the near impossible time frame she set."
"I do not believe it is a ball of noble standards though."
"No but it does seem to suit you. Simple and elegant."
"Careful that is two complements in nearly as many sentences. If I did not know any better I would believe you are starting to like me."
"Ah but you forget my complements are hollow so how can you be sure it is the truth I speak?"
"How foolish of me to forget such an important character trait of yours."
They both fall into another one of the silences that she had grown accustomed to. Ella found herself gliding with the music momentarily forgetting where she was. She looked to James and saw his dark blue eyes glowing in the flickering candlelight as he easily flowed with the steps of the dance his gaze never fading from her.
"Can I ask you a question James?"
"I hardly think I could stop you."
She let out an honest and surprising laugh before continuing, "If you do not enjoy these type of gatherings than why did you agree to having one?"
He sighed as if deciding if he should answer the question, "I feel as if you have gotten the worst of this arrangement. I get to continue on as I have always. You however have been uprooted from your life to live in a strange place surrounded by strangers. I had hoped this would at least be something you can do to put your mind to work. I do not know." He paused taking a deep breath, "Maybe I hoped you would at least have some sort of fun in the process."
"That is thoughtful I suppose. But I feel there is more to this than that."
He momentarily dropped his head before looking up to meet her eyes, "Truth be told, Collins and Jane approached me. The staff seemed concerned that you are not entirely happy here."
"I wonder where that idea came from?" Ella said while failing to suppress a bitter laugh.
"In the short time you have been here they have come to care for you. I honestly did not expect as much. I felt that I had to at least attempt to find something to bring you some type of joy."
"So you allowed this to appease the the staff?"
"Not entirely, but in part yes. You should not feel the need to stand idly by day to day. This is you home, probably more than mine at this point. Do whatever you need to in order to make this whole situation more bearable for you."
As the music came to an end Ella and James separated and she looked at his in deep thought, "Thank you James I appreciate that."
"I sense more coming." He said while his posture stiffened.
Ella laughed, this time with humor, and James body relaxed and a crooked grin slowly appeared on his face, "But you are wrong."
"Am I?" He said with new found confusion.
"Yes. This is our home and we will decide anything pertaining to it together."
James looked at her now without betraying any emotion. He bowed gently before responding, "Than perhaps we should begin to discuss redecorating the entire manor."
Ella smiled brighter than she had in months and curtsied, "The sooner the better My Lord."
James returned her smile and bowed once more before turning away. As she headed to the edge of the floor she could not help but think that the simple agreement of redecorating a few rooms had made her happier than she had been in nearly a year.
******
After several weeks and several rooms Ella finally had most of the manor redecorated. She and James would sit and discuss over meals what colors and fabrics to choose to make Hamsfield more homely. The changes also seemed to have a positive effect of the house staff as well. Everyone appeared to be happier and feel lighter in the new environment that they had begun to create.
"Well I dare say this is quite an improvement." Complemented Helen.
Ella sat in the drawing room with Helen, Charles and, James. The walls of the room were now a pale blue that lightened the room greatly. The furniture was now a light cedar wood with floral patterned cushions, while the curtains had been changed to a sheer white fabric that flowed lightly in a breeze.
"I always thought you liked my mother's tasted in room design." James said with veiled surprise.
"Heavens no I was simply trying to get in Her Grace's high esteem."
"I do not believe that possible." Charles scoffed.
"She cannot be that difficult. I may not have spent much time with her but she seemed decent enough." Said Ella with confusion.
Charles leaned closer to Ella before saying, "She is only difficult when it comes to her sons welfare."
"Well that is good to know I suppose." Ella nodded in understanding.
Time passed as the group conversed until Mr. Collins announced lunch was ready to be served. Once the party had entered the dining room and settled Charles spoke, "If I may ask how is Miss. Chambers since her return home?"
"She is very well and looking forward to a return visit." Ella answered.
"Perhaps she can meet is in London for the winter season." Helen surprisingly offered.
"I could ask her but she may find it a bit overwhelming."
"Why do you say that?" James curiously asked.
"Neither of us has been to London before. I could not imagine where to start if I ever went." The three of them looked at Ella with shock. "Did I say something wrong?"
"You have never been to town? How is that possible? Even a family of your rep.... Wealth must have had a home in town." Helen said scandalized.
"The trip from the north can be rather taxing, my parents never saw the need for the stress. There was never anything that we needed desperately enough so we just never went."
"You must be curious about London? I could see you enjoying the museum or seeing a play." Charles mused.
"Well not all of us can handle town anyway. It is perfectly reasonable for someone, such as yourself, to prefer simple life to that of the glamour of the Ton." Said Helen who wore a smug grin.
"I cannot tell if that was an insult or not." Charles pondered.
"Best not to think too hard on it Charles." Ella replied with a soft chuckle.
The rest of the meal passed in amiable conversation with only little more talk of Ella never having had been to London. Most of her life she had never put much thought of the Ton considering how far it was from her home. But in recent months she had begun to secretly dream of what it would be like after hearing stories from Helen and the other ladies from the area. She continued to keep her face passive throughout lunch while deep down she felt the unmistakable feelings of embarrassment and sorrow. Ella was so caught up in trying to hide her emotions she never noticed James carefully watching her from the other end of the table.
******
Several days passed since the last visit with the Hawthornes. Ella sat in the drawing room, as she normally did that time of the day, when James entered. She looked up from her book and eyed him carefully as he took a seat on the chair across from her.
"I have received news and I am needed in town as soon as possible."
"I see. How long will you be gone?"
"Likely the entire winter, the roads tend to be dangerous to travel this time of year."
"Of course, I am sure we will be able to manage here just find." She said while trying to hide newfound disappointment.
"Actually I was thinking you could come with me this time." He said while looking away almost shyly.
Ella blinked at James in surprise. In the nearly six months since their marriage James had never invited her to travel with him. She narrowed her eyes as she put the pieces together of the timing of the invitation.
"I understand what you are trying to do, but it is not necessary. I do not need you to bring me with you because you pity the fact that I have never been to town."
He sighed deeply and pushed a hand threw his hair before responding, "I was planning to ask you to accompany me on my next trip before I learned you had never been to town before."
"Oh, I was not aware. But why?"
James let out a small laugh and stood, briefly pacing while her answered, "I am beginning to grow tired of being asked where you where. I think some may be beginning to believe the whole marriage is a farce."
"Is it not?" She asked with a sly smile.
"Absolutely, but we do not need them knowing that." He answered and they both quietly laughed comfortably.
"Than I suppose I should prepare."
"Yes of course and if you wish, please invite Miss. Chambers. I am sure Charles would like that." He said conspiratorially.
"I am sure he would. Thank you for the invitation to join you."
"It seemed only appropriate." He shrugged.
"Yes, appropriate." Ella said with a smirk before heading to her room to begin to prepare for her first trip to London.