WF: Chapter 3

1862, Wordsworth Townhouse

Becca was excited. It was her coming out ball tonight. Lady Margaret Windmere, the duchess of Yvonne was hosting a ball this season. It was a coveted occasion and she had an invitation to the event by virtue of her Aunt’s friendship with Lady Margaret. Lady Margaret was once the friend of her mother as well and still had a soft corner for the lovely Elena and thought this was the least she could do for Elena’s only daughter.

Becca had met Lady Margaret once before today and she was a serious lady. However, Becca had guessed the soft spot she had for her mother – Elena and had successfully garnered another invitation for Anna. Anna had already had a come out last season, but it went pretty bad. She was dubbed a wallflower by the ton. Becca in all her loyalty, felt that the ton had no idea of what a gem Anna was. She was determined to have the ton recognize Anna as a Diamond instead of a wallflower. This was the reason she was also staying in the Wordsworth Townhouse with Anna and not in the Bellmore Townhouse. It gave Becca the opportunity to nag Anna and make her do and wear things she normally wouldn’t. Becca and Anna both realized that appearances mattered a lot to the ton. But Anna was determined to downplay her positive attributes.

Today, Becca was wearing a light blue gown with a low cut square neckline. The gown’s color contrasted with the color of her eyes.  She was wearing a simple necklace with a diamond pendant in the center and diamond tear-drop ear-rings. On her right hand she had a tiny diamond bracelet over her gloves while her left wrist was left empty. She was anyways going to hold her reticule over the left hand. She believed in understated elegance and today she was going to knock everyone off their socks with her intelligence, wit and ofcourse beauty, she thought with a secret smile. She was in the sitting room connecting her room with Anna’s bedroom. Anna had still to make an appearance and Becca was getting impatient.

“Anna, will you come out of your room today or tomorrow?”

“Give me a minute, will you?” responded Anna with her voice muffled.

“I have been giving you “a minute” for the past two hours” said Becca with a sigh and a roll of her eyes. “I am coming inside your room to see what you have been upto?”

“Wait....” Anna said but Becca had already entered her room. Becca saw Maria, Anna’s lady’s maid helping her into the peach gown. This gown was what Anna had worn last year and it was not the one that Becca had selected to wear for tonight. Her selection was a light yellow gown instead which brought out the color in Anna’s hazel eyes beautifully.

“What are you doing in that gown? I told you to wear the yellow one. This one is so... so last year!” Becca was struggling for words.

Anna said with a sigh, “But it’s my favourite. And it fits me well” she looked at her maid trying to fit her into the one size too small gown.

“Anna, for such an intelligent young woman, you surely try my patience at times!” exclaimed Becca, “the gown is not in fashion this year. Its neckline is almost laced upto your neck making it look more like a gown fit for a sister of the cloth. And as far as fitting goes, you very well know that the yellow one fits you much better” completed Becca her tirade with a pout.

“But Becca, the yellow gown’s neckline is so deep. It looks as if my breasts will pop out at the slightest tug.”

“Rubbish. Everyone is wearing the same neckline this season. I am wearing the same neckline. We had your gown and mine made together at Madame Cher’s dressmaking shop. Do you mean to say that everyone’s  breasts are popping out this season? Do you think mine are?” said Becca with a hurt look.

Anna who couldn’t bear to hurt her best friend, immediately went towards her saying, “No Becca! I didn’t mean that. You know I didn’t. You look beautiful in your gown, like a Diamond of the ton. And by the end of tonight’s gala, everyone else will say so too. Your bosom is perfect. But mine,” she looked down at her large breasts, “mine are so... so big!” exclaimed Anna on a wail, “the yellow gown will never suit me. I should never have bought it.”

Becca who was loyal to a fault to her best friend immediately felt contrite and defended Anna, “Now don’t say that Anna. You have just a few pounds extra, which anyone can lose in a matter of days or gain as a matter of fact. But you are beautiful inside out. You have an enchanting smile and your eyes sparkle with intelligence. You can even beat Reginald and Alexander combined in a game of wits. As far as your bosom is concerned – I overheard Reginald saying to Alexander that they find it...”

“ Becca!”

“...quite attractive” completed Becca on a giggle.

“Becca! What are you saying!” exclaimed Anna.

“It’s the truth! Methinks most guys would say the same” said Becca with a grin.

“Becca!” warned Anna with a stern look.

“Oh for Heaven’s sake! You have to believe me. Your bosom is very eye-catching. Mine on the other hand is not mentionable. But my bone structure is excellent and that is what I am displaying right now in this splendid creation from Madame Cher” saying this Becca strutted around and pirouetted in her gown, “nobody is going to mind my flaws when they will not be able to take their eyes off my face and splendid collar bones.”

“Becca! The things you say at times and then Pa says that I am the more outspoken one” lamented Anna.

“Only in matters of mind, my dear” retorted Becca with a laugh. “Anyway, there is nothing that can be done if you are not comfortable in the yellow gown. Although I wish you would for once listen to me. Come lets hurry or we will arrive later than what can be termed fashionably late.” With this Becca started walking out of the sitting room.

Anna just shook her head and followed Becca’s lead as ever towards the coach standing outside the house ready to take the two young ladies along with Lady Mary to the ball hosted by the Duchess of Yvonne.

Yvonne Townhouse

The two friends along with Lady Mary arrived at the ball and stood in awe as they were announced. The townhouse was a very big house with twelve liveried footmen standing to help the guests in. Their cloaks were taken by the footman and deposited in the cloak room. Long winding steps lead one to the hall. The entire hall was decorated to resemble a huge ball room decorated in style. The gathering was large and it seemed as if the whole of London was present in the ballroom. Lady Mary led her two charges towards Lady Margaret who was busy in a group of ladies.

“Your Grace, I must compliment you on the gathering” said Lady Mary.

The duchess turned and said, “Thank you, Lady Fairfax.” Then she turned towards the two ladies and her face split into a small smile for the benefit of Becca.

“Rebecca, you look beautiful tonight. The very image of Elena” said the duchess.

Becca who was in awe of the duchess bent into a deep curtsy, “Your Grace. And I believe you must have met my friend last year.” She turned a bit towards Anna.

The duchess passed a cursory eye over Anna and inclined her head. Anna mumbled a “your grace” with a lesser finesse than Becca.

“Come let me introduce you to few of my other guests, Rebecca. Some of them knew Elena as well as I knew her” saying this, the Duchess turned towards her group and introduced the ladies.

The evening was a success as far as Becca was concerned. Her dance card was full and all the young men were finding excuses to get an introduction with her. She was enjoying herself. The only dampening spot in her bubble of happiness was that Anna didn’t dance a single time during the evening. She had been standing upright and looking so lost in the melee next to Aunt Mary. Becca excused herself from her current partner and returned towards her aunt and her best friend.

Both Lady Fairfax’s and Anna’s face lit up with a smile seeing Becca come for a reprieve.

“Becca, my dear. I see you are enjoying yourself” commented Lady Fairfax with a proud smile.

“Yes, Aunt Mary. There are so many new people here and so much to learn from each of them. I love being here” replied Becca and then turned towards Anna, “Anna you should lighten up a bit and try to get to know all these wonderful young men here. They will be thrilled to get to know an intelligent young lady like yourself.”

“Becca, not everyone is as pretty as you. But I am glad you are enjoying yourself. I am content to be here with Lady Fairfax” said Anna with a genuine smile. The negligence of people didn’t affect her as much as it did Becca. Becca thrived on being with people as the center of attention. Anna loved being with people as well, but she was happy to be on the sidelines.

“Girls, if you don’t mind I am going to take some rest in the retiring room. Age is catching up fast with me” said Lady Fairfax with a sigh and turned to go towards the said room.

“Anna, while Aunt Mary is taking rest I think we should take a turn in the ball room and see if we can find some new acquaintances and some old acquaintances of yours” said Becca as she placed her arm in Anna’s arm and pulled her towards the room.

Anna highly doubted that she would be able to find some acquaintances of hers in this crowd, but she was sure Becca would have made many today. She went for the round anyway to humor her friend.

“So, whom did you like best of the young swains swarming around you tonight?” teased Anna.

“Well, there are quite a few. There is Lord Panton, but he stammers a bit. Then there is Lord Spence, but he is too shy for me. There is Lord Chancy, but he is too full of himself. And yes, there is Lord Smythe, but he is so frail. Of course there is this gentleman who has been staring at me, but I have not had an introduction with him,” said Becca. Becca was used to telling everything to Anna and the other way round, so everything came pouring out.

Anna just laughed and shook her head, “You have already categorized each of the young men around. You are incorrigible Becca.”

“Uh-huh. Well, I think you are the incorrigible one. I am being too easy on these gentlemen. Wait till you get to know them. You are going to slaughter them” smirked Becca.

Both the friends laughed on their private joke.

“I am thirsty Anna. Come, let’s have something to drink” with that Becca dragged Anna towards one of the serving staff offering some juices to the guests. There they overheard a conversation between two gentlemen.

“...and then I saw The Burning Rock in India.”

Anna and Becca who knew The Burning Rock to be in Greece, from one of their history lessons laughed out loud.

The gentleman who had been speaking turned towards the sound and Becca saw that it was the same gentleman who had been staring at her throughout the night. He excused himself from his friend and walked away.

“Why did you laugh, my ladies?” asked the friend remaining there.

“Well, everyone knows that The Burning Rock is in Greece. We read it in our history lessons many years back. And it was a question most asked about by our tutors,” replied Becca while Anna nodded her head.

“Ah. Misconceptions. That is a replica of the original Burning Rock in India. It got its name from there. You should go and delve deeper into history. I would know because I am Matthew Percywell, a historian by profession,” chuckled the man.

“Oh. Forgive our ignorance, my lord. We are sorry for laughing out,” said Becca with a repentant smile towards the gentleman and after looking at Anna. They both had heard of the expertise of Lord Percywell on all matters related to Eastern History.

“Never mind. It’s a mistake most make. Could I know the name of you two lovely ladies?” asked the short portly gentleman with sandy hair, a trim moustache and black eyes

“I am Lady Rebecca MacVaughan and this is my friend, Lady Annabella Wordsworth” replied Becca. Becca then contrite for her behaviour with the other gentleman said, “Um... can you call your friend back? I would like to apologize to him as well.”

“Certainly, my lady” said Lord Percywell with a smile and turned to fetch his friend.

Anna who was just standing there till now spoke finally, “Becca, why did you ask to call his friend? It is going to be so embarrassing.”

“Of course it is going to be embarrassing. We embarrassed him and now we will apologize even if it is embarrassing to us” replied Becca stubbornly.

“Becca, he is going to be angry with us” warned Anna.

“I doubt. However, we will never know if we don’t speak to him. Besides I want to know who he is” said Becca and then with a conspiratory smile added, “he is the same gentleman who kept staring at me all through the night.”

Anna laughed a bit on this and said, “Okay. But if he is no better than your Lord Panton or Lord Chancy, then we will leave immediately and go look for your aunt” and then she looked up and added, “he is handsome, I will give you that.”

Becca turned and looked up as well to see what Anna was looking at and saw the gentleman for the first time. He was taller than his friend by more than half a feet. His clothes looked weather worn and out of place for such a gathering. Mayhap he was coming straight from his travails to India. His dark forest green eyes gleamed with an assurance and intelligence. A lock of his dark brown wavy hair seemed to fall over his forehead as if it had a mind of its own. Becca was stunned with the raw sensuality that the man exuded and had to blink her eyes.

“Lady MacVaughan, this is my friend, Lord Robert Middleton, the Duke of Wellingshire. And your Grace, this is Lady Rebecca MacVaughan and her friend, Lady Annabella Wordsworth” exclaimed Lord Percywell as he finally reached the two ladies.

The two ladies in question bowed gracefully and it was Rebecca who spoke. “Your Grace. We are sorry for in our ignorance we could not contain our mirth and laughed. But please be assured it was in no way meant to offend your intelligence or knowledge of the world. Will you be kind enough to forgive us?” she said with a practised art of impressing others.

The young Duke who was taken up with the young beauty in front of him smiled back and said, “On one condition, my lady.”

Becca was intrigued, “and that will be?”

“A dance with you. Tonight” replied the Duke with an outstretched hand.

Becca thought for a minute and though her dance card was full, she was taking a break for an hour right now. The floor was still open and she could squeeze in a dance now. Besides this handsome stranger fascinated her a lot and she looked at Anna. Anna was a cautious sort by nature and was surely against this impromptu friendship without the benefit of a proper introduction. Even though Anna’s eyes were pleading her not to do so, she placed her hand in the Duke’s hand.

“Certainly, your Grace. Who am I to deny the humble request of one of the peers of the realm?” smiled Becca.

Both of them went towards the dance floor and joined in the next dance.  It was a waltz and being in the arms of the Duke was magical.

“Since we are left here alone, would you mind joining me for a dance in case you are free?” asked Lord Percywell to Anna.

“Oh. Well.. I.. Okay” blushed Anna and went towards the dance floor with the Duke’s friend.

“I thought your dance card would be full” commented the Duke.

Becca smiled at the compliment and said, “It is. I was taking a reprieve.”

“Then I am glad, you consented to take a reprieve from your reprieve for a dance with me” said the Duke with an answering smile.

“It was the least I could do, after laughing at you” said Becca.

“So you were laughing at me” said the duke with a mischievous smile.

Becca jerked her head up and said immediately, “No. I... Well, I am sorry.... truly.” She lowered her head.

“Not to worry, my lady. I am made of sterner stuff” said the Duke with a smile.

Becca enjoyed his company and smiled back.

“You look lovely in your gown, my lady. It’s a beautiful color on you” complimented the Duke.

Becca looked up and saw genuine admiration in his green eyes. “Thank you, your Grace.” She lowered her eyes again, “I am glad you like the color of my gown.”

“I do. But I like another better.” Said the Duke.

“And that color would be?” asked Becca.

“Green” replied the Duke with an intense look making his green eyes look almost black.

“Forest Green... like your eyes?” asked Becca.

“No. Light Green, the color of summer leaves... like yours” replied the Duke back.

Becca blushed and lowered her eyes again. The waltz had ended and Lord Percywell was taking Anna off the dance floor. The Duke took Becca’s hand and took her off the dance floor as well. He left her with Anna and said with an incline of his head, “Until next time, my lady.”

“Your Grace” said Becca dropping into a deep curtsy.

The Duke and his friend left the two friends for their own musings.

“So how is he?” asked Anna.

“Hmmm.... wonderful!” said Becca with a sigh.

Anna just laughed and said, “Come let’s find your aunt.”

Lady Fairfax was walking steadily towards them at that moment.

“Becca. Have you any idea who that was?” exclaimed her aunt in hushed tones upon reaching the two girls.

“Yes Aunt Mary. It was the Duke of Wellingshire” replied Becca simply.

“But do you know who the Duke of Wellingshire is?” asked her Aunt back.

The two girls looked confused and looked at Lady Fairfax to elaborate. She went on, “he is the Duke of Wellingshire. All the Dukes of Wellingshire have been compulsive gamblers. His great grandfather bet his stable full of horses one by one. His grandfather used to visit gaming holes all the time and brought the family in a dire state. And his father ruined the family wealth completely by indulging himself in trade. The Duke has inherited a penniless estate and still does not shirk away from the same trait of his forefathers. People say alcohol has an adverse effect on the males of the family. Stops their thinking capability and making them take bigger risks. You would do better than to stay away from the Penniless Duke. Yes, that’s what they call him in the ton – the Penniless Duke” finished Aunt Mary with a huff.

The two girls looked at each other. This explained the out of fashion clothes perhaps.