At the Spring ball Thursday night, Viscount Hale was seen dancing with one eligible young lady.
His mama was also seen conversing with other mamas in attendance about the fact that the Viscount intends to take on the path of matrimony. This Author finds such behavior "startling," as the Viscount is known to normally avoid young maidens with a great deal of intention.
Could it be that the Viscount read This Author's most recent column and decided to prove that This Author is wrong?
If so, This Author is waiting on Viscount Hale's next move.
Possibly marriage…or not.
Lady Ravenscroft's Society Papers, 12 April 1813
By that evening, Helena was convinced that Viscount Hale or perhaps his younger brother Julian—she did not know the difference between the two—was interested in Catherine or perhaps his mother intends to marry them off.
She had been compelled when she had realized that the viscount—or the brother—had asked Catherine to dance. Even worse, Catherine had accepted.
Lady Dorrington also seems to be plotting a marriage with the way she was gazing at the couple.
"Will you stop with the gaze?" Helena asked in annoyance.
"What gaze?" Lady Dorrington simply said with a smile.
"The sort of gaze that implies that you are about to marry those two off," Helena replied with anger.
"Oh, please. I am simply admiring the Lord's work," she said. This statement seemed to ignite the anger in Helena.
"Lady Dorrington!"
"Well, to be quite honest," Lady Dorrington said while admiring the two.
"He seems like a good match for Catherine."
"Did you perhaps forget about our discussion in the drawing room this afternoon? He is a debauchee, and an upper-rank one at that," Helena said.
"I think you have the two brothers confused. The gentleman dancing with your sister is no other than Nicholas Hale. He is the one who was referred to as the complete opposite of a debauchee," Lady Dorrington explained, to which Helena turned red.
"And might I add," Lady Dorrington said as she turned to the table beside her for a glass of wine, "although I do not know Julian as much as I know Nicholas, he is not as many describe him."
"I think I much prefer the words of Lady Ravenscroft," Helena replied.
"I thought you were not a fan of her?" Lady Dorrington asked in disbelief.
"Well, she speaks as though she doesn't like debauchees, something that we have in common," Helena replied.
"I will take your word for that," she replied.
The two looked back towards Catherine dancing prettily with the viscount. The two were in sync, moving to the rhythm of the music being played.
The viscount, Helena noticed, was incredibly handsome. Dressed in light blue, he was tall, stood straight, and his black hair tended to fall forward over his brow. He seemed gentle, almost as if he was calculating every step he was taking.
"They make a handsome couple, don't they?" Lady Dorrington murmured while stepping close to her.
Helena bit her lip. She actually bit her lip as she clasped her hands together. She didn't want to admit it, but it was true. The two looked good together and seemed like the perfect match.
Lady Dorrington smiled, or perhaps gave a sly smile, Helena wondered. She gave her a suspicious look.
"He dances well, don't you think?" Lady Dorrington asked.
"Do not push it," Helena burst out with anger.
Lady Dorrington let out a grin. "It seems that you are about to lose it."
"Far sooner than you can ever imagine," Helena replied, practically gritting her teeth.
"That part is very obvious."
"He will still be monitored by me."Lady Dorrington let out a laugh as she dropped her now empty glass.
"I believe that it is up to Catherine to decide whether she wants him or not."
"Oh, please, Catherine has taste and he is obviously not the one," Helena said in annoyance.
"Perhaps not, but his mother seems to have the notion that the two are a good fit," Lady Dorrington said while motioning to Lady Hale, who was in the midst of some mamas.
"And you know that because?"
"Let's just say we are somewhat close," Lady Dorrington replied with a smile.
Helena stared at her. "I find that difficult to believe—someone like the viscountess and you seem to have very different personalities."
"That is true. The story about our somewhat unusual relationship is for another day," Lady Dorrington said with a smile.
Helena turned toward Lady Hale and was convinced that she did not want to cross paths with the woman. She did not seem like someone who was friendly despite her smile.
"I have a feeling that he is the one," Catherine said as she came to stand between them after the dance.
The statement made Helena frown with distaste. She did not know why, but she wanted Catherine to have nothing to do with the Hale family.
"Tell me you are joking," Helena asked in disbelief.
"I am quite serious. He is quiet and does not talk much, but I have a feeling that there is more to him than he lets on," she replied, making Helena groan.
A grin was not too far from Lady Dorrington's face once she heard the statement made by Catherine.
"He is like a puzzle, one that I cannot wait to unravel," Catherine said, and Helena could not help but roll her eyes.
"Lady Dorrington, I have been looking around for you," Lady Hale said as she walked towards the trio with a smile, along with Viscount Hale and two ladies, whom Helena assumed were his sisters.
"My apologies, I have been entertained by my guest, Ms. Beaumont, since we've arrived," Lady Dorrington said with what seemed to be a forced smile.
"Pardon me, ladies, it is a pleasure to meet you two." Lady Hale said with a smile while staring at Catherine as though she held the world in her palms.
"How about a dinner at the family hall tomorrow evening...?" She asked, turning her attention back to Lady Dorrington.
"It has been a while since we shared a meal. I would love to host you and your guests."
"We will be there," Lady Dorrington simply replied.
"Have a wonderful evening, Ms. Beaumont. My son seemed to enjoy your company." She said, to which Helena frowned.
The Viscount seemed as though he was forced to the gathering... something about the family didn't feel right to Helena.
"Are you all right?" Lady Dorrington asked the Viscount once his mother and sisters walked away from them, and he nodded before taking his leave.
"Do we really have to go?" Helena asked as she stared at their retreating figures.
"We have no choice," Lady Dorrington said.
"The two of you are making it seem as if going to the Hales is a death sentence," Catherine said as she stared at both of them.
"Might as well be," Lady Dorrington replied as the next dance began.
* * *
Nicholas felt as though he was about to die as he stepped into the hall. All eyes were on him as he walked in along with his mother and his two younger siblings—Cecilia and Beatrice. His mother's words from when they were in the carriage were still echoing in the back of his mind.
"Do not try to start a conversation with any ladies when we arrive," she had said as she took a seat in front of him.
"You might end up chasing them away when they hear you stammer," she explained. His eyes wavered as he tried to calm himself by picking at his nails.
His eyes wandered around the hall until they settled on Lady Dorrington, who was talking to the ladies beside her. The tall lady beside her smiled at her before taking her leave.
"How about you ask the lady beside Lady Dorrington for a dance?" His mother said as she stood beside him.
A dance? The request sent a fresh wave of panic through him
He had never once asked a lady for a dance.
What on earth was he to say?
The thought of having to form a coherent, smooth request, under his mother's direct scrutiny, made the air feel thin. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
"Try not to make her say no with your stutter," she added.
He felt his throat lock, the muscles seizing. He can't do this. He took a deep breath as he started to make his way over to the mysterious lady until Cecilia stopped him when they were a short distance from his mother.
"How about you start the conversation by asking for her name before you ask for the honor of a dance?" Cecilia said as they made their way towards Lady Dorrington and the unknown lady.
"T-th-Thank you" Nicholas said after a little hesitation.
"Can I ask for a favor?" She asked while looking around, specifically toward their mother. Grace was already in a conversation with another lady and was not looking in their direction.
"W-wh-What do you w-want?" Nicholas asked, the question itself now a struggle.
"Can you please come back home?" She said with a sad face.
"Is e-everything alright?" He asked. Cecilia was not the type to ask him for a favor.
"Mother wants Julian to get married to Lady Granger's cousin, and she is certainly worse than Dominic. She also wants me to give Lord Bernard a chance. I know that she means for us to get married to them. I know you hate it but you are the only one who can fix the mess we are in." She explained.
Nicholas could not help but stare at his sister; it was the first time she had ever asked for a favor. He had been annoyed when it was revealed that Beatrice would be introduced to society at the mere age of three and ten.
Despite the fact that he was not close to any of his siblings, he knew that it was not their fault for the way he was treated, which is why he knew what had to be done.
"We will talk about this later." Nicholas said firmly with a smile, to which she nodded.
"Lady Dorrington," Nicholas said as they arrived beside her, greeting her with a smile.
"Coco, it has been a while," She said with a smile.
Coco had been the nickname given to him by Lady Dorrington when he was around the age of six. She had given him the name because of his profound attachment to his grandmother.
Heavens knows that he had missed the old lady after so many years apart, but each time he saw her, he was reminded of what his childhood used to be: the regular weekly knitting, poems, and novel writing he shared with his grandmother and her. He was always reminded of the smile and the tears she let out after his grandmother died.
"Pardon me. This is Catherine Beaumont. She is Vivian's daughter," She said, to which Nicholas frowned.
He knew Lady Dorrington well enough to know that she and her sister hated each other till Lady Beaumont died.
"Miss Beaumont, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Nicholas Hale," Nicholas said as he shook her hand.
"Miss Beaumont, m-may I have the honor of this dance?" He asked, to which she agreed.The dance started, and the two made their way over to the dance floor.
Nicholas had no idea what he was to say; he had never done this before.
"You seem nervous, my Lord," Miss Beaumont said with a smile.
"I m-must c-confess, this is my first time doing this," He explained with a nervous smile.
"Dancing?"
"That and asking a lady for a dance," he replied, to which she stared at him in disbelief.
Nicholas looked over to Lady Dorrington's side to see a lady beside her with the two having a conversation. She stared at both Nicholas and Miss Beaumont. Nicholas could not help but wonder who she was. She looked similar to Miss Beaumont.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, just that the Lady beside Lady Dorrington and you share a striking resemblance." He explained to which she smiled.
"That is my elder sister, Helena" she revealed.
"Oh, pardon me"
"It is alright but I do find it hard to believe that it's your first time asking a lady to dance."
"Why?"
"You do not strike me as a person that avoids ladies."
"Are you saying that I come off as the opposite of that?" Nicholas asked in disbelief.
"To be honest, yes."
"That is a first," Nicholas said with a smile as the dance approached its end.
"It was nice talking to you."
"Same here," she said as they each took a bow before taking their leave. Nicholas was surprised about the fact that he had been able to avoid stuttering.
"What did you two talk about?" Grace asked as he approached her side.
"N-no-nothing of i-importance," he said, catching himself.
"I do hope you did not disgrace yourself with that condition of yours," She said while glaring at him.
"We will take our leave once Cecilia finishes this dance."Nicholas looked over to his younger sister and could not help but wonder why their mother was acting in such a manner.
Cecilia was dancing with Lord Bernard, and it was obvious to anyone that had eyes that Cecilia was uncomfortable.Nicholas knew what had to be done; he could not put it off any longer. He had already failed Violet; he could not fail the younger ones anymore.
"I believe the right thing to do is invite Lady Dorrington and her guests over for dinner," Grace said once the dance came to a stop, and the three siblings stared at her.
It was clear that Grace Hale had full intention of getting Nicholas married, and to Miss Beaumont nonetheless.
"Lady Dorrington, I have been looking around for you," Grace said as she walked towards Lady Dorrington and her companions with a smile, along with Nicholas and his siblings.
"My apologies, I have been entertained by my guest, Ms. Beaumont, since we arrived," Lady Dorrington said with what seemed to be a forced smile.
Lady Dorrington and Grace did not like one another, and it was quite obvious to everyone. The two only speak whenever Nicholas is involved.
"Pardon me, ladies, it is a pleasure to meet you two," Grace said with a smile while staring at Catherine as though she held the world in her palms.
Nicholas turned his head away from them to stare at something else. He could not breathe, knowing fully well that his so-called mother was planning to get him married to someone he knew nothing of.
"How about a dinner at the family hall tomorrow evening...?" She asked, turning her attention back to Lady Dorrington.
"It has been a while since we shared a meal. I would love to host you and your guests," She explained.
"We will be there," Lady Dorrington simply replied.
"Have a wonderful evening, Ms. Beaumont. My son seemed to enjoy your company," She said, to which Nicholas frowned. He never mentioned that, even though it is true.
Nicholas knew that he needed to get out of the gathering before he lost it. His breath was shaking, and he could feel his heart beating hard.
"Are you all right?" Lady Dorrington asked him once his mother and sisters walked away from them, and he nodded before taking his leave.
The ride home was silent and short, and Nicholas did not have it in him to say a word. He needed to be away from his mother in order to breathe.
He looked over at Cecilia and saw the fear in her eyes. Beatrice was more silent than ever, picking at her nails. His other siblings were all more scared than ever when it came to the subject of marriage.
He knew then that he had to overcome his own fear and stop acting like a coward. He had to get over the fear of being unloved and realize that his mother is never going to accept him, he had to correct things with his siblings and change the course of situation at the Hale household.
It was time to be the elder brother that he had failed to be.
"I will be moving back into the house before the weekend," he said firmly without a hitch as the carriage stopped at his hall, without waiting for a response from his mother.