“Me too,” Louise said dreamily, “I absolutely cannot wait to be the Earl’s betrothed.”
“I am certain every woman would want to be you at this moment, everyone is talking about how you managed to secure such a rake for a husband,” Catherine said.
“Is that so?” Louise blushed happily. A number of unfortunate events have been befalling her family ever since the death of her father, which was why she was so happy to finally have a good occurrence happen to her.
“Is my hair all right?” Louise asked, suddenly anxious that she would be the center of attention.
She had specifically asked that her brown hair be styled in an updo to reveal her neck and the expensive jewel that adorned her. Louise knew that the moment Lord Felington announced her as the future countess, everyone would have their attention on her. It was important that she made a good first impression on the people.
“Your hair is fabulous but that pearl, it is beautiful,” Amelia gasped.
Louise blushed for the umpteenth time as she pressed a hand against the necklace. “It was given to me by my mama. It was the necklace that my papa gave her when he became betrothed to her.” She caught Amelia and Catherine exchanging yet again another glance. Louise could not help but wonder why they were acting so strangely. She made a mental note to ask them later in the evening. It was at this moment that guests began to get ushered into the ballroom. “I have to go meet my Mama and Aunt Theodora,” Louise said, “I will see you all later.”
“And by that time, you would have been engaged to the Earl of Felington,” Catherine said as Louise left smiling.
She had yet to take three steps away from them when she heard the girls burst into laughter. Confused, she looked back at them to see them look at her, laughter in their eyes. If she did not know any better, she would say that her friends were laughing at her.
Still confused about her friends’ odd behavior, Louise headed back to her aunt and mother. She, however, soon forgot about her friend’s antics when they entered the ballroom. Just like every other part of the house, the ballroom was big and tastefully decorated. Expensive furniture was abound and a giant chandelier swung just above the dance floor. The tables were filled to the brim with different types of food.
“The Earl has truly spared no expenses at this feast,” Louise’s mother said as they moved toward their seat.
“Of course, our sweet Louise is worth every bit of it. Only a big feast is befitting of a beautiful damsel like our beloved Lou–!”
“Aunt!” Louise realized a little too late that her aunt was stumbling. She quickly swung to her aunt’s side, in an attempt to catch her before she hit the ground. However, in a desperate effort not to fall, Aunt Theodora held on to a gentleman on her left side. This gesture knocked the glass of wine in the gentleman’s hand off and the content ended up pouring onto his clothing.
“Whose damn old woman is this?” the man announced in annoyance.
“How dare you?” Aunt Theodora said, annoyed.
“If you know you are not stable on your feet, then why do you not stay home instead of coming to a respectable ball to make things difficult for us,” he continued, loudly this time.
“I will not have you insult my aunt so,” Louise said to the man, annoyed at his harsh words, “I demand that you apologize this minute, sir.”
The man laughed deliriously. “Apologize?” he said in disbelief, “you must be just as silly as the old crone that is your aunt. She ruined my coat!” By this time, his loud words had attracted the attention of half of the guests, with most of them now watching to see where the disagreement would lead to.
“Your choice of words has told me that you do not respect the elderly nor that you are a proper gentleman. I would implore that you choose your words more carefully in the future, sir,” Louise said. She was not quite in the mood to have an argument with a disrespectful man. Moreover, tonight was supposed to be one of the most important days of her life, therefore, she could not possibly let the man make her act out of character.
“Old crones should stay home, I insist,” the man continued on his distasteful rant.
“Old crones, you say?” a voice said, and Louise looked to see an older man who she recognized as the Duke of Riverton.
“Your Grace,” the man said, looking slightly embarrassed.
“You were saying something about old crones, young man?” he said, again.
“Not at all, your Grace,” he stuttered, “I was simply talking about old ladies.”
“Oh, you believe that insulting ladies is acceptable, do you?” the Duke continued.
The man’s cheeks reddened with embarrassment. He stared at the ground, too ashamed to look up at the Duke. “Not at all, Your Grace. I …” he said.
“If you would not say such unsuitable words to a gentleman, why then would you say them to a lady? Do you not know that ladies should only be treated with respect? I swear young people these days have no manners or decorum anymore!” the Duke continued.
“I am so sorry, Your Grace. What I did is unimaginable,” the man apologized.
“I am not the one you should apologize to. You should apologize to the ladies you disrespected,” the Duke continued.
“Of course, Your Grace,” he said, before turning to Aunt Theodora and Louise. “I apologize for my rude and unruly behavior tonight. It was not your fault this accident happened.”
