Page 20 of Lady Mariel’s Scandalous Love

On an evening soon after, Dash went to Fortescue Grange for dinner, as he often did of late. He had hoped to discuss his plans for the London building, and the ‘Museum of Human Eroticism’ but his wishes were thwarted by the presence of the Dowager Duchess. Alex’s mother was, most definitely, not the sort of woman who would cope well with such a conversation.

As he entered the parlour on his arrival, Mariel met his eyes, and quickly tilted her head to the side, in the direction of the Dowager Duchess, warning him. he gave the tiniest nod, then turned to greet the Dowager first, as protocol demanded.

“Good evening Your Grace, I trust that you are well?”

“I am, Lord Longwood. How are you faring, settling back into English life, after so long on the continent?”

“Very well, Your Grace, although I must admit that I find the weather remarkably chill, after many years in Italy.”

Alex chose to join the conversation, and save Dash from being completely trapped by his mother.

“I can only agree, Longwood – it has taken me quite some time to even begin to adjust.”

And so the evening went – a plethora of pointless inane conversation, whilst four out of the five people present chafed at the restriction which prevented them saying what they wished.

Dash found himself, multiple times, opening his lips, and then shutting them again, narrowly preventing himself from asking a question of Mariel, or describing something to Alex, either of which things would have instantly scandalised the Dowager Duchess. He met Mariel’s eyes across the table, and she gave a little smile of sympathy. She was, he thought, just as beautiful when being demure as she was when being outrageous.

Although, the sparkle in her eyes suggested that she was not really thinking demure thoughts at all. For that matter, when watching her, and with his head full of the things he wanted to ask her, and the things that, more and more, he wanted to show her, he was not thinking polite, chaste thoughts either. Far from it. He wrenched his eyes away – if he allowed his thoughts to go down that track, he would be very uncomfortable indeed, very fast – imagining showing Mariel, in person, the function of some of the things he had unpacked that day was a very, very bad idea, when at a dinner table with an older lady with a prudish attitude. He forced his attention back to the conversation, just as the Dowager spoke, again.

“I have heard, just this afternoon, that Lady Phyllida Wormington is to be betrothed to the Earl of Hockingmoor.” As she said this, she looked, very pointedly, at Alex and Selina – who assumed expressions of calm innocence in the face of her glare. “It has not been officially announced yet, but I believe there will be a dinner or a soiree soon, to celebrate it, and make the announcement.”

Dash watched, intrigued, as Alex met Selina’s eyes for a moment, his expression one that Dash recognised as being repressed amusement. Then he responded to his mother’s words.

“How delightful, Mother. I am sure that they will suit each other perfectly. They have such… similar attitudes… to how things should go on in society. I must wish them well.”

Selina almost choked on her food at his words, and Dash determined that he would ask Alex what that was about, later.

Finally, the seemingly interminable dinner came to an end, and the Dowager chose to retire to the Dower House, rather than joining them in the parlour. As they heard her carriage draw away, they all released pent breaths, and collapsed into the chairs near the fire.

“That was one of the most stilted dinner conversations that I have ever been a part of!”

Mariel laughed at Dash’s emphatic words.

“It was – I am continually afraid that one of us will slip up, when the Dowager is here, and say something utterly scandalous – something like our normal conversation, about fornication, and tools for sexual gratification, and the words for such things in multiple languages. After this, how will I ever get on in polite society again? I am sure to say something scandalous, somewhere!”

It was Selina’s turn to laugh.

“Mariel, you have always said scandalous things – I am not sure that anyone would be surprised if you said something more scandalous than usual.”

Mariel waved her hand, dismissing Selina’s contention. Dash took the chance to ask the question which he had wanted to ask for more than an hour now.

“Alex and Selina – I must ask – it was very obvious that there was some deeper significance to the news of Lady Phyllida Wormington and Lord Hockingmoor’s betrothal – something which the two of you, and the Dowager knew of. Something she was annoyed about, and which you found amusing, if I read your expressions correctly?”

“You did read it correctly. It was significant because lady Phyllida and Lord Hockingmoor are the… encumbrances… which Selina and I freed ourselves from, by indulging in that delightful scandal which… forced… us to marry. Mother has not quite forgiven us for that yet.”

“And what Alex said was utterly true – they are as stuffy, selfish and narrow minded as each other – perfectly suited.”

Mariel laughed again, at Selina’s description. Dash just nodded. No evening spent with these friends was ever dull. A point which was made, again, when Mariel turned to Alex.

“Alex, now that your mother has gone, might I take this opportunity to show Dash the… discovery… in the library? Or do you want to have the honour of doing so?”

Alex smiled, and took a sip of his port.

“I am quite happy here. You discovered it, so you should have the honour of providing the tour.”

“Tour? Of what? What am I to be shown?”

Dash looked at them, curious and puzzled – what on earth was this about? Mariel rose, and held out her hand, as if that was the most natural thing in the world for her to do.