I did my best to behave as a lady- truly I did. But church stretched on and on, and my legs became sore, needing to be stretched. My hands became sore, eventually, as well. So I began to flex my fingers and wring my hands.
Mother was not very approving.
When we arrived home from church, Mother insisted that Elizabeth and I not change out of our Sunday dresses, despite them being too formal for midday tea. She said that Elizabeth needed to make a good impression on the Earl, though I did not understand that logic. He had already seen her twice- surely she had already made an impression, and he liked her if he continued to return.
Unfortunately, The Duke was the first to arrive, his wife and daughter in stride. Mother sent me a warning glare over her shoulder, silently reminding me to be polite to the girl I despised as the women hurried off to the drawing room, and the men retreated to the Men's Parlor for cigars.
It was strange, not having Thomas here to trail after them- Michael had been a bit forlorn lately, which was why I was not so angry that John was spending so much time with him. With Thomas now wed to Susanna and honeymooning in France, he would never again return to live in this house. Father had already gifted them one of the lands just outside of London, with Mother insisting that her and Susanna get to work on setting up a nursery as soon as they returned "just in case".
For the millionth time in my life, I felt out of place among the other noble girls, and watched as John and Michael disappeared into the Men's parlor with Father and the Duke. I turned back to Elizabeth and Molly as we were left alone.
"Let us stroll through the gardens," Elizabeth suggested, gesturing for Molly to go first. We had learned years ago that offering to let Molly choose just led to arguments when she deemed nothing on our property interesting, and now that we were a bit older, Molly was too much of a lady to insult the Estate aloud. Still, she made a slight face as she made her way towards the door.
Elizabeth was good at playing peacekeeper- she inquired about Molly's family, and asked her if she was enjoying the warm summer weather. It was perfect for needlework, Elizabeth commented, mentioning that she liked to sit outside or near the window as she kept herself busy. The sunshine made it more enjoyable.
Molly sighed. "I have never taken much joy in needlework. What is the use, when any mending I need can be done by servants?"
"I find it calming," I commented, though it was a lie- I despised needlework. I just wanted to side with my sister, so this wretched girl would not think she had gotten the best of her. "After all, it is one of the most ladylike passtimes. It is only appropriate that we do it, and with a smile on our faces."
Elizabeth struggled to fight back a smirk, knowing full-well that those were words our Mother and Miss Lancing had said to me countless times as I complained about how tedious needlework was. Anything that required me to sit still for any length of time bored me.
"Hmm," Molly hummed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. She glanced across the Garden, in the direction of Susanna's house. "When does Susanna return from her honeymoon?"
My fists clenched when she intentionally avoided inquiring about my brother, despite the fact that he was now wed to Susanna. "Well, they only just left. France takes a while to reach, so whenever they have had their fill of French culture, I suppose."
"Louis is French," Molly noted. Elizabeth glanced at me, but I shrugged. I had never heard the name.
Molly clearly knew that we had no idea what she was talking about, but still acted surprised. "Oh! You haven't met him yet, I suppose. We are courting. His Father was one of the men who overthrew the French government, so he is from a very well-off family. He owns six estates. Oh- perhaps it was eight. That is just in France, of course. He owns several here, as well."
As Molly boasted, I looked about the garden. It was the same as it had been in my childhood. The bushes that formed a maze, the endless flowers, the fish pond, the fountain. I had grown up playing hide and seek with Charlotte here- Clara and Cordelia's darling younger sister, who was far more pleasant than them- and playing tag and racing against Michael. And just under the weeping willow, Elizabeth and I had spent hours sewing quilts patches together and playing dolls together, or weaving flower crowns.
This garden was perhaps my favorite place in the entire world. And Molly's mere presence here still somehow sucked out all of the joy.
She was still rambling. "Louis' family is also invested in trade. They own several ships- once we wed, we will sail all around the globe. France, Greece, Spain, perhaps even the Americas."
"That will be lovely," I commented, and I could tell from the glare Molly threw my way that she knew I meant it was lovely that she would be gone so often. I just smiled back at her, knowing I did not need to confirm her suspicion for her to understand.
Soon enough, Michael and John made their way outside, and the Earl was walking just behind them. John made introductions, as Count Robert had never formally met Molly, and Michael came to stand beside me. He looked very put out.
"I invited him into the Men's Parlor, but he said no," Michael seethed in a whisper. I leaned closer to hear him. "He wanted to come out here- he said a stroll sounded lovely. So now I am stuck out here as a chaperone."
I smiled apologetically to him. Truly, though, as a boy, my brother had more freedom than I would ever have. I had never even been allowed into the Men's Parlor, despite the fact that it was a large room in my own home. Elizabeth had not, either. Mother said it was improper.
Immediately, Molly turned on the charm she reserved for those she deemed worthy. "Hello, Count Robert," She greeted, falling into a low curtsy. The Earl kept a polite smile on his face, bowing slightly as he brought Molly's fingers to his lips.
"Hello," Count Robert greeted. "I just came by to visit with Lady Elizabeth. I was meant to arrive in time for tea, but there was a downed wagon near Main Street, and I just had to help. The poor woman had cans of jam spilled everywhere, and six young children running about."
Molly swooned, blinking rapidly at him and smiling foolishly. "Oh, how kind of you! What a lovely thing to do. From where do you hail? I am sure I would remember seeing your face before."
He glanced over at Elizabeth. He knew what his role here was- to court my sister- but also could not be rude. So he continued to humor her. "I was born in Richmond, and have spent my life there. I did travel quite a bit in my childhood, though."
Stepping forward, Molly put a hand on Count Robert's arm. "Have you been to Paris? It is simply to die for."
Though the Earl kept a polite smile, Michael and John looked anxious. They had been sent out as chaperones, and Molly was already stepping too close to Count Robert, touching him. Had it been Elizabeth or I, Michael would have simply pulled us away, but he hardly knew Molly. To put his hands on her would have been just as improper as her putting her hands on the Earl.
Count Robert patted Molly's arm respectfully, stepping away. "I have- I prefer simpler areas over large cities. Lamu, perhaps, or the outskirts of Rome. Most often I prefer to stay near home, though. I have what I want, and want what I have. I am satisfied with where I come from."
Not looking the least bit embarrassed at having her arm brushed off, Molly nodded. "Oh, yes. I was born in the estate just a few Manors down- the largest one, with the daisy field. I'm sure you have seen it. Though my family was away for the first several years of my life, when we did finish up with our traveling, we return to the Manor. I was born just here- as were Michael and Elizabeth."
The Earl's brow furrowed, and he looked between Elizabeth and I. "I was under the impression that Lady Elizabeth was the eldest daughter- were you born before her, Lady Amelia, and moved here just before Elizabeth was born?"
I paled. Surely a history of my past would not be the kind of conversation that would make him think well of our family. "No, My Lord. Elizabeth is the eldest daughter. You have older sisters, yourself, do you not? What are they like?"
He could tell I was dodging the conversation- I could see it in his face. Still, he did not question me, and instead nodded. "They are just what you would expect of an older sister, I suppose." He joked- it was the first sign I had seen that indicated any sense of humor in the man. "They tell me what to do, and expect me to do it. Then I choose if I would rather annoy them or obey."
Elizabeth and I laughed, but Molly turned to me- she did not like that I had taken over the conversation. I could tell what she was about to say from the look she sent me, but had no way of stopping it. Her voice was smug as she looked to Elizabeth, knowing she had bested me already. "Is that what it was like when Amelia was adopted, Elizabeth? She would stop to decide whether to annoy you or simply obey?"
My sister, too, knew what Molly was doing. Her voice was hard as the Earl turned to look at me inquisitively. "No, Molly. As you know, I never had any kind of authority over my sister. We are equals in every way, and sisters in every way. Now if you will excuse us, I believe that Lord Robert and I have a stroll planned, and I do not wish to be rude. Good day."
Elizabeth put her hand in the crook of Count Robert's arm, and they strolled away, heading for the maze. Michael sighed and followed dutifully after, serving as the chaperone so as to keep the outing decent. John hung back, clearly not wanting to leave me alone with Molly. He knew very well how much we despised each other.
I wondered what the Earl thought of my family now- though Molly had not gone into detail, surely he knew that I came from some kind of misfortune if I had ever needed adopting. It was bad enough that I was not enough of a lady to be wed myself- would I now keep my sister from finding a husband, as well? And all because Molly had not kept her mouth shut.
Turning, I glared at Molly, and she smiled back innocently. John reached for my arm, perhaps assuming that I would lunge for her, but I had learned my lesson years ago- I would land in far more trouble than she if the attack I made was physical.
So, instead, I took a breath, making sure my voice was steady before I spoke. Smiling right back at her, I walked past her, just barely grazing my shoulder against hers. "It is too bad Lord Robert does not care much for cities- I suppose you bored him with your conversation. Good thing Elizabeth is here to keep him company."
I heard Molly's outraged gasp, but did not turn around to see her face myself. Had I done so, she may have seen the silent laughter that was shaking my whole body.
Being rejected hurt her more than a physical blow, anyway.