For once the weather was nothing but splendid. June entered with nothing more but a bit more sunshine. It was perfect for the roses that were beginning to blossom in the tea garden of Drumbroke Manor.
Lexa was sitting outside sipping on her afternoon tea thinking about what she might wear to the ball hosted by the Abernathys. In truth, she was most eager to see Phoebe before her dear friend departed back home to the United States. After all, from what she heard from Dora, their stay in Britain was temporary and for the purpose of launching first of many hotels to come.
Lexa watched as the servants set the platter of biscuit in front of her. At the same time, she flipped the page of book. She was currently reading a collection of poems written by Algernon Charles Swinburne. She picked it up in the library earlier and decided to read it.
"Oh, there you are," a voice said.
Lexa looked up and found Edward standing in front of her.
"May I join you?" He asked.
Lexa smiled at her husband with warmth. It was good that the tension between the two of them eased. And just in time for the ball, where they would be introduced into society together.
"You may," Lexa said.
Edward smiled at his wife and joined her by sitting across from her. The weather was beautiful and the flowers that were beginning to bloom in the garden were going to look splendid.
"Everyone's looking forward to the ball," Edward told his wife.
Closing her book, Lexa nodded and said, "I'm very much looking forward to speaking with Miss Abernathy."
"Is she leaving for New York?" Edward asked.
"Yes," Lexa conformed, "After the ball. She will return to New York City."
"It'll be good for you to see each other one last time then," Edward said.
Lexa nodded as she took another sip of her tea.
***
It would seem that the warm July weather went into the evening. Lexa was dressed in her most finest as the new Marchioness of Douro.
She was walking alongside Edward, observing the ballroom.
The ballroom was breathtaking beautiful. The architecture and design was different from the other ballroom she'd seen in the London. The gilded ballroom indicated how wealthy and powerful the Abernathys were. The floor was marbled which allowed light in the room to brighten even further.
Lexa noticed Phoebe in the centre, chatting with a few ladies. She looked in her element as the hostess. Lexa made a mental note to talk to her later.
Suddenly the band started the music and the guests began making their way towards the ballroom floor. In pairs, they started to dance.
"Shall we?" Edward asked beside her. Smiling, Lexa nodded and took her husband's hand and allowed him to lead her on to the dance floor.
Dancing commenced and Lexa was whisked into her husband's arm. Looking around, she spotted Julie dancing with a familiar gentleman. Immediately then, she realized that the gentleman was Robert Garroway, Marquess of Anglesey. Lexa smiled at the thought of the two of them. She was reminded of Julie's infatuation with the young marquess and did hope that they end up together.
Edward was quizzical about Lexa's smile and asked his wife, "What amused you so?"
"Nothing in particular," Lexa replied and then added, "I must say, I find this hotel rather beautiful."
"I do agree," Edward said to his wife, thinking about the exclusive and private tour they went on earlier to see the entirety of the new hotel.
The dance ended and then, Lexa noticed Julie and Lord Anglesey approaching them as she and Edward made their way to the refreshment table.
"Lord and Lady Douro," Julie said as she and Lord Anglesey reached them. "How wonderful is it to see you."
"Miss Kingsley," Edward as he slightly bowed his head. He then turned to Lord Anglesey and acknowledged him, "it's been a long time, Lord Anglesey."
Lord Anglesey smiled politely, bowed his head and said, "It has been. I apologize for not congratulating you on your marriage, Lord Douro. So congratulations."
"You are too kind, my lord," said Lexa.
Lord Anglesey turned to her, his grey eyes with warmth. "My lady, it has been some time since I last saw you."
"It has been," Lexa affirmed, "How have you been? Are you still in Eton?"
"I've been well. I'm nearly complete with my study in Eton. I'm currently staying in Braxton Manor."
"How wonderful," Lexa said. She looked at Julie and winked. Julie blushed in return much to the oblivion of Lord Anglesey. "You must be pleased to be home after so long."
"Yes, my lady," was Lord Anglesey's reply.
After their break at the refreshments, both Julie and Lord Anglesey excused themselves and departed. Lexa watched them go, and then turned to Edward and said, "Isn't he charming?"
"You find Lord Anglesey charming?" Edward asked.
"I've know him since childhood. He and Julie are childhood friends," Lexa told him, "but I think I sense an unspoken attraction between the two of them."
"You at not try to match them, are you?" Edward asked his wife.
"Perhaps," Lexa replied. There was a sparkle in her eyes and Edward had a feeling that now that she was married, she might try to do that.
Instead of carrying the on with the conversationâfor he did fear her intentionsâEdward took his wife's hand and said, "Let us go and talk with our hostess."
Together they made their around the crowd and towards Phoebe who was just finishing her conversation with a duchess. Phoebe looked up and noticed Lexa and Edward coming forward and smiled kindly at them as she said, "Lord and Lord Douro. How pleased am I to see you."
"You are most kind," Edward replied. He then smiled at Phoebe, his dark hazel eyes warm and said, " The ball is most splendid, Miss Abernathy."
"Thank you, Lord Douro," Phoebe replied.
As they spoke, Lexa silently wondered if the two of them realized how similar they looked with both of them having dark hair and hazel eyes.
"It's sad that you are leaving, Miss Abernathy," said Lexa.
Phoebe gave her a kind smile and said, "Don't you worry, Lady Douro. I'll come whenever you wish me to come."
Lexa smiled at her friend and thanked her for her kindness.
From amongst the crowd, Charlotte Abernathy watched as she spied Edward and his wife engross themselves in conversation with the host. Looking at the young woman, Charlotte though of the image of a young girl smiling innocently, oblivious of the world.
It was bittersweet memory and she thought of that child. Phoebe
The ball rang until midnight, in which the guests slowly departed the Abernathy Hotel. Lexa and Lord Douro bid their farewells as well before departing. Phoebe Abernathy took a deep breath and exhaled her relief.
The day was exhausting and everything was done. It was now time to go home. Phoebe Abernathy walked down the empty foyer and made it to the garden. The night was cool and warm with the moon showering its light on the ground casting a shadow of the garden statues.
She thought about Lexa and how she wished she could say longer. She had become fond of London and all its glamour intended to come back one day.
"Phoebe," a voice said out of the blue.
A chill went down Phoebe's spine. She knew that voice, even if it had been a long time. A voice within a memory that she didn't want to resurface.
Turning around, slowly and cautiously, Phoebe looked to see a middle-aged woman standing in front of her. Her blue eyes where cold, her beautiful angelic face aged gracefully was staring at her.
Phoebe swallowed her bile and then spoke, "Do I know you, Madam?"
Shaking her head, the woman tsked and she spoke, "Now, is that how to speak to your mother?"