A Rose Among Thorns

To her Grace, The Duchess of Kasern

August 10, 1838

My dearest Louise,

It has been far too long since I wrote, but I trust dearest sister that this letter finds you well. Rest assured that all our family is enjoying summer in London, but I confess a growing impatience for the Season to be over so we may retire to the country and Ravens Briar Manor. I know my lack of enthusiasm for the Season's delights will come as no shock to you dearest Louise, since you are my closest confidant, but oh how I miss the comfort of our late night conversations.  Never more so than now, for while I suspect the news of Lord Taylor's unfortunate demise may have already reached as far as Salzburg, there have been two more murders so shocking in nature I hesitate to speak of it.  All of London society is aghast and not even Scotland Yard seems to have any clues as to the identity of the murderer or his motive for committing such horrendous crimes, for surely there can be only one man responsible for these frightful deeds.

Oh but alas dear sister, I regret that I must stop my letter here, as it is time to leave for Lady Gainsborough's afternoon diversion of a tea and dance, the theme of which is Ribbons and Roses.  I suspect I shall find no shortage of either as my fellow female guests will no doubt embrace this opportunity to adorn themselves with gleeful exuberance, a point which causes me no small amount of unhappy anticipation.  However, I promise I shall behave myself so as not to have word of my irreverent behaviour, reach the ears of my favourite Duchess.  I will write again as soon as I have more news, which I hope will be the joyful confirmation of our dear brother Stephen announcing his engagement to the lovely Lady Sarah.

Your adoring sister,
Georgiana

~~~~

         Anyone watching the young woman seated on a settee near the open doors that led to Lady Gainsborough's gardens, might wonder what was responsible for the smile of amusement tugging at the corner of her lips while she sipped a cup of tepid tea.  To anyone who knew her well however, it would be no mystery that the serene lady dressed in an unadorned lavender silk gown with her pale blond hair swept up in a simple style, found the sea of beribboned silk with matching flowers quite comical. 

         Though it proved earlier predictions, she may have underestimated the number of ladies taking the theme so much to heart, as evidenced by how many rose bushes must have sacrificed their most beautiful blooms to the whims of girlish frivolity.  She shook her head and smiled, taking another sip from the gilded porcelain teacup.  There were still a few hours left before she could call for the carriage; to leave before the dancing and evening repast would be considered impolite, and so, the Lady Georgiana Stanton, youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Rutherford, set her cup down on the cushion with a discouraged sigh.

         Squeals of delight from one of the ladies gossiping in a circle near the orchestra caused a startled upwards glance, but it was the swishing of skirts from her friend Lady Jane running over all aglow that held Georgiana’s attention.

         "Oh Georgie, why are you sitting all the way over here?"  She admonished with a giggle; cheeks flush with excitement.

         "I was just admiring the gardens," she replied, deep blue eyes twinkling with mirth, "and I find this spot offers an unspoiled view."

         Jane cast a perplexed glance at the wall of vegetation splashed with colour a few feet away, then back at her friend. "They are quite lovely, but I don't see how they are so very interesting."

         "I was referring to the indoor garden," Georgiana inclined her head towards the crowd behind them, "it's quite...bountiful."

         "Oh you!"  Jane laughed, and took her friends hand.  "Come on, the music shall soon start and you are much more likely to find a dance partner if you are not sitting here like a wallflower.  Assuming the men cease their endless discussions over the dreary subject of recent shocking events."

         Rising with a tiny nod of acquiescence, Georgiana smiled at the pretty brunette.  Though they shared few interests, Jane was intelligent and kind, a dear friend with firm opinions who was equally curious about staying informed on current events, including the mystery that had everyone so enthralled, even if she pretended not to be for the sake of their present company. 

         As the two women walked arm in arm towards a vacant table near the ballroom floor, the din of conversation lowered to a whispered hush.  A new arrival to Lady Gainsborough's party always piqued everyone's interest, but the tall, handsome man standing near the entrance was a new acquaintance; a rare occurrence so near the end of the Season, which is why it caused such a stir.

         "Who is he?"  The whisper came with a tug on Georgiana’s arm.  "I've never seen that gentleman before."

         "Hmm?  Who?"  Georgiana murmured, turning to glance in the direction everyone was looking.  The moment her gaze fell on him, it was as though the entire room and everyone else faded from view, and only the sounds of conversation and activity resuming, brought her back to her senses.  "I…I'm not sure Jane...I have never seen him before either."

         “Come,” Jane grinned, “let us weave our way around the room for a spell, and perhaps we will learn about Lady Gainsborough’s mysterious new guest.”  Without waiting for a reply, Jane spied a group of women gathering not too far away and began walking towards them, a silent Georgiana firmly in tow.

         It was to be expected that a new acquaintance would cause a series of hushed whispers as the party’s elite passed on each new tidbit of information gleaned to the next eager recipient, and Mr. Cussler’s late arrival was no exception.  Georgiana usually ignored such gossip, finding it ill mannered and condescending, but this evening she tilted her head to hear it as she and Jane wound their way through the crowd.  If anyone else tried to catch her attention, she did not notice it because her eyes drifted around the room with hopes of catching a glimpse of only one person. 

         Listening with fascinated interest, focusing on the exchange of murmurs proved easier than trying to breathe, easier than trying to pretend her entire world hadn’t turned upside down the moment she saw him because he was magnificent, that was the only word to describe him.  Tall and powerfully built with dark features sculpted to perfection, he moved with an elegant grace that came with none of the practiced pretention so often found among the men of elite society.  It was her world only by right of birth, a world where he did not seem to belong, and yet, he possessed an air of confidence and ease that put every other male in the room to shame. And of course, his smile as he moved forward through the crush of guests, was one she found utterly charming. 

         “…spent several years in the Americas as I understand it…”

         The frequent glances cast in Patrick Cussler’s direction did not go unnoticed by Jane, the smile on her face growing upon seeing her friend so distracted because it was so out of character.  In truth, she was thrilled at the reaction because Georgiana rarely showed partiality or even mild interest, which was understandable considering most men found the idea of a woman with a mind of her own alarming to say the least.

         “…yes, I believe the family has an estate north of London…”       

         “He’s very handsome this new gentleman is he not?” Jane asked with a sly sideways glance.

         “…shame he wasn’t here to enjoy the Season in full...”

         “Well yes, he is but we don’t know anything about him,” she said, looking down for a moment before her eyes searched the crowd again.

         “Father’s a solid, upstanding man and I’m told his son is just like him…”

         Lady Gainsborough waved and gasped with excitement as the two women passed. “Oh ladies! I trust you are enjoying yourselves?  Is this not a fine party? But what of your mother Lady Georgiana, is she not here?”  The beaming matron asked between eager nods, oblivious to Georgiana’s impatient smile and quick glance over her shoulder.

         “No Lady Gainsborough unfortunately not, since she accompanied my father to Court, but she sends her deepest regrets at being denied the pleasure of joining your fine assembly.”

         “Oh indeed!”  The woman twittered.  “Well that is a suitable excuse and one that shall not cause me a moment’s distress!  But oh tell me news of the new Queen, is it true that…” 

         Georgiana was no longer paying attention because when she and Jane turned around at the sound of male voices, there he was with an older gentleman she knew from earlier in the Season, a smiling Mr. Hillsborough.  "Ladies, may I introduce to you Mr. Patrick Cussler. Recently returned from abroad."         

         Georgiana held her breath the moment his eyes found hers, a warm dizzying sensation rendering her unaware of anything except the handsome man standing before her and the rich sound of his voice when he spoke that one simple word...Milady.

         "Mr. Cussler may I present the Lady Georgiana Stanton."

         She could do naught but stare until hearing her name, when she recovered her senses just enough to bestow a genuine smile and polite curtsy.  "Milord, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." 

         If anyone around them thought it odd she addressed him as 'Milord', and not as Mr. Cussler, they were far too polite to point it out.  Even if they had, it would make no difference because for Georgiana, she could think of no other man more worthy of the title. 

         "I have never been abroad, but I imagine it must have been quite exciting," she said with a hint of uncharacteristic shyness while watching him through her lashes. "May I ask Milord, have you been in London long?"