The
next Sunday, Kate met Hester in town before church was to begin. They
looked in the shop windows, and gossiped about the people that they
knew.
"Look," Kate said, pointing into the bookstore's window. "They've got the new Jane Austen novel. I've been looking forward to that for so long."
"Yes," agreed Hester. "I've been wanting to read it as well. Mrs. Jenkins' daughter sent it to her from London last week, and she said it was very good." They moved further down the street towards the church. "Oh," Hester gasped. "Speaking of Mrs. Jenkins, she told me the most delicious news!"
Kate turned towards her friend, a quizzical look on her face.
"Someone has taken on the old Haversham mansion." Hester paused for effect. "A Mr. Sewall and his sister. He comes from Yorkshire, and is said to be well-thought of, in addition to being young and handsome." Hester's dearest wish was to have her friend well-settled, generally disregarding the fact that Kate's lack of fortune was not enough to recommend her to those seeking a bride. It was ironic, Kate thought to herself, that Hester so detested the match-making efforts of her mother, and yet here she was trying to match Kate up with some handsome stranger. Hester herself gave little thought to her own matrimonial future, knowing full well that her own lack of beauty made her less than desirable on the marriage mart.
"I wouldn't get my hopes up, Hester." Kate told her friend. "You know how reliable Mrs. Jenkins' gossip has been in the past." Both girls grimaced at that point. "And besides, it doesn't matter if your Mr. Sewall is handsome or ugly, for I have no wish to marry at this time."
Hester
snorted, unconvinced, but Kate ignored her. They walked into the church
and took seats in the front pew. The service was to begin in a few
minutes, and there were still a few stragglers walking in. Hester looked
in the seats behind them, and then turned towards Kate, a mischievous grin on
her face.
Kate turned and looked as well, and then gasped, turning straight towards the front of the church and not moving. Lord Pembroke and another man had entered the church and both sat down behind Kate and Hester.
The following hour and a half was sheer torture for Kate, as she was sure that she could feel his eyes boring into the back of her neck. She tried not to move and pay attention to her father's sermon, but found her mind kept wandering back to that day by the pasture and her sheer rudeness towards the man. "Please," she prayed, "make him have forgotten that day."
When the service had ended, the people within the church moved en masse to the garden outside. Lord Pembroke and his friend walked towards their carriage parked by the side. Hester's mother moved to intercept them, and called in a carrying tone, "Lord Pembroke, is it? I believe you know my husband, Squire Bainbridge."
"Oh-no,"
muttered Hester, as her mother furiously waved her and Kate over. Kate
tried to look for a means of escape, but there was none, for not only was Mrs.
Bainbridge looking towards them, but Lord Pembroke and his friend as well.
Turning and running would be inexcusably rude.
"Lord Pembroke, this is my daughter Hester," Mrs. Bainbridge gushed. "And this is Kate Dawes, the vicar's daughter."
Pembroke bowed towards the girls. "Miss Bainbridge, Miss Dawes, a pleasure to meet you." As he straightened, his gaze caught Kate's and he grinned slightly, his eyes dancing.
Kate felt herself blushing, but managed a serviceable curtsy. Pembroke gestured towards the man beside him. "My good friend, Major Huntley."
Major Huntley bowed as well and began to speak, but was interrupted by Mrs. Bainbridge. "Lord Pembroke," she said, "I do hope you will be attending our dinner party next week. It will be a small affair, but pleasant company nonetheless. Oh, and please bring your friend as well."
Hester groaned inside at her mother's pushiness, sure that the two men would be disgusted over her aggressive behaviour. Lord Pembroke merely nodded, though, and said, "Yes, we will attend. Until then, we must bid you ladies adieu." He bowed again, and he and Major Huntley climbed into the carriage and drove off.
"See girls, two eligible bachelors will be at dinner next week." Mrs. Bainbridge chortled with glee over the prospect. "And a lord to boot. Don't say your mother never does anything for you, Hester!"
"Oh, mama," Hester sighed. She turned towards Kate who shrugged, and then she whispered to her friend, "Well, it should be interesting to say the least. Trust me, after mama starts her usual tactics, Lord Pembroke will flee the county for his life. You'll never have to see him again!"
Kate smiled uncertainly in return. Surely that was what she wanted, for Lord Pembroke to be gone. Why did she feel so unsure now?
Coming Soon...Chapter Three Cathedral Windows in church picture courtesy
of Ophelia's Little
Page About the Sims
This week's object downloads
(any new skins can be found in skins area)
Can't imagine why you would need
an alter...looks okay in game, but
peeks through walls sometimes.The arch comes with 2
parts--the other one is
used to end the row.Boring old candle.
This carriage does NOTHING.
Don't send me e-mail asking why
it doesn't do anything except sit there.A nice giant cross
for your home.The well has to be put
on grass--didn't realize
that till I was done.