Desire & Decorum

C: Oh! I remember you!

Nobleman: And yet, I cannot say the same of you.

D: Clara, allow me to introduce Mr. Ernest Sinclaire, master of the nearby Ledford Park. And Mr. Sinclaire, may I present you Miss Clara Mills, my granddaughter?

E: Ah, yes. You must be the Earl’s... natural daughter. He mentioned you would be arriving soon.

C: At long last I can put a name to the face that nearly trampled me in Grovershire.

E: Oh, I remember now. From when I rode through the village...

C: That certainly took you long enough to recall. I see how memorable you found the occasion.

D: The two of you are acquainted?

C: Only in passing, but the encounter remains etched in my mind. How could I forget such a hasty and ill-mannered meeting?

E: Did you ever pause and take into consideration that I had pressing matters to attend to, miss?

C: So ‘pressing’ you could not afford one minute to apologize? 

D: My dear, don’t tease Mr. Sinclaire so. He is one of the most eligible bachelors around... *she then whispers to Clara* And one of the wealthiest landowners around too.

C: No wife, sir? I must admit I’m surprised that a man of your fortune is unwed. But I suppose even wealth and position has its limits. Without a proper sense of charm and decorum, I’d imagine many women would be unwilling to ender into marriage.

E: You would mark my character as such?

C: Heavens, no. I’ve only known you for a short while now. I’m only attempting to shed some light on the situation. I should think your faults would create quite the test for any young lady labeled as your wife.

*they both stare at each other until the Dowager Countess steps in*

D: My dear girl, I just realized you haven’t seen the gardens yet! In fact, Mr. Sinclaire’s grandmother helped me design them years ago. Why don’t you show Miss Mills the gardens, Mr. Sinclaire? With your strong connection to the garden, you would be the perfect guide.

E: Me? But I... It’s not my property.

C: Oh, is that all? I thought you were afraid to know me further, sir.

E: Nonsense. You and I... What I mean is... Ahem. It would be my honor, miss. Would you accompany me in a turn about the gardens?

C: I beg your pardon?

Noblewoman: Regardless of my dear husband’s intentions, you’re his bastard nonetheless.

Older Noblewoman: *approaches* That is quite enough, Countess Henrietta. Clara is a guest of this house, and I don’t believe the earl would appreciate her being treated any less.

Henrietta: ‘Any less’? I’m simply reminding Clara to know her place as the natural daughter she is. *storms inside the house*

Older Noblewoman: So sorry. Countess Henrietta insisted upon greeting you... But then, I suppose it's her right as lady of the house.

B: I'm glad I'm not her lady's maid. I should think I'd go completely mad.

O.N: You must be Clara's lady's maid. Why don't you settle her luggage into her room? I should like to speak with Clara in private.

*Briar curtsies and leaves with the luggage*

O.N: Hm, yes... I do see my son in you.

C: Your son? So you’re...

D: Dominique, the Dowager Countess of Edgewater... and your grandmother. Now, let’s see... Hm, good figure, strong facial features, demure personality... And a decent sense of style too. Perhaps we'll make a lady of you yet.

C: Thank you... I think?

D: *walks, Clara follows* You're quite welcome. As soon as your mother wrote my son, he insisted on bringing you here. It won't be easy going from a village girl to an earl's daughter... But if you have any of my son in you, you'll be an accomplished lady, and a great jewel of Edgewater in no time.

C: I’m honored that you think of me in that way, Lady Grandmother! I will try not to let you down.

*The door flies open. A familiar, brooding nobleman walks out briskly, stopping in front of Clara.*

"Dear Celine,

I feel like our souls are tied together. We have so many similarities that it both excites and scares me. We are sensitive souls with a great passion for art: I am certain we can find this passion between the two of us as well. I would love to take you to art galleries, museums and romantic places, but I would also love to make your heart race with fun but unconventional outings. Hope I am not being too forward but I already can picture my future with you by my side.

Edgewater Estate, later this evening.

B: Your father owns all of this?

C: My word... This estate could fit my home ten times over! What do they do with all this space?

Groom: *approaches with a horse* Welcome to Edgewater, miss. I've... We've been looking forward to your arrival.

C: Thank you, sir. I'm glad to be here as well.

G: I hope it's not out of place, but I wish you the best stay... and hope I'll see more of you. *bows and leaves*

B: Whoever he is, I believe he's taken a fancy to you already. Are all men as fine as him here?

C: Briar, do you think of nothing but romance?

B: Yes, and balls and horses and dresses-

C: And this grand estate? It's absolutely unbelievable.

One week later.

Clara: Wherever Mama is, I'm certain she's smiling to see us still together.

Briar: I doubt she would have wanted it any other way.

Arthur: Miss Mills, I presume? I'm Mr. Arthur Woods, under-butler and head footman at the Edgewater Estate.

C: A pleasure to meet you. Allow me to introduce my dear friend, and now lady's maid, Miss Briar Daly.

A: It's enchanting to meet you, miss.

B: I can only hope all the men at Edgewater are as charming and fine as you, Mr. Woods.

A: Well, I can say for certain you're now the most alluring lady's maid.

C: Should I leave you two alone?

1816, Grovershire, England.

"Dear Diary,

I still cannot believe she is gone. For the past few years I have felt like I was losing my mother little by little, but to actually lose her... It is a whole new matter. Before she passed, she told me about my father. The Earl of Edgewater. Apparently he did not know about my existence until my mother contacted him a few weeks ago. He is sending someone to fetch me so I can live with him. I... I do not know how to feel about this whole situation. I believed him to be dead until a few hours ago and now I am going to be living in his Estate.

Briar will be coming with me, of course. She insisted on being my lady's maid and although I could never see her as my maid, it will be good to have my dear friend with me in such unfamiliar waters. I do not know what to expect.

Just this morning we were laughing about an improper man almost running me over with his horses and now this... I need some time to think.