#percy cushing

The Redwood family's Grand Ball finally arrived, all the guests were dancing and partying in the great hall while Jacques and Violet played waltzes in a beautiful musical duet.

Evangeline and August arrived a little late compared to the rest of the guests, Evie was worried about returning to the holidays with her family and especially with the presence of Percival and Thaddeus.

Both Edgar and George greeted Evie with great affection, after all they hadn't seen their sister for a couple of months and were glad she was able to attend with August.

Antoinette lived on the same street where Whiskers Market was located, so she wasted no time and it was also easy to offer Amber a cup of hot tea, the hot cup and its steam comforting her after a difficult start as a saleswoman.

She was surprised and a little suspicious of how friendly her hostess seemed despite how little time they had known each other and how interested she was in her personal history. Amber was never much for opening up and telling anything, she considered herself better off as a listener to other people's problems rather than an avid teller, but there was something about Antoinette that was different.

Lord Barrow and Lord Redwood took each other by the hand and walked towards the center of the ballroom, all the dancing couples were surprised and stopped dancing to make some space for the host of the evening, Edgar and George were disconcerted by their father's attitude.

All the guests looked at Jacques and Mordecai. Being the host of the evening it was impossible to ignore, in addition to the fact that they were two men waltzing. 

Percival and Thaddeus were surprised to see another male couple dancing like them, as if it was a silent validation from Jacques. Rose watched everything from the piano, afraid of people's reaction and uncertain of how whatever was happening at that moment would end.

After several twists and turns, Mordecai tried to converse with his dance partner, who seemed unaware of the consequences of his actions.

Mordecai: Jacs, what are we doing? I don't want you to be foolish with what we're generating in the atmosphere. Everyone is watching us

Jacques: Mord, I have been a watcher for over 30 years. Even though it's late for us, I don't want to miss the opportunity to be the interpreter of my own life.

Despite being an evening of celebration and joy at the farewell of another year, the Redwood Ball seemed to be submerged in a sea of countless gossip, rumors and whispers.

Many of the guests were himnotized by Evangeline's presence. The young Boneville widow married to her cousin-in-law seemed to dance with the lightness of a young debutante, something that attracted attention from the ladies.

Percival was not left out of the judgmental stares of the more conservative generations, two men dancing as if they were a couple was most unusual and improper for the evening.

Jacques wasn’t comfortable with this situation, he had to tolerate pretending to be part of this false morality for almost 60 years. It was time to understand that he could break this mold with impunity thanks to his social and hierarchical position, so he decided to help both his daughter and his nephew.

He watched Mordecai from afar with his eyes on the dancing couples, approached and offered his hand to his former lover.

Jacques: Mordecai Barrow, it has been a long time. But I would love it if you could grant me the next dance.

Mordecai and Evangeline were both impressed by the proposal of Jacques. It went against every image he had tried to build for so many years, it seemed to show a turning point in his life.

The end of the year celebrations arrived and with them the famous Harvesfest Pantomime, Rose played the violin as it was customary more than 30 years ago and this year the theme was Renaissance Tartosa.

The entire Redwood Family had attended the pantomime, even Edgar and Madeleine had attended that night. Despite the mourning, Clara, Amber and Percy had been able to attend to celebrate the end of this fateful year.

Evangeline still wasn't talking to her cousins, she was watching them out of the corner of her eye from across the theater, hoping that Amber would understand her situation and they would get back in touch.

At this time of the year it is always common to see apparitions of different empty seats at the back of the theater. It is historically believed that these apparitions are of deceased family members who watch over the happiness of their loved ones.

Portraits of Lord Thaddeus L. Anchorena and the Cushing Brothers.

Brindleton Bay Museum, 1842

Brindleton Bay 1821.