Midnight Affairs

Part One - You're Engaged

I woke early on Tuesday morning by our maid, Edith, coming into my sleep room with tea and my gown for the day. 

'Oh, good morning, Miss' She said, giving a small smile. 

Edith was lovely, although my Mother did not treat her well at all. She was always bright, and even when doing her chores always had time to care for me and my younger brother, Edward. I smiled at her and sat up in my bed, which she then came over and smoothed out the thick quilt on my bed. 

'No, it's quite alright, Edith. Thank you' I said as she gave me my tea and saucer. 

She always prepared me a lemon tea in the mornings with my gown and shoes. She began her morning routine, opening the drapes, and setting out my jewellery on my dresser. 

She was always very good to me, in every way - probably even ways she was not supposed to be.

 'Miss, I do not want to say too much as it really is not my place, but your Mother, wishes to speak to you as soon as you are dressed. I think it is important' She said rather sheepishly. 

Edith seemed nervous and that was not a good sign in my book already. I could tell she knew what it was about already but did not want to say more. 'Edith, what is going on?' I asked her, setting down my tea on my breakfast tray.

'Miss, I really do think you should be asking your mother' She began, but I cut her off. 

'Edith? I will speak to my mother but you look worried. What is going on?' I said again, a bit more stern. 

She hovered for a moment, probably wanting to walk out of the room but also knowing she could not. 'Miss, Elizabeth, your mother, Elaine is talking to the Countess, about her son, Charles. He is a family of wealth, a practicing Catholic, and about to take on leadership with the Royal Family' She was going on. She looked as though she may be sweating. 

'Edith, for crying out loud, what is going on?' I snapped. I liked Edith a lot, but she was going around the question. 'I do not care much to know about the Countess' son' I sighed.

She sighed, frustrated emotionally. 'Charles is looking to be engaged. He is seeking a Wife, Miss' She said. I rolled my eyes slightly, getting out of bed now and going to my gown. 

'Well, I am not to turn 16 for another week, they will not be expecting that of me without having being courted' I half laughed, taking off my night slippers and setting them down on my bed.  I then looked over at Edith who was stood looking rather uncomfortable. 

'Edith?' I asked. 

'Miss Elizabeth, please do not be angry with me, and please do not tell your Mother - but they are looking into an arranged marriage. YOU are the only young women left of the appropriate age to marry this year. You are the last to turn 16 and most women in town have been courted, are engaged or yet to marry' she whispered. 

I shook my head in almost disbelief. 'Help me dress please, so I can go and talk to my Mother' I said, turning my back to her ready for her to tie my corset. 

'I do not believe mother would speak of such things without consulting me first' I said to myself. 

Edith kept silent as she pulled my corset tighter. 

This could not be true, an arranged marriage. My mother had never spoken of this to me bar this once when I was 13. It was a week before my 14th birthday and our cousin, Merissa had just gotten engaged at the age of 18 by an arrangement from her parents. I expressed to Mother how I thought it was not right and she should have gotten to choose her own husband from a group of eligible Batchelors.