Illicit Affairs(ONC2021)

Chapter Six

The next morning, Hyland Castle was a buzz of preparation. Not only was tonight the Welcome Ball, a celebration to kick off the debutante season and the arrival of Ethan Clarke, but it was the first event of many where Nina would work to find herself a suitable husband. Hopefully in her first season.

It was imperative to her family that she acquired not only a good man but a good title. This is why Nina was woken by her maids almost as soon as the sun had risen.

"Rise and shine, Nina." Emma pulled open the curtains.

Nina moaned in protest and rolled deeper in the covers. "Must I wake to such chaos outside?"

Emma laughed and began pulling out several outfits. "It's a big day. We must pick out your clothes for the day."

Finally, Nina pulled herself out of bed and gauged at the dresses laid before her. Living with her parents, being the daughter of a baron, she had never been privy to such rich options. She soon learned that a new debutante was expected to depute in a white dress... with a very large and hideous feather for the head.

"You'll also need multiple ensembles for the day. One for when Lord Clarke returns, one for your depute, and a final dress for dinner."

"What luck I have for being born with that of a vagina. I need not worry of such things beyond if my shoes match my hat." Nina droned in sarcasm.

"You're basically the daughter of a Marquess, My Lady. Much is now expected of you." 

"Uggh!" Nina flopped back onto her bed. "I thought this new life would be filled with joy and pleasure yet I'm forced to prepare for a tiring of work." 

Emma laughed and held up a turquoise dress. Pearls adorned the bodice and the skirt flourished out dramatically like an ocean.

"I suggest this for the dinner. I know everyone stresses the importance of the depute but only the queen will see your beauty then. I say, wear your best for the dinner, when suitors are lined up at your feet."

Nina gasped at the beauty of the dress and nodded. It would be perfect for the night.

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After spending what felt like hours picking out the perfect dresses with Emma, Nina had finally stolen a moment to herself. 

She sat on one of the small stone benches in the gardens. This time she had traveled deeper into what seemed like a maze of rose bushes and hedges. With her, she carried Benjamin's book and a notepad of paper. 

"What to say. What to say." She pondered.

With the drive of a mission in her head, Nina was hell-bound to arrange a band of words secret enough to not make sense to an outside reader but draw an x in the mind of the right person. 

The sweet scent of earth quenches the beating heart

No.

Roses often times yearn for such calm.

No, definitely not.

I cannot imagine a world without bodily functions.

God no!

Within my nightmares, the dream of roses delivers me calm.

Nina stopped. Her pencil inches from the paper, ready to scribble out her latest idea. Her eyes widened and she smiled. 

"Yes. I think this one is the perfect message."

Nina ripped out a fresh piece of paper and jotted her message down. She adorned the paper with images of trees and grass and roses before slipping it into the first page of the novel. 

Closing it, she thought again of her encounter with Benjamin. How despite his mask of wit he seemed almost tender and worried at the state in which she rushed into the night air. How he'd given her his handkerchief and helped her to her feet. 

She couldn't realize then, but her heart yearned for the feeling of his arms around her waist. Supporting her. 

"What are you doing hiding out here?" A voice, her grandmother's voice, asked. 

Nina perked up and did her best to hide the book. Smiling she patted the open seat beside her in invitation. "Thinking." 

"Ah. I do suppose these lush gardens are a prime place to do just that." Agnes smiled. "And what, may I ask, is my beautiful niece thinking about so early in the day?" 

"My debute. My uncle's arrival. Quite frankly everything." 

Agnes patted Nina's leg and said. "Oh, Lamb. Do not fear the coming events. Embrace them, as one should, in the change they bring."

Nina smiled. "You're right. Speaking of such, I should retire inside so I can prepare for my uncle's arrival."

Politely, Nina escaped a conversation she was sure would cause her to spiral once again. She found herself back up into her room, after weaving and dodging many maids and serfs, where she could prepare herself to meet the person that had been on everyone's tongue.

Lord Ethan Clarke.