Finding Love

Chapter Five

"Miss Alice the carriage is here for you." 

"Thank you Matthew. If mother asks I'll be back at two so that I have plenty of time to dress." 

"Yes ma'am"

With that assurance I walked out of the house into the waiting carriage where Kate and Lavinia sat inside. 

"Hello wonderful ladies. How are you doing this fine day." I said as I stepped in. 

"Well if we must answered feeling most grateful to be in your presence once more ." Lavinia answered. Kate rolled her eyes.

"As expected." I answered and she pretend to throw her purse at me. 

"So I will be leaving bright early tomorrow morning with my father and we will be going to the ball tonight." Kate said 

"Good because you can't miss the first elaborate ball of the season." Lavinia said 

"I know the good thing about it is that mother doesn't fuss over me since all her energy and mind is on Mercy." 

"Don't get to excited once she is gone all of your mothers energy will be pointed to solely on you." I said 

"Oh my dear why haven't I thought of that!" 

Lavinia and I laughed. 

Finally we had reached Havens street where many of the shops were. Once off the carriage we walked around looking at the many arrangements of things. Lavinia bought a new hat that was a bit to colorful for my taste. 

"Ladies all the clothes are to boring here let's go down to that stakes." Lavinia said 

"The stakes? Mother warned me not to ever go down there." Kate said 

"Which is precisely why we are going down there." I said as Lavinia and I grabbed each of her hands and began walking down the street. The stakes was a street full of sellers just a multitude of people selling anything from animals to house furniture. Anything you could think of they had there. 

I found a small painting from E. L'Artiste. Who at the moment was one of my favorite so I was surprised to find it here. The seller was most likely not aware of its value. The French artist was a bit of a secret among the rich in France only a few had met the man. But when I was visiting one of my uncles he bought me a painting which I had brought to the Manor and now hung in my room. This small painting was of a house. It would sit nicely in the sitting room. 

As I continued to walk around I found the most lovelyest pare of gloves to ever catch my eye. The were cream white with a light blue embroidery. 

"These are just lovely. How much?" 

"For you lovely girl I give them to you for free." 

"None sense these are to beautiful to just hand away." I said 

"To be honest they used to go with a dress that I no long have, and that is not a good story I no long wish to have them in my possession. You may have them" 

"Well then thank you. What is your name." 

"I am Marie DuPont." She was a skinny Older women about my mothers age or around there. She had big brown eye with big curly black hair. My favorite part her thick french accent. 

"And Mrs.DuPont did you make these yourself?"

"Yes I did." 

"Could you make me some more? I was hoping to fine some dark green ones." 

"Well of course it has been such a long time since I have made anything new." 

"Well I would love that my I come back another day." 

"Yes of course I am always here in my corner till four in the evening" 

"Then i shall visit again. Thank you Mrs. DuPont" I left her a few coins instead of leaving as is. my father says it's best not to be in anyone's doubt. 

When we were finished walking around we found our own ways home and I made it just a few minutes before two. 

"You should have been here sooner." My mother said as I walked into the house. "I have picked your gown that is in your room and Margret is reading your bath please go up and get ready now." 

I said nothing as I walked up the stairs and into my room. She had picked a light blue dress that surprisingly fit my new gloves perfectly. I then took off my clothes and unpinned my hair and walked over to the the brass tub that was in the room connected to mine. 

"Hello Margret, hope mother didn't drive you to crazy." 

"Nonsense well then again just a bit." We laughed and got me ready. A few hours later my hair was curled and pinned. The dress I wore was a light blue color that had a tight corset puffy sleeves that was not much to my licking. But it was my mothers choosing. That should have been my lesson of the year don't leave when there is a ball that night or she would taken it upon her to ready my clothes. 

While Margret finished up with my dress my mother walked into the room. 

"You need to get the attention of the duke. Be respectful but modest and hold your head up high. I will not lose the duke to the filthy little family." She was referring to the Johnson's daughter Martha. I knew better then to argue or say anything. Margret and I exchanged a look of knowing. I really didn't care for company of men these days unless it was well the man from the other night from the gentle mans club but I was not sure about him. Today walking around the Stacks I thought I almost saw him but i do believe it was all in my mind, and now i wasn't sure if I should run into to again. Then again I could ask my brothers to take me to the Club. No what if he called the street runners this time? No I don't think he would do that to me. Maybe I could thank him? If I only know who he was. He did say something about the club being his? No its best I stay away from all men. There its decided I stay away from all men.