The Marchioness

chapter 7 -22nd june 1867

As they all entered the dining room one by one little aurelias eyes lit up in wonder, she had never seen such beautiful decor! the dining table dressed in the finest golden silk table cloth she had ever seen and in the centre of the table sat a crystal vase of freshly bloomed yellow roses. She climbed up on her seat and leant forwards to sniff at the roses she likened them to the smell of freshly squeezed lemons.

"Aurelia sit down dear," the lord asked with a kind smile, her child-like wonder amused him very much.

Aurelia sat down in her seat her legs barely dangling over the edge of the seat. She gazed around the room at the embellishments, the dinner set it was all so beautiful she felt like a princess however the faces of the twins clouded and shadowed the room the that of a thunderous cloud. They glared at her with intense envy.

Why should she get to stay? they thought to themselves. Why should she be Father favourite? we were here first! They both sat stewing in the broth of their anger. the tension of the room began to grow ever more intense as the clacking of hooves and carriage wheels against the cobblestones grew louder and closer.

Mrs Jones came to the dining-room door, "your guest has arrived my lord, should I escort them in?" She inquired.

The Lord now visibly nervous began to fidget with his silverware, "uh Uhm yes yes uh see to it that our guest is welcome, take their coat and bring them in Mrs Jones" he replied flustered.

The three children turned to look at him they had never seen their father so nervous, who was this guest that made him act this way? At that moment Aurelia realised and grew rather excited herself for she had seen her father like this before. in fact, it was yesterday at the grand ball! She gazed at her father in pure ecstasy however the twins were now more confused if anything. Before they had time to as any questions their guest appeared in the doorway.

The Lord jumped up to greet his guest "glad you could join us" he said with a grin like that of a Cheshire cat as he kissed the back of her hand.

"As am I" she giggled to herself.

"Could I get you a drink? wine perhaps?" The lord inquired

"Oh yes please red if you have it? She smiled.

The Lord led her to her seat pulling the chair out for her opposite Aurelia. "Iris!!!" Aurelia exclaimed with pure delight.

The twins were dumbfounded. Who was this woman? How did father and Aurelia know her?
The twins looked at each other in great confusion before Idris piped up. "Father, are you going to introduce us? Who even is this woman?"

"Idris that's quite enough...." The lord began but not before he was interrupted.

"No no it is quite alright, I am iris Elizabeth morgan," she said with a smile and her warm songbird like voice.

"Well, Mrs morgan why are you here?" Idris asked rather unamused.

"Idris that is enough I think you forget yourself boy!" Barked lord Mansfield trying his best to keep his calm demeanour for iris' sake.

"She's fathers sweetheart" Aurelia declare giggling to herself.

Lord Mansfield almost spat out his wine " Aurelia enough now" he exclaimed splitting and choking on his wine as he and Mrs Morgan tried to contain their laughter.

Idris and Isaac were not at all amused by this "well that's not true, it cannot be a true father is married" Issac snapped angrily.

Mrs Morgan now extremely perplexed her eyes widened in shock "married?" She asked with a gasp.

The Lord scowled at the twins "I was once yes, their mother passed away, unfortunately" he explained to lady Morgan.

"Oh God, I am so deeply sorry for your loss" she replied rather saddened but also relieved at the news as she placed her hand on top of the lords.