True Love

The Week Before

Mary. Anne and Jim's brother John all decided to stay in.  Alyse was given money from her mother and was sent on her way. She begged you her mother to go to fight for her with Joshua, she even tried to persuade her to go to his brother Charles but Mary knew she had to protect her younger two children. She knew Joshua was a fair and caring employer which would help them live better then they had in years.
Alyse went to Turo and went to see Margarethe, she had heard tell she made a good sum of money and had more work then she could handle. Margarethe looked the young girl up and down. Alyse told her of her employment at Nampara, when questioned she made it sound that Joshua had gotten rid of her because Ross had her in his bed. Thinking this may be a way to get to Ross she agreed the two would work together.
Mary, Ann, Demelza worked well together. Verity had come to stay the week before the soirée to help set the final plans. The renovations were all done and Verity gushed how certain people were going to be very jealous! No one questioned who those would be. Demelza still wanted to get material for curtains in the parlor and the dinning room and the kitchen. Telling Joshua, this he suggested Ross take them! Demelza quickly said, "that if it was all the same could they not ride into Toro alone?" Ross said, "definitely not!" It was decided that Ross would take them. Joshua pulled Ross aside and said talk to the owner of the dress shop tell her we need another gown for Demelza's coming out party. To have it delivered the day before the party!  Ross decided he would get her a ring and a necklace to match.
Verity, Demelza and Ross all rode into town together, Ross thought it was a very amicable time. Verity and Demelza got along so much better than Elizabeth and Verity ever did.  He realized it was because these two woman both had kind souls. Having the horses taken to the stables, Demelza said, "Ross you can go meet up with your friends?" Ross said, "there is no one else I want to spend time with than you!" At that moment they heard the familiar voice of, (wait for it) Alyse. Alyse and Margarethe came over and wrapped their arms around Ross's. Margarethe said, "I think you know my new partner 'My Lord'?" Demelza took Verity's arm and started toward the dressmakers. Ross disentangled himself and said, "Lady's I beg your leave I have no time for you pleasures!" He caught up with the women and said let us go and select the curtain material. Verity and Demelza was looking over what they could get to make the curtains when Ross found the proprietress, he told her he needed a dress for an coming out/engagement of the latest fashion telling her the date. He told her the one his father had purchased looked Devine on her and he wanted the same effect. He pointed Demelza out to her and she said she remembered. Telling him he could count on her.
Ross wanted to go to the jewelers so he told the lady's to meet them in the tea room when they were done. Ross picked out a emerald ring and the necklace to go with the bracelet she already had. The jeweler pulled out a pair of earrings that went with the set and he purchased that to. Coming out of the Jewerler he wanted to show the dressmaker the jewelry she would wear, he was heading back to the dress makers when Elizabeth caught up to him. She said, "Ross, what did you purchase from the jewelers.  Could it be a present for me for Geoffrey Charles christening?" He said "that Elizabeth is for Francis to do!" I told you Ross, he is such a disappointment he spends no time at home with me or his son! Ross kept walking making her almost run to keep up. Ross let us go and have a bite so we can talk properly. He said, "I cannot I am here with a purpose. I must meet Demelza and. Verity!" She aid "oh that is right the soirée your father is having where on earth is he putting everyone.? We would have hosted your return party!" Ross said father has it covered! They got to the dressmakers and Elizabeth followed him in. The dressmaker seeing him walked over and asked, "is there something else I can help you with?" Hoping he wasn't going to cancel the order. He pulled out the necklace telling her that this is the jewelry that would be worn!" Elizabeth gasped, drawing the attention of the other customers. Demelza turned her head and Ross caught her eye before she turned back to the fabric, leaving no doubt as to her feelings on him being with Elizabeth. Verity excused herself and went to Elizabeth and asked, "who has Geoffrey Charles?" Elizabeth said, "the wet nurse!" She put her hand on Ross's arm and said, "who is the necklace intended for?" Ross quirked and eyebrow and said, "you will find out next week." Elizabeth said, "surely not Alyse, Margarethe told me how Joshua kicked her out for sleeping with you?" He said, "I did not sleep with her! Excuse me I must see if Demelza needs me!" Elizabeth said surely she has enough intelligence to pick fabric!" Ross turned and roared, "she had more intelligence  and knowledge in her little finger then you in you whole body!" Elizabeth huffed, really Ross do not be so crude you know that is not true!" Ross just turned around and went to Demelza. Elizabeth wondered if the necklace would be given to her at the christening or the soirée.
Verity said, "Elizabeth if you spent half as much time on your marriage as you do chasing Ross you would  not be having any problems!"  Elizabeth replied, "says the spinster!" Verity turned to go back to Demelza then turned back to Elizabeth and said, "Ross is busy and we don't need or want your company!" Elizabeth said, "that would be up to Ross!"
She followed Verity back to Demelza where she was telling the salesperson how much of each fabric she wanted. Elizabeth said, "what are you making with that much fabric and who is paying for it?" Ross smirked, "that is none of your concern now excuse us Elizabeth, we would like to finish so we can have our lunch." Elizabeth not to be deterred said, "I am famished, may I join you Ross?" He looked at Demelza and said, "that would be up to Demelza since I am her servant!" Elizabeth glowered at Demelza. Demelza said, "any Friend of Ross's is welcome. Ross maybe you would like to invite Margarethe and Alyse also?" Ross shot his head back with laughter and Verity giggled. The implication was clear she put Elizabeth in the same category as the two prostitutes! Elizabeth turned on her heals and left the shop. Ross took her hand and said, "well done my love!" Verity did not miss the my love part and was busting with joy, because she knew Demelza would make it her cousin happy.
After lunch Ross said he had to stop by Pasco bank to check on finances. The ladies told him if he did not mind they would go with him and talk to Joan. Joan was telling them what she was going to wear to the soirée and asked if Doctor Enys would be there. They spent the time giggling and laughing about anything and everything. More then one bank customer noticed Demelza with her bright smile and beautiful face,
Pasco told Ross he heard a bit of gossip, then told him that old man Harry was spouting off about how you cheated him out of a girl he wanted to wed. Harry was told of the beating the girl had gotten and that her father was in goal waiting for the excises. Needless to say that Harry went to the prison to see Carne, they say it was to ask him for Demelza's hand. Also it was reported that her father told him for the price of bail he could have her. Ross thought to himself he had to marry her before her father decided to sell her. He went out and notice the woman have a good time, he smiled to himself. He couldn't help noticing all the men smiling at her he didn't mind that they admired her as long as it was he she loved!
They left to go home for he was uneasy about the Harry's and wanted to see what his father said. Once at Nampara he asked his father to come to the study. He told him what Pasco told him, Ross said he thought he should marry her as soon as possible and that he would travel to Bodman to get a special license that would waver the three weeks of calling of the bands. After talking it over with Joshua agreed, what he knew of old man Harry he would be ruthless enough to try. As long as her father was in prison he couldn't do anything to stop them.
Demelza and Verity made the curtains and had them hung with two days to spare. Then they helped the Carters clean the home from top to bottom. The day before they were setting up all the tables and getting liquor and the food started to be prepared. Ross went to Bodman and got the special license while also stopping in Falmouth to pick up Bobby. They stopped and purchased a suit for him, then stopped to see Mat Pierce to see about becoming legal guardians over the boys! Mat said with the reports of neglect and abuse there shouldn't be and issue but as always things could always turn bad at any given time. Mat told him he would see him the next night at the party. He told Ross he couldn't wait to play a game or two of whisk. 
The day is the soirée  the household awoke early the house was given a dusting and tables and flowers were placed around. The household staff under Verity direction prepares the food. Ross n the afternoon Demelza was sent up to bathe and start to make ready, Jenny was sent to assist her. Walking into her room she saw the dress box on her bed opening it she saw a beautiful dress of white silk with a peach cream colored lace overlay. It had a nhigh waistline puffed sleeves and long sA line cut.  There was cream slippers peach ribbon cream ribbon. Demelza went down an hour before the guest were to start to arrive. Jenny again told her she was the beautiful woman she had ever saw. She had her emerald bracelet on and the ring Joshua had given her from Grace. She walked down the main staircase, five of her brothers, Joshua, Dwight, and Ross turned to greet her all was stunned by her beauty especially the later.  Ross went up to her and said, "Demelza, I would very much like to escort you this evening. She nodded andRoss got down on one knee. He then told her I think I have loved you from the first time I heard you sing. Your beauty, your goodness, your charity make me want to bring you happiness, will you please do me the honor of becoming your husband?" She looked at him then all people gathered there with such hopeful expressions. Her mothers words echoed in her head to thine own self be true! She told Ross,"yes," their was a whoop and hollers from everyone. Ross placed the matching ring on her fourth finger of her left hand. Then he pulled a box out of his pocket and handed it to her it was matching emerald earrings. He decided he would give her the necklace on their wedding day. Joshua was the first to congratulate them. Then the boys and Dwight last. Dwight said, "Ross treat her right or I may have to steal her away." Ross put his arm around her and said, "I will always do my best by her." They had a glass of port to celebrate the younger ones a glass of lemonade. Verity said,"Ross you have been given a chance to have a loving marriage don't throw it away. You do know once Elizabeth finds out she will do everything in her power to sabotage your happiness." Ross replied, "she can try!"
Not to long after the first guess arrived. It was Charles, Agatha, Frances and Elizabeth. They were escorted into the dining hall by Verity. To say they were surprised when they saw the immensity of the hall was to say the least. They saw the grand staircase with the balcony on the second floor. Charles said, "I thought you were in debt?" "You thought quite wrong brother as you can see my son and I are doing very well! Elizabeth moved over by Ross and tried to take his hand, which he maneuvered away from and grabbed Demelza and kissed her Ring. Elizabeth frowned when she saw this wondering what it meant. Charles said, "well brother if you have an abundance, as you know we are struggling at Twenwith!"  Joshua said, "I can give you some tips on becoming solvent again if you would like and walked away!"