True Love

The Soirée

The guest saunter around Nampara, taking in all the improvements. Each remarked how much grander it was then any other home in the district. The biggest draw was the water closet. The ice box and the ice storage and the kitchen pump had their draws also. Elizabeth went into every room. Noticing the one she suspected of being Demelza's, she noticed the vanity with the silver vanity set on it. No doubt Grace's hand me down but still too good for a miner's brat. The seating area, the two beautiful wingback chairs with the table set in front of the fireplace. The duvet, the curtain and chairs matched perfectly. She thought this room with the view should be hers. Going into the boy's room she thought this room was perfect for Geoffrey Charles when he was older, she knew she would have a boy, because a Poldark's needed an heir. She went to the master bedroom and noticed all the new furniture. The room that uses to be Ross's was not updated, but she could see a nice nursery. This whole house she thought she really could see herself here. With its modern devices and grandeur it should be hers, it was worthy of a great lady and a lord which she deserved, so she was going to fight with all she had to get it. Elizabeth was seeing green she wanted this house surely Ross could obtain a divorce for them now.
Before the dancing was to begin, Joshua gathered the guest for his announcement calling Ross and Demelza to stand with him:

"Dear friends and family I have invited you here today to welcome my dearest son Ross home from the service." He waited for the clapping.
"Also announcing the sixteenth birthday of my ward, my dear Grace's niece." More clapping. "Also, as of tonight my son has decided to take a wife and has asked Demelza for her hand which she has excepted." Elizabeth shouted "NO," Joshua looked at her and said, "Yes, it is my greatest pleasure for she is everything Grace and I would want for our son! Finally, to my dear wife Grace, she never complained, when times were hard. We always planned to have a house like this, and I finally succeeded, hopefully I will live long enough to see my young charges prosper and my son and daughter have many children. Cheers!" CHEERS everyone except five people yelled!

Joshua said, "Now let's start the dancing with Ross and Demelza." The music started and the Ross and Demelza danced smiling at each other. Aunt Agatha came over and touched her nephew's cheek. I am proud of you boy, Joshua, you took what was given and made something out of it. As happy as Agatha and Verity was for the dark Poldark's that is how unhappy Charles, Frances and Elizabeth were. Charles and Frances were so far in debt that there was no hope of climbing out. They felt that somehow Joshua was at fault for their hardship. That he should share his good fortune with them. They did not see that when they had more to share, they shared it with no one.
Elizabeth was trying to generate a scheme to get Ross back. What good would a house like this be to miner's brat like her. She just had to make sure her ire for the girl didn't come through, once she had Ross back in her grip, she then could get rid of the brat. Another that was not happy was here with Hugh Bodrugan was Margarethe, the miner's brat was going to get her hands on Ross's estate, she was mistaken.  This upstart that just came waltzing into the good fortune that Margarethe herself was waiting patiently for. Well, they would see if this marriage would happen.
The fifth person came with John Treneglos, was Alyse Carter, he needed someone at the last minute an Alyse begged him to bring her. He had enjoyed Alyse in the past, Alyse was still upset that she had lost everything because of Demelza but Ross had made it clear she was not even in the running, so she was focusing on John. Although not as handsome or it seems wealthy, he would still do. Unbeknownst to her his father was in talks with another of the guest, a Mistress Teig who had four daughters the youngest being Ruth, who had her eye on Ross but she had made several attempts to gain Ross's favor with no interest. Her mother had three other girls and she needed to make suitable matches so it seemed Ruth would marry John. Joshua came upon John and said, "I highly doubt Ms. Carter informed you of the request she not be on Nampara Estate. I will allow it this once, but you are responsible for any trouble she may cause. I hope you understand my request?" John nodded yes and then told Alyse she should head home he did not want to upset the wealthy neighbors. Horace came up to Joshua after shaking his hand said, my dear friend I am so happy that you finally came into your own. There is none more deserving, I remember Grace helping the miners and the poor of the area and I can see the same kindness in your ward. You are a lucky man!" Joshua replied, "indeed I am! Horace I was wondering if you would be willing to sell about ten acres running next to my border. Ross wants to start a new process and I was wanting to have that land as a buffer from yours? Horace retorted, I have no use for it and the cost of keeping my sons in the hunt is becoming increasingly more expensive. Yes, what say you we go to Mat Pierce and get it settle? They shook hands again. Joshua had spoken to people whom he had not seen since Grace passed. Everyone except the select few were having fun. The party went on into the night with Ross never leaving Demelza side even though Elizabeth tried to entice him away. It was late and Charles and Frances cornered Joshua. If we do not get money, we will lose everything Gambler, Twenwith. Everything. Joshua told, "them would give 1400 pounds, but I want the half of Twenwith acreage that adjoined my property. Knowing this land was more fertile and he could also build more housing on the less desirable ground for tenants. Charles scoffed "it would be worth twice that much." He said, "how much do you owe Warleggan's for Twenwith?" Charles said, "£3000!" Joshua said, "that is what I will give you for the land connecting to Nampara no less than 1000 acres?" That will bring you to the door of Twenwith," Charles glowered! Josh smiled and said, "that is my offer!"
Demelza, was tired, it felt like she had worked for a week without rest. Ross escorted her up to her room stopping to check on her brothers. Other than Sam and Luke all her brothers were in beds two to each bed. Demelza tucked them in and kissed them good night. Ross took her hand and before he left her at her room, he said, "I meant it Demelza I want you for my wife!" She smiled and kissed him goodnight. They did not know Elizabeth was watching from the ground floor. Ross did not tell Demelza that there would be a wedding and it would be on her birthday and a perfect day where her father was still in prison.
Ross went downstairs to where his father and uncle was and heard the argument his uncle and Francis was putting forth saying Joshua should just give them the money, but his father was standing firm. He knew Francis was gambling and Charles was too busy putting on airs he had money. An extravagant wedding, entertaining buying champagne drinking, and gambling himself to excess. Sending his children to Paris and Italy for holidays, no he would not just give them money. Elizabeth came upon Ross and placed her arm around his. Pulling him away, she said, "the house is magnificent why did you not tell me. I may have rethought my marriage to Francis. Were you serious when you offered to raise Geoffrey Charles with you!" Ross said, "that was before you married Francis!" She replied "Yes, but with money a divorce is possible! We could still be together." Elizabeth saw Demelza coming out of the water closet and knew Demelza was intimated by her beauty and poise! Elizabeth put Ross's arm discreetly around her waist she then put her arms around his neck and kissed him. Demelza turned away and went to her room. Joshua was also watching the whole exchanged and was aware this was a ploy by Elizabeth to cause doubt in Demelza's mind.
Joshua called Ross over, Elizabeth clung to Ross even though he tried to shrug her, off. Joshua said, "I need to speak to my son in private." Elizabeth said, "Oh, I thought we were done and would retire soon." Ross, looked thoughtful, "Francis is looking to take you home should you go find him? I may retire but that has nothing to do with you!" Elizabeth feigned hurt, "Ross, I thought you loved me?" Ross said, "I thought I did but what I thought was love was nothing more than infatuation. Do you even know how to love Elizabeth?" Francis came into the room at that time and said, "are you ready to leave Beth?" She turned to Ross, "I will see you later maybe tomorrow we can go riding?" Ross replied, "sorry I am busy" Elizabeth smiled, "what can be more important than me?" Ross said, "oh I don't know my fiancée?" Elizabeth glowered at Ross, "come now you and I both know that she will never hold your heart! We both know who really owns it do we not?" Ross and Francis are flabbergasted Francis spoke up first, "Elizabeth come before you embarrass yourself more," grabbing her arm to make her leave. "Francis, unhand me, I am tired of your being with other women, Margarethe was here maybe you can take her home with you? Ross please we can fix this between us!" Ross said, "there is nothing to fix please go home!" Elizabeth was not going to give up, but she saw she was hitting a brick wall here tonight.
After all the guests left Joshua sat with Ross the first thing, he did was tell him what he saw Elizabeth doing. He said, "I am sure she was putting a show on for Demelza. When she came out of the water closet, she sneered at Demelza before getting you to put your arms around her. Demelza feels insecure with your feelings for Elizabeth and Elizabeth used that." Ross said, "why would she do that? I have made it plain I no longer want to be with her!" Joshua told him, "You will have to tell Demelza this first thing tomorrow, if you don't, I am afraid she won't marry you." Ross nodded, "I will tell her first thing!"
"Now I spoke to Charles and Frances, they want me to pay off their debts and give them money to live on," Joshua stated. Ross said, "You're not serious are you, they have never helped you do anything even when mother and Claude was sick, they didn't help." Joshua said, "No, we will not be supporting them. Although I have offered to purchase one thousand acres of land that runs along side Nampara, it would take us almost to the doorstep of Twenwith. It is better farming land, and we could plant more and help the people of Mellon and around the area!" Ross replied, "do you think Uncle will do it." "If he wants the money he will," Joshua chuckled. "That would be so much better, giving it to them would only mean more money wasted gambling, drinking, whoring." Ross responded, "Yes, I do like the idea of gaining land to help people," Joshua said, "Now for the third thing, I have offered to purchase ten acres from Treneglos. I thought with the new project with China clay, we can use it as a buffer to keep people from the site." Ross told him he thought that also was an excellent plan. He also said that mining that could be very profitable and with the buffer there we will not have to worry about the landscaped being reclaimed immediately. They talked a little more about the party and how the house was inspected by everyone. Then Joshua told Ross, "I fear you have some jealous woman out there that will do everything they can to cause problems for you and Demelza. It was not different for me and Grace, just keep that in mind when issues arise" Ross thought for a few minutes, "what do you mean cause problems?" "Just don't jump to conclusion without her side of the story or take someone else's word over hers."
Before they went to bed Ross told his father he was never prouder of him as his father. Joshua went to bed with tears running down his cheeks.