Brougham Park

Chapter 6

The events of the morning had kept playing in her mind again and again, like a broken record. Had it been the year 1877, the phonograph would have been invented and Samantha would have been able to describe her thoughts with the phonograph in view.

She had run a full 4 miles all the way from Milton Manor. And when she reached Brougham Park, she was in a dreadful state. All that was on her mind at that moment was to only see her dear William. She did not even care to think about her appearance. There was nothing to cause apprehension. No one except her brother was to be there. No, the possible existence of another person entirely unknown to her did not even cross her mind. But it seems the whole world was against her. Everything was wanting to embarrass her, wanting to make a spectacle out of her. The scheme succeeded, subjecting Samantha to mortification when she displayed herself in a manner most inappropriate in front of the tall gentleman.

What would he have thought about her, about her family? She almost ruined her reputation. No! She has completely ruined her reputation. Let alone her family's reputation. She can not dare to make her presence before the family for the rest of the day. What would her mother have said had she seen her daughter in such a dreadful state? She would have rebuked her and reminded her of her predicament for the next few days and Samantha would have lost her peace. Fortunately, she managed to escape her mother's scrutinising eyes, thus saving herself from all the rebukes, criticisms and reproaches. Even so, she has indeed lost her peace. What could be bothering her? Oh yes! How could she have forgotten? She has made an 'excellent' exhibition of her mud-stained dress in the drawing room!

All these thoughts ran through her mind as she paced to and fro in her room. She has taken a quick hot bath and now is free from all the mud and dirt that had humiliated her earlier. But her heart is full of the events of the morning. She just couldn't stop thinking about it.

"What was I thinking? I should have left the moment I realised that someone else was in the drawing room. Could I have not recognised by the person's back that he was not my brother? All the excitement to see my brother has led me into this horrific puddle. Who would have thought that excitement can kill a person? Undeniably, I am still alive, but my reputation is beyond any doubt tarnished. Dear me, how could I have been so careless? I should have paid more attention to Mrs. Norris earlier. She did warn me to change my clothes but of course, excitement overcame me that I just ran off without even acknowledging her kindly meant advice. Had I listened, I could have saved myself from this huge humiliation." Samantha scolded herself while standing in front of her loyal companion, the mirror.

"And that gentleman, I wonder who he is. Is he related to us in some way? William had just begun talking to him while I dashed out of the room. They both seem very familiar with each other. Could he be a friend of William? But I have never seen this man before. Or is it possible that this is a new acquaintance from London? It could not have been the horrid Mr Harris, I am sure. Could it be a different acquaintance, one that William may have forgotten to mention in his letters? When I saw Charles this morning, he too did not mention anything about William having brought a guest along. This is a strange matter indeed. And William did not even have the slightest propriety to introduce his so-called guest. Right, I ran away too soon before any introduction was possible."

"And what indelicacy of William to tease me in such a manner before his friend or was it his guest? William actually made fun of my appearance. I wouldn't have minded it had it been done in private. But before an audience, that too before a man from who knows where, that is almost unforgivable. It was and it is all his fault. Had he mentioned earlier that he is to return sooner than expected, I would not have been in this horrid mess. I shall speak to him about this directly as soon as I find an opportunity to be alone with him." Her anger is now turned towards her brother.