La fleur

-Chapter 1-

As the spring of 1876 approached Holkham Hall, the residence of the earl of Leicester in the south of Great Britain. The servants had started planting seeds of beautiful flowers in the gardens that had laid vacant and dead for the past months as winter covered the charming manor in a thick layer of snow. The Leicester earldom had been in the hands of the Coke family since the 18th century and most of the earls had served as members of parliament. Lady Victoria, the youngest daughter of the fifth earl Leicester, entered her bedchamber to begin her nightly routine of brushing her hair, Which Victoria saw as a task on the same level as a peasant working in the fields. Her long luxurious hair was the product of years of growing and maintaining and she took great pride in showing of her hard work. She was preparing for her upcoming Debutante ball which was to be held on her eighteenth birthday. Her birthday had always been a dull affair as it was mostly keeping up appearances and shaking hands with family members that she either didn't know or didn't like. After ordering her maid to prepare a bath for her she opened a little notebook and started practicing her Italian. She had been fluent in Multiple languages from a young age and had a curious mind that sought to learn new things every day. As she approached her bath, she heard a faint but recognisable noise. Yet another shouting match had begun between her parents was occurring. Her mother, a staunch and strict woman born in Tambov, Russia, had become tired of her Husband's ever-growing laziness and was pressuring him to start working in parliament again, where he had worked as a minister for over eleven years. He on the other hand wanted to continue living his quit and secure life in the manor. As Victoria drowned out the so familiar sound of this fight, she heard a knock on the door. It was her older sister, Isabella a calm and shy character, who brought her a pair of gloves for her to wear the next day on their walking trip.

'I believe you could use these for tomorrow.'
'Oh, how thoughtful of you, please put them on the table.'
As Isabella neared the table their father walked in
'Isabella, return to your bedchamber immediately.'
'But father I was just giving Vic-'
'I don't want to hear it. I gave you strict orders to stay in your bedchamber till sunrise, now leave at once!'

 the mood had quickly turned sombre as Isabella dismally walked to her bedchamber as their father, Albert, a stern and traditional man, followed. Isabella had once been a delightful and untroubled young girl but after the death of her eldest brother her father harboured resentment to what he saw as the undeserved heir to the Leicester earldom. This greatly affected Isabella and she had now become closed off from not only the world but maybe most depressingly from her dear sister Victoria. Feeling quite dejected Victoria headed towards her bath and tried to calm her mind down with the warm waters of the bath but she felt as though her sister who she loved so dearly was slowly slipping away from her into o a husk of her former self. After bath she headed to bed and managed to get a few hours of sleep. When a maid awoke Victoria the next day to get ready for breakfast, she slowly got up out of bed and changed from her chemise into her morning dress. As she struggled with her bustle while trying to sit down next to her mother at breakfast, she heard the lively footsteps of her sister meaning she had slept well, good news since in the past few months Isabella's health was quickly deteriorating. But as was the custom for that time, it was not to be spoken about as appearances was everything to a high-class family such as this one. As Isabella joined the table, sitting next to her father, breakfast could start. After breakfast, their mother, Eudoxia informed them they would be accompanying her to a trip to France to visit relatives and have afternoon tea at 'Le Chateau de Marqueyssac'. The girls, both fluent in French from a young age, were ecstatic at the thought of leaving the manor and going to the gorgeous gardens of a Chateau in the south of France. As Isabella and Victoria Gleefully ran up the stairs to get their maids to help them pack for France, they were stopped in the hallway by their father who with just a scoff and a disapproving look managed to crack Isabella. She stood still for a moment and was frozen in place with a terrified look on her face for what felt like forever but managed to snap out of the trance. She looked both scared and Angry while they continued walking to their rooms. She stopped Victoria at her room.

'Can I tell you something?'
'But of course Bella.'
'Yesterday...when father ordered me back to my room...'
Isabella seemed hesitant and stopped herself mid-sentence.
'What is it, Bella?'
'Nothing, I will ask Mary to help you pack for France.'

After Isabella called for their maid Mary to help Victoria pack she walked back to her own room. Victoria was left confused but the thought of going to France dominated her mind and as soon as Isabella was out of her sight she Waltzed over to her closet and started looking for garments that would suit the hot weather of Southern France. When the time came for the three of them to depart from France, Isabella seemed happier than she had been in a while. When they said their goodbyes and the boat had finally departed from the land the language spoken by the three women almost instantly changed from English to Russian, a language that had been banned by Sir Leicester for he had dubbed it: "A language not suited for the Sophisticated English upper-class." Victoria Immediately enjoyed her newfound freedom now that she was away from her father. On the boat Eudoxia lectured the girls on proper etiquette and assured them that besides diplomatic, the trip would also be fun. After the boat arrived at 'Le port d'Arcachon' it was another 14-hour carriage ride, mostly filled with silence, to their destination; Le chateau de Marqueyssac. After the gruelling journey the woman were exhausted but were not to show any sign of fatigue. After a good night sleep the three met Their Great aunt and Nephew for a cup of tea. The language had now once again changed to French as though they were related their ties were only in blood as their cultures and personalities differed completely. Victoria and Isabella both enjoyed the gorgeous scenery and delighted themselves over the idea of staying in the Chateau. After an introduction the girls were showed to their actual rooms as the rooms, they had slept in the night of their arrival, were a temporary solution. The girls spent their day after arrival by walking through the gardens and taking in the French countryside. Though Isabela was seemingly doing better and visually she looked better she seemed absent most of the time and was in a trance for most of the conversations. Victoria became increasingly concerned as Isabella sunk further and further into what Victoria thought was madness. This would lead to more and more lessons on etiquette by Eudoxia who turned evermore impatient. After one of these lessons Isabella looked almost dead as she had not moved or done really anything for over an hour which only angered Eudoxia more. It was only after a shake-down that Isabella seemed to wake. 'What gave you the false impression that you were allowed not to pay attention to a lesson meant for you and your complete incompetence while staying here! You are here for your own amusement and that of your family, yet you stay silent and act as if no one is around. You have continuously made a fool out yourself and therefor by association me! What do you have to say for yourself!' after the verbal beat-down Isabella broke down begging for forgiveness which was in turn answered with cold disapproval by Eudoxia. Victoria felt as if she had betrayed Isabella, she had wanted to say something to stop the yelling but could not muster up the courage to speak up against her mother. The morning after Victoria performed the illusion that the argument had not happened, but she could not shake the feeling of guilt that haunted her over not defending Isabella. The days spent at the chateau were beautiful but short and as the day of returning to the manor neared, she started thinking of her future; 'I will have to Marry, have children and settle into the life of a submissive wife there to serve her husband.' She had grown to be terrified of her debutante ball and what she once saw as the beginning of her life now was starting to seem like the end. She started to think what scared her the most and then it hit her. Her father, she thought of how he treated Eudoxia and was terrified she would be saddled up with a dull and malevolent English nobleman. She walked over to her mother with what now seemed like the most important question in the world to her.

'Mama, may I ask you something?'
'What is it dear?'
'Is a possibility to move my debutante ball to outside of the manor? Like perhaps France or maybe even in Russia? Would you not you want to visit Tambov again?'
'Off course, I long for nothing more than to visit my sweet home again, but some things just are not possible.'
'could you tell me something about Tambov, I want to know more about the place you grew up, I cannot go my whole life knowing where I am from.'
'Well, My brother and I, we used to walk by the Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy Cathedral on our way to attending our private church. In the summer the snow would melt, and we would walk by the duck filled Reka-Tsna and our father would take us to local markets and laugh at peasants, truly my happiest moments were spent in that town. I would truly do anything to return to Tambov. But when I was young, I wanted nothing more than to be outside of Tambov and go out into the world. I now fear this will be the same sentiment you will hold if you marry outside of England, so why would you wish to marry someone from a place like that? Would you not want to marry someone from England?'
'Well, it seemed tome like I would meet the best possible suitor outside of England.'
'Why that would be a ridiculous reason to move the location of your debut. Now please, get to bed and get some sleep before start thinking of other ridiculous ideas that come to nothing.'

And with that last sentence Victoria truly realised how powerless she was, how even had she stated the real reason her idea still would have resulted to nothing. Her Life and her sister's life were both in the hands of their cruel unforgiving father. She wished she could visit Russia and meet her Distant relatives. But no, her father had different plans; keep her locked in an English manor till she birthed a child that would continue the legacy of a different family. That night while practicing her Italian in her room, she spotted Isabella walking through the gardens. She assumed this was just a normal evening walk and therefor paid no attention but suddenly she heard sobbing and when she looked back, she saw Isabella laying on the ground weeping. After seeing this concerning behaviour Victoria ran down the stairs to try and console Isabella, but nothing seemed to help as her sobbing continued. Victoria was deeply saddened by Isabella's mental state and could not stop thinking of things to help relieve her stress, but nothing seemed to help. After a few minutes Isabella settled down and they walked through the gardens together. Afterwards Isabella apologized and walked back to her chamber. Victoria was still dazed and had not yet processed what had happened. After going to sleep she tried to make sense of what Isabella had done, but she could only reach the conclusion that her sister had gone mad. She spent her last day at the Chateau walking through the gardens, she wondered what it would be like living in France and how at home she felt there. Her Walk through the garden was interrupted by her sister yelling at her in the distance telling her to come to the carriage. After they made a ten-hour carriage ride to Libourne they stopped and stayed at a family member's home. After saying goodbye for a final time, the women made their way to the Port where a ship awaited them. After the hours they had spent traveling the women were exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep, but Albert had other plans, as when the three barely awake women were let into the dining room, what awaited them was a feast and over 20 guests waiting to say hello. Victoria gad gotten a few hours' sleep on the boat, but Isabella nearly fainted at the sight of the room full of people. As Isabella sneaked away to her room and Eudoxia chatted with Albert, Victoria had a conversation with her niece Juliet who had been married to a Thüringian Prince.

'He is marvellous! I have never seen a man be that generous, honestly. Your Debut is to happen in a few months is it not? It will be amazing, I met Franz at my debut.'
'You don't say.'

And as Juliet continued to talk about her husband the realisation set in that her Debut was in only two months. She became terrified at the idea that she would meet her potential future husband in England. After their return had been celebrated and the woman could barely stand anymore it was finally time to sleep. As Victoria dozed of her Brain simply could not shake the fact that she would have to marry and when she woke up, she was covered in sweat in looked as if she had swum in a pool. When her maid Mary saw her, she simply exclaimed a soft sigh and prepared a bath for Victoria. After Bathing and changing she walked by Isabella's bedchamber in which Isabella had locked herself inside of. This had become and evermore common occurrence in Holkham Hall. Victoria walked further and there was her mother ready to ask her to join her for some morning tea in the gardens. After they sat down, a maid brought them tea and Eudoxia started the conversation.

'Do you Remember your cousin?'
'But mother I have dozens you will have to be more specific' Victoria giggled.
'Mikhail, my nephew, your uncle's son?'
'Misha? but off course I remember him! Why, is visiting soon?'
'He will be arriving tomorrow evening, and they will stay for a week. I have instructed Mary and the other maids to prepare a guest room for Mikhail and Feodor.'
'Well that is just wonderful! Should you not inform Isabella as well?'
'But off course not! She is deteriorating fast, and I cannot have her making the family, and therefore me look inadequate. I will not have her erratic behaviour wreck, what is supposed to
be, a family visit.'

Victoria longed for contact with family outside of England, but her father denied her contact with Russian family as he wanted her not to have any association with what he saw as a second-class people. Victoria felt guilty she was withholding the information that Mikhail and his father were to visit but she would not dare to go against her mother's wishes. The day of Mikhail and Feodor's arrival was a day of great celebration. Their arrival was late in the evening and a feast had already been prepared. Victoria and Mikhail greatly enjoyed each other's company and shared stories about their childhood and what had happened since they had last seen each other. Most of the conversation was spoken in Russian as Mikhail's grasp of the English was small and barely comprehensible. Though the conversation was occasionally broken up by a strict stare by Albert, the conversation continued and the two got along well. Though Isabella was absent from the dinner Victoria barely noticed this, and her guilt from withholding the visit from Isabella slowly drifted away as her conversations with Mikhail continued. As the last glass of wine had been drunk and the dinner concluded, the guests and the Leicester family retreated to their respective bedchambers. While getting ready for bed Victoria's mind wandered of to a fantasy of what it would be like to be married to a man like Mikhail. That night she dreamt of a life in the French countryside, living in a chateau. Her mind quickly woke up to sound of banging in the middle of the night. She wondered what it could be, letting her mind reach the most ridiculous conclusions when eventually came to the realisation that it came from Isabella's room. She quickly got out of bed and silently ran over to Isabella's room to help quiet her down and stop her from disturbing the guests. When she opened the door, she found Isabella franticly running around her room and throwing around books from her bookcase. Victoria closed the door and ran over to Isabella to try and stop her. Her attempt however failed as Isabella pushed her to ground. Victoria laid on the ground shocked her sister would push her while Isabella looked at her with a petrified expression. As soon as the girls made eye-contact Isabella grabbed Victoria and pulled her up and as they were at eye level Isabella fell into Victoria's arms sobbing and apologising. As Isabella laid weeping in Victoria's arms, she tried to calm her down and put her back in bed, but Isabella would not move. Eventually Isabella calmed down and sat on her bed. Her mood had seemingly changed instantly from distraught to cold. After Isabella settled down, Victoria managed to look at Isabella and noticed that she seemed malnourished. As Isabella apologised once more to Victoria, she Returned to sleep and wished her a good night. While walking back to her bedchamber she saw her mother standing in the hallway. She looked less than displeased and looked as if she was ready to burn Isabella's room to the ground.

'What on earth does she think she is doing! Does she have no concern for our guests!'
'Please mother, she does not know they are here, and she seems really distressed.'
'That is no excuse for Being a nuisance!'
'Please mother, she is clearly unwell, can you please show the smallest bit of compassion?'

Eudoxia seemed unsatisfied by this answer, but was too tired to intervene. She headed back to her bedchamber and Victoria soon followed her. In the morning Victoria could not stop thinking of what had happened the night before. At breakfast her mind could not shake the feeling that Isabella was not only mad but ill. After breakfast Victoria tried to inform Eudoxia that Isabella seemed emaciated, but she was met with no response. A maid informed Victoria they would be leaving to attend church in a few minutes and to go to her chamber to retrieve her bible. Victoria was still uncomfortable with the idea of leaving Isabella alone but gave in. On her way upstairs she passed Isabella's chamber and walked in, she found Isabella laying on her bed reading.
Isabella flashed her a smile and she seemed to be fine.

'Are you alright Isabella?'
'But off course, although I did feel a little lightheaded this morning'.
'Well, I am delighted to hear that, but do you not remember what happened yesterday?'
'If you are speaking of the hysteria of yesterday, I can assure you it was just temporary and will surely never happen again.'
'But you were almost not yourself! You were throwing books in the middle of the night; how could you be so sure it is not to happen again?'
'Please Victoria, I promise you it will not happen again. Now please join Mikhail and Feodor.'
'How did you know they are visiting?'
'Mother informed me.'
'Well, please just tell me if something is wrong in the future.'

Victoria left and grabbed her Bible from her bureau and then quickly ran downstairs where her family awaited her. The walk to church was a pleasant one. As Victoria and Mikhail quietly giggled at Albert and Feodor's fumbled attempt at a conversation and Eudoxia was practising her verses the group arrived. The family was catholic and Eudoxia had converted to Catholicism a decision which had greatly irritated her brother as he, and therefore Eudoxia, were raised with the Russian orthodox faith. While Victoria helped Mikhail with his English verses, and Eudoxia angrily tried to convince Feodor to participate. The preacher's sermon had started. Albert and Victoria listened carefully, while Mikhail looked confused and Eudoxia, now silently, was still arguing with Feodor. After church Albert, Feodor and Eudoxia went back to the manor while Victoria and Mikhail took a walk through the park.

'How is it in Tambov?'
'It is simply beautiful, my father had expressed he wanted Eudoxia to visit but she never had time.'
'Well, I would have loved to come by during the winter.'
'I'm happy I was able to see you again, in Tambov I rarely get to see new faces, let alone family.'
'Well, I have the same problem, I almost never visit family and the only family I get to see are the people who live in England.'
'I have had an amazing time in Leicester, but I do long for my return to Tambov.'
'Ha, I have heard the same sentiment from my mother.'
'Well, I cannot help but agree.'
'I hope to visit Tambov soon, I would love to see the manor Eudoxia and your father grew up'
'I hope to see you there soon'.

The pair walked back to the manner just in time for dinner and joined Albert and Eudoxia at the table. Feodor was feeling a bit ill and did not join for dinner that night. Albert had grown increasingly hostile towards Mikhail and Feodor as he detested Russian and for the past days that had been the language almost exclusively spoken in Holkham Hall. After the dinner Victoria went up to Isabella's bedchamber and as she opened the door she nearly fainted at the sight. She found Isabella emaciated on the floor and plates of food on her table, Isabella had almost turned a different colour. Victoria ran over to Isabella and called for help. As help arrived and carried Isabella to her bed to try and help, Eudoxia had arrived and fell to the ground after seeing the state of her daughter. As soon as soon as she stood up, she ran to the bedside as her mad was tending to her. Isabella gave her a sorry look and apologised before closing her eyes and seemingly falling asleep. Eudoxia looked shocked and was confused at the apology and held Isabella's hand tightly. Eudoxia commanded everyone but the maids to leave and as the others left Victoria asked her mother if she could stay. Eudoxia did not answer her, which gave Victoria the clear sign she was not welcome. While walking back to her chamber she heard the soft weeps of her mother, Victoria had never heard her mother be so emotional. Victoria had always seen her mother as a strong and unbreakable person, but the sight of her near deceased daughter had brought her to tears. Victoria could not sleep that night, she laid awake and could only think of her dear sister. In the dead of night Victoria walked to Isabella's chamber to if she was alright, there she saw Eudoxia, still sitting by Isabella's side, holding her hand. As Isabella was ill, the trip had to be cut short. Albert seemed happy the 'Russian filth was out of the house, but Eudoxia was devastated they needed to leave early'. Feodor had offered to stay and help take care of Isabella, but Eudoxia insisted they leave for Tambov, she did not want for them to see the bad side of the manor. Victoria was devastated Mikhail had to leave so soon as she had enjoyed his company so much. She begged Eudoxia to let her go with them, but she was not to go as the journey to and back would be 2 months alone. While saying goodbye she pulled Mikhail to the side and asked him something;

'Misha, can I ask something of you?'
'Why of course, what is it you need?'
'It is probably impossible seeming the timing, but, if possible, please, seek out a potential Suitor for me Back in Moscow on the way home. And if they seem interested inform them of my debut in June.'
'Oh, that will not be a problem at all, I will see what I can do.'
'Really, oh thank you Misha, I don't know how I could ever repay you!'

Delighted at the prospect of having a potential Russian suitor at her Debut, she Finally departed from Mikhail and ran to Isabella's chamber. She opened the door and found Isabella sitting at her bureau. Victoria was concerned and asked Isabella if she would not rather lay in bed. Isabella let out a soft laugh and then answered no. Victoria was delighted to see Isabella's health had bettered so she shared her exciting news with Isabella, and the two girls became ecstatic at the idea;

'Oh, if only I had been so lucky to have had a Russian at my debut.'
'Had mother refused?'
'Ha, no, she was open to the idea, but when father overheard us he violently opposed the idea of a Non-Englishman at the debut.'
'Well, I have arranged Misha to ask a nobleman to attend, and I will pray for him to follow through.'
'Off course he will, healways follows through on his promises.'

the girls laughed and wished each other a good night. But before Victoria couldexit the chamber, she saw Eudoxia standing in the doorway looking wide-eyed atIsabella. She immediately started yelling for her to get back into the bed andhow irresponsible it was of Victoria not to put her to bed as soon as she sawher. The pair apologised and went back to bed. She woke up feeling moredistraught than ever. Her sister was ill and the family she had waited to seefor so long left prematurely her only hope was that Mikhail would find a suitorin Moscow but the chances of such a person making it on time seemed close toimpossible. Since Mikhail and Feodor had left so suddenly Victoria was now only2 months away from her debut. She hoped Mikhail would follow up on theiragreement, but she felt less than hopeful he would be able to find and thenconvince a suitor to travel to England. The journey alone would be more than amonth, so it seemed highly improbable.