Brougham Park

Chapter 18

The month of May unfolded with a flurry of events, a continuous stream of gatherings hosted by both the residents of Lockwood Village and their neighbours. Invitations flowed in like a gentle river, offering evenings of dinner, tea, and spirited card games. The pinnacle of these social gatherings was an assembly meticulously arranged by the Carters, an affair that promised to be the talk of the village for months to come.

The arrival of the three newcomers had breathed new life into Lockwood Village, sparking an infectious excitement that spread through its denizens like wildfire. The desire to be more closely acquainted with them grew stronger with each passing day.

The Harrises and Mr Crew found themselves constantly attending these weekly parties, leaving them with little room for breathing. Even the Carters and the Dawsons received invitations to nearly every event the Harrises and Mr Crew attended.

Amidst this whirlwind of social activity, Samantha had ample chances to closely watch Mr Harris and his interactions with her. However, despite attending about six parties and events together, she remained unable to figure out Mr Harris's genuine feelings towards her.

Mr Harris, viewed as an eligible bachelor by every mother and young woman, found himself almost constantly surrounded by them. Mothers made earnest efforts to recommend their daughters as potential brides, while the young women spared no effort to charm the gentleman. Mr Harris, for his part, remained polite and agreeable in his interactions with these women. He did not seem to be disturbed by such a behaviour that had irked Samantha as she watched them.

"I believe it is his nature to be friendly with young ladies in general. There doesn't appear to be any significant attachment, but something doesn't feel quite right. Perhaps it's just my imagination, after all. But I must continue my observation; I don't have anything to lose by continuing to scrutinise him," Samantha thought to herself after the tea party at Mr Watson's.

A similar scene was seen at the assembly hosted by the Carters. Mr Carter and Charles had rented an assembly room at the Pink Swan Inn that could easily fit about a hundred people. The entire village was invited to join in the festivities. The young women were most excited about the prospect of dancing with Mr Harris and also Mr Crew. Samantha and Kitty, too, were happy about the assembly since they had not had one for quite a long time.

The entire village was adorned in their best apparel, a vibrant tapestry of colours and styles that painted a vivid picture of elegance and refinement. Both men and women looked absolutely stunning for the evening, their attire reflecting not only the latest fashion trends but also their enthusiasm for this grand occasion. The air was filled with an aura of anticipation and excitement as the villagers gathered, ready to immerse themselves in the enchantment of the night.

Samantha had chosen to present herself in her resplendent blue gown, a garment brought all the way from London by William himself. The gown's rich fabric draped elegantly around her, accentuating her grace and charm. To complement her attire, Samantha had delicately adorned her hair with pearls, adding an extra touch of radiance to her beauty.

Kitty, on the other hand, had selected a pale green gown, also a London acquisition. The gown's colour complemented her complexion, and she had styled her hair in the fashionable a la Grec style, giving her a timeless and ethereal appearance. Together, the sisters were a sight to behold, their beauty captivating the attention of all who beheld them, a true embodiment of elegance and allure.

Before Samantha stepped into the ballroom, she had firmly reminded herself to keep a vigilant eye on Mr Harris, to keenly observe his interactions for any subtle signs of attachment. Despite having been around him for the past few weeks, she had remained unable to discern any definitive clues. His demeanour remained inscrutable.