A duel of hearts

Navigating new waters

Nathaniel tipped his hat as he introduced himself, but the woman seemed overly curious about his background. "Sinclair?" She inquired, eyeing him skeptically. "Yes, I do believe you know my father. Or if you are familiar with American politics you might." Lady Portia shook her head before pressing further, "Which Sinclairs?" Nathaniel furrowed his brow, trying to decipher her question. "Where is your family from?" She demanded. Nathaniel sighed before responding kindly, "The Grange, in Scotland. But I do not know my grandfather, his name was or is James Sinclair." The lady chuckled, mocking Miss Teaton's expression. "Oh dear, do not waste your time with this one. I understand who he is. Scottish nobles, his relatives are wealthy but Mr. James Sinclair was a ruined man. A failed trader who married a half-French woman in the Caribbean. I have heard he fathered two illegitimate children and left them alone with their mother." Nathaniel felt heat rise to his cheeks and clenched his fists in frustration.

"Madam," he said sternly, "You will cease this instantly. My grandmother was no ordinary woman, but a good one. And you will mind how you speak of my family. My father, one of the two illegitimate children, is now secretary of the Treasury. Now, I wish not to waste my breath with you, madam. Miss Teaton, who is a remarkable lady, will surely agree." He turned to the three girls with a polite smile, while Penelope looked ashamed for her mother. Nathaniel took Jasmine's arm and walked away. "I am sorry if I lost my temper. It wasn't kind. But... I am proud of my family. I hope you'll understand."

Jasmine turned her attention to Lady Portia, her jaw clenched slightly as she listened to the woman's remarks. Feeling Nathaniel take her arm, she gave the three girls a reassuring smile before following him. "It is quite alright," she assured him. "She... can be like that sometimes. A lot of people could be." She sympathized. "I can understand being proud of your family." But she couldn't shake the worry that Lady Whistledown might write about this in her next column. Pushing aside her concern, she suggested, "During the ball, there might be others who come up to talk to you. Why don't we get something to drink? They usually have lemonade and I'm sure other drinks?"

Nathaniel was still trying to understand the ambiance, and the people, and his first encounter wasn't extremely pleasing. Lady Featherington made Nathaniel feel outraged. Back home many people talked badly about his father's origins, the Democratic-Republicans were always pressing the issue of his father's upbringing but never like that. Never somebody was so directly rude and disrespectful. "I am extremely proud of my family. My father, he has a remarkable story and he is incredible. I am proud of him, even though he isn't perfect." He sighed shaking his head. "I am sorry my lady. That was harsh. I beg you to forgive me" he smiled and kissed her hand before nodding his head. "I would love to have some lemonade. This place looks like a fairytale. I could have never imagined such splendor" he told her, while they were walking to the lemonade stall. Some people were there already and Alex took two glasses. "It tastes good. Not going to lie." Some girls next to him were giving him weird looks, one of them blonde and doe-eyed, another a brunette. "Are you the secretary of the Treasury?" The brunette asked her, making him chuckle. "My lady I am sorry to disappoint you. I am his son, Nathaniel Sinclair Junior. Pleased to meet you" he kissed their hands and then smiled. "Miss Teaton, you didn't tell us about any handsome man coming with you. I heard Lady Featherington whispering something. I believe, Lord Hamilton, you are going to be in the Whistledown issue." Nathaniel shook his head "I am not a Lord. We don't have Lords in America. And Miss Teaton, what is Whistledown?"

Jasmine looked up at him and smiled a bit as she nodded while listening to him and smiled a bit feeling him kiss her hand but shaking her head "It's alright, you don't have to apologize for anything." She told him. She followed him and nodded. "This is how events like this always look." She told him. "Sometimes, they are a little smaller." She added as she took her glass and looked at the girls. "I didn't know till recently." She admitted. This was true, her father had been busy and hadn't told her until just recently. She heard her mention whistledown and turned her attention to Nathaniel. "There's a column, the author who writes it is unknown but goes by Lady Whistledown. She happens to know a lot." She explained. "Most of what she writes is just gossip." She said but knew the whole ton enjoyed it.

Nathaniel was puzzled. An anonymous gossiper? He looked around running a hand through his red hair. Wondering who this person was, what was going to be written about him? He looked around and then noticed other people gathering at the lemonade stand. "Mr. Sinclair, please tell us about America. How is it? Is it true you break bread with tribes?" Nate blinked his eyes and then looked at the lady with a smirk. "oh yes, we do that all day. The president wants to send one of them here as ambassador" he said while the girls' faces were filled with fear. Nathaniel waited a bit before laughing out loud "I was kidding.
I was kidding. That's a lie, my lady. And this gossiper you talk about...I wouldn't worry much. These people are probably liars." A man now answered him. "Well, these gossips interest the queen as well. Whistledown caused many troubles and worries last season. My sister was the diamond. I am Viscount Anthony Bridgerton."

Viscount, what a fancy thing, he thought with a half smile. "Miss Teaton sorry, but what is a Viscount? See Sir, to me how social class works here is a mystery. Where I am from, you can become whoever you want. But I must admit that your judiciary and economic systems are impeccable." The girls were now getting closer to him "Oh please tell us about the revolution. Please do tell my Lord"

"I am no Lord.. but..I could tell you while dancing. My lady" he kissed the blonde's hand and smiled at her. "Honour me with a dance, please. And I shall tell you everything" the girl agreed, smiling from cheek to cheek as he led her to the dance floor.