in quite deep// featherington oc

six

I have always thought that an appreciation of the arts is what lifts us beyond mere animals. It stirs the passions and moves the spirit, and, this author hopes, inspires more newsworthy pursuits. A new wing at Somerset House is to be opened today, where several attractions will be on display like the lovely Miss Marina Thompson, newly recovered from her mysterious illness and expected to finally rejoin the season.

Of course, there is today's royal attraction as well, Prince Friedrich of Prussia. His Highness has come to our shores in want of a fine Fräulein. Could this be the reason a certain language tutor has been seen visiting Cowper House all week?

Art covers the walls of the Somerset House. Some bore me, some intrigue me, some are just down right horrendous. I spot Mama dragging Miss Thompson through the crowd towards Papa and an older man.

"Lord Middlethorpe, you simply must meet Miss Marina Thompson, a distant cousin of my husband's," Mama introduces.

"Miss Thompson, the pleasure is mine," Lord Middlethorpe says.

"Entirely," Miss Thompson states.

Penelope arrives, surely trying to save Miss Thompson. "Marina..."

"Penelope, allow us to view some of the paintings over here," Mama tells her.

"I had a brief question to ask Marina," Penelope explains.

"Now is not the time, Penelope," Mama tells her.

"I believe now to be the perfect time," Miss Thompson says.

"Miss Thompson?" Lord Middlethorpe says.

Miss Thompson turns to face the man. "I certainly was not addressing you."

I can understand Miss Thompson's hesitancy in Mama trying to set her up with Lord Middlethrope.

"I do not believe that I have ever met such a lovely girl with such an ugly countenance," Lord Middlethorpe remarks before walking off.

"You are a meddlesome little wench," Mama tells Penelope before she turns to Miss Thompson. "And you clearly do not understand the gravity of your situation. That will need to change."

I quickly manage to lose Mama in the maze of rooms. I find a room that is unoccupied. The walls are covered in landscapes of places I could not even take a guess of the locations of. They are all rather grey and dreary so I would guess they are all of places in England or maybe Scotland.

I jump when I feel someone standing behind me. I turn and see it is Bash. He smiles at me.

"Patience."

"You scared me half to death," I tell him.

He laughs. "I am sorry, darling."

"What are you doing?" I question.

"I came to say hello," Bash tells me. "I thought I would since you ran off on me at the last ball."

"I did not run," I argue.

Bash laughs. "No I suppose you only walked fast."

"It did not do any good," I confess. "My Mama stopped me before I could make it very far."

"Did she ask about me?" Bash questions.

I nod my head. "My mama insists you are a perfect fit for Prudence."

"Your sister?" Bash questions

I nod my head. "The very one," I assure him.

"Well she is... that so say..." Bash says, stumbling over his words.

I laugh. "I know. I tried to explain that Prudence is not what you are looking for in a wife. Then I tried to tell her you were not looking for a wife. But Mama kept insisting you need a wife so you may produce an heir."