BeWitched, The Prince She Stumbled On

4 A Gesture For Friendship

The tea table meeting was not over. The Pembroke's family was still present in the house of Marston.

Lady Finsbury and Lady Sarah sat together for a discussion ahead for wedding prospects. On the other side, Lord Hester took Evelyn outside for a walk. And then, Fiona had to think of something to avoid the elders.

"May I join you, Barbara?"

She asked out of helplessness because she did not want to continue anymore sitting with the elders. Evil eyed Finsbury had already shoot daggers at her and her sister was off to her man. And, since she had no man, she had to choose the nefarious, malevolent evil-eyed's daughter Barbara.

The two went inside, although one was quite sure about the others raging storm.

Speaking of Barbara, the women of ill behaviours, possessing a cruel disposition. She and Fiona was never a friend and after that famous past incident, the chances of friendship drowned significantly.

And guess what?

If this marriage is to take place, they are going to be sisters.

In her wildest dream, she never thought her dear sister would hook up to none other than but Hester. And now she was going to be stuck with Barbara, with no alternative in hand, she was compelled to ask her.

"Your return is a surprise?" Fiona told her as they sit together opposite each other in the terrace.

"Hahaha.." She took a moment to laugh, "Most surprising is your sister getting married to my brother. How did you let that happen?"

"What do you mean?" She looked befuddled.

"Its just been a year. Have your recollections of past grown so dim?"

"I clearly remembered everything and you also know I am not the one to blame." She said decisively.

"Exactly, your beauty is." Barbara's tone redolent with a sly humor. Fiona looked at her and stick to a coquettish smile. She knew that Barbara would dig past because she had been like these, negative and odious.

But this time, she wanted to extend a healthy friendship with her. After all her sister was soon going to be engaged with this family. So she cleverly spoke,

"Barbara, my beauty still remains unabated, yet I dispel any apprehensions that may have beset you in past. You should not be thinking about that anymore." She told.

"But ....."

"Stop..." Fiona interrupted in middle, " It happened a year ago and you know very well, that marques, whose name I do not remember now, was never in love with you....such a marriage where the one does not love the other....will always end. Its good, you were never engaged to him. "

"He was in love ...until he saw you, until you appear so suddenly with your flirtatious look." She said angrily.

Fiona exhaled.

"If he was in love with me, then I must have been married by then ......you know, I was not interested in him...." She paused a minute and then spoke again with a request, "Can we not forget it? I mean just look at your brother.... can't you espy that pleasant smile? Do you wish to imperil this newly tender bond existing between them?"

Barbara was dumb struck. She looked outside at her brother and the woman standing with him, she pondered yet unable to articulate any speech. She controlled herself, restraining her thoughts, for she knew within her own heart that Hester really loves Evelyn and Fiona's words were indeed veracious.

"Forgive me for being so cruel to you." She said softly holding her hand, "You are right, my brother's bond with your sister is blissful. I listened him when he spoke about her and wrote me letters that contained only his feelings.... I have never seen my brother so much into love.....I would never want to spoil this growing bond......I am truly apologizing to you from the bottom of my heart."

Her change of expression when she tenderly apologized, melted Fiona at once. She forgave her transgressions with a sincere smile and graciously proposed an agreement.

"Let us shake hands for a good friendship or a sisterhood...." She said humbly.

"Friendship??" The moment she heard about it, a wicked smile played on her lips. But she accepted this entreaty only with an intention that it would prove crucial in the proximate future. A diplomatic grimace was captured in Barbara's face when she hugged Fiona for inaugurating this fresh epoch of amicable friendship.

She then elevated her glass and inclined it towards Fiona and asked her to give a tender clink so as to consecrate their amity. And she announced with unbound zeal, " For a new dawn, may our friendship ripe like a fine wine...."

"Amen.." Fiona mumbled ornately.

It was like a mission come true. Winning Barbara's heart was the second thing in the list which she had to do and finally she accomplished it gracefully. However, the first was still untouched and entangled. Lady Marston was yet to be cheered up by her. But for now, she was enjoying this moment and she believed very soon, she might also win the heart of Lady Finsbury.

After embracing each other warmly, they began to exchange their moment of pleasantries and humorous talks in a light-hearted manner. Barbara subsequently shared her tales of adventures spent in her aunt's house in the countryside and Fiona busted in laughter her reminiscences of past experiences of finding a match.

"Seems like the two have finally mend up..." Hester mumbled and his peer, Evelyn looked at them.

"I am delighted, you know Fiona was unhappy to come here, knowing that she would be disliked by your mother....."

He chuckled lightly before speaking, " Yesterday night, it took me a greater effort and precision to make her agree with me. She had few issues but .....she understands me and I am sure she will understand you too and your sister."

She smiled.

"How is her prospects with Wilkins? I have met him in the court." He asked taking a gaze at them.

"you know ...." She stuttered, "She is puzzled, unable to reciprocate her feelings, properly and ..... Mother is worried about her and I am worried too."