Pearls and Roses

20. The Art of Hearsay

SOPHIA, LADY BLAYNEY,

I flipped the page, sighing exasperatedly. News were the same these days; demonstrations, labor strikes, shortage of coal, an outbreak of cholera. How could there not be a single good news? Or gossip even?

  It was only a matter of time till all this reached our doorstep and that old fool will regret not hearkening to my advice about relocating.

A cough followed by a clearing of throat caught my attention. Here was another; a thorn in my side. My daughter was seated by the window, looking through her binoculars. Why she even had one was beyond me.

  "Would you stop distracting me and go find something worthwhile to do?" I frowned. Like making a baby? She seemed to believe babies came from trees and after countless efforts to teach her what it entailed, I was convinced she was impossible. What had I done wrong?

I would have to have a serious conversation with her husband when he arrived from his trip.

Sandra removed the binoculars from her eyes, blinked a few times. She shifted in the sofa, placing her leg on them before looking through the casement window with her binoculars. "Ma, I think you will be interested in this."

I rolled my eyes and tuck the newspaper under my arm, "What is it now?" I stood and took a seat next to her. She shoved the binoculars in my hands. "Gentle now, young lady."

  "Hurry! Before he leaves."

I looked through them, "What am I supposed to be seeing?"

  "The prince."

I glanced at her, convinced she had erred. "Who?"

"Look!" She pushed the binoculars closer to my head.

     "Okay, okay."

There was only a thicket of trees and a car parked on the side of the road. Wait, that car.....

A man stepped out of the driver's seat and adjusted his suit. Before I could zoom in to get a closer look at him, Lady Annabelle appeared, walking closer to the car with a fine younger man beside her. They were speaking but I could only see his back. However one could tell he was fine because if his build.

When he turned toward the car as the other man opened the door before him, his face become visible. I gasped, lowering the binoculars. My mouth hang open and I glanced at my daughter who nodded at me, her eyes wide also.

  I put the binoculars back against my eyes just in time to see the car drive away. Lady Annabelle stepped inside with a smile on her face. Their tall gates obscured whatever went on inside.

I gave the binoculars to Sandra.

"What will the prince be doing in their home?" she voiced my concern.

   I blinked, "How am I to know? I am just as clueless as you are."

    Sandra gasped.

  "What?"

   "What if he's seeking Miss Somers' hand in marriage. Or some sort of arrangement like that?"

  I chuckled, "I doubt. Why would he? He must have dealings with Sir Hooley rather."

  My daughter nodded slowly. "That makes better sense."

  "Of course, it does. Now, leave me alone in peace."

"There isn't anything to do here." She groaned.

"It's not my business. You would have more things to do, if you have a child."