East of The Empire

Chapter I - 1860, London

CHAPTER 1

"Amelia do hurry, I would hate for Lady Wallingford to think us late to her dinner" Lady Braxton rushed in and out of the girl's bedrooms, she was pacing the few steps between their doors sighing when there was no reply. Her purple satin dress hovered millimetres from the old wooden floorboards that creaked with every step.
"Amelia if you are not ready your father and I will quite positively leave without you" Her patience was wearing thin as she swept up the corridor back to the original door and pushed it open enough to step inside. She watched her daughter twirl in an elegant cream evening dress, it was stitched with pale blue flowers and tightened to lay upon her corset against her thin frame. Her blonde hair was pulled roughly away from her face and brushed to an immaculate standard, each hair in place and gathered behind a pale flower at the back of her head. Her pale skin was perfectly flushed in the rush to get ready and Lady Braxton took a moment to watch her daughter flatten creases from the bodice. "Amelia you look wonderful, I knew that dress would suit you, now go and hurry down to your father he is in the hall waiting for the carriage". She watched her only child glide effortlessly with grace past her, her usual silence and placid temperament evident for all to see. Lady Braxton followed her back into the corridor and watched her descend the staircase and greet her father meekly at the bottom. Turning around she saw the small door at the end of the corridor open and Isabella step out into the dim light.
"Come now Ella, it has taken so long to be ready we will surely be late" she chided the girl and beckoned her forward into the lamplight. Isabella and Amelia were so different in all things it was clear from the beginning that they were not related. Where Amelia's hair was a soft brushed gold Isabelle's own was a deep auburn that curled in large ringlets. Her fuller figure was becoming on her and her brown eyes were flecked with emerald green adding some further mystery to an already unexplored past. Her green dress cut a similar style to Amelia's but suited her own figure better and the shade was a perfect complement of the girls complexion.
"If there is nothing more we can do for your hair we must go. It is, I reason, excusable for your presentation to be unkempt as you are not of a high enough station to be valued and watched" Lady Braxton lead Isabella down the stairs taking her coat off of the butler she vanished out of the door as if she could not stand it another minute. Lord Braxton waited as Amelia followed her mother meekly and quietly to the carriage. Isabella too took her coat thanking the butler with a genuine smile she placed it upon her shoulders and stepped into the evening air. The chill was biting at her cheeks as she approached the carriage and waited for the women to be seated before accepting her guardians hand and following suit inside.
"I am awfully sorry for keeping you sir, I was aiding Amelia with her dress when..."
"Oh I know my child, do not bother yourself with timings, I am sure the Wallingford party can wait ten minutes for our arrival" with a wink the aging Lord assisted his ward into the carriage and climbed in behind tapping his cane on the roof to signal their departure. Isabella watched from the window all the buildings passing by as they made their way but ten streets form their own London home. The night air was cold but at least the rain had held off, Lord Braxton assisted all of the ladies to exit and began herding them up the stone steps. Isabella watched the shapes of people inside the house as their shadows danced upon the pavement below. She could hear faint laughter and smell the sharp tang of whiskey mixed with a perfume on the air, a smell she had now come to dread with social situations.

The library was well lit and the glow from the fire reflected over a large collection of books that lined one wall. The other walls were filled with art, all paintings of various generals and their horses, something Isabella cared little for. The piano was sitting unattended in the corner and three couches formed a square for the women to sit and converse as and when they wished. Beside them were two games tables with cards placed in the centre predominantly for the men but also for women who fancied their luck playing.
"Lord Braxton, Lady Braxton, Lady Amelia Braxton and Miss de Claire" The aged butler announced to the room as the small party was ushered inside. Silence fell and Lady Wallingford took it upon herself to fill it with trivial greetings and playful chiding on their lateness.
"I am awfully sorry Lady Wallingford, I lost track of the time and before I knew it I was rushing to get the family ready" Lady Braxton dipped her grey edged blonde head to Lady Wallingford and forced a smile to play on her lips. Lord Braxton immediately left the women to join the men over near the card tables not wishing to be party to trivial gossip. Amelia and Isabella stayed behind the two ladies exchanging glances and daring to lift their eyes to survey the room.
"Lady Wallingford may I re-introduce to you my daughter Amelia, I do believe the last time you saw her she was but ten, she is now nearing twenty" Lady Braxton paused allowing her daughter to step forward and curtsey in front of a them. Lady Wallingford surveyed the small girl as though she were a horse at market; Isabella watched the grand lady trace her grey eyes over the young girl, her own stout frame wobbled slightly as she took her in and smiled.
"It is a pleasure to see you again my dear, your mother spoke of little else then her wish for your return from school in Bath, how did you find it?" Amelia paused and looking to her mother for support quietly mumbled her appreciation for the school and the people she had met. After listening briefly Lady Wallingford turned her attentions to Isabella who was allowing her mind to wander whilst studying a large painting behind them. Sensing the old woman's intrigue Lady Braxton paused in her praises of her daughter for her second introduction.
"You must remember Isabella Lady Wallingford, our ward, she travelled too with our daughter to school, we believe in giving her the same education for she has no money or family to recommend her" Lady Braxton beckoned Isabella forward into their view and watched her polite curtsey.
"You are lucky my child, Lord and Lady Braxton are giving people, had you not been left on their doorstep in your infancy who is to know what would have become of you" Lady Wallingford frowned before beckoning the whole party to the main seating area for further introductions. Waving a wrinkled hand covered in lace to the room Lady Wallingford pulled the skirt of her grey dress forward and headed for the nearest couple.
"Lady Braxton you know my brother Mr Worthing and his wife, this is my niece Miss Hattie Worthing and their cousin Miss Cecily White" the party simultaneously curtseyed before all the women took their seats. Isabella placed herself beside Amelia and Miss Worthing but remained quiet when individual conversations began.
"Why Miss de Claire, you look fetching in that green gown, I do believe it was quite the fashion in town last season" Miss White allowed a smile to play with the corner of her lips whilst keeping an innocent glow in her eyes. Miss White's own pale gown was immaculately clean and hung to her curves, she had high set cheekbones and sweeping brown hair that was plaited into a mass away from her face. Her gold eyes ignited a challenge against the fires glow as she held Isabella's own gaze.
"I think it looks lovely on you Miss de Claire" Miss Worthing smiled and lowered her gaze revealing a timid friendly nature, her own fleshy face was flushed deeply and her black hair bundled back revealing the plumpness of the girls figure. Isabella murmured her thanks and allowed her gaze to wander once more towards the card tables where the men were seated. Lord Braxton sat beside Lord Wallingford in turn beside Mr Worthing and three younger men, two of whom wore fine regimental uniform. Isabella watched them joking and boisterously laugh as they caught each other with shouts and appeals, she smiled at their easiness so unlike the ladies.
"I believe I have no idea what it is I am doing" she heard Lord Braxton profess to the men, he looked around flustered and caught her eye "I do believe my ward Miss de Claire will indeed be able to aid me in this game, Isabella do come here" with a commanding tone he smiled to her and she thanked him silently from pulling her out of the pit of young women. She stood slowly watching her feet as she made her way across the library to the table; she felt all eyes on her and as usual disliked it intently.
"Ella I do believe there is some underhand tactics being employed by my opponents, how best do we solve this" his mock tone rose smiles and laughter from the men and a small giggle from her own lips.
"This cannot be young Ella? Why when we met last we played chase around the pond and you laughed when George fell in" She recognised Frederick Worthing's easy manner as soon as he spoke, she remembered him with perfection, he had changed little apart from in height and stature from the eight years that had passed. Isabella smiled and dropped her gaze to the floor not wishing to become centre of attention in present company.
"That she is, she went for schooling in Bath with my Amelia, the two have not changed since being away" Lord Braxton boasted.
"I believe they have my Lord" Frederick raked his gaze over her gown and body creating an uncomfortable feeling in her gut, the room fell to silence broken by the movement of the ladies behind.
"Now Freddie do behave, Miss de Claire is no longer ten and I think will not be taunted by you" Miss White had moved to join the game and was stood beside Isabella, a forced smile upon her face. The men laughed and Isabella took a moment to study them, to her guardian's right sat Frederick Worthing, his black dinner suit immaculately clean. His black hair hung shaggily around his ears and his boyish smile held a hint of something darker than it used to. Beside him sat Mr Worthing, he too wore a black dinner suit, his manner was altogether one of no interest in her as he studied the cards in his hand intently. His second son George Worthing was instantly recognisable the moment they locked eyes, his dark hair was cleanly cut and his blue eyes shone brightly almost tainted grey against the red of his uniform. Isabella felt herself blush under his gaze and instead moved her own along to the uniformed man sat beside him, she did not recognise him but his character seemed friendly and pleasant, his remarks encouraged laughter from the group and Isabella smiled at him when he looked her way. After a few more rounds had passed the card game had broken up with the men moving to either the couches or staying around the table talking. Miss White had positioned herself beside the unknown regimental and Isabella took a seat beside the large front window leaving the three young men and two women to talk.
"I do believe the last time we met young Lady Braxton was the party held at Braxton house shortly before she and Miss de Claire moved for schooling" . Frederick looked from the women over to where Amelia was perched beside her mother, her look of discomfort shifted with a smile from her father. Isabella thought of that night Frederick spoke of and forced a smile onto her lips.