Coupled Betrayal

Chapter 10

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August 21, 1879

The bells ring with lace of white. Attend Miss Katherine Dograce's union to Lord Bea.

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He kissed my cheek before we headed inside and had to part ways. Claude did sign my dance card, so I knew he would be back. My mother hunted me down instantly.

"Where were you?" she whispered harshly.

"With Charlotte. And dancing."

"Many gentlemen came asking for you, saying that they could not find you."

"Oh, yes. I had to go to the water closet."

She pursed her lips but left me alone, and I walked to the staircase to find Charlie with a skip in my step.

I found her and without looking at me, Charlie began, "I'd no idea where you went until I realized a certain man was missing. What happened?"

"It was all a misunderstanding, Charlie! Can you believe it?"

"Why yes. You seem very giddy," she replied, "So you two are fine now?"

"Mm-mhm," I answered, a wistful smile on my face.

"I won't pester you for details now. I'll do that tomorrow so the both of you can tell me."

The rest of the ball was uneventful, save for my waltz with Claude. Charlie was in an avid conversation with a gentleman I did not know, so I made my way to my mother and her little group. They droned over Chester and its beautiful weather. One of the ladies mentioned a missing third cousin, once removed, from Chester and that sparked an entire conversation on highwaymen and their dirty ways.

Unfortunately, I did not get to bid my goodbyes to Claude, but we made eye contact before I left and he smiled, a smile I could not help but return.

As I climbed into the carriage, I realized my mother had a sour look on her face. There was a small pout on her mouth, and she sat with crossed arms. My mother stared at the ground, and her brows were the slightest bit furrowed.

She was mad, very mad. It was an emotion I had become too familiar with whenever she was going to scold me.

Of course, my father was oblivious and spoke to her as if nothing were wrong.

I made a mental list of everything I did wrong. I messed with my bonnet at church; my mother wasn't petty as to scold me for that hours later. Maybe, she did not believe my lie about the water closet. However, the inevitable truth was that I danced with Claude, someone she did not like, and she could have discovered our little escapade.

All excitement and butterflies from Claude ceased, and I prayed that my mother was not too upset. My mother was a ticking time bomb.

We arrived home and Charles welcomed us. My mother replied politely but it was strained. As a solution to my mother's impending anger, I raced up the staircase after bidding them a very quick goodnight.

I reached the door to my room, but my mother's light footsteps trailed close behind. I stepped inside with a sigh and waited for her to enter.

"Mama," I addressed.

"Angelica."

I closed the door, and she sat on the bedroom bench.

"What have I done this time?"

Her head whipped to look me directly in the eye, "You know exactly what you did."

"I don't know, Mama, so please, enlighten me."