Gunpowder & Rose - a Return To Sanditon Novella

Twenty-Seven

The following evening heralded the Midsummer Ball. After the traumatic events of the regatta, all were quite ready to dance and be merry. Rose and Crowe had decided that this event would be their opportunity to share the news of their betrothal.

As Rose readied herself for the evening ahead, a knock sounded on the door to her room. She opened her door to find a surprise visitor. Lady Elizabeth Winters, dressed regally in a deep purple evening gown, entered the room.

"My Lady!" she exclaimed in surprise and delight.

"Rose, my dear. I'm glad to see you. You look beautiful in that shade of pink, dear. My nephew sent me a missive a few days ago inviting me to join you all in Sanditon for the Midsummer Ball. He seemed most insistent that I make the journey from town. Would you happen to know anything about that?" Lady Elizabeth regarded Rose curiously.

Rose shook her head; she honestly had no idea.

A short time later, Crowe and his aunt accompanied Rose and her sisters to the assembly rooms. Hundreds of candles lit the room, and beautiful summer blooms had been artfully arranged in urns and placed decoratively around the ballroom. The atmosphere was magical, and Rose could feel an undercurrent of excitement and expectation.

Crowe settled the ladies before searching out his friends. He found Babington, Sidney and Hargreaves near the refreshments and they grinned when they caught sight of him.

"Well met, Crowe. Are you sure about this?" asked Babington with a smile.

"I have never been more certain of anything," he grinned, accepting a glass of champagne.

"Cause for celebration, my friend," Sidney offered. "Just not too many. That would surely ruin what I'm sure you hope to be a magical night," he added with a wink.

As the room began to fill, Rose searched for Crowe. He had been gone some time. The dancing was due to start soon, and he had claimed the first and every other waltz of the evening. Just at that moment, she spotted him striding purposely towards her.

"Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I welcome you all to the sixth annual Midsummer Ball. Dancing is due to start shortly, however, before we begin, I would like to hand the floor over to our very own Earl Frogmore, who has an announcement to make," Mr Tom Parker turned and beckoned Crowe to the dais.

Catching hold of her hand, Crowe winked and escorted her, in some confusion, to the front of the ballroom. In a loud, clear voice, he thanked Tom and the other guests for indulging him in a moment of their time. He turned to Rose, still holding her hand.

"Miss Downing. Rose," he began. There were a few titters from the crowd, but they were promptly silenced by a glowering Lady Winters.

"Yesterday, you made me the happiest of men by insisting that I marry you."

Rose rolled her eyes and prayed the ground would swallow her whole.

The crowd laughed, and Crowe spoke again, "Tonight, in front of all these people, I should like to return the gesture." Crowe held her gaze as he dropped to one knee.

"Miss Rosemary Downing, you have calmed the troubled seas of my soul. You have captured my heart and saved my liver," he winked. "Will you do me the great honour of becoming my countess?"

Caught between laughter and tears, she nodded, "Yes, Crowe, the honour would be entirely mine."

The crowd erupted in applause and Crowe standing once more, nodded to the side of the room, where Mr Hankins, Rector of Sanditon was making his way towards them, robes swishing around his ankles, and carrying a bible.

Rose, shocked; gaped at the sight and then turned once more to find Crowe grinning.

"You mean ..." she looked around in bemusement, "You mean right now?"

"Mmm. Yes, right now," he replied and guided Rose into place in front of the waiting clergyman.

"Crowe, this is madness!" she laughed.

"Well, my first thought was to bundle you in a carriage and make haste to the border, but I realised I was unwilling to wait that long," he winked. "It was a close thing, my aunt only arrived a few hours ago with a special licence. If she'd failed to get here tonight, I had the coach standing ready."

Mr Hankins cleared his throat and began, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today ..."

So, it was there at the 6th annual Midsummer Ball that Rose married the 7th Earl of Frogmore.