Twins of Tenby Hall

Chapter 5

Standing by the drinks table in the Hall, Matthew Westbrook was discussing estate matters with Edwin Lawrence when they heard Isabelle and Miranda being announced. 

"Ah, the stars of the evening are arrived." Grinned Edwin. "It feels odd they are coming out already." 

"It does feel as though they are still too young," Matthew chuckled "But they are now eighteen after all, and many girls have their first season at sixteen or seventeen." 

"Yes, and many married at their age besides. Lawd!" Edwin laughed "My uncle was loath to put them out into society, I pity the men who set sail for them." 

"I pity them as well, but less for fear of the father as the twins themselves. Isabel is a good enough girl, though quite a spitfire upon closer acquaintance. Em, however; it will take a special sort of man to satisfy her vanity." He laughed. "I try to keep it in check but she is not fond of being teased." 

"How unexpected." Edwin responded sarcastically with a chuckle. The two men were walking towards the staircase where the twins had been announced. 

"Ah I see Miss Cotton and my sister." observed Lawrence "She has the twins with her already. Look at those girls, they're proper ladies now, one couldn't rightly call them scrawny anymore. Good luck keeping Cousin Miranda's vanity in check now Matt, it seems she's attracting every bachelor in the country...but who is the shocking beauty of a girl with them, and the redhead?" 

Matthew barely heard half of what Edwin spoke once he noticed the glittering figure in white and gold speaking with Charity Bertram. Miranda's pale yellow curls shone and glittered in the light of the chandelier and her beautifully long neck was adorned with an elegant choker streaming with diamonds. Miranda turned to greet them with a stunning smile and once her deep, grey eyes met his, everyone else in the ballroom faded away. His eyes lowered to her lips as she spoke, mesmerized by the look of them – so soft and full – until she turned to Charity again and he felt a subtle smack on his arm. 

"Ay Matt, wake up man," Edwin gave him an odd look "we're getting the ladies drinks. Have you had one to many already?" 

"I have not!" Matthew defended, following Edwin. 

"Good lord my man, you couldn't keep your eyes off her and never spoke a word! Are you usually this subtle in your conquests??" 

"What conquest!? Don't be ridiculous, I was merely thinking your mother best fire her seamstress, the bodice on the twins' dresses are shockingly low. Who was the redhead, and the other blond?" Matthew inquired. He frowned, realizing he did not recall introductions or the conversation just now, and felt ashamed at his rude behavior. 

"Grace Cotton, the pretty little blond, is a cousin of my brother-in-law, Bertram." Lawrence was explaining. "The tittering ginger hyena is Victoria Bradshaw, a new friend of theirs; one of the Bradshaws from Bristol recently moved to London." 

"Ah right, her father is a judge is he not" 

"That's the one. She simpered quite forcefully at you when Em said you were too rich for your britches or something of the sort." 

"Thanks for the warning." Matthew grinned, then, "Em said what??"

~~~

The girls, Meanwhile, were taking advantage of the men's absence in order to gossip. Victoria started with a giggle "That Mr Westbrook is shamefully attractive, how do you girls not see it! It is true then, that he has nearly twenty thousand a year?!" 

Miranda wrinkled her nose "Nearly indeed." she scoffed "He is a good six thousand pounds short. In any case, character trumps looks and riches and he is an awful nuisance!"