The Bet

Chapter 4: Hyde Park, London

Frances marched towards Hyde park with a newspaper tucked under her arm. It was exciting to read the newspaper on the same day. Newspapers in Liverpool were always delayed by 3 to 4 days.

She was followed by a maid, who was acting as her chaperone. Frances couldn't go out of the house without a chaperone in London, she was used to roaming around the country on her own in Liverpool.

'Poor thing is stuck with me, till I read this,' thought Frances as she settled on a bench on the long water shore. She liked this spot, it was far from the main part of the park and was least likely to be disturbed, except for occasional riders.

Frances was deeply engrossed when she heard someone call her. She looked up and saw Lord Waymound walking towards her tipsily.

'Miss. Hill, if you have got a moment,' said Lord Waymound drunkenly.

She got up and said, 'I think you are drunk my Lord, we should talk when you are sober.'

She held her maid's hand and was made to walk away but Lord Waymound was blocking their way. 'No! We will talk now.'

She sighed and asked, 'What do you want to talk about?'

'What do you think of marriage, marriage to me,' he said menacingly.

Frances felt her anger rising; this drunken man was blocking her way and wasn't asking but threatening her to marry.

'No, I don't ever want to marry a drunk,' she replied. Frances could see his face reddening with anger.

Marcus and Antony were riding in Hyde Park. They usually met in Hyde Park to talk. Antony didn't belong to any gentlemen's club and Marcus knew his mother did not approve of Antony.

According to Lady Martha Paulen, if Marcus should have friends, it should be of his standings. A no-titled man, who didn't have two pennies to rub, was not worthy of her or her son's time. Marcus never invited Antony home, not wanting his friend to be insulted by his mother.

Marcus was tutored privately and didn't go to school, as any rich aristocrat. When he was twelve, he started taking his lessons with Prince Philip, who was missing the company of lads of his age. The self-importance of Lady Martha only doubled, so did Marcus.'

Marcus went to Oxford to get his degree. It was a refreshing change. For the first time in life, he felt independent. That's when the two men met and formed a strong friendship. Marcus knew Antony would jump in front of a bullet for him, and so would he.

'So, Lady Davies joins the rank of Vadam mistress list,' said Antony.

'You should consider joining espionage, you are wasting your talent,' joked Marcus.

Antony laughed and said, 'No! You are very predictable especially when it comes to young widows.'

'Hey, I have my codes too, I never make advances on unwilling women,' said Marcus.

'Oh, I think your code is not to mess with women whom you can't get away from,' said Antony.

'You got me,' replied Marcus with a sly smile.

That's when two men saw Frances standing with Lord Waymound hovering threateningly over her.

'You think she is in trouble, should we intervene?' asked Antony.

Marcus nodded and spurred his horse. Before the men could reach her, Lord Waymound made to grab Frances' hand. Frances brought her knee to his cork. Lord Waymound fell with his arms clutched between his legs and went limp.

Marcus laughed out loud. He never knew a woman who could unman and in particular in public. Here, he thought he was going to act the hero.

She turned sharply and asked 'What are you laughing at?' with a glare.

'You knocked the poor man, silly!' replied Marcus.

'He deserved it,' she replied curtly.

Marcus fell silent at the glare she was giving him. 'Even Medusa could not match her glare,' thought Marcus.

'Are you alright?' asked Antony to the maid, who looked as though she would faint.

'No! I should have been more careful. Miss. Hill is going to be ruined,' she cried out.

'Ho no! Mama is going to kill me when she finds out about this,' gasped Frances.

'No, you will not be ruined and no one will know about this. We swear, we will never breathe a word,' said Antony reassuringly.

'You wouldn't but he might,' said Frances glancing towards the limp form of Lord Waymound.

'Ho! don't worry about him, I will make sure he remains silent,' said Marcus.

Frances didn't look convinced. 'Trust him, he has his ways,' whispered Antony to Frances.

'We should escort you home,' said Marcus.

'And leave him lying here? Someone might find him,' interrupted Frances.

'You escort the ladies home, Marcus, I will take Waymound,' said Antony.

'No! I would rather you escort us home Mr.Bennet,' interrupted Frances. On seeing the arched look on Marcus 'The sooner you deal with Lord Waymound, the better,' added Frances.

Antony and Frances started towards Chestnut house with the maid trailing behind them.

'Can you trust her not to talk?' asked Antony in a whisper.

'Ho, yes! She would talk. Only my aunt will get to know but no one else. Or my aunt would have never assigned her as my chaperone,' replied Frances.

Antony planned to drop both women at the entrance and leave. Before he could bid his farewell, he was invited in for tea by Lady Smith.

'She never misses a trick,' thought Frances as Lady Smith appeared at their side just at the right moment.

Asking how Antony preferred his tea, Lady Smith herself prepared his tea. She interviewed him all about his parents, siblings, and work. Frances kept shooting him apologetic glances.

'Do you have any engagement this evening, Mr. Bennet? Italian opera singer Carmella is performing in the theater and our family owns a balcony with a good view,' invited Lady Smith.

'It will be my pleasure,' replied Antony, but Frances saw him wince lightly when Aunt Mary was not looking.

'I am sorry, Aunt Mary can be a little overbearing. You don't have to attend the opera if you don't like it. I will make your excuse,' apologized Frances as she walked him to the door.

'No, I don't mind. It's the first time a noble lady is interested in me, so the experience is not as bad as you might think,' replied Antony.

'I find it hard to believe, you have been invited to all the balls I attended so far,' said Frances.

'I think it's Marcus doing. You know I hold no title, why would debutants or mothers be interested in me?' asked Antony.

'You have a good heart,' replied Frances. Antony smiled and bid his farewell.

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