The Bet

Chapter 6: The Courting

Frances was sitting in the rose salon, jabbing her needle in her embroidery. She first started it as a flower, but didn't know what it was anymore.

'Is that a bear, dear?' asked her mother.

Frances gave a non-committal shrug. She looked at her mother's work, it was a beautiful butterfly. She has no idea why her mother made her embroider, she had no skills.

Frances was good at wood carving, but her mother never let her do it, as it was a gentleman's skills.

Butler entered with calling cards, 'Callers for Miss. Hill.' He handed Frances the cards. Her afternoons were usually filled with callers trying to court her, watched over by her Aunt. She sighed in relief as she put down her embroidery ring.

She leafed through the cards as she walked. Frances stopped in her tracks to see Lord Marcus' name. She felt apprehensive and excited at the same time.

When she entered the drawing room, only Lord Marcus was there. She looked around, 'where are the others?' she blurted out.

'They seem to have important work and left in a hurry' replied Marcus.

'All of them?' asked Frances incredulously. Marcus only shrugged.

'Would you like some tea, Lord Vandam. Lady Smith will be arriving shortly,' said Frances as she made to sit down.

'No, let's head out for an ice cream. The weather is particularly fine today.'

Turning to the Butler he added, 'Miss.Frances will need a chaperone, we will be waiting at the entrance.' With that he offered Frances his hand and walked her out.

'I can't believe you got out before being sabotaged by my Aunt,' she said with an impressed look .

They were joined by a maid, who kept a respectable distance, as they walked through the busy London street. They sat down at an ice cream parlour.

'What would you like, Miss. Frances?' enquired Marcus.

'I will have strawberry ice cream,' said Frances mischievously.

Marcus' eye glinted with mirth as he pouted. She giggled seeing him pout. He bought strawberry ice cream for her and chocolate for him.

'I saw you being mentioned in The Observer again this week,' said Frances.

'Am I?' asked Marcus.

'You need to read the newspaper more closely, Lord' said Frances.

'Why read a paper, when you are the news. Did it report my bread spitting incident?' asked Marcus with a straight face.

'No, it was about the crop rotation you employed with such staggering results,' replied Frances. They entered into detailed discussion about crops, he never knew barley, turnips and oats could be such an entertaining topic.

Marcus couldn't remember the last time he had such a lengthy conversation with a woman, it was always lengthy work at bed. When he looked down, his ice cream was a melted gool.

Frances was waiting outside as Marcus paid for the ice cream. He saw her looking longingly at a poster of a boxing match.

'You like boxing?' asked Marcus.

'I have never seen one, my mother would never let me,' said Frances sadly. When they reached Chestnut house, Marcus took Frances' hand and kissed her knuckles.

'I will call upon you tomorrow by 2,' said Marcus. She blushed as he winked and left.

Aunt Mary was agitated to have missed Marcus twice.