The Bet

Chapter 11: The problem

'We can go in through the kitchen,' said Frances as they neared the estate.

'Mrs. Mecredy,' she called.

Mrs. Mecredy gasped when she looked at them, 'I imagine you want me to sneak you in. But your aunt will know and so will your mother, if she doesn't already.'

Mrs. Mecredy gave instructions to find Lord Marcus' valet. They could hear the unmistakable voice of Mrs. Sophia Hill scolding in the distance.

Frances edged towards the door and peered out.

Mrs. Sophia came into view, she was accompanied by Anne. She looked vivid with anger and was scolding Anne in a loud voice.

'You are not a child anymore, I hope you don't follow in your sisters steps. Why did you have to push her in the pool!'

Frances shouted, 'You little monkey' and lunged at Anne.

Marcus didn't know how Mrs. Hill managed it. One moment, the two sisters were wrestling, the next they were far apart held by ears.

Holding both her daughters by the ears, Mrs. Hill lashed out, 'I don't know where we went wrong, why are you both behaving like this, what will Mr. Bennet and Lord Marcus think, if they see you like this.'

Marcus rolled his eyes, 'Seriously?'.

Mrs. Hill turned and saw both aforementioned men dripping wet. She clutched her heart with a gasp.

She turned to Anne and shouted, 'How could you push them in!'

'Mama! I never pushed them, I only pushed Frances. He was on the shore, completely dry when I left,' said Anne indignantly.

Mrs. Sophia Hill was livid as she shouted 'Frances, how could you push them in, when will you grow up. Haven't you caused enough mayhem in Liverpool. Do you plan to ruin yourself? Yesterday you were climbing trees with kids. Can't you control yourself, your problem is getting out of hand.'

Marcus was infuriated to see Mrs.Hill insult Frances in front of everyone. When she mentioned 'your problem,' he could no longer contain himself. He will not see Frances insulted in front of him, not even by her mother.

He said in condescension, 'She did not push Antony, I did. I jumped in myself as it looked fun. Please don't insult Miss. Frances in front of me. Mrs. Mecredy, if the hot bath is ready, we will leave. Miss. Frances is cold.'

'Come on,' he said and took Frances' hand and pulled her along.

He was still seething as they made their way to their quarters.

'Lord Marcus, thanks,' She mumbled.

He held her face in his hand and said fiercely, 'You are perfect the way you are and you don't have a problem.'

She started saying, 'I ...'

He said again, 'You are perfect.'

Frances didn't know what her problem was, and she believed she didn't have one. Only George believed her, he never thought she had a problem. Marcus thought she was perfect, she felt a rush of affection towards him.

Before knowing, she heard herself saying 'Kiss me.'

Marcus just stared at her as though she was the most precious thing in the world. He slowly bent and caught her in a searing kiss.

Marcus got to his room, with the help of his valet quickly bathed and changed. Swimming had made him hungry and tired.

There was a knock on the door. A maid entered laden with a large tray. 'Mrs. Mecredy sent me, in case his lordship is hungry and wants to dine in his room.'

He nodded, she set up the tray on a nearby table. It had enough food for three, there were sandwiches, meat, treacle tart and tea.

Antony entered as the maid exited. Marcus was sure, Antony was about to tell him off, for the pond kissing incident. But to his surprise, he said nothing about it. He simply sat down and had lunch with Marcus. Nap seemed like a good idea as both friends slumped on their chairs after a heavy lunch.

Frances found herself waiting in the drive for her father's arrival with her mother and Anne. A carriage rolled through and Frances' dad got down. Frances and Anne shouted in unison 'Papa,' and ran to hug him.

Mr. Harry Hill was a jovial man, his eyes were the same as Frances which hinted at mischief. Once he was settled, Mrs. Sophia Hill wasted no time in recounting about Lord Paulen.

Mr. Harry sat in thought for a few minutes and said, 'You should lay off them.'

When Mrs. Sophia looked mutinous, he added, 'You cannot keep on holding Frances. She needs to take her own trails.'

Mrs. Sophia said, 'I am not holding her back, I am trying to protect her.'

Mr. Harry said, 'Sophia, I understand. You are her mother, but this time just let Frances be.' Mrs. Sophia sighed heavily and nodded.

Dinner that night, Frances found herself sitting between Marcus and Antony. Mrs.Hill seemed to have given in to the inevitable and allowed Marcus to sit near Frances. Frances couldn't hide her delight as she chatted with Marcus.

Frances was recounting her childhood misdeeds with George, Marcus found himself talking about his time spent in Oxford, and how Antony and Marcus met.

Frances was funny, charming and devious. She didn't have the restraint other society women had, she expressed what she felt and Marcus liked it.

He found himself saying, 'You should call me Marcus.'

She didn't protest, she looked at him and said 'Marcus' with a smile.

'Frances,' he called back.

Frances blushed. Marcus stretched his arms under the table and took hers. Frances felt her cheek grow warmer

Marcus noticed Antony watching them both. On catching his eye, Antony shrugged and looked away.

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