Revelations
With no dance in its mist the town was back to all normality. Peace which had been withheld from the fabric shop had established itself with it usual of only two visitors. This was visited by Lalney, in hopes that Mr. Gardner would be in supply of buckle that she wished. Sadie had no desire to see buckles, lace or ribbons and set to find her dear friend.
"Mrs. Port, I am glad I had the chance to find you." Octavia stood from her chair to greet her dear friend. She offered some tea and began to inform Sadie how the service that day was appalling. Comparing the service to her own household the shop was left lacking all taste and civility. Sadie commented that it must be due to the number of guest that the shop was experiencing.
"It makes no difference. They should have more girls at hand. It took them ten minutes to bring my tea. And when it had arrived they did not bring the sugar. I was furious, but as you know how sweet tempered I am, I just informed them the most courteous way that they were in need of providing better service." This sudden change in Octavia's character startled Sadie. She beheld before her not Miss Johnson any longer but truly a Mistress of Lord Port. Where Octavia had been kind and timid, Mrs. Port was arrogant and offensive.
"Tell me dear friend, how do find yourself." Sadie wished this would divert Octavia's thoughts on the service.
"I have been quite fine. Lord Port has left leaving me alone. Don't worry, I am glad he has left." Octavia lowered her voice as she confided in Sadie. "Living with him is atrocious, if it had not been for him helping my father and brothers I would have not consented to the marriage. He is the most pompous ignorant man I have ever met. If it had not been for his nephew visiting these past few days, I am sure that I would not have carried on."
"Nephew? Lord Port has a nephew?"
"Oh dear yes. He is a fine fellow, he has come to visit Lord Port. I believe that he has come to visit because he fears that I will be able to provide Lord Port with an heir. For you see, Lord Port's nephew is to inherit the whole estate if no son is born to claim it.
"I do not mind having his visiting and have been enjoying it more than I expected. He shall keep me company while Lord Port leaves. In fact, I am to meet with Mr. Port this moment."
Just that moment Sadie saw a man enter the door. He was a young man that seemed to be two and thirty with a good complexion. "Mr. Port, I am over here. Sadie you must meet him. He is such a fine gentleman that it is a wonder why he has not married."
"Mr. Port, I hope you found everything well. I would like you to meet a dear friend of mine. This is Sadie Keal, that one I spoke of often. She has been the best companion in my youth. - Sadie this in Lord Port's nephew, Mr. Johnson Port." Mr. Port gave an elegant bow that confirmed his civility as a countryman. He spoke in a steady tone and appeared to be the most affectionate man that existed.
"Good evening. I have heard about you from my aunt, she has given you high recommendations as to your person. I had told her my wish to meet such an accomplished woman. Meeting you today I notices that my aunt did not do justice to your appearance if I may be so bold."
"Mr. Port, I dare say that this is no way to speak to such a dear friend of my. I will not have it even if it is teasing. -Don't worry Sadie, Mr. Port is just teasing, he does not mean what he said. Being in his company these past days I have learned to distinguish it." Octavia continued in her apology in the manner Mr. Port spoke as Mr. Port only smiled and confirmed that all he said was in truth. Octavia, soon could no longer contain the words and told Mr. Port that it was time to leave or the day would have been a waste.
"You must visit me dear, I have the maid prepare the most wonderful lunch when you visit." After two additional minutes in civility, Octavia left just as Lalney was entering the door.
Lalney's timely arrival had given her the glance of the gentleman in Octavia's company. "Who was that gentleman with Octavia. I must say that he is handsome man, if I dare say. A Mr. Port, you say. I had not known that Lord Port had any family. I had figured he was an old man alone with no one but his money."
Lalney's blunt comment mortified Sadie, fearing that they could be overhead. In hopes of ending anymore ill remarks from Lalney, Sadie soon found a suitable topic when she realized that Mrs. Keal did not join her with Lalney. Her curious thoughts were put to rest as Lalney explained that after reviewing the selections in Mr. Gardner's shop, Mrs. Keal had set out on a few household errands.
With the past dances, the Keal's household had been left abandoned in their most essentials. Items such as candles and paper were in great need of replenishment. The stable boy had been sent out to purchase feed for the horses and the house girls had been sent to search for flour and salt. Mrs. Keal's only concern was to purchase a trunk in which she was in dire need of. It was a wood and brass trunk that would serve great purpose and style to the parlor. She was "convinced that she would use it to store all the stitching material" that had accumulated in a basket that stood next to the fire.
"The basket is not even up to the midline. I am sure that she wishes it not for its practical use but for its appearance." Lalney expressed her disagreement with Sadie with a ardor that Sadie thought it best to head home and speak no longer on the subject.
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With the passing of time, Sadie's discomfort with Lalney only grew. The once sweet caring sister had given way to a crude speaking step-sister. This thought of "step-sister" had not once entered Sadie's thoughts till the night where Lalney objected in having Sadie join her visit to Miss McKinley. The excuse that only she was invited and it would be the most discourteous to Miss McKinley if Sadie arrived with no prior announcement. Sadie, tired to object that she was confident that it would not be discourteous since she also knew Miss McKinley well but it was not heard by Lalney who began to spout discontentment of Sadie's "childish actions". "The invite was for me, only. If you are so petty as to be jealous of this you must speak with Miss McKinley. But I must assure you that you will only make it worse on yourself. You must think that you are not a child anymore and I do not have to take you along with me just for being my step-sister". Those were the words that penetrated Sadie's heart. "Step-sister" sounded cold and heartless. True she had know that this is what Lalney and herself were to each other but it was not a word that was associated with the sisters in a true sense.
That night after having a quiet dinner alone, since Mrs. Keal assumed that Sadie would join her sister in Miss McKinley's visit, Sadie went to the parlor to read in silence. It had not been more than a quarter past the hour when Maria Jocobean announced that she had a visitor. "A Mr. Port has come, miss."
Sadie had just enough time to set her book down when Lord Port's nephew stepped into the parlor. "Sorry for the intrusion, Miss Keal. I hope I have not come at a disagreeable time." Sadie could not tell if it was an agreeable or disagreeable time since she was not expecting any company, especially a man she had only met once. "I have come to call on you to ask you for some information."
"Please sir, have a seat. Maria, please bring the gentleman some tea. Mr. Port in what way may I be of service to you?"
"Miss Keal, I know that Mrs. Port has you in high regards and I am to presume that you have been friends for some time. I was wondering if you could tell me of her person. I know that my uncle highly esteems her and that she was known as a fine woman in society but I must know her true person."
"Mr. Port I believe that you would know better since she has married your uncle. She is a kind caring person who only thinks of her family before herself."
Standing up Mr. Port began to pace about the room. "It is true that she married my uncle only for his fortune. Is that not a flaw in her character?"
"Not if it was forced by her family. She was only thinking for her families well being and I must assure you that she was thinking more that her own removal from her father's household would provide more of what they had to her siblings than using your uncles wealth for her disposal." Sadie could not understand why such a man would appear to her home and ask question. Her disapproval of him began to grow as he continued his questions on Octavia's true intentions of her marriage to his uncle. With each comment, she felt as her emotions would overtake her manners. "Mr. Port, I am most sure that all you are worried is that your inheritance is secured but I must assure you that it is. Miss Port would not take any of your money and I am sure that she has not wish for it. I have been her dear friend for more than ten years and I know her true character. Now I must ask you to leave."
Stunned by Sadie's has words Mr. Port gave a slight bow. "I do not intent to misjudge Mrs. Port, I only desire to know her character with you. Just as you said you are the only true judge of her character and I trust all that you say. I know for one that she is a fine woman and that my uncle is fortunate to have her. I apologize for any misinterpretation." Giving another bow Mr. Port left the parlor.
Sadie did not know how to interpret Mr. Port's actions. The most confusing was his smile when she informed him that Octavia would not marry only to give her family status. Deciding that Mr. Port's visit had provided enough confusion to last the night, Sadie decided it was time to retire.
"Marie when my mother returns tell her that I am off to bed and Lalney would be in later in the evening."
