CHAPTER 9
Thanks for the reviews! x
I won´t be able to update tomorrow... cause of traveling. But on Wednesday I´ll be back:)
4 more chapters to go after that one... bit sad to know it´s comming to an end! But I can´t wait for your response for the last 4 chapters :)so looking forward to it...
This chapter is just the lull/calm before the storm!
The Obligatory Ball
Olivia was restrained to her bed for some time longer than she would have wished, mostly because Elliot had ordered the house-maids not to let her out of bed unnecessarily. He did visit her often, bringing her volumes from the library and completely ignoring her displeasure at being so confined. After several days of arguing, she gave up.
It was during one of her husband's frequent visits that she decided to question him on a matter that had been troubling her since her awakening.
"Elliot, there's something I remember from being ill," she told him. "I don't know if I dreamed it or it really happened."
He flushed and fidgeted, and that alone might have confirmed her suspicions. "And what do you recall?"
Fighting a smile – for his discomfort was most amusing – she said, "I seem to remember you putting me in a cold bath, in order to rid me of a fever."
He nodded, looking at his hands. "Indeed, I…I did. I thought, for the sake of your health and your life, even, that there was no other option."
She did not to know what to make of his expression. There were equal parts guilt and remorse in his countenance, but she could not tell from his face what his reaction had been to her nakedness, nor could she recall how he'd looked then. The absence of answers was exceedingly frustrating.
"You need not feel guilty," she said. "I do not blame you; I'm sure I would have done the same. I was only curious, as it would have been a very strange dream to have."
Elliot smiled only with the corners of his mouth. "Indeed…it would."
A long silence followed, full of heavy thoughts on both sides.
"I had a letter from Mr. Tutuola this morning," Elliot announced without any attempt at some segue. "He and his family send wishes of your good health. His mother also sent along an interesting message for me."
Olivia only raised her eyebrow, waiting for some criticism to come, as Mrs. Malone-Tutuola was often as bad as her daughter.
"She tells me that as the owner of such a fine estate, it would be reprehensible of me not to hold a ball here. What do you think?"
"I had not considered the notion," Olivia replied. "While I think Mrs. Malone-Tutuola perhaps has too high an opinion of balls in general, it is the custom of the wealthy to host such events, and it would do you no discredit. If you would like to hold a ball, I should not object."
"But do you feel your strength is equal to the task?" Elliot asked."The burden of hostess is not light."
Olivia scowled. "My strength is the same as it has always been, Elliot. I'm perfectly well, and I should very much like some activity other than lying in bed to occupy my time."
She watched him fight a smile. "Very well then. We should get to work on the guest list soon."
"Now is as good a time as any," Olivia replied.
Elliot gave her a measuring stare, and finally rolled his eyes. "Very well. Get dressed and meet me in the library."
eoeoeoeoeoeoeo
The guest list was quickly decided upon. All of the local families were to be invited, along with many friends and acquaintances from their days at school. Her mother and father would be staying on for the occasion, and the two youngest Tutuolas would be invited to stay at the Manor, as well as their particular friends Miss Alexandra Cabot and Mr. Robert Langan. Mr. Langan had been in their year in school, and Miss Cabot a year younger.
The flurry of planning that commenced shortly afterwards was enough to keep Olivia`s mind thoroughly occupied. Elliot helped a great deal, but having attended very few balls in his life, he had very little idea what went into one. Thus, Olivia had to do the detailed work, and though she'd always thought balls a little frivolous, she found the planning of one rather entertaining.
Quickly, invitations were sent, and Olivia set about obtaining an orchestra, having the ballroom floor polished, choosing the foods to be served, and deciding other such vital matters to a good ball.
The date was set for the end of August, and left Olivia perhaps inadequate time to have the perfect gown constructed for the occasion – not that she was the sort of woman to worry much about her appearance. In this case, however, she had a very small audience in mind, and that was her husband. She desired him, at least, to see her in full splendour, and perhaps rethink the platonic nature of their marriage.
With her mother's assistance and a very good seamstress, Olivia obtained a dress of light blue silk, which flattered her complexion very well, and was designed in such a way to show her figure to great effect. All in all, Olivia was quite satisfied with the ensemble.
The day of the ball approached quickly, and soon it was only three days before the ball, when Mr Tutuola and Miss Katherine arrived, followed the next day by Mr. Langan and Miss Cabot. Olivia only felt uncomfortable at having Miss Katherine in her home, but she did not think the young lady bold enough to search out her husband's rooms, nor did she think her husband low enough to accept an advance of that nature, so she slept relatively easily, given the anxiety she felt about the approaching ball.
The day before the ball would take place saw perhaps one of the oddest breakfasts Stablers Manor had seen in its long history. At one end of the table, Mr. Tutuola was conversing with the Benson's, inquiring as to the many ways in which folk managed daily tasks. Mr. Langan, being a shy, bumbling sort of fellow, was listening quietly to this conversation.
Next to Mr. Tutuola sat Miss Cabot, with Miss Katherine across from her and Elliot at her other side. Olivia seated herself next to Miss Katherine, preferring the unpleasant act of being near her than letting the girl any closer to her husband.
"Thank you so much for inviting me," Alex was saying to Olivia."This is precisely what I needed."
"You're welcome," Olivia said, nodding patiently. The girl had always been on the odd side, but she had proven to be of such loyal and steady character that she could not help liking her.
Miss Katherine was, of course, using the opportunity to attempt to attract Elliot's attention, but he thwarted her plans by engaging himself in the conversation between Olivia and Miss Cabot. Miss Katherine turned to flirt with Mr. Langan, who was so alarmed by her attentions that he spilled his tea right down his shirt.
After breakfast, the men went outside to ride, or in Mr. Benson's case, to watch the three others ride and the women were sent to the drawing room for their traditional sport – gossip. Olivia loathed riding, but she would rather have been out on a horse than confined in a room longer than necessary with Miss Katherine.
Luckily for Olivia, Miss Cabot began talking to Miss Katherine of her typical fantastical ideas, and Olivia was free to whisper with her mother.
"Miss Katherine seems to be quite as shameless as you depicted her," Mrs. Benson said conspiratorially in her daughter's ear. "Perhaps you should advise your husband to lock his door this evening."
Her mother's harsh words made Olivia feel much less guilty in her jealousy and dislike toward the girl. "I think her father might consider reviving the chastity belt, if only for the safety of the men around her."
Mrs. Benson stifled a laugh. "I wonder that you invited her at all."
"Only for her family's sake," Olivia replied. "They were always very kind to Elliot. I would not insult them by snubbing their daughter, much as I might like to."
Her mother smiled. "Well, if it is any consolation, your husband seems to feel as much distaste for her as you do."
Olivia smiled. "Oh, I know. I have no fears on that score. Elliot's much too honourable to ever be unfaithful. I just wish…."
"What, my dear?"
"I wish I knew he were faithful because he'd never want anyone else…because he loved me."
"And I'd like to know what makes you so sure he doesn't," her mother replied, with the smallest of smirks.
eoeoeoeoeo
Early the next evening, Olivia engaged her mother's assistance in dressing for the ball, and sent her maid ;who was being a little too helpful for Olivia´s liking; to help the other maids in their preparations.
Currently, Olivia stood gripping a bedpost while her mother tightened her corset strings.
"Can you still breathe, dear?"
"Yes," Olivia said, although she wasn't sure what she was managing quite met the definition. "Tighter."
"I worry about you, Olivia," her mother said. "I've never known you to be one to work so hard to impress a man – and you do realize the fruitlessness of wooing a man you've already married, don't you?"
"I'd certainly rather not be doing this if I didn't have to," Olivia said – or gasped, more like, as her ribcage was now severely compressed. "But it's him that doesn't realize he's married me."
Mrs. Benson chuckled. "If he's truly a man, he'll realize soon enough, trust me."
Olivia sighed "You know, when I agreed to marry him, I feared I might fall in love with somebody else, and regret having accepted him. It never occurred to me that I might fall in love with my husband. I should have known irony would have its way."
"If irony's truly set on having its way, you'll probably find out he's loved you all along and you've gone to a lot of trouble for nothing," her mother said wryly.
"Irony is only that kind in novels, mama."
"Well, if there's anything that can work miracles, it's this gown," Mrs. Benson said. "Let's set it to work."
Several moments later, Olivia stood before the mirror, scrutinizing her reflection. The dress was lovely, a magnificent work of silk and thread, though Olivia did not see the awe-inspiring transformation she'd been hoping for. She saw nothing impressive enough to tempt a man who had yet to see her as a woman.
"Come, dear," her mother said gently. "Let's do your hair now."
While Mrs. Benson was pinning her hair into place and Olivia sat ruminating on the sad beginning to the evening, a timid house-maid Olivia had never seen before appeared.
"Master sends this," she said, holding out to Olivia a black box that appeared to house a necklace, "and he says he hopes it will do, as he's not seen your dress."
Olivia smiled and thanked the maid who quickly disappeared. Her mother had stopped her work to see what the box contained.
Mouth dry, Olivia opened it slowly to find a dazzling necklace of silver and diamonds.
"Good heavens," her mother breathed. "If that's not love, I don't know what is."
Olivia smiled wistfully. "It's probably from the family's collection."
Nevertheless, the diamonds around her throat gave her more confidence than she'd anticipated having when she made her way down the main staircase to meet their guests.
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