Authors Note:
Hi guys, I fear my motivation and compass for this story is a bit lacking at the moment. If anyone has any suggestions for where this could go please feel free to PM me, or provide feedback and ideas in the comments/review section.
Anyway I hope you like it.
Is Patience A Virtue Part 9
It was dinner time in Cadiz and everyone was taking part in an exquisite Mediterranean feast held in the main dining hall of the Hale-Barbour Estate. This was a chance for the two families to become better acquainted since much of Margaret's family were based in Spain and it was unlikely they would have the opportunity to converse often.
They all sat at the long mahogany dinner table, which was decorated with candles, crystal and silverware. Despite the appearance of formality, it was a lively affair. The day's festivities and subsequent alcohol consumption caused some boisterous conversation amongst the adults at the table, while the Hale-Barbour children were animated in conversation as well (instead of being seen but not heard).
Maria sat at the table quietly. If anyone were to pay close attention to her they would see her rigid posture, the slight blush to her cheeks and her clenched jaw. While she ate with delicate precision, she held onto her silver cutlery so tightly it were as if she was trying to choke out the objects last breath. Maria glanced up at the clock which sat on the mantle and let out a small sigh. Her mother only being gone for a few short hours and already she could not wait for her return.
Maria silently cursed her Aunt Edith. After her mother and Mr Thornton had left for their honeymoon and the wedding reception was finished, her Aunt had kept her busy with medial duties. Meanwhile, her cousin Rosetta was free to do as she pleased which seemed utterly unfair. All Maria wanted to do was to find a way to spend some time with Robert. However her Aunt clearly had different ideas. Aunt Edith had quite purposely ensured that they had not been within 10 feet of each other since they were discovered together at the wedding reception.
Maria's attention shifted to her cousin Rosetta. Rosetta was 17 years old and approximately 1 year older than Maria, yet her appearance was definitely more womanly than Maria's assessment of herself and the dress she wore made no secret of her voluminous assets. It was not lost on her that Rosetta was clearly seeking attention. She glanced down at herself and suddenly felt rather inadequate in comparison to her buxom cousin.
Maria silently cursed Rosetta for being so beautiful, charismatic and charming. Rosetta had effortlessly won over Mrs Watson's approval during the course of the afternoon. It irked Maria to see Rosetta and Mrs Watson conversing like old friends after only meeting that day. While Maria and Mrs Watson had spoken many times, no real rapport had been formed between the two. Conversations always seemed forced and Maria couldn't help but wonder whether Mrs Watson truly approved of her or only saw her as a passing fancy.
However as she looked directly across the table she eyed the true source of her silent frustration; Robert. He had been sitting opposite her now for some time now, yet he had paid her no attention. There were no secret looks, cheeky glances or half-smiles that she had become accustomed to in their past. Instead he had completely ignored her. Maria narrowed her eyes as she watched him. His head adorned with blonde hair was cocked to the side and he was listening intently to whatever drabble that was coming out of Rosetta's mouth (who was incidentally seated in between him and his mother). Yes Rosetta seemingly had the Watson's eating out of her hands much to Maria's disgust.
The more she silently watched him, the more desperate and impatient Maria felt. She now found herself staring at him, brows furrowed. Look at me, look at me, look at me! she internally chanted at him. As if Robert had heard her pleas, he silently looked up directly at her, blinked twice with a blank expression across his face and then turned back to Rosetta. It was bad enough to see him paying another girl attention, but it was indescribable how badly it stung when he seemingly looked right through her as if she did not exist.
In that moment it was all Maria could take. Abruptly Maria put down her cutlery down and the entire table quietened, curious gazes directed at her.
"If you would excuse me, I am afraid that I am feeling out of sorts" Maria spoke quietly with as much decorum as she could muster before standing up, grabbing her skirts and making a quick exit.
What she did not see as she made haste out the dining hall door was the look of concern on Roberts face as his eyes watched her leave. She also missed the sly smirk coming from Rosetta as she batted her long black eye lashes watching her cousins retreat.
"Do feel better cousin" Rosetta called out, with an overdone look of innocence and tone of concern.
Robert helplessly watched Maria exit. He had purposely kept his interactions with Maria at a minimum since they were caught together at the reception. This was made much easier by the fact that she had been given an assortment of chores by her Aunt which seemed to occupy her. However he saw the unmistakable hurt in her eyes as he ignored her during dinner, and as he watched her retreating form, a pang of regret filled his heart.
He did his best to look unaffected, however once Maria could no longer be seen, he felt an intense gaze from across the table on his person. He glanced up and he saw Maria's aunt, Mrs Lennox, eyeing him with a raised eyebrow. He tried not to feel flustered by her accusing gaze, but the way she looked at him, it was clear that she blamed him for Maria's hasty exit.
Robert schooled his features and turned to Rosetta who continued to make an effort to entertain him.
As they spoke, he couldn't help but compare Maria and Rosetta. Maria was the epitome of an 'English rose'; fair skin which was in contrast to her brown luxurious hair, a small button nose, and plump lips. While you could tell the two girls were related, Rosetta was the epitome of the 'exotic'; honey coloured skin, black hair, dark eyes and a slightly broader nose. Both women were beautiful in their own right, however there was never any question in his mind who he preferred.
Maria now had been sitting in the spare bedroom for some time, gazing out the moonlit window.
With a creak of the door her eyes quickly darted across towards the intruding sound of the door opening. With hope, she held her breath, wanting more than anything for it to be Robert. However as she saw the skirts enter the room, it was clear that it was none other but the current bain of her existence, Aunt Edith.
"Hello Aunt" Maria said solemnly
"I thought I would find you here" Edith replied gently.
Edith sat next to Maria on the bed, and joined her in looking out the window.
"Are you still feeling unwell?" Edith gently queried.
"I am indeed" Maria responded with some bitterness in her tone.
Edith let out a sigh before continuing.
"I know that you are unhappy with me for obstructing your time with Mr Watson, however I am doing this for your own good".
"My own good?" Maria spat out. "How can anything that makes my heart hurt be for my own good". In that moment she looked so childlike with wide eyes, brimming with tears that she stubbornly refused to shed.
Edith gently brought her beloved niece into her arms.
"I know you cannot see it right now, but I promise you it is". Edith kissed Maria on the head and Maria sniffled in her arms.
"Why is this better Aunt?".
"There is something you need to know about men my love" Edith whispered in a conspiring tone.
Maria looked at her curiously, feeling like her Aunt was about to tell her an important secret.
"With men, it is important that you are not too available".
"Available?" Maria was slightly confused now.
"A man will never buy the cow, when he can get the milk for free".
"But Robert is not like that" Maria stated quickly as matter of fact, knowing what her Aunt was now eluding to.
"Really? Is that why he has been busily engaging your cousin in conversation all afternoon and dinner? Is that why you have retreated to the spare room feeling unwell?". Edith looked at her niece with an expectant look.
"So what do I do?" Maria looked at her Aunt hopelessly.
Edith stood up and walked across the room and stopped at the door. Turning to her niece she spoke with authority.
"Men love the hunt, they love the chase... You, my dear, have made yourself too available to this young man. You need to learn to be patient".