Chapter 29 – A Dinner Party
So here is Chapter 29. I'm introducing some new characters in this chapter – Arabella, Robert and Nathan. Enjoy.
The moment Patricia had had laid down on the bed that afternoon, she felt the need for a nap. Still tired from the journey, she could do with a few hours sleep. It was getting into early evening when Amy began to wake her.
'Miss Patricia, wake up.' She felt a pair of hands gently shake her.
'Amy, must you wake me.' Patricia said, her eyes closed. Not wanting to move.
'But Miss. I am to get you ready. The guests are due in two hours time. You don't want to be late do you.'
Patricia remembered that Cal was hosting a dinner party. In honor of her homecoming he had said. She really wished he hadn't, she didn't feel like a dinner party, not tonight anyway.
'Must I really?' Patricia groaned, pulling the sheets over her even more.
'But Miss, Mr Hockley has arranged this especially for you. If you don't come down he will be very disappointed.'
Patricia sighed and got up.
'Very well, if you insist. I guess you must get me ready then.'
Amy smiled at her and led her over to the closet. As Patricia was about to choose an outfit, she was stopped by Amy.
'No, Miss. Tonight you must wear this.' Amy held a fancy looking box in her hand. Patricia wondered what on earth it could be. She gasped as Amy opened it. Inside was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. Patricia just stared in fascination as Amy held it up. It was a long navy blue gown. Low cut with diamonds sewn into the material.
'Oh my. Amy it's beautiful.'
'Yes, Miss. It will look lovely on you. Mr Hockley has instructed me to dress you in it tonight.'
Next to the box was a note. Patricia began to read it, staring at the fine handwriting.
My darling Patricia
I must insist on you wearing this tonight. Perhaps you could wear it with the diamond.
The note wasn't signed, but she knew it was from Cal. Not only did she recognize that handwriting but who else could it be from. Besides, she knew Cal loved to spoil her with fine gifts. The dress was made of the finest silk. It must have cost a fortune. After Amy had tied Patricia's corset, she began to tie up the complicated lacing on the dress. As Patricia admired herself wearing the gown she though looked amazing even before her hair or makeup was done.
To match her dress, Patricia decided on some blue eyeshadow, along with black eyeliner with a red lip to match. As Amy began to style Patricia's hair into an elegant fashion, she clipped in some earrings and fastened the Heart Of The Ocean around her neck. Finally she put on her matching gloves and shoes.
'Miss Patricia. Oh my.' Amy said admiring her.
The moment Patricia looked again in the mirror, she smiled at her reflection. For some reason she thought she looked even more beautiful than she already did tonight. She had no idea why, perhaps it was the dress or could it have been the way her hair was styled. Either way she looked very glamorous.
A few moments later there was a knock at the door and in came Cal dressed in a tuxedo, looking handsome as always. The moment he saw her, his eyes were fixed on her.
'Patricia. You look very beautiful this evening.' He took her gloved hand to his lips.
'Cal, thank you for the dress. You shouldn't have.'
'It suits you extremely well. I told you I intend to spoil you with only the finest gifts.'
'I wouldn't have it any other way.' She whispered to him as she took his arm.
As he led her through the corridor and down the grand staircase, she felt nervous, not looking forward to meeting their dinner guests. Patricia wished this were any other night, she wasn't in the mood for a dinner party.
'Too late to chicken out now Patricia.' The voice in her head spoke to her.
Her mind was right, it was too late to chicken out. They were almost at the bottom of the stairs and their guests were most probably there already. Besides what would she tell Cal. That she wasn't feeling sociable right now. He would have none of it.
In no time at all they were at the bottom of the stairs. Cal led her across the marble entrance hall into the drawing room that was now dimly lit with candles, giving the room a glow. A few people were in the room laughing amongst themselves. The moment they noticed the couple enter the room they stopped what they were doing and just stared at them both.
'Dear brother, it is so good to see you again.' A dark haired woman in her early twenties stepped forward, kissing Cal on the cheek. She was only supposed to be 22, but she looked much older. She was dressed in a black evening dress and wore a lot of jewelery. As she spoke, Patricia noticed her posh accent. The combination of fine clothing, jewelery and her voice made her seem very regal. Standing next to her was an older gentleman with graying hair.
'Arabella, how are you?' Cal greeted her.
Patricia knew this woman had to be Cal's sister. She remembered him saying earlier that his sister would be joining them. If she remembered rightly he said her name were Arabella.
'Patricia, I would like you to meet my sister Arabella and her husband Robert Morgan.' Cal introduced the two. The moment Cal spoke, the woman turned to Patricia, a grin appearing on her face.
'So you must be Patricia. Cal can't stop talking about you. And I can see why, so young and so beautiful.' She went up to Patricia and kissed her right on the lips before stepping away from her.
As Arabella's lips met Patricia's, everyone stared at her. Surprised at the way she had greeted Patricia. Patricia's eyes widened in surprise, she wasn't expecting this. As soon as Arabella pulled away, her husband turned to Patricia.
'Pleasure to meet you Patricia.' Robert took Patricia's hand kissing it.
'Do excuse my dear wife here. She has a habit of greeting female company like that.'
'Nice to meet you both.' Patricia said bowing.
'I must say Caledon, you do have excellent taste in women.' Arabella said staring at Patricia.
'Cal. You didn't tell me that your fiancee was such a beauty.' A man in his late 30s with dark hair stepped forward.
'Ah, well. Patricia, this is my brother Nathan Hockley. Nathan meet my fiancee Patricia Manderley.'
So this was Cal's older brother Nathan. The one Cal spoke about earlier on. He moved over to her and took her hand, slowly bringing it to his lips. Patricia took an instant dislike to Cal's brother. There was something about him she didn't like. He had a cold look in his eyes. Quickly she pulled her hand away from him.
As they were having a few pre dinner drinks, Cal had introduced Patricia to his business colleagues that had just arrived. They seemed pleasant enough. It were Cal's brother Nathan that Patricia wasn't fond of. She had only met the man and already she had taken a dislike to him.
'Now we must eat. Come Patricia.'
Cal took Patricia's arm and led her to the dining room that was just across the hall. The dining room was massive and had a long table that looked like it could seat at least twenty people. Tonight it was set up all elegant for dinner. White tablecloth, with at least seven knifes and forks. Candles lit the room, giving it a warm glow.
At dinner, Patricia was seated in between Cal and Arabella's husband Robert. She was glad she didn't have to sit next to Nathan. Being in the same room was bad enough, without having being placed next to him. Throughout dinner Patricia kept getting stares from him. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her and was making her feel very uncomfortable. She did her best to avoid his glare and just stared at the table.
'So Patricia, my brother tells us you are of the Manderley's.' Nathan began the conversation.
'Yes, you heard right, Mr Hockley.'
'Do call me Nathan, we are going to be family after all.'
He was making her feel even more uncomfortable, why did Cal have to invite his brother.
'Nathan, I told you about Patricia. There is no need to ask her what you already know.' Cal said to him.
'I was only trying to be friendly.'
'Well I don't need you bothering my fiancee. Can't you see how tired she is from the voyage.'
It was then Arabella who joined in.
'I've heard that the Manderley's are very wealthy. One of England's richest families or so I've heard. Tell me Patricia are all of your family as beautiful as you.' Arabella winked at her.
Patricia smiled back at her and decided to add a bit of humor into the conversation.
'Sadly no. I am the most beautiful in my family. There is no one better.' She said proudly.
The whole table began to laugh.
'Got a good one there eh Cal. A woman who is good looking and she knows it.' One of Cal's friends said.
'She's a pistol, Cal. I sure hope you can handle her.' His other colleague said.
'Oh I can handle her perfectly well, John.' Cal said putting his hand on Patricia's knee.
Dinner went on for a few hours and as she was eating her sorbet, she swore she saw Arabella give her a smile. Trying to be friendly she politely smiled back at her. Nathan was still staring at her, she couldn't wait for dinner to be over, so she could finally be rid of him.
As the servants cleared the plates away, Cal stood up.
'Now I take it you will all join me for drinks in the drawing room.' He announced.
'Darling, will you be joining me for drinks or would you prefer to go out onto the terrace.' He said wrapping his arms around her waist, before kissing her on the lips.
'I think I will go outside.' Patricia didn't really want to go into the drawing room. Not only would the conversations be very boring, but Cal's brother would also be in there. She couldn't wait to be rid of him.
'Very well. Although I would prefer your company. Are you sure?' Cal said to her.
'Yes, I'll be fine.'
'Well it is such a lovely evening out. I am sure my sister would love your company. Off you go then.' Patricia kissed him on the lips before walking outside.
As she walked out, she noticed Cal's sister standing looking out over the side. As Patricia came closer to her she turned and smiled at her.
'Patricia, I take it my brother has sent you out here. Are you going to keep me company.' Arabella said.
'Would you like me to keep you company? Us women are small in number tonight. I make more interesting company then the men with all their business and politics.
Arabella sat down on the bench getting Patricia to sit next to her.
'How on earth did you end up getting engaged to my brother.' Arabella said all of a sudden.
'Excuse me?'
'I mean you're so young and so beautiful. How on earth did you get engaged to him.'
'Well.. We just met on the Titanic and I wasn't expecting it, but I sort of fell in love with him and we just took it from there.'
'Well you're definitely an improvement. My brother always did have a taste for beautiful women. I am impressed.'
Patricia's eyes started to widen and just stared at Arabella. If she didn't know better she was sure this woman was coming on to her. It was starting to make sense, the way she had greeted her earlier and now the words she was saying now. Did Arabella, Cal's sister fancy Patricia.
'I really are flattered you are saying this to me.'
'Patricia. I really mean it. You are extremely beautiful. I didn't like that Rose De Witt Bukater. Society considered her beautiful but they do say beauty is only skin deep. Your beauty is on another level.'
'Thankyou, Arabella.'
'Do you realize how beautiful you are. Besides I prefer blondes.'
Patricia widened her eyes in surprise. Apart from hair color, it seemed Arabella preferred women too.
'And Patricia, do you know what else I prefer. English women.'
'Fuck, I think this woman has the hots for me. I'm really not surprised, I am good looking after all.' She thought to herself a smile appearing.
'Do you love my brother, Patricia?' Arabella said all of a sudden.
Patricia could not believe she had said that.
'Arabella, do you love your husband?' She said as a come back.
Arabella laughed at her.
'No. I don't. My parents arranged it. It was a marriage of convenience. He bores me. He might have a lot of money, but I have no interest in him whatsoever. There are so many more other things that interest me and I believe I have now found one of them.' Arabella looked at her strangely and took Patricia's hand.
'Do you know what they are Patricia.' She said just staring at her future sister in law's hand.
'I don't, sorry.'
'You.' Before she knew it, she took her hand to hers placing a long kiss over it. Mocking the way gentlemen would kiss a lady's hand.
'Goodnight, Patricia. I do expect we will be seeing each other again.' She said winking at her, before quickly getting up and running back into the house.
'Fucking hell.' Patricia said before laughing to herself. She never thought it earlier but this was one interesting evening. She couldn't believe what had just happened. Cal's sister had basically came onto her, right on this terrace. She had no idea what she was going to do now. It seemed as though she had just gained a new admirer.
