XII. Family Matters

Catherine was the type of person that was so reassuring and easy to talk to, you could easily imagine knowing her your entire life. I would've been happy to chat and dance with her the entire evening. Not to mention, I couldn't help but compare her to Sarah. While both were beautiful, Sarah was slender overall; Catherine was somewhat taller and a bit more shapely, having a more defined waist, fuller bosom, and lips. I was hoping she wasn't conscious of me having taking notice, but I eventually received the impression while she chatted that she must have been accustomed to such attention, as she went about it indifferently.

"These dances normally take some time to learn," she told me between dances. "Though you're proving to be a rather fast learner."

"It helps having a good teacher that makes it seem so simple."

She tried not to laugh at this. "I haven't even shown you the more difficult ones."

"Then I suppose, I'll be required more lessons."

"You're a relentless one aren't you?" We laughed for a bit, before she asked me, "John, have you a lady?"

"Nay. My last love ended my courtship earlier this year. She was eager to marry and settle down, and I wasn't ready."

"You're a sensible young man. Too many are far hastier with such a decision. I could write a script with the ones I know."

"Perhaps you should."

"Nay. Shakespeare will claim 'twas his idea." She chuckled, then added, "It appears you merely wanted different things. Perhaps in time you'll both be ready, or you'll find someone you'll be ready with."

"Thank you kindly for the words of wisdom," I commented. She appeared to like that compliment. "Now that I think of it, you remind me of her—in a good way, except you're more mature."

"You make me seem old, John." She teased.

"What I meant was, you're more sensible, and ladylike." I secretly chided myself, knowing that wasn't quite what I wanted to say.

"Hmm...I see." While she gave me a slight smile, in the back of my mind, I was wondering if I had sounded foolish.

However, these thoughts were interrupted when another man embraced her from behind. "May I have the next dance?"

"Why Barry," she turned her head around to steal a kiss. "I was certain you were already quite occupied with Anne, Jane and Rebecca."

"Well, if you hadn't devoted much of your time to every, Thomas, Robert and Henry, perhaps I would've asked sooner," he teased.

"I thought 'twould be impolite to refuse my admirers. Jealous are we?"

"Perhaps...though surely you'd know I prefer to share the Queen's favorite dance with a better partner... ."

It didn't take much for him to whisk her away, as the musicians began playing a Volta. I watched, envying him as he hoisted and twirled her in the air a few times. She laughed along with him as if I were long forgotten. I couldn't help but notice how comfortable they were, yet somewhat displeased I wasn't in his place at that moment... .

"You seem rather smitten... ." I turned to see Archer.

"Am I that obvious?"

"She's not difficult to find alluring... ." He assured me.

As I continued to watch the two dance, I decidedly asked Arch. "What do you know about her?"

He hesitated for a moment. "She comes from a respectable family in Essex. Her late father a former member of Parliament, accustomed her brothers and herself into a more than comfortable lifestyle. I should also have you know—"

"Arch, I was merely curious. I'm aware of social structure in that I have not the means nor the proper background to be in any position of suitability for her." I began wondering how and why I became a part of a festivity in which I wasn't really suitable for anyone.

"Smith, there's something else you must know about—"

But I wasn't listening as my gaze shifted from her to other appealing ladies in the room. A brunette was now approaching me.

"Are you John Smith?"

"Indeed, I am."

"Kenny, Arch and Bart have mentioned you. I'd loved to hear more of your adventures. I'm Becca."

I suppose these people must have assumed I was also gentry. The voyages I had finished were of apparent interest. I perhaps exaggerated some of my experiences to impress them, but I assure you not by much. These ladies became especially intrigued with my knack of storytelling. However, I met many a Lilly, Rose, Becca, Lizzie and Mary that I found it difficult to keep track of all of them. I adopted Kenny's approach of calling everyone "darling," "love," "dear," or "sweetheart," as it was much easier to remember than their actual names. (I don't think they minded either way.)

There was one name who I did hold fast to, which I was trying to convince myself as being unavailable to me. But before she left with her escort, she managed to give me a quick peck on the cheek. "'Twas a pleasure meeting you." (If I wasn't already a confused young lad... .)

Archer and I spent the night at Kendall's, as we deemed it rather late for traveling. Our other comrade presumably settled in some time later, or perhaps earlier in the morning.

Sometime in the afternoon, there was another visitor. Instead of a lady however, it was another distinguished gentleman, perhaps in his early twenties.

"Good afternoon. I hope I'm not disturbing you all."

"Are you a tax collector?" Kenny asked.

"No, Sir."

"Then by all means, do come inside."

Bart and the young man chuckled, before he introduced me to his brother, Anthony. One could easily mistake them for twins if one hadn't noticed Bart was a few inches taller, with slightly darker hair.

We went to the Boar's Head Tavern for lunch...and some gambling. Anthony, an aspiring barrister himself, otherwise inquired of his brother's adventures, as we told him what we found, and he in turn told of stories in their childhood.

"Anthony, what brings you to London?" I inquired.

"I visit London every so often to meet with old peers when I need time away from University... ." As my brother and I am aware, law can be tedious at times." Both brother's grinned as they knew what he meant. "However, while I was planning a visit, Mary inquired about me bringing her along to her grandparents, since she knows you're not particularly fond of going there—"

"She's in London?" His brother inquired. "Is she well?"

"Indeed, she is. She's content as always." I had a feeling he was trying to be polite. "Actually we've been in London a few days now. We've noted the men have returned from their exploits and I knew you usually come here. She, however sends her regards."

"As usual," Bart mused.

"Mary is Bart's wife," Arch whispered to me, as he noticed my quizzical look.

I had wondered about their peculiar behavior. Why did she not care to see him? Why was he nonchalant? I wondered what his life was really like, and how it coincided with his behavior the previous evening? Speaking of that night, I began thinking of his guest again. She is lovely, confident... . And what if she's older, and from a different class? She approached me... . Though she has relations with...but he is married... . His actions, however... . Still, I cannot have her...but why can he?

"Bull—! It can't be!" Bart's exclamation interrupted my thoughts. He apparently lost money to his brother while playing Twenty-One.

"There's a new victor in town," Anthony smirked. I could see, however, that this wasn't sitting well with his brother, as his frustration and dubiousness was still apparent. "Well, I suppose 'tis high time, for us to leave."

"Come now, Anthony." Spoke up Bart, decidedly. "Why not stay for another round of Twenty-One? Surely you could only fare better... ."

"What will you wager?" Anthony contested.

"All of it," Bart added. "One more condition: No surrender."

"Done," his brother agreed.

If there's one thing I learned about Bart, he was a competitive man who did not like to lose. "This won't end well, will it, Arch?"

"With the way these two make a go of things, we'll be fortunate if 'twould end at all." He groaned.

"Count me in, and I'll make mine double," I decided, pulling out both Percy's and my share of the prize money. The hand I remember having was a ten and a seven. The dealer had a nine. Hit, stand, or split? I don't remember what choice I made, but looking back, it didn't seem to matter, I wasn't likely to win with such a hand.

Unfortunately, I discovered Anthony wasn't much different from his brother in regards to losing. After several rounds (even I lost track), I felt a bit foolish for making a horrible gamble, which would cost me all of my money—and Percy's; Though I'm not sure why I even cared about his set, since I highly doubted it would affect him at all.

Bart had flipped over his set. "Blackjack!" He had an Ace of Spades and a Jack of Spades. Game over, indeed.

"This is far from over," Anthony defended.

"Tonight, 'twould be," Bart grinned, having the satisfaction of winning.

"Why, because you say it must be so? Must you always have the last word?!"

"Why does this surprise you? I always have."

"Well, for someone so self-satisfied, you've certainly set a fine example as an older brother. Leaving a successful career as a barrister to become a sailor leaving your wife, Mary behind, who happens to be with child—"

Bart was about to strike his brother, but was taken aback by the news. "What?!"

"I see, you were unaware. You're to be a father. She'll be due in April—Not that you need be concerned as a kind neighbor, Jasper Sharpe waits on her in your absence—"

Anthony could hardly say another word until he was knocked over. I stood between both brothers while Archer and Kendall tried to keep them apart, almost to no avail. It took more support from others before we could get them under control. The next we knew, the brothers were laughing and singing lines to Greensleeves.

"Brotherly love," mused Kendall. "What more can you say? This happens all the time between these two."

I didn't have any money to travel back to my farm—not that I wished to leave the City—nor stay at an inn. I put out my pipe, not sure where I was headed. Bart handed me two bags of coins; my prize money and Percy's.

"What are you doing?"

"I can't take your money, John. 'Twould not be right. You might not be so fortunate with other men. A word of advice—never bet more than you can afford to lose. Don't ask how I know." Suddenly, he added. "Time to go see the Missus."

I understood. "Godspeed," was all I could muster, given the situation.