stafford hall

monday – day two

When Kiara entered Stafford Hall she hadn't the slightest expectation of enjoyment. She had only been convinced into coming by after receiving invitation in advance not being given ample time to think of a likely excuse.

She sighed deeply as the gentleman himself rushed to meet her. After every civil enquiry asked for her hand in the first dance of the evening she readily gave it in the knowledge that her intendant would presently leave to greet his other guests.

This left her free to wonder the room at her leisure with the glimmer of hope at finding a more welcome familiar face. Though she soon was soon engaged in a dull conversation with Mr. Warren, which in the end made her eager for the dance to begin.

At this point she found herself saved by Sally Ride a particular friend who rushed her away and asked, "Has your first dance already been promised to Mr. Stafford?"

"I'm afraid it has."

"Oh no matter. I daresay there will be plenty yet! My first has already been promised to Mr. Carey. It is a beautiful room is it not? Come quickly Kiara I have someone you must meet."

"The set is forming-"

"Oh alright - you must find me immediately after, agreed?"

When Kiara had given her friend her most earnest assurances that the moment the music quit she would find her, Kiara took her place in the set.

Mr. Stafford's desperate attempts at conversation almost began before Kiara had set foot forward. Had she enjoyed Ms. Ride's song from the night before? Yes she had. Did she sing herself? Very poorly. He did most earnestly enjoy her piano-forte from that night.

It was strange, as she had done nothing to encourage his affection; in fact she did everything in her power to discourage it, yet there it remained as if he was just waiting for the chance to find her out.

As promised the moment she could civilly slip away she found Sally who then proceeded to introduce a Mr. Glenn into Kiara's acquaintance. On meeting him Kiara understood exactly why Sally had been so eager. He was after all, a tolerably handsome man with a completely pleasing disposition, which was emphasized by his unusual voice.

What was worse was that he took no particular notice of Sally or Kiara, after they had been introduced and all the civil inquires made, but let his eyes stray to some other lady in the room. Though through some determination on Sally's part the conversation continued and it was found out that both Kiara and he had the common acquaintance of one Dr. Maturin. At this topic the gentleman's attention finally focused.

"I believe he will return to town tomorrow if not this very day," Kiara answered to his inquiry. And even went on to recommend Mr. Stafford who also had his acquaintance.

"I have never met Dr Maturin, is he amiable?" Sally asked trying to rejoin the conversation that had left her at a lost.

They both in turn gave her the all the best assurances on his character. Though Sally's reentrance into conversation had come too late for her designs as Mr. Glenn now applied to Kiara for her hand in the next dance, which was happily given.

It was not a moment after Kiara had accepted Mr. Glenn that Kiara eyed a lady acquaintance of her own: Diana Villiers.

She remained somewhat distracted with it despite her best efforts during the dance. Conversation was space and her partner, noticing that she did not attend, took his leave at the end of it.

When Mr. Stafford found her again they talked quietly for some time, without his giving the slightest implication of a wish to dance again for which Kiara was very grateful. He wasn't after all and despite his constant tedious chatter and unnecessary attentions, a bad fellow. After grudgingly admitting that much she felt perfectly willing to let the rest of the evening slip by in this way.

Her intentions, however, were soon to be spoiled by that same old acquaintance suddenly taking notice of her and the gentleman she was with.

"I have it from Mr. Corey that you are recently returned from America?" Mr. Glenn asked.

"Yes from Boston – though mind I would not set foot in any of the more rustic parts further north."

That was all it needed for Kiara to begin looking desperately about the room for distraction, though the only person within reach was Sally and she still had a tight grip on Mr. Glenn's coattails.

"I'm sorry you did not find it to your liking," she replied coldly.

Oh not at all – she had only said parts of it - she would never venture to commit on the country in general - she found her stay very agreeable. She had merely meant that she would avoid parts.

After she had finished explaining thus, Kiara changed the subject with, "How fortunate you are to find so much time to devote to go visiting. Was it a relative of your late husband you were visiting when I saw you last in India?"

The entire meaning of this conversation left Mr. Stafford and as their tones were completely civil he took it to mean that the topic was a happy one and asked both ladies their opinions on the two places.

It wasn't until the carriages were beginning to be called for and began fading that Kiara was finally able to make her escape while Mr. Stafford received final compliments from his departing guests.

Kiara sat in the little seat in the window tiredly watching through the black night the rain steadily pour.


The rain steadily poured on the back of a slowly waking Kiara lying flat tin the middle of the street. The church bells rang faintly in her ears as she tired to regain where she was and what had led her there.

Slowly coming from her daze she pulled herself up with a shattering pain in her chest that made it difficult for her to breathe. She stumbled forward and was immediately overcome with dizziness, which made her fall forward knees pounding on the hard street.

When she rose and again went forward she suddenly became aware of her other senses. The rain in particular was iced cold and was relentlessly pouring. It soaked her as she went and continually flooded her shoes as she went through puddle after puddle. Her back felt like it was wide open and stung madly though she couldn't tell the exact part the pain was coming from. Her scalp burned and her entire body felt as if it were being pinched presumably from bruises.

Kiara didn't know where she was nor at the moment did she care. She couldn't think who had attacked her, what had happened, or even if they would be back. At this moment she could only think of the pain and the cold and that she had to keep walking to get away from it.

The church bells again. She realized then that she didn't know how long she had been walking.

The pain in her chest grew worse making it harder still for her to breathe, blood began to run into her eyes, and she dropped her head now blindly pressing forward.

She tripped was hurled forward this time hitting her head on something she didn't see and not getting up.


Stephen was again at the hospital again early that morning. He had been called out of hiding by a note from Mr. Glenn telling him of Mr. Grey's of Mr. Grey's rapidly deteriorating condition. So much in fact that when Stephen did arrive he resorted to the old Greek method of bathing in ice at one point.

When at last Mr. Grey's temperature did steady again it was almost light and Stephen now stood anxiously by the window watching the sunrise. He closed the sheer curtains, jotted down a note for Mr. Grey's care, and left quickly.


Gasping, shaking, and unable to stand on her own after again regaining consciousness, Kiara pulled herself up by an iron fence next to the walk. The wind from the Thames blew cruelly against her as she pulled herself forward by the next rail, then the next, until her chest tightened and she was unable to go further.

Her aching hands began to slip as she took one last look up to the now brightening sky. She finally let go, falling into something soft – something warm.


A/N So I cut myself short – this chapter was actually twice as long – it was one of those things where I just started writing and couldn't stop myself. Even to check for errors. So I guess the next chapter will be up when I feel like bothering with the whole 'upload document' thing again. Who knows maybe I'll even proofread it. ;)