Suitors
Cora attended Elizabeth Hudson's ball and was invited to a few other balls as well. London still made her anxious, but it appeared that speaking to the ladies here was easier than she'd thought. She also had many different dance partners at each ball.
All of them dressed sharply, in new suits that fit them perfectly. Some of the men introduced themselves as a lord, while others were just mister. Cora assumed that meant they would inherit a title at some point. Some had dark hair, others blond, still others a sandy blend of blond and brown. Of course, Cora preferred the tall men best, but some of the shorter men were nice dancers and a couple of them were even sweet enough to compliment her on her own dancing. Cora's marches, gallops, and quadrilles were certainly improving with practice, although the waltz was still the easiest for her. In the back of her mind, Cora knew all of her dance partners had an estate that could use monetary assistance.
But just when she thought she'd finally been accepted by the British suitors, the men who'd eagerly danced and conversed with her at the last ball treated her with polite indifference at the next. Would she ever understand the subtle rules of British aristocracy?
"You need to stop being so passive, Cora, if you expect to win one of these lords for a husband," Mother said as another lord smiled politely at Cora but did not ask to write his name on her dancing card. "March right up to one of them and ask for a dance, before they are all taken by English ladies."
Cora sipped her champagne as she glanced at all the men in the distance, trying to decide how to respond to that. On one hand, Mother clearly understood more about men and their motives than Cora ever did, when she thought about what had happened with Frank. Hadn't she decided last fall that she would do everything that Mother instructed?
On the other hand, Cora distinctly remembered Miss Maple cautioning her and the other girls to be careful about asking men to dance, as men often considered it too bold. "There is a nice-looking gentleman to the right, about ten feet from us," Mother said, gesturing with her finger. Cora glanced that way, noticing a young man with blondish hair. "Go ask him."
Cora swallowed another sip of champagne, savoring the bubbly flavor. Quiet chatter filled the ballroom as people who'd undoubtedly known each other from childhood conversed and easily prepared for the music to begin.
Should she do as Mother said, or use caution, as Miss Maple instructed her? The fancy hairdo on top of her head suddenly felt heavy.
As she tried to decide, a different man walked out of the crowd towards Cora and her mother. "Good evening, Miss," his accent was a bit different than a traditional Englishman, but it was pleasing to the ear. "I am Lord Kellie, and I was wondering if you had room on your dancing card for me?"
Smiling from ear to ear, Cora held out her gloved hand. "I am Miss Levinson, and I would be more than happy to save a dance for you."
OOOOOOOOO
After Lord Kellie requested a waltz, a Mr. Yates claimed a gallop, and a Mr. Howard asked to dance a quadrille with Cora. As always, her dancing card was soon full, and Cora delighted in meeting so many new faces. Her fancy hairdo now felt light and made her feel beautiful.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Miss Levinson?" said Lord Kellie as they began their waltz.
"Oh, yes," Cora said enthusiastically, as she looked directly into the young lord's eyes. The man was almost exactly her height, but his eyes were clear and blue. And his feet moved perfectly with the music.
"That's good to hear," he said in that unique accent, with a smile.
Cora beamed in response. She'd realized over the past couple of weeks that Englishmen didn't smile as often as she was used to, so she was delighted to see this Lord Kellie do so for her.
They moved effortlessly to the music for a few more moments, when Lord Kellie said, "I wonder if you would be interested in going buggy riding with me tomorrow afternoon?" His voice was careful, as if he knew exactly what he was saying, in addition to his wonderful accent.
Cora's heart leaped at the invitation. An outing rather than just another dance! Perhaps she'd finally caught the attention of one of these lords, after all. Her smile went from ear to ear and her eyes sparkled brighter than stars. "Yes, Lord Kellie, I would like that."
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Mother's eyes shined brighter than stars as well when Cora told her about Lord Kellie's invitation. Nevertheless, she insisted on accompanying Cora in the carriage. "I made a mistake, allowing you to ride alone with Samson, and I refuse to do it again," she said. "Even watching the carriage from a distance wasn't enough chaperoning."
Cora tried to explain it wasn't the same thing, as Lord Kellie would have a driver, so she and her suitor wouldn't even be alone in the carriage like she and Frank Samson had been. Not to mention the fact that she wasn't as foolish as she'd been last year and certainly wouldn't let herself be carried away with simple touches and even kisses.
But Mother wouldn't listen.
The next afternoon, Mother wore another one of her bright orange dresses with swirls printed all over it as she introduced herself to Lord Kellie. The young lord stared at her for a moment too long, and Cora knew her mother was still not behaving appropriately for aristocratic England.
But Mother stared right back, informing Lord Kellie she would be accompanying them on the carriage ride. Cora wished her mother would simply disappear.
Instead, Lord Kellie nodded politely and allowed Mother to climb into his carriage. It was closed, which was probably a good thing, as the clouds appeared as if it might rain during their outing, even though the driver sat in the front where he could get wet.
"Come Miss Levinson," Lord Kellie said holding his hand out to help her in his delightful accent. Cora smiled as his hand warmed her gloved one. This new suitor was already so much better than her last; Frank had never offered to help her into his carriage once.
Lord Kellie pointed out various landmarks in London, from Big Ben to Parliament in the distance, saying he spent equal time both here and at his family estate in the Scottish Lowlands.
Both Mother and Cora's eyes met with excitement as soon as he said that. His accent must be Scottish, then. Her mother's family had come from Scotland near the turn of the nineteenth century. Grandmama MacKenzie had even showed Cora the family Bible that had been brought from Scotland.
Cora listened to the pleasant sound of Lord Kellie's voice as she daydreamed about living the rest of her life in Scotland, hosting parties and overseeing events on the estate. It would be like returning to her roots, in a way. Would she even learn to reel? Grandmama MacKenzie would have loved that.
A warm feeling swelled in Cora's chest as she thought of pleasing her Grandmama. She had always been so much…softer than Mother and had taught Cora to be optimistic and loving to everyone. Cora still desperately missed her although the pain of her death had lessened in the last two or three years. But might Cora feel closer to Grandmama MacKenzie if she lived in Scotland? An image of the older woman's wrinkly face and soft smile appeared in Cora's mind, and she wished she could see that more often, even in just her memory.
"… But there is no possibly there could truly be two Lord Mars, is there, young man?" Mother said pointedly to Lord Kellie as Cora returned from her daydreams.
Cora sighed, wondering once again why her mother could not follow basic etiquette. Miss Maple would be appalled at not just the question Mother had just asked, but her tone as well.
Although Lord Kellie sighed a bit, he answered Mother's question as politely as he could. "My father is the true Lord Mar, Mrs. Levinson, as I will be when he passes. There is simply another family who has the misfortune of believing they possess the title."
"Yes, but how long will they continue to believe that?" Mother said in that same pushy tone. She leaned forward a bit, as if to scrutinize his entire body and found him wanting.
Cora wished she could kick her mother out of the carriage. Did she not realize she was ruining Cora's chance to become Lady Kellie and live the rest of her life in the Scottish Lowlands?
OOOOOOOOOO
But to Cora's immense relief, Mother hadn't ruined her chance to become Lady Kellie, as Lord Kellie invited her and Mother to dinner at his family's London home. He also implied that he might escort her to Lady Emma's ball another few days.
"Please try to be nice to Lord Kellie and his family," Cora told her mother with a sigh as they knocked on the door. "This is my best chance for a suitable match, which I will remind you, is why you've brought me to London."
Mother looked at Cora through the corner of her eyes while she focused on the door. "You know I will do my best, but I see no reason why I should not make certain the title is legitimate, especially as I know you will not. Once again, I will remind you not to be so naïve, Cora."
Just then the butler opened the door. He was a tall man with white hair, and a balding spot. He nodded at Cora and her mother with a blank expression. "Mrs. Levinson and Miss Levinson," he said as two of them made their way into the entry way. Two younger men approached both Cora and Mother and removed their coats without a word.
"Good evening," said an older man who resembled Lord Kellie. He also had blue eyes, a kind smile, and was about the same height as Cora, although his hair was greying instead of sandy blond. "I am Lord Mar." He also spoke with the same Scottish accent.
"We are pleased to meet you," Cora said with a bright smile, holding out her silky blue glove before Mother could say anything impolite.
Lord Kellie came in from behind his father as Cora shook his father's hand. "Miss Levinson," he said with the same kind smile his father wore.
"Mrs. Levinson," he nodded at Mother with a slightly grim expression. He probably also noticed Mother's gown was a bit ostentatious as well, being bright red and covered with flashy sequins. Please be nice, please be nice, Cora thought to her mother as she shook Lord Kellie's hand.
OOOOOOOOOO
"This blueberry glazed ham is delicious," Cora said to Lord Kellie as she swallowed a bite, while keeping an eye on Mother. Apparently, the proper etiquette for dinner was to speak only to the person on your left until a bell rang. Then you were to speak only to the person on your right. Would Mother follow those rules?
Lord Kellie nodded to Cora, his eyes on her. "I'm pleased you like it." I am also pleased with your accent, she thought to herself. She sipped her wine, suddenly feeling a bit warm.
"I hope you are enjoying your stay here in London," he said, his face inching a bit closer to hers before sipping his own wine.
"Oh, yes," Cora said, her smile widening. London still made her a bit anxious, as almost every day she was confronted with another rule of proper behavior she'd forgotten, or Miss Maple had never taught. She'd never heard of a dinner table rule where you could only speak to the people on the left until a bell rang, for example. Still, Cora always enjoyed meeting new people, and many of them were friendly.
Like Lord Kellie. "This has been a wonderful experience." She took another bite of blueberry ham.
Lord Kellie nodded. "That is nice to hear. Of course, you will need to save all your waltzes for me when we attend Lady Emma's ball."
Swallowing her ham, Cora tried not to stare at him. What did he mean by that? Was it a teasing comment, or more of that etiquette she still didn't fully understand? He said it with a straight face, so likely he was serious. But what bothered her was it sounded suspiciously like one of Frank Samson's demands. All that was missing was the touch of his hand or a kiss as he forced Cora to do his bidding.
Just then the dinner bell rang, and Cora turned her attention to the right. She tried to force her mind from the way the ham moved uncomfortably in her stomach.
OOOOOOOOOOO
The ham in her stomach was completely forgotten by the time dinner was finished and Lord Kellie and his father finished their smoke. Cora had been worried needlessly and she welcomed both of them into the drawing room with a bright smile.
If only Mother would stop saying inappropriate things. She could tell by the look on Lady Mar's face that she wasn't pleased with Mother's comments, although they sat across the room, in the corner armchairs. Cora tried to focus her attention on Lord Kellie, who was speaking with his delightful voice again.
"It will be so nice to escort you to Lady Emma's ball," he said, his smile growing as he spoke.
Cora's heart leaped in delight that she truly had an escort for the next ball. Mother hadn't frightened him off, after all. "Absolutely," she said, smiling herself as she pictured them entering the room with her hand on his arm. Would their butler even announce them together, as a couple? Would someday she be announced as Lady Kellie?
"But you must not make eyes at other men while your there, Miss Levinson," Lord Kellie said, picking up her gloved hand as he spoke. "Dance with other gentleman but don't smile or giggle with them. I will be your escort."
Eyes widening, she removed her hand from his. This man sounded almost…pushier than Frank Samson. Was she truly not allowed to smile at other men just because he was her escort? Or was this just another rule of etiquette that Miss Maple had failed to mention?
Cora's heartbeat faster as she glanced at the drawing room. Deep blue chairs dotted the space while the walls were painted white. Beautiful paintings she wished she had more time to study decorated the walls. Earlier tonight she'd hoped this might be her home someday, in addition to their estate in Scotland.
But whether Lord Kellie's request was reasonable, or he was being too pushy, Cora knew she couldn't follow it. She'd always been a friendly person and tended to smile without even realizing it. "I am afraid I you will not be able to escort me after all, Lord Kellie," she said trying to be as polite as possible.
Still, her heart sank that she would never be Lady Kellie. Nor would she listen to his delightful accent for the rest of her days.
OOOOOOOOOO
Although she was still disappointed that she wouldn't be Lady Kellie, Cora still attended Lady Emma's ball. Eventually, several suitors claimed spots on her dance card, and Cora smiled as she met new faces. But a couple of them appeared familiar, almost as if they were the same gentlemen that were eager to dance with her one night and treated her with polite indifference the next.
Cora stared at the names on her dance card and then glanced at the sea of different men in the ballroom, wondering if any of them were honest, or if all men were like Frank in some way. After all, Lord Kellie seemed to be. The more balls she attended; the more Cora wondered if Mother had been right. Love wasn't worth it, so why even try to find it?
"Miss Levinson," said a gentleman with a firm handshake and head of dark hair. "I am Mr. Grey and I have the first quadrille with you." He nodded as he pointed to his name on her dance card. His accent wasn't as interesting as Lord Kellie's, but still pleasing to her ear.
"Yes, of course," Cora said, hoping she sounded happier than she felt. But she let him lead her to the other couple they would be dancing the quadrille.
OOOOOOOOOOO
After the quadrille, Cora sipped a glass of champagne as she spoke to the Honorable Miss Yates, whom had been the other woman she'd dance the quadrille. The young woman appeared to be a couple years older than Cora, although she about the same height, and her hair was a lighter shade of brown.
"All this dancing is a bit overwhelming sometimes," Cora said as she swallowed the bubbly liquid. "I've attended so many balls in the last few weeks, and they are all enjoyable, but sometimes I need a break. Do you?" Especially as she was acutely aware that she was expected to find a husband at one of these events.
Miss Yates paused for a couple of moments as she stared at Cora. She felt her face warm, wondering why she'd said such a thing. Clearly it wasn't appropriate. Then Miss Yates nodded. "I suppose it is nice champagne is available, too." With that she gave Cora a small smile and sipped her champagne as well.
Cora sighed in relief.
OOOOOOOOO
Cora still felt relief as the music for the first waltz began. But her heart sped up as another young man she recognized from a previous ball approached her. This must be another gentleman who'd been eager to dance with her a couple of weeks ago and had no interest in doing so at the last couple of balls.
Too bad he was tall, Cora thought to herself, remembering how much she liked tall men. But she refused to be swayed by another man who pretended to be interested in her. "Good evening," said the man with an English accent and a head of brown hair. "I am Lord Downton, and I have your first waltz." He pointed to his name on her dancing card.
"Yes, of course," Cora said obediently, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. He was even a few inches taller than her, she thought, wishing she wasn't so excited about that.
"You waltz well," Lord Downton said after several moments of dancing. He nodded at her appreciatively and even gave a small smile.
"Thank you," Cora said, telling herself not to be so affected by his compliment but failing. Especially with that cute little smile. "Waltzing is the dance I've had the most practice performing."
Lord Downton nodded, giving her that little smile again and their feet moved to the music almost effortlessly. "I ah, suppose I should apologize for my, ah treatment toward you at the Honorable Anna Bagshaw's ball." The cello and violin played smoothly in the background, contradicting how massive that that statement was.
Cora knew here blue eyes were wide with his words, but she couldn't believe he'd actually said anything about his behavior beforehand. None of the other gentlemen did. And the way he struggled with the words was so endearing. "I accept your apology, and I thank you for saying so."
Lord Downton nodded and sighed a little. "Thank you. It's just that well, my mother has a bit of different idea about ah, "proper matches" than Papa and I do."
Understanding washed over Cora. How many times did she and her mother disagree with about the kind of man Cora should marry? "My mother can be difficult about that, too," she said, smiling. "But I've come to realize she was often more correct than I first thought." She still wished she'd heeded Mother's warning about Frank Samson.
"Difficult is definitely a good word for my mother," Lord Downton said with a nod. His hair was waver than Cora had noticed at first, and it made him even more attractive. "But I don't know if I'll ever believe she's righter than I first thought. More like, she's not worth arguing most of the time."
When their waltz finished, Cora wished she could dance even more with him, but she knew etiquette required her to dance with the men who'd written their names on her dance card. But before he let go of her, Cora had to know one thing. "If you were escorting me, would you mind if I smiled at other gentlemen?"
Her heartbeat faster as she waited for his answer.
Lord Downton paused, as if thinking about the question for a moment. The lack of smooth music in the background made Cora even more tense, and her heartbeat raced even faster. "I wouldn't mind if you were friendly with others if that is what you are asking. I would simply expect you to save the first dance for me and not do anything untoward with other men."
Cora beamed at him, wondering if she'd finally found her match.