P & P FF AU. NON-Canon GENERAL REGENCY

To Catch a Shining Star

Previously:

The group eventually found themselves back in the clearing they had come from only to a spot where a few chairs had been set up around a fire pit though no flames flickered. The ringmaster invited them to sit and enjoy some refreshments.

As they settled in, the conversation flowed easily, filled with stories of the circus and tales of their own adventures. Just before they left the ringmaster gave them tickets for the show.

"We will be here for a week choose any night you wish."

New Old Life

Ch. 11

The sun was barely showing its head over the horizon as Corianna took down her cape from over the window and gathered her things. Eating a small breakfast, she did not take long and was back on the road, mulling over the different scenarios which could be offered to Sir Wallace and his wife so as not to be a burden on the couple or their sons. A governess was out because the boys had no children yet. She could cook; however, last Corianna had heard, all the households had reliable head cooks. Head housekeepers in the Kendall estates stayed for life. However, more minor maids had a tendency not to stay as long simply due to marrying or getting an opportunity to take a position of head housekeeper at another estate. Maybe, one of the Kendall homes would have an opening for her.

As the lady rode through the countryside, the morning mist began to lift, revealing the lush green fields and the occasional farmhouse. The rhythmic sound of her horse's hooves on the dirt path sounded like music to Corianna's ears, and she found herself lost in thought. The landscape was dotted with wildflowers, their bright colors a stark contrast to the soft greens and browns of the open fields. Birds chirped merrily in the trees, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh grass through the air.

Corianna's mind wandered back to her days with her family in the circus. She may have loved reading, but even she had to admit it had been quite a thrill to practice new tricks on Juno. It was a sense of accomplishment to master a new skill, almost as if the lady had become one with the horse. Sighing, she wondered if her heart would ever find a place to feel at home, to feel as if it were the shiny star to shine in someone's eye or hold in their hand.

Despite the falling out with her father, the restrictions placed on her by her late husband, and not wishing to be a permanent part of that lifestyle, the memories of being around the circus family were still dear to her. She wondered if she would ever find a place where she truly belonged, a place where she could still ride, but have her books accepted and be appreciated for who she was.

The path led her through a small grove of trees, their leaves dancing with their branches softly in the wind. Sunlight cast dappled shadows through the trees on the ground. Corianna felt a sense of peace as she rode through the grove, the cool shade providing a welcome respite from the warmth of the sun. She knew she was getting closer to her destination, and her heart began to race with anticipation.

As she emerged from the grove, she saw the open field ahead of her. The sight of the small circus camped there surprised Corianna; the lady had not heard of any circus following her father's route. Brightly colored tents and wagons were arranged in a semi-circle, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Performers were practicing their acts, and animals were being tended to by their caretakers. It was a scene Corianna knew well as well as the back of her own hand.

Corianna urged her horse forward, her eyes scanning the camp for any familiar faces. As she approached, she noticed gentleman with a commanding presence standing near one of the tents. His eyes widened in recognition as he saw her. It was Mr. Bruce, wearing a ringmaster's outfit. He stood there, a look of surprise and curiosity on his face, as Corianna rode into the camp.

"Miss Corianna, where is your father?"

"We had a falling out. Need I say more?"

Mr. Bruce's mind ran a mile a minute as he looked at the outfit she was wearing. The gentleman was not stupid; he knew the lady wearing men's pants most likely meant that the falling out with Mr. Duncan had caused Miss Corianna to have very little time to gather much and the pants had probably been the nearest thing to grab. And, even if her sister and mother had been around, well, Mrs. Duncan was too ill to help and her sister; good as the lady was, did not seem to have the ability to think under stress. So, he doubted Corianna's sister would have paid attention to what her sister was grabbing.

"It is no secret among us how you feel about the circus life on a full-time basis, Miss Corianna…" Mr. Bruce opted to speak bluntly for he knew the lady in front of him had no use for flattery. "But one of my trick riders woke up ill, could you -for now- step in? I saw what you were doing while I was visiting your father. Plus, I saw you doing a few other things. I am not lying when I say your presence at this moment is a blessing from above."

"I need the pay so I can hardly pass it up. However, as you just observed, I am not looking to stay with you. I was planning on talking to Uncle Wallace and Aunt Aine." She would have used their titles only this gentleman knew the Kendall ties to Corianna. When told about Sir Wallace's wife, Corianna allowed her shoulders to slump. "I was half afraid I would be hearing that." She then asked where he wanted her to practice.

"Anywhere you want as long as you are not interfering with anyone else's rehearsal." Mr. Bruce suggested she talk to Annie, another trick-rider, about staying in her tent if she needed a place to spend the week.

"I think I will do that." It would give her time to talk to Sir Wallace between shows. And if Corianna was to perform tonight there was no time to waste in practicing.

Corianna was pointed towards Annie, a young-blonde girl, raised just as much in the circus as Corianna. However, she had ridden in far many more shows. Therefore her accessories far outnumbered her new tent mate's.

"Are you seriously going to wear that plain cape?"

"My best friend gave it to me. So, yes, I am going to wear it." Corianna knew the large shiny star with stardust sprinkled all around it was nothing compared to what Annie had. It did indeed look plain compared to the other trick riders' clothing. However, Dianna had given it to her, therefore, Corianna would wear it.

"Your choice." Annie's tone was a little too high and mighty for Corianna's taste. Staying more than one night in this tent was not going to be an option; there had to be another tent to stay in; if not, sleeping in the stall wit Juno would be her only other option. If she stayed here, Annie would probably get a tongue lashing that would get Corianna kicked out before the week was up. If it were not for needing to be close to the 'hub' of things, she would have just asked her uncle about staying at the big house. Ducking back out of the tent, Corianna was seen by Mr. Bennet.

Mr. Bennet was with Mr. and Mrs. Billings. He did not know the lady. But that star and the 'dust'; a strong sense of déjà vu hit when he looked her way and saw the cape. However, not having time to dwell on it, he did not spend much time watching her as she took her horse out to where the other performers would not be disrupted and began to practice, cape and all. No, he turned and focused on talking to Mr. Bruce and his friends.

"See you tomorrow night then." Mr. Bruce shook the men's hands. "Feel free to walk though, or even come and watch our trial run this evening."

"We may just do that." Mr. Bennet began to leave and then turned back and asked about the trick rider practicing by herself.

"That is Mrs. Douglas, a widow. Was with her father's circus but left it. She is graciously filling in for one of our riders. After the show is going to talk to her adopted uncle Sir Wallace. Now, if you do not mind. I need to get back to work." His words stunned all three...that had to be the same lady Sir Wallace had been talking about. But, the Billings not knowing the dynamics of the Kendall household and Mr. Bennet, having only met Sir Wallace once, were confused as to why the old man had said Miss Corianna instead of Mrs. or Widow Douglas.