Since their nanny Clara had left to get married, housemaid Martha had taken over the responsibility of helping the girls with special occasions like today's garden party.
Isabelle sat in front of the large mirror. Her naturally curly hair framed her face beautifully, and she wanted to highlight its volume and bounce today.
"I think I'd like to wear it down," Isabelle instructed Martha as she examined her reflection. "Just pin it back with the butterfly clip, please."
Martha worked skillfully. She selected strands to loosely pull back, securing them with the butterfly clip at the back of Isabelle's head.
Isabelle wore a beautiful dress that day, pristine white, falling to her knees, and designed in a full-circle skirt that would twirl with every spin. It was adorned with floral embroidery, delicately woven into the fabric along the hem and bodice. The sleeves were puffed and edged with fine lace.
"Your dress is beautiful, Miss Isabelle," Martha commented. "Too bad Miss Juliette doesn't want to wear hers, which is equally lovely."
Juliette was wearing white polo shirt and high-waisted knee-length shorts, much like a boy.
"Martha, you know I want to play croquet." she said, "That just wouldn't be possible in a dress."
"I know, but your parents won't let you play anyway, not with your leg still healing."
Juliette shrugged, a hint of hope in her voice. "Maybe they'll change their minds by the time we get there. Besides, there's not much running or jumping in croquet anyway."
Martha smiled. "I've packed your dress in the suitcase just in case. Now, how would you like your hair done?"
"Could you do a French braid, please?" Juliette asked.
Marguerite was getting ready herself. She chose a beautiful dusty pink dress, perfect for the warm, sunlit garden party. The dress was crafted in a delicate A-line cut and it was sleeveless, showcasing Marguerite's toned arms and giving her a touch of subtle allure.
Maid Rose had already helped Marguerite style her hair into an elegant updo, ensuring it was both stylish and practical for the summer heat. After securing the last pin, Rose left Marguerite to apply her makeup and choose her jewelry, knowing her mistress's impeccable taste would shine through.
As Marguerite added a final touch to her appearance, the door opened quietly and her daughters entered.
"Mother, you look absolutely beautiful!" Isabelle exclaimed.
"Thank you, my dear. You both look wonderful too, but Juliette, why aren't you in a dress? You know very well you won't be playing croquet or any other sport until that ankle is fully healed."
"It doesn't hurt anymore, I promise."
"It might not hurt now, but if you overdo it, it will. That kind of injury doesn't heal quickly, and you need to rest. Think of it as part of your discipline as well."
Isabelle said, "You know, usually, I'm the troublemaker and those two are the angelic children. This time I've been the good one and yet, it hasn't earned me any special favors."
Marguerite simply replied, "That's because being well-behaved should be the norm and not a means to earn rewards."
"Are you sure? I was really hoping to negotiate for some makeup."
"You're too young for makeup."
Isabelle pouted dramatically. "At this rate, I'll be allowed makeup when I'm as old as Granny!"
Marguerite couldn't help but smile at her daughter's exaggerated dismay. "Alright, maybe just a bit won't hurt," she relented. She reached into her vanity and pulled out a lipstick in almost a neutral shade of pink."Here, you can use this. It's subtle enough. Let me show you how to apply it just right."
Isabelle watched attentively as her mother dabbed a small amount of lipstick on the center of her lower lip. "Now, press your lips together like this," Marguerite demonstrated, pressing her own lips. "That spreads it evenly and keeps it subtle."
Isabelle mimicked her mother's actions, enjoying the shared beauty ritual.
Marguerite turned towards Juliette, holding out the lipstick. "Do you want some too?"
"No, gross…" Juliette replied, her nose wrinkling.
Marguerite chuckled at the contrasting responses of her daughters and then said to them both, "I think you won't really need makeup until you're about fifteen, but until then, you're free to learn and experiment. Everything from my dressing table will be available for you to try out, but remember, anything you use must be put back in its place afterwards. Alright?"
Isabelle nodded and said, "Yes. Honestly, that's the best idea you've had in a while. I'm genuinely impressed—and that's saying something."
John and William were waiting in the grand hall under the main staircase as Marguerite and the girls descended. As soon as John caught sight of them, his face lit up with a proud smile.
"My dears, you've outdone yourselves this time."
"Thank you, we did put in some effort, although Juliette is staging a bit of a boycott against women's fashion, but that's how it is." Marguerite said.
John looked towards Juliette. "It suits you well, my princess, but remember, no sports today, you wouldn't want to aggravate that ankle."
"But what if I don't put any weight on it? I can manage just fine balancing on one leg to swing the mallet."
Marguerite said, "Let's not risk another setback. There's no harm in taking it easy just this once. Besides, there are plenty of other ways for you to enjoy the party."
"Like what?"
"Well, for instance, you'll have a chance to mingle, observe, and perhaps to learn a thing or two about the subtleties of our society." Marguerite explained.
"Are you subtly suggesting she doesn't understand the subtleties?" Isabelle teased.
"I'm not suggesting anything of the sort!"
"It surely sounded like it." Isabelle persisted.
Marguerite sighed, looking ahead. "Let's just go."
As the children led the way slightly ahead, Marguerite leaned closer to John and whispered, "If they're this handful now, just imagine what the teenage years will be like."
"I believe it will be a proper chaos." John replied.
Overhearing the exchange, Isabelle turned back over her shoulder and said, "That's guaranteed."
Robert and Catherine had organized their traditional summer gathering at their estate, inviting family, friends, and neighbors. This year was particularly special because Claire had returned from America. After 30 years of shared life, love, and the accumulation of countless memories, they couldn't just stop loving her simply because it turned out she wasn't their biological daughter. Especially since Claire was such a wonderful person. From the very beginning, Catherine and Robert had always said their hearts were big enough for three daughters and however many grandchildren came along.
As guests arrived, they exchanged warm greetings and then split based on age. Adults gathered in one section to sip drinks and chat about recent events, while children headed to another part of the garden to play.
One woman stood out as Marguerite's special guest at the party. It was an American photographer Antoinette Frissell, shortly called Toni. She had a short modern dress, a stylish bob haircut and a keen, intelligent gaze. At first glance, she was very different from the British high society ladies—not in a negative way, but refreshingly so. Her presence was a breath of fresh air, and many guests were eager to meet her and pose for a photograph. Toni first took a few formal portraits of all of them together, and then Marguerite encouraged her to roam freely around the event. Toni was good at catching those unguarded, spontaneous moments that often revealed more about the people than any posed picture could.
As Roxton children moved to the designated area meant for younger guests, they saw Sebastian sitting and chatting with Priscilla, who was laughing loudly. William felt a cold chill as he saw them. However, as soon as Priscilla spotted him, her laughter ceased and she jumped up to greet him.
"William!"
"Hello, Priscilla," William replied, his tone deliberately cool.
Priscilla immediately began to explain. "We arrived a bit early, so Sebastian was just keeping me company. He's rather funny."
When Isabelle laid eyes on Sebastian Reed, she thought he was the prettiest boy she had ever seen. He had short blond hair, just long enough to show off curls, freckles across his face, green eyes, and full lips. However, it didn't take long for her to realize that he might not be the best of the boys.
Sebastian stood up and came to greet them. "Hello, cousins." He said the last words with a smirk, his voice full of irony.
"Hello." William replied, offering him his hand.
Sebastian accepted it and said, "We aren't really cousins. I hope you know that. This whole charade is ridiculous."
"Why is it ridiculous?" Isabelle asked.
Sebastian scoffed. "They want us to play happy families. I don't play silly games."
"Maybe we aren't related," William said. "But at least we respect the sentiments of those who consider us family."
"Think you're smart, do you?" Sebastian asked.
"He's very smart." Priscilla jumped into William's defense. "He's a genius."
"Yeah, I know he's a genius... I heard about it. But I doubt that will help him when I beat him up."
Sebastian was a few months older than William, and those months had given him a slight advantage in height and strength. William was aware of this but didn't back down.
"Go ahead, test that theory." William replied.
Before the tension could escalate further, Isabelle stepped between them. "Stop it, both of you! You haven't known each other for five minutes, and you're already looking for a fight."
"Who asked for your input, little girl?" Sebastian asked.
Before Isabelle could respond, Juliette stepped forward. "Don't make the little girl show you up."
Sebastian eyed Juliette. "And why are you dressed like a boy?"
"I'm not dressed like a boy. I'm dressed for sports. I intend to play croquet."
"Who will you play with? I don't play sports with girls."
"Why, are you scared you'll lose to one?" Juliette asked.
"In your dreams." said Sebstain.
"Sounds like you're making excuses. Play with me to prove it." Juliette replied.
Sebastian laughed. "Alright, I'll play. But don't expect me to go easy on you just because you're a girl."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Juliette replied.
After the heated interaction, the children gathered around a table set aside for them, joining a few others who were already seated. Sebastian continued his antics. He teased and taunted the girls and challenged William at every turn.
On the other side of the garden, the adults were thoroughly enjoying their day. A gramophone played jazz music in the background. Groups of adults mingled, some lounged in elegant garden chairs while others stood with cocktails in hand, discussing the latest news and sharing laughs.
Then their conversations naturally diverged along gender lines. The men gathered in one corner, delving into discussions about business ventures, politics, and sports, while the women formed their own circle, chatting about family updates, the latest fashion trends, and plans for upcoming social events. Marguerite participated actively, but despite the polite smiles she offered, she found a conversation a bit tedious.
William and Priscilla found a moment, when Sebastian was momentarily distracted, to take a private stroll together, so they could talk.
"I'm sorry for giggling so much with Sebastian earlier." Priscilla apologized. "I didn't realize he was so mean."
"That's alright. I don't mind. I'm just glad you're here. I was really surprised when I heard you were coming."
"It was the courtesy of my grandfather who came to see your grandmother, of course. He is always on my side. But when I get back home, I'll be grounded for the next month."
"Me, too," William admitted with a compassionate smile.
"I'm not sorry at all, "Priscilla added. "It was worth it—those were some beautiful kisses."
"I agree... Hey, one day we'll be grown up, and then we can do whatever we want. We can kiss as much as we like... that is, if you'll still be interested."
"Of course, I will be... forever," Priscilla promised.
"Forever..." William repeated.
Then suddenly, they found their path crossed by Toni Frissell who was holding her camera.
"Hey, sweethearts... How adorable you two are... Let's capture this moment, shall we?"
They agreed, and William casually draped his arm around Priscilla's shoulder as she leaned into him slightly, both sharing a tender look.
"Beautiful, beautiful... But let's try something even better... Young man, pick that flower and give it to her... Young lady, try to look mindful and demure," Toni instructed, framing the scene with her artistic eye.
They followed her directions, with William plucking a nearby flower and presenting it to Priscilla, who adopted a serene and modest expression.
"A bit more demure," Toni coached, and with a final click of the shutter, she captured the moment perfectly.
Soon, they realized it was time to head back as the croquet game was about to start. William had planned to play, while Priscilla was all set to cheer him on.
Before the match started, Isabelle approached the group of ladies. She wanted to speak with her mother, but before she did so, she stopped to listen to their funny chatter.
"The new terrace at the manor is simply exquisite."
"I like the way they've integrated the old with the new. It is nothing short of genius."
"Has anyone else struggled with aphids this season? My roses are suffering terribly."
"Yes, it's been dreadful! I've had the gardeners try everything from soap solutions to more, shall we say, robust chemical treatments. Nothing seems to work."
"Perhaps introducing some ladybirds might help. They're quite effective, you know."
"I'm planning to redo the herb garden entirely."
"Oh, how marvelous! Will you be incorporating any rare varieties? It could be quite the showcase at your summer luncheons."
"Did you hear about the new charity auction at Calne? I'm donating a painting this year."
Gathering her courage, Isabelle stepped in politely, "Excuse me for interrupting... Mother, may I speak with you for a moment?"
One of the elder ladies responded before Marguerite could. "Young lady, it is quite rude to interrupt the adults. Children should be at the children's table."
"I know, but I need a word with my mother."
"In the future, such matters should wait until an appropriate break in the conversation."
Isabelle met Marguerite's gaze and whispered, "It's really important."
"Of course," Marguerite responded with understanding and immediately excused herself to follow Isabelle.
As she began to move, Elizabeth said, "Marguerite, surely the children can manage without you for a while. They should learn to handle themselves."
But Marguerite chose to ignore her.
Once they were far enough from the earshot, Isabelle said, "Sorry about this. Now Granny is going to nag you."
"Don't worry about it. Handling Granny is part of the job description. Besides, I'm actually grateful for the break from those tedious peacocks back there. What's on your mind?"
Isabelle quickly filled Marguerite in on the situation with Sebastian.
"So, I was hoping," she continued, "that you could let Juliette play croquet. It would give her a chance to beat him and put him in his place. She really wants to show him up."
"Oh, darling, I completely understand but… Juliette's leg is still healing, and we shouldn't push it."
"But it's croquet! There's no running or jumping... Please, say yes! If her leg hurts afterwards, we'll all take care of her together."
After a moment of hesitation, Marguerite finally relented, "Alright, but your father will be upset that we didn't discuss this with him first."
"He won't be, just charm him a bit afterwards, and he'll forget all about it."
Marguerite chuckled at her daughter's sharpness "Alright, you little schemer... go tell your sister she can play."
After Isabelle's words, Marguerite began to observe Sebastian more closely. Indeed, he was a pretty boy, but there was something unsettling about him—something dark. She saw it in his eyes. They were always darting away, always looking somewhere else. At one point, as if sensing her gaze upon him, Sebastian locked his eyes with Marguerite. A chill ran down her spine. The same sinister look she had encountered once before. It was as if she was staring into the eyes of Mordren himself.
Not long after, the game started. Some people played while the others cheered from the sidelines. Juliette, as usual, proved to be one of the best players, even with her injured ankle. Most importantly, she was better than Sebastian.
But he was cunning. With every chance he got, he subtly and not-so-subtly nudged the ball to tilt the odds in his favor. The real twist, however, came from Grandpa Robert, who oversaw the game as a judge.
Each time Sebastian made a questionable play, Robert was quick to overlook it, even praising him for his "excellent strategy" and "sharp eye." His judgment consistently favored Sebastian, much to the dismay of the Roxton children.
Isabelle was growing increasingly frustrated.
"What the hell, Grandpapa?!" She called out at some point.
Normally, Marguerite would have scolded her for such an outburst, but this time, she chose to remain silent. She too felt that Robert's officiating was completely unfair.
John, however, felt the need to interject. "Isabelle, please. Be respectful to your Grandfather."
"But he is not being fair! Juliette is clearly winning, and he keeps ignoring Sebastian's cheats!"
"He's trying to make him feel welcome." John explained. "You know it's a complicated situation with your Mother and Aunt Claire. Grandpa Robert wants everyone to feel included."
"That's just poppycock!"
Marguerite couldn't help but chuckle at Isabelle's bold exclamation but she still chose not to say anything. John turned to see Marguerite's reaction, shocked by the lack of it.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Marguerite asked.
"Did you hear the word she just used?" John asked.
"Yes, I did, and frankly, I think she's right."
"Marguerite... The children will get confused if we scold them for minor outbursts and ignore the bigger ones."
"John, they're learning that the world isn't black and white. Sometimes, a little fire is necessary to make a point."
"Don't worry, Daddy. We're not so easily confused." Isabelle assured him.
The last straw came when Sebastian blatantly moved his ball closer to the final hoop right under Robert's watchful eye, and yet again, Robert applauded him for his shot.
Sebastian wore a wide, smug grin as he accepted praise from a few oblivious spectators. Juliette, who had played both fairly and skillfully, felt a surge of anger at the sight of his gloating.
"That does it," she muttered under her breath.
Without a second thought, Juliette charged towards him. She tackled him to the ground, knocking the wind out of him.
Toni Frissell instinctively pointed her camera towards the scene and captured the moment.
Sebastian tried to shield his face as Juliette began to pummel him. She grabbed handfuls of dirt and grass, shoving them towards his face as she yelled, "Eat dirt! Eat it! That's what cheaters deserve! Does it taste good?"
"Juliette! Stop beating that boy!" Marguerite's voice cut through the chaos. She supported standing up for oneself, but she couldn't endorse this behavior. The rough and crude manner was simply too much.
But Juliette continued. "Are you going to cry? Go on, cry!"
"Beat him!" Isabelle cheered.
"Isabelle, don't cheer her on. Juliette, stop this at once!" Marguerite shouted.
Isabelle shouted even louder, "Kick him in the nuts!"
At those words, Marguerite gently but firmly tugged a strand of Isabelle's hair as a swift corrective.
"Ouch!" Isabelle exclaimed.
Finally, a footman rushed over and pulled Juliette away from Sebastian. She turned towards her family, looking utterly pleased with herself. In contrast, Sebastian hung his head down, looking downcast and embarrassed.
When the whole situation had calmed down, Elizabeth turned to Marguerite and said, "This entire scene was utterly disgraceful. I hold you personally responsible, Marguerite. To think that such behavior could unfold under your watch. You should have managed the children better."
The Roxton children were sent upstairs to the room they always stayed in when visiting Grandmother Catherine and Grandfather Robert. Marguerite and John intended to have a talk with them before the party could continue downstairs.
They paused in front of the door.
"Before we go in, we need to agree on how we're going to handle this," Marguerite said.
"Is there more than one way to handle it?" John asked.
"Obviously, Juliette shouldn't have started a fight, and Isabelle shouldn't have been shouting inappropriate words. But their reaction wasn't unprovoked... Robert's officiating was completely unfair."
John frowned, "Why was she even on the field in the first place?"
Marguerite hesitated for a moment before admitting, "I gave her permission."
"I would've liked to have been informed."John said.
"I know, I was planning to charm you afterwards so you'd forget all about it."
John blinked, taken aback. "What?"
"A joke… It's just a joke."
"Seriously, Marguerite, what is our plan here?"
"I don't know, John... But this is far from an ordinary situation. That boy, Sebastian... There's something off about him."
"What are you talking about?"
"I watched him today... and I saw something in him, something that reminded me of Mordren. Something dark."
John shook his head, dismissing the idea. "Marguerite, please. He's just a little boy, and he's Claire's son."
"So, because sweet little Claire is his mother, there's no way he could be troubled? If it were me, the story would be quite different."
"No one said that and I certainly didn't even think it."
At that moment, the door opened, and Isabelle peeked out.
"Why don't you two come in so we can all talk? Oh, and these doors aren't that thick—we heard everything."
Marguerite and John exchanged a quick, resigned look and followed her inside. Juliette was sitting on the bed, and William was leaning against a table nearby.
"Mother, your theory about Sebastian and Mordren is absolutely wild!" Isabelle exclaimed. "You're so clever to have thought of it!"
"I didn't mean anything by that." Marguerite clarified. "Please, put that idea out of your head."
"Kids, you shouldn't be worrying about Mordren." John said. "He was a very bad man but he's gone now. Aunt Veronica made sure of that."
Marguerite moved forward and sat next to Juliette.
"How are you feeling, my darling? Does anything hurt?" she asked.
Juliette responded with a small grin, "I'm fine... I think Sebastian is the one who hurts."
"I'm glad to see you used everything I taught you." John said proudly. "But remember, I taught you those moves not so you could start a fight, but so you could defend yourself if someone else attacked you first. Little girls shouldn't be starting fights."
Marguerite embraced Juliette. "I agree with your father – little girls should definitely not be starting fights – but I'm glad you stood up for justice... Sometimes there is no justice in this world unless we take it ourselves."
"If she hadn't taken him down, I would have," William admitted. "It was really close. But this was even better. Seeing him beaten by a younger girl with an injured leg... it was incredibly satisfying to watch."
Isabelle looked at Marguerite. "Do you really think Sebastian has some of Mordren in him?"
"I told you not to dwell on that." Marguerite replied.
"But he's Mordren's closest relative, it's entirely possible." Isabelle pressed on.
"That may be true," John said. "but Claire is his mother. And as we all know, she is both good and brave. She won't let him stray down the wrong path."
Marguerite, however, was not so sure about that, but for the sake of everyone, she decided to stay silent for now.
When everyone gathered downstairs again, Juliette and Sebastian were forced to apologize to each other—Sebastian for his cheating and Juliette for her physical reaction. Grandma Catherine even made sure that Grandpa Robert apologized to everyone for his biased officiating.
The party picked back up, the mood lifted. People returned to their conversations and children returned to their games. Humbled by the day's events, Sebastian stayed quiet for the rest of the day.
Catherine approached Marguerite and sat beside her. The two women looked at each other and both smiled broadly. It had always been their instinctive reaction whenever they saw each other.
"My dear, this is all your father's fault." Catherine said. "He stirred up the entire ghastly debacle. I am very sorry for everything. How is Juliette?"
"She's alright, but she shouldn't have gotten into a fight like that. She's too much like her father, and sometimes there's little I can do to temper that."
Catherine nodded understandingly, "She has a strong sense of justice, just like John."
"Maybe so, but according to Elizabeth, I'm to blame for the children being so unruly."
"I understand Elizabeth's point of view, but I also understand yours, my dear. And I fully support your and John's approach to parenting. It may not be conventional or typically British, but it's warm and loving."
"Thank you, Catherine. I agree with you, but sometimes I can't help but question if we're doing the right thing. Raising children has been more challenging than I ever imagined. Whenever I get angry with them, I find myself unable to stay mad for too long. When they look at me with those little eyes, I feel like I could say YES to anything — They've completely softened me."
Catherine was listening and smiling warmly. "You are a wonderful mother, my dear. God knows how much I wish I had had that opportunity to be like that with you." Then, Catherine gently brushed a strand of Marguerite's hair back into place, which had fallen loose during the commotion. "You are so beautiful," she remarked softly.
Marguerite blushed involuntarily, a reaction that often occurred during such tender moments with her mother.
"You were an excellent mother to Claire and Emily." Marguerite said. "I'm just glad we have these moments today."
Catherine's expression briefly grew more solemn. "I only wish that someday you would call me Mother."
Marguerite tensed. She longed to utter those words so badly, but anytime she tried, her heart froze. She had only managed to say it once and now she dreamed of days she would say it openly and without reserve.
Fortunately, her husband appeared at just the right moment, as he often did, rescuing her from the uncomfortable silence. He sat down beside her, and Catherine soon excused herself, moving on to mingle with other guests.
John, almost unconsciously, placed his hand on Marguerite's knee and gave it a gentle pat. "It's good that everything has ended well," he said.
"Oh, dear... nothing has ended. I feel like this story is just beginning. One day there will be a changing of the guard, and how successful the new generation will be depends on what we teach them."
"And we are teaching them wonderfully."
Marguerite laughed lightly, "Your mother wouldn't agree with that... She thinks the children are growing up too wild and that I'm the main culprit."
"I'll talk to her."
Marguerite shook her head, "Don't... I handle her quite easily."
Just then, Marguerite spotted Lady Elizabeth walking arm in arm with Lord Ashford, meandering through the garden a little further away. Marguerite tilted her head subtly to draw John's attention to the couple, and they both shared a laugh.
Then, not far from them, they noticed William and Priscilla strolling in the same manner, arm in arm.
Marguerite smiled and remarked, "That young man is going to grow up to be just as much of a charmer as his father."
John grinned proudly, adding a playful twist, "He's already outdoing me. We'd better keep an eye on that one."
Then, their gaze shifted to the grass where Isabelle was sitting. She was among the group of children, Sebastian included. From their distance, they couldn't hear their conversation, but it was clear that Isabelle was dominating the discussion. Everyone was mostly nodding, while Isabelle, full of confidence, gestured animatedly as she spoke.
"And this little miss" John began, "will grow up to be just like her mother—always leading the charge, always making sure everyone knows exactly where they stand."
"Well, I can't deny that." Marguerite replied. Then she looked at Juliette who was performing a cartwheel on the grass next to them. "And that little ankle is going to hurt again..."
"I wouldn't worry. She's got the best caregiver. You'll take care of her—skillfully like Florence Nightingale and tenderly as a loving mother."
Marguerite looked at John fondly, her eyes filled with love. "Oh, John... everything is so much easier with you by my side." She then wrapped her hand around his and rested her head on his shoulder, prompting him to gently kiss her temple.
Embraced in each other's arms, they continued to watch their family, happily enjoying the rest of the day.