"Any word from your dear Chroferus, little sister?" Jocatta teased as she joined her and their mother in one of the parlors.
"He is not my dear Chroferus," Venetia replied, making a face at her sister, "and no."
"Look how sad she is, my darling," their mother smiled.
"Mother," Venetia gasped, "not you, too?"
"I only speak of what I see," there mother, Isabell, shrugged, "and it would seem that you are rather taken by this young man."
"I am not," she replied, firmly.
"We couldn't blame you," their mother reassured her, "all of Nordingham is right there with you."
Jocatta exchanged a meaningful glance with her mother and continued to sit in silence. A few minutes passed when a maid entered the room, curtsying.
"What is it, Fanny?" Isabell asked.
"A gentleman is here to see your daughter, mum," the maid announced.
"Who is it?" Jocatta asked, sitting forward in anticipation, the hope that it would be her betrothed, Melchior, apparent in her eyes.
"A Lord Chroferus of Tristram, mum," the mad replied.
A smug look appeared on Jocatta's face as Isabell turned to Venetia with a knowing smile.
"My Venetia," their mother said, "I believe he has called on you."
"He has not," Venetia gasped, her cheeks flushing pink, "I'm sure he wishes to speak to father, does he not?"
"Please, mum," the made bowed her head, shifting nervously, "he asked for the lady Venetia."
Venetia stood, shaking her head and muttering as she followed the startled maid from the parlor.
She hated it when her sister and mother teased her about how apparently obvious Chroferus was of his affection towards her. She liked him, to be sure, but she was beginning to feel like he was lacking in subtlety.
She wasn't sure what it was, but all she knew was that she did not like the attention she was receiving. Her whole family believed that he would propose soon and so they all treated him as though he were a king. It was ridiculous. She had never confessed to liking him in the least and they automatically assumed that she must because of his image, money, fame, and because he was falling head-over-heals for her. No one ever seemed to ask her if she had any feelings for him.
He stood in the foyer facing the entrance and, as she came down the grand staircase, she smiled. He was a very handsome and delightful gentleman and she found him quite charming to look at.
"You surprise me," Venetia said, taking the last step, "you could have sent a letter as your answer to our invitation for this year's ball."
"I should have," Chroferus smiled, "but that would mean missing such a beautiful vision as this."
Venetia chuckled to herself as she offered him her hand. He took it and kissed it, his brown eyes never leaving hers. His skin was dark from long ours in the sun, which only accentuated his wavy blond hair. He was very handsome.
"Shall we walk?" She offered.
"Certainly," he agreed, following her to the estate's gardens.
They walked in silence for a long while as they admired the scenery.
"It seems you are faring well," he commented.
"Indeed," she replied, "I am."
"I'm sure you look forward to the ball, do you not?" Chroferus asked.
"Of course, it's all the town can talk about these days."
"As it should be," he nodded.
Venetia was startled when he suddenly stopped to turn towards her, taking her hands in his.
"I should like to reserve a dance...with you, of course, if it pleases you."
She was in shock at his sudden intensity.
"Oh-uh," she stuttered, "sure."
"Good," Chroferus smiled, letting out a nervous sigh of relief.
"You must have heard the news by now," she said, changing the subject as if she had not noticed his affectionate glances pointed in her direction, "the Duke has returned to Palidore. Isn't this wonderful?"
"No," Chroferus replied, taken aback by the change of subject, "no, I hadn't heard of this before now."
"And he is to attend our ball," she continued.
"This is shocking, indeed," he commented.
"We have all wondered about the owner of this grand estate and now we shall finally know."
Chroferus was silent after this and he soon took his leave. Veneita bid him good day and rejoiend her sister and mother in the parolor.
"So," Jocatta inquired, "what did he want?"
"Nothing of great importance," Venetia replied, rolling her eyes, "just to be the first to ask for my hand in a dance at the ball."
"And of course you will," their mother added.
"Yes," Venetia confirmed, a little irritated that her mother didn't say this in the form of a question but a statement.
"See," Jocatta exploded with delight, "he must intend on marriage."
"Don't get ahead of yourself, my dear," their mother warned, "but, yes, he must have some plan."
"Delightful," Venetia retorted under her breath.
Veneita had nothing against Chroferus, he was quite a catch. But oh how he lacked the excitement and mystery that she greatly desired. She knew the man of her dreams was still out there and she disliked the way her sister and mother continued to urge Chroferus into a proposal. Often her sister would make pointed comments around him that would make him overly excited and jump to conclusions about her feelings towards him. It felt like everyone else was in control of her own life besides her.
To be continued. A Steemit series written by Tabi Slick.
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