Polite Society, chapters 1-6

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Chapters 1-6

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Table of Contents Chapter One…………..3 Chapter Two…………..6 Chapter Three………….13 Chapter Four…………..18 Chapter Five……………24 Chapter Six……………..31 About Monique………….36

This is a work in progress; to read the story as it unfolds, go to http://societybook.wordpress.com.

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Chapter One Generally, men don’t gather together to talk about different fabric swatches and the latest corset innovations, but in 1756, several middle-aged men sat around a decorated iron table in the gardens outside of a Palladian-style country home in Petworth, sharing stories about their latest trials in the couture fashion business over coffee.

“Naturally, it costs more to start making fashion dolls, but I’m hoping it will bring in more revenue. I’m slightly worried about losing money, but at the same time, it’s not like I don’t already have some backup money from my father’s estate, God rest his soul.”

Small laughter.

“I have complete faith in you, old boy,” Kristopher Storey stated, his gruff demeanor softened by his wide grin. “Let’s raise a toast to Jacob! May he be successful in his new venture!”

Raised glasses clink together while jovial utterances of “Hear, hear!” rang out in the night.

“Oh! Before I forget,” Kristopher said, “I must tell you gents about the company I’m going to have in a few days. I’m going down to the holiday home in Worthing sometime next week to meet with my business partners from Asia. They’re on holiday right now, and I thought it might be nice for them to meet you all while they are here.

You’ve heard me talk about Zheng Yin and Aakash Chopra-Singh, yes?”

Everyone gave their assurances. Kristopher grinned and leaned over in Morrison White’s direction.

“You’ll have some company in the ethnic category for a while, eh, Morrison?” he whispered. Morrison, not amused, glanced in his direction, eyebrow raised.

4 “If we are all finished here, I have to get back home,” Alexander Vance stated tiredly. “My wife hates it when I’m out late at night; she gets in terrible fretting moods.”

“Yes, I think we’ve talked about everything we can tonight,” Kristopher said.

“Besides, Gerlie probably wants her home to herself by now.” As Kristopher got up to show his colleagues out, he caught up with Morrison.

“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t too offended by my off-hand remark, Morr, old boy. You know how coarse I can be sometimes.”

Morrison gave him a worn smile. “I know you didn’t mean any harm. Besides, you’re probably the only one in the group who actually values my being here.”

Kristopher looked saddened, but quickly cheered up. “Of course I value you being here. I’m sure the other gents do as well; most of these people have never been out of Sussex, let alone England. Give them the benefit of the doubt.”

Morrison’s sad smile intensified. “I do that on a regular basis.”

Kristopher clapped him on the back as he said, “Remember—I invited you to our meetings because you’re my friend, not just one of my many business partners. And we have our children’s courtship to think about, right? We’re probably closer to a wedding than we know! I’d have no one else become a part of my family unless it’s you and your family.”

Morrison looked grateful and relieved. “Same time next month, then?”

“Of course, and as I always tell you, my house is always open to you.”

Just then, Alexander bumped into Morrison’s shoulder from behind. “My apologies.”

5 Morrison looked at Alexander before bidding Kristopher goodbye and left.

Alexander, seeing how down Alexander had been throughout the entire meeting, caught up with him.

“Alex? Something’s been bugging you all evening, and I’d be a poor friend if I didn’t try to find out if there was something I could do to help.”

Alexander sighed. “It’s my daughter again.”

“She still has her affections been placed on that rather unfortunate fellow, then.”

Alexander sighed. “Yes; she’s still got her heart set on that stableboy. I guess it’s what I get for indulging in their friendship when they were children. Now that Amelie’s all grown up, there’s nothing I can do to change her mind.”

“Well, look here,” Kristopher said. “Perhaps Aakash could help you out there. I hear his oldest, Devinder, is about to be married, but his youngest, Abinhav, is of marrying age. Perhaps he and your Amelie might hit it off. I would mention Zheng’s son, Guangli, but it looks as if he’s getting married as well. But who’s to say? Maybe she could woo them away from their intendeds? Crazier things have happened.”

Alexander looked dejected. “First, she’s in love with a servant from Spain, and the solution you offer me is someone from the Orient. Where are all of the Anglo-Saxon alternatives?” He sighed. “Give Gerlinda my thanks for the coffee.” He left, leaving Kristopher confused and somewhat frustrated.

6

Chapter Two Elizabeth-Ann Storey jumped out of the landau carriage, forgetting decorum.

Usually, she would wait until the coachman came to her door and helped her down, but what she had to tell Amelie Vance couldn’t wait.

“Amelie!” E.A. said, rushing into the Vance household’s drawing room where Amelie was, working on some embroidery. “I have the most exquisite news!”

“You and Roose are finally getting married?” Amelie squealed, jumping ahead of herself. “I’m so happy for you! I’ve been waiting for this day for so long! I have just the perfect dress in mind-” “That’s not the news at all! (And you know how I feel about marriage.) The big news is that Father is going to let us meet his friends from the Orient when we go to Worthing!”

Amelie pouted. “Aw, you’re going to Worthing so soon? I won’t be able to see you for at least two months, now.”

“You’ll still be able to write to me, silly!” E.A. playfully chided her as she plopped down on the couch across from Amelie, her panniers and skirts spreading out over the cushions.

“I’m so excited to meet Father’s friends,” E.A. continued. “They also have sons-” “I thought there was a reason you were so excited,” Amelie interjected. “I thought it odd of you to be so crazed about meeting some old men.”

“You know me only too well, then,” E.A. responded before continuing to gush.

“But still, how can you not get crazed when you hear names like Guangli, Devinder, and Abinhav?”

7 Amelie’s eyes widened. “Goodness, they sound so exotic!”

“More exotic than the name Emilio?” E.A. retorted, raising an eyebrow.

“Are you going to start on that tangent again?”

“Of course I am! You could be trying to snag one of these boys! Or any boy in Sussex! But a common stable-boy? He’s employed for a reason.”

“E.A.—” “Amy, don’t you understand? He’s not in our class! He’s beneath us, only good for the work he can put into the upkeep of your house.”

“E.A., that is uncalled for! You’re talking about my love!”

“I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings, Amy, but sooner or later your father is going to round on you about that, not to mention Joshua. Do you really want Joshua to get preachy? That is something I wouldn’t wish on my worse enemy, let alone someone I consider my sister!”

Amelie put down her embroidery and leaned forward. “I appreciate that you are trying to help me out of what you think is a bad situation, but I have everything under control. I’m in love with a man who loves me back; how wrong can that be?”

“That’s your problem, Amy, you’re too idealistic. Partnership is supposed to not only include love, but love that is between two people of the same class or greater. Only then would they be able to understand each other completely.”

“But you just contradicted yourself! You said ‘the same class or greater’, meaning that someone from our class could marry someone far richer than us. How is that any different than me marrying someone from the servant class?”

8 “If you marry someone of greater stature, you’re still coming from money. If you marry someone with little or nothing to their name, think of the scandal it would cause.

Think of how disproportionate your life experiences would be. How would he fit into our circle? What stories would he have to tell? Nothing anything we can identify with, just stories about cleaning the stables.”

“Well, what stories would you have to bring to the table if you married a comte or a duke, huh? They’re used to far greater propriety than we are; you’d be just as common as Emilio!”

“I sincerely beg to differ. Money talks; just as long as you’re not in the servant class, money talks quite loudly.”

“The mind also talks,” Amelie said. “It communicates no matter what bracket someone is stationed. And my mind says that I’m on the right path.”

E.A. raised her hands, disarming the conversation. “Well, just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“In any case, what about your love troubles?” Amelie said, a sneaky look on her face. “Here you are, gushing over a couple of men coming to Sussex even though you have one of the most exotic, attractive, eligible men wrapped around your finger! How do you sleep at night?”

“Like a newborn baby,” E.A. replied, a cheeky grin spread across her face. “Let’s face it; it’s hard to have just one man when you’re someone who appreciates the delicate nuances each man possesses.”

Amelie looked disgusted. “You’re talking about men as if they’re knick-knacks to be collected!”

9 E.A. thought for a moment, then responded, “Yes, that’s a rather good way of putting it. I suppose it’s one of my great hobbies.”

Amelie sighed. “Well, like you told me, just don’t say I didn’t warn you when your collecting spree backfires. Just what do you plan on doing when your father’s friends come to town? What do you think you’ll gain?”

“Hopefully, I’ll gain more notoriety for being among the company of such striking creatures,” E.A. said. “You know how Englanders are about minorities; they’re a prized commodity. Just saying you have one as a pageboy will garner you envious looks.

I have one as my lover; I have already received numerous invitations to the homes of various ladies who are probably gagging with jealousy. I don’t have a concrete plan for when Father’s guests come. Perhaps I’ll just stare at them—I do like the look of exotic men. But the news that will go round the circle is that I was in their company. I entertained them. That’s all I really need in order to get into the higher echelons of society.”

Amelie was hurt. “Do you even love Roosevelt?”

E.A. was stunned. “Of course I do. I love him more than any of my past loves.”

“Is he enough for you?”

E.A.’s eyes wandered to the floor.

“I’m a different person from you, Amelie. I’m not as romantic and idealistic as you. In this world we’re in, there’s a certain level of ambition a woman needs to have in order to make something of herself in high society. I’m determined to become highly recognized, even if it’s the last thing I ever do.”

10 “You don’t have to do that.”

“I need to do it.”

“Well,” Amelie said, giving a sad smile, “I can only wish the best for you, I suppose.”

“Thank you,” E.A. said. “I’m definitely going to need it.”

***** Amelie snuck out later that night to meet Emilio.Cuarón, the Vances’ stable-boy.

He was lying on the grass, staring at the stars. Upon seeing Amelie running up to him, he sat up. She fell to her knees, throwing her arms around his torso.

“Good evening, Emilio,” Amelie said happily, quickly kissing him on the lips.

“Good evening to you,” Emilio said, his voice mellow and sweet.

“I hope you haven’t had a hard day today,” Amelie said as she settled alongside him, his arm around her.

“It was as hard as it usually is,” Emilio responded, his slight Spanish accent coloring his words. “But I’m used to it.”

“Someone as kind and thoughtful as you shouldn’t be used to it,” Amelie said, looking up at him. “Someone like you should’ve been born with a title to your name.

There are plenty of people who think they are someone in society when they don’t even deserve the recognition they get. Someone should give you recognition for all you do.”

Emilio rubbed her arm with his hand, snuggling her closer as he said, “Just the recognition you give me is recognition enough.”

They stared at the sky for a while. Amelie penetrated the silence.

11 “E.A. came by to visit me today,” she said. “She’s going to be leaving town soon; her father is meeting some of his colleagues from Asia.”

“Oh?” “Yeah. She’s really excited.”

“Men are involved?”

“Naturally.”

Emilio sighed. “When will she learn? That man Roosevelt needs to wisen up. He doesn’t deserved to be yanked around like that.”

“I tried telling her that, but she is almost proud of the fact that she collects men. I love her like a sister, but she’s an odd one. I don’t understand why Roose isn’t enough for her. He’s perfect for her.”

“He’s a total gentleman,” Emilio agreed. “Ah well. Forgive me for saying this about her, but she’s not good enough for him. He deserves much better.”

Amelie sighed. “No, you’re correct. I wish she could appreciate him.” She thought for a moment. “Emilio, what do you think about love?”

“Love?”

“Yeah. E.A. doesn’t view love as something natural, I don’t think. She’s more concerned with the connections she makes and how much gossip she can stir up with her relationships. She says that women in my social class are concerned with making a name for themselves, and that this is her way of going about doing it.”

“Well,” Emilio said, exhaling, “from what I’ve heard about women in your class, many women do fall into this trap of creating gossip one way or another. But, there are

12 just as many women who do things against the grain, such as yourself. Many women just do what they feel is natural for them, and honestly, that’s the type of woman I value most highly.”

Amelie smiled before her brows furrowed suddenly as a disconcerting thought entered her head. “Do you…do you think I’m making gossip by being with you?”

“Well, you’re certainly talked about, I’m sure,” Emilio said. “I know I’m talked about in the servants quarters for being with you. But these people just don’t understand that there is nothing different between you and I just because we come from different classes.

People get hung up over that type of class structure nonsense. Just know that I love you, and I will not stop loving you, no matter if the King himself is talking about us.”

Amelie smiled, her gaze filled with joy. “And I love you, Emilio.”

Meanwhile, in the servants quarters, several of the young male servants were discussing their “favorite” colleague.

“Who does Emilio think he is?”

“He’s always been the Vances’ favorite, ever since he was a child. You remember how they used to invite him to tea, just because Amelie favored him.”

“And now look where it’s got them. He’s practically an in-law, now.”

“He’ll get his, someday soon. Those Vances will show him where he really belongs, and when he comes crawling back to us dregs, we’ll put him in his place.”

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Chapter Three Joshua Shaw huffed out of annoyance. With drooped eyelids, he said, “What do you want me to do again?”

“Talk to your cousin, Joshua,” Alexander said. “I have tried talking to her on more than one occasion about this Emilio matter, but she won’t listen to a word I say. I thought that perhaps if someone more her age were to speak with her—” “I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t listen to me either, Uncle.”

“She looks up to you, Joshua. I may be her father, but what I say would just sound like I’m an old, outdated person. If you spoke to her, she might understand better. Just try.”

“Okay, but just be mindful that I can’t stay long. I have to start packing for London.”

“Do what you can.”

Joshua sighed again, trying to collect his thoughts before going to talk with Amelie, who was sitting outside near the garden. Her face lit up when she saw him coming through the doors.

“Joshee!” She yelped, running up to meet him, hugging him tightly.

“Hello, Amy,” Joshua said, his voice being cut off due to Amelie’s vice grip.

“I’m so glad you decided to surprise me,” Amelie said. “Here I was just the other day, thinking about how I wouldn’t be able to see you for a really long time. I know you’ll have fun in London, though.”

“How much fun I have will be according to how much Gray’s Inn allows,” Joshua said, smiling in a paternal way.

14 “Well, Joshee, I hope you can stay for tea,” Amelie said, flouncing back to her chair. “Stephanie makes the most exquisite cakes.”

“I wish I could,” Joshua said, carefully sitting down opposite her, “but I only have enough time for a small chat.” He stared out at the garden. “Lovely flowers this year, don’t you think? The grass all around the estate looks greener. It must be due to all of the unnaturally bright sunlight this year. I’m sure the horses are having a field day eating it.”

Amelie looked at Joshua, growing suspicious.

“Speaking of horses, how is…ah…Emilio, is it?”

“You know very well who it is, Josh. Did Daddy put you up to this?”

“He thought it would do you better to hear it from me than him.”

“Well, I already know what you’re going to say, and you can forget it.”

“Amelie, please! Your parents are highly concerned about your relationship with this man, your father most of all! They want to know you’ll be secure, well taken care of—” “And I wouldn’t if I married Emilio? He’ll take care of me. He’ll always make me feel secure!”

“Not monetarily. That is the real reason for concern. That and his complete lack of manners, decorum—”

“You hardly know him! You don’t even speak to him! I can tell you that he’s one of the most well-mannered people in all of Petworth!”

15 “Amy,” Joshua said, sighing. “You’re missing the point. Think of your dear father. He frets so much about your welfare. Do you want him to worry about your future?”

“He doesn’t have to worry about it anyway. It’s not my life he’s living. He got to marry who he wanted; I should be able to get married to who I want to, whether he’s rich or not.”

Joshua looked with earnest eyes. “Well, I guess there’s nothing more I can say, then.”

Amelie frowned slightly, her eyes showing tiredness. “No, there isn’t.”

Joshua sighed, got up. “Well, I suppose I shall be on my way.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for tea?” Amelie said, a pleading look in her eyes.

“No, thanks. I really must get back. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.”

Amelie’s round eyes made his resolve waver.

“Well, maybe just for one cup of tea.” ***** Although it was night when Joshua made it back to Lewes, he decided to have the coachman stop by the red brick terrace his friend Daniel Stewart resided in. Joshua needed to talk about his long, fruitless day to someone, but he didn’t want to have to do it at the expense of hearing his mother’s prattle.

After a few knocks, Daniel finally came to the door, dressed in his robe. “Joshua?

You know I’m always glad to see you, but why are you here so late at night?”

“I’ve had a rough day. I need to wind down before I go home.”

16 Daniel took pity on him and let him in. “Let me get some coffee on the boil…” ***** “I knew I should’ve just told Uncle Alex ‘No’ from the start,” Joshua said. “I know as well as he does that when Amy’s mind is set, it’s set. There’s no arguing with her. And besides, he’s her father. He should know how to talk to her, not divert to me!”

“I suppose he thought you’d be able to get through to her,” Daniel said. “She looks up to you like an older brother.”

“He told me that already,” Joshua said. “I mean, I realize his line of thinking, but honestly, Amelie’s botched-up love affair isn’t necessarily my problem. It’s his for letting it happen. If he had separated them when they were kids, he wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“Well, hindsight is much clearer, you know.”

“I know.” Joshua sipped his coffee. He winced. “This is really hot.”

“It’s best that way,” Daniel retorted playfully, smiling. Joshua cracked a grin.

“You think you’re so clever.”

“Well, I’ve got to use my head for more than a hat rack, now, haven’t I?” Daniel said as he went to the kitchen. “Besides, how else would I have built a beer empire without smarts?”

“It really is amazing that you built something from nothing like that,” Joshua said.

“I still don’t understand why your parents wouldn’t want you with them in Horsham.”

Daniel came back into the room with some slices of fruitcake. “Let’s just say that it’s been a learning experience on both accounts.” He sat down again. “They just…you know…want to make me see what the world is like.”

17 “Well, there’s got to be a much easier way to teach you about life than throw you out to fend for yourself,” Joshua said as Daniel offered him some cake.

“What can I say? It’s doing me just fine, and I’m sure they’re just fine without me in the house, lousing up their time.” A touch of bitterness had come into Daniel’s tone, which made Joshua disturbed, but he decided not to address the subject any further. ***** When Joshua finally got home, he was relieved to find that his parents were asleep. The butler had stayed up to let him in quietly.

Joshua made his way to his room, where his large trunk sat, open and waiting on him. He had pulled it out earlier that day, expecting to have enough energy to do some late-night packing. Now that the time had finally arrived, he didn’t have the energy. But he pushed himself to take out some of his clothes and begin folding them.

He had put a lot of hope and expectations on this trip. This would be the first time he left Sussex, the first time he’d be completely out on his own, without his mother nagging him about something or his father giving him stern lectures about what it takes to be a successful man in life. Even his uncle had expectations for him to fulfill; he figured he didn’t match up to Alexander’s thoughts of him since he couldn’t get Amelie to change her mind. He figured nobody close to him understood the rage and confusion he felt inside. He felt that, by being away from his family, he could be able to have the chance to understand himself and to become comfortable in his own skin.

At least, he figured that even if he didn’t understand himself any better after the trip, at least he would have had some breathing room; probably the only breathing room he’d have until his next trip to London.

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Chapter Four “How are you today, Madam?” Roosevelt White politely asked Kristopher’s wife, Gerlinda as the butler closed the door.

Gerlinda smiled. “Very well, Roosevelt,” she answered, her German accent flowering her words. “And you?”

“Very well, also. Of course, I’m always feeling better when I enter your household, especially to call on your daughter.”

“She’s on the veranda. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to see you, as always.”

“I would hope so,” Roosevelt added as he headed toward the veranda, a suave grin on his face. “I would hate to see the day when she wouldn’t find me appealing.”

Just then Kristopher came from his study. Upon seeing Roosevelt, he happily went over and clamped his arm around him.

“Roose, my boy! It’s always good to see you!”

“It’s always good to see you, sir,” Roosevelt answered, his smile becoming forced due to the hard grip Kristopher had on his arm.

“You know, your father was over here a few days ago, right?” Kristopher continued as they walked. “How is the old chap, by the way?”

“Oh, he’s fine,” Roosevelt said. “I think he’s been overworking himself, however; he has consumed more coffee than he usually does. Donna has been taking over many of his responsibilities; she’s always susceptible to subtle changes in people.”

“That is a good quality in an older sister,” Kristopher said. “That’s how come she, along with your father, has taken such good care of you for all these years.”

19 “And I’m grateful to them both,” Roosevelt said as they neared the veranda. E.A. had heard them long before, and they finally arrived, she was looking in their direction, a polite, gentle smile on her face.

“I thought I heard you badgering my beau, Father,” she said, good-naturedly.

Kristopher gave a look of mock offense. “Me badger? I never badger, my dear.”

E.A. rolled her eyes. “Of course, you don’t.”

Kristopher laughed as he said, “All right, all right. I’ll leave you two alone, then.”

As he left, Roosevelt let out a sigh of relief as he rubbed his arm. “I was waiting on him to let up on that vice grip.”

E.A. chuckled as she got up to rub his arm seductively. “Does that feel better?”

Roosevelt smirked. “It feels better than me doing it.”

She grinned as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. When she opened her eyes, she saw the flush in his cheeks and forehead.

“I still make you blush?”

“How can you not?”

E.A. smiled slyly as they sat down. Roosevelt cleared his throat before speaking.

“I hear your father is going to have some company soon.”

“Yes. Some colleagues from across the seas.”

“You’re going to Worthing to meet them?”

“Yes. I’m curious to meet them, but I’m sad that I won’t be able to spend more time with you.”

20 “I’m sorry, too. Of course,” Roosevelt shifted in his chair, “I could come down there once business lets up. I really need to help Donna out with account managing and the like. But once everything is situated, I will make sure to come down to Worthing and visit you.”

“Depending on how long we stay, I might even have my birthday party down there, so if you come, you might have to bring a gift.”

Roosevelt smirked. “I think I’ve got the perfect gift for you. I don’t know if I can wait until your birthday.”

E.A. smiled alluringly. “I can’t wait.”

Roosevelt shifted again in his seat as he flushed again. She could have sworn she saw him let out a sigh. She loved the effect she had over him. ***** A few days later, Daniel was working in the brewery when she heard E.A. crashing into brewing equipment and barrels.

“Daniel, this place is not made for ladies in full regalia.”

“That wasn’t its intent, my darling,” Daniel responded, his back turned to her. He was testing some beer from an open barrel. “Still too acidic,” he said to himself.

“I don’t understand it,” E.A. said as she tried to regain footing. “How could someone like you get into this kind of business? You seem much more refined than…beer.”

“Come on, E.A.,” Daniel said, turning around. “I should take that as an insult. My grandfather developed these recipes, and I dare say that he was as refined as the King

21 himself.” He turned back to his barrel. “But I won’t take offense because I know how your mouth shoots off, especially when you’re being compromised.”

“Very astute observation,” E.A. said, looking down at her shoes, trying to see if they were dirty. “At any rate, what I’m trying to say is that you don’t look like a beer man.”

“I’ve always found chemistry interesting,” Daniel said. “It always made me feel like I was performing alchemy. In a way it’s true; the kind of gold I’m making, however, can be imbibed at will.” He turned his attention back to E.A. “What gossip do you have to relay to me, today? I assume since you made the seven hour trip for something big.”

“I do have something big to tell you,” E.A. said, bouncing on her heels. “I’m going to be in Worthing within a few days, so you should come and visit me.”

“Why is this trip to Worthing different from other trips?” He paused. “Does this involve a man?”

She sighed, despite a grin tugging on her face. Daniel smirked.

“There’s only one reason why you get so happy about mundane things. Is that man that Roosevelt fellow?”

“No, it’s two different men.”

Daniel stared at her. “And you insinuate that I’m not being refined.”

“Is there something wrong with me just eyeing other men? Even if I end up not doing anything?”

“Yes, because it’s you, and you always end up doing something you’re not supposed to. This is not the first time you’ve had a questionable relationship while courting someone else. What about that Dutch gentleman touring Europe?”

22

“I was only seeing him because he wanted help with is English.”

“That Spanish missionary or something? Raphael?”

“He was only telling me about how I could further my faith. I was receiving instruction.”

“Sure you were.”

E.A. huffed. “Well, in any case, I plan on enjoying my time with them while they’re here. And besides, it’s not like I can do much since Roose is coming.”

“That’s comforting. Perhaps he can be of more use prohibiting your activities than as the footman you’re using him for.”

“Footman? I’m not using Roose as a footman!”

“Well, what would you call it? He’s certainly fulfilling your needs as a talking point.”

E.A. brooded for a moment.

“Okay. You’re right that I exploit his exoticism. But I’m not completely coldhearted.”

“I never said you were cold-hearted. I know you’re a warm person. You’ve just got some vices that are going to come back and bite you, eventually.”

“I think I’ll be able to outwit them, though,” E.A. said, grinning. “I’m pretty crafty. I’ve outwitted them thus far.”

As Daniel wrapped up his work, he said, “I assume you need a place to stay tonight.”

“Of course, my darling. I need to freshen up before travelling again.”

23 “Well, I’m almost finished here. You said last time you visited that you would do the cooking.”

“What? You just said I shoot my mouth off at inappropriate times. I’m sure I must have been tired when I said that.”

Daniel sighed, then smiled as he took E.A. by the arm as they walked out of the brewery.

“Fine, I’ll cook. I don’t think your princess hands could handle it, anyway.”

24

Chapter Five Daniel was glad when the day finally came for E.A. to go back to Petworth. Sure, he liked her as a person and as a friend, but she had a huge selfish streak that could become unappealing after more than three days. Luckily, she never overstayed her welcome.

Even though he was fairly well-known throughout Sussex due to the name his father made in iron production. But it was when he took up an invite to one of E.A.’s social parties that he seemed to finally become somebody. Most of this came from the friendship he struck up with E.A. During a lull in the party, she had come up to him while he was standing by himself, quietly drinking his punch.

“You seem like you’re not having a good time.”

He turned around. “Me? Oh, it’s not that I’m not having a good time. I’m just not a big party person.”

She smiled saucily. “Well, why did you decide to come to this one?”

“Aside from the fact that I got a blind invite, I just thought I’d change up my usual modus operandi. I thought it might be fun to attend a party for once in my life.”

“Well, even though it doesn’t seem like it, I can identify with not being thrilled about parties.”

“Really?” Daniel said, skeptical.

“Really,” E.A. said as she stood closer to him. “When I was a child, I hated going to parties. My parents always threw me birthday parties, social gatherings for my friends, et cetera. I got so tired of being dolled up and trotted out. But as I grew up, I started realizing the importance of parties. They are great ways of promoting yourself. And

25 there’s something fantastic about being able to become fancy for a night. Or, in my case, fancier. I’m always rather elegant.”

“I see someone is very confident about themselves,” Daniel said with a smile.

“Why not? It’s only once you live, so you might as well be happy with what God gave you.”

Daniel’s smile became warmer. “I agree.”

After that first exchange, they spent most of the night talking, about what the guests were wearing, musical interests, politics, and anything else that came up in conversation. After the party, they traded addresses. It was only when E.A. came to visit him while he was still living with his parents in Horsham that he saw the not-so-pleasant side of E.A. He could be a bit vain at times, but she overshadowed him in that department; she spent hours in the bathroom, and showed off the many fashion dolls she had bought, thinking it would make for great conversation. However, she only talked about how great she would look in the full-size dresses instead of anything Daniel was interested in, like the quality French tailoring and design.

Overall, Daniel became disappointed in his newfound friend. He found that even though she thought she was a gracious, elegant lady, she was really unpolished. ***** “That was much better this time, don’t you think?” Rachel Drew said as she and Daniel finished playing.

“I think so,” he said as he removed the violin from under his chin. “The whole sound was much clearer than the first time.”

26 “I agree.” Rachel took her violin from under her chin as she and Daniel took their seats.

“I’m rather tired after that, can you believe it?” Rachel said, laughing.

“Vivaldi does require a lot.”

“Would you like some tea? It’s nearly three.”

“Sure, I’d love some.” ***** As Rachel poured the tea and Daniel nibbled on a cake, he studied the effortless ease and grace Rachel seemed to exude. She always seemed to float through tasks, whether it be something as trivial as pouring tea or as magnificent as playing a piece on the violin. In fact, it was the violin that helped bring them together.

One day, when Daniel arrived at Joshua’s house, unannounced as he usually did, he saw Joshua looking less polished than normal. In his arms were papers and books. Behind him was a strawberry-blonde girl, offering to help him hold some of his bundle.

“Oh, Daniel,” Joshua said as if he expected Daniel to be there, “I can’t talk to you right now, I’m helping my father with some legal work.” He clumsily turned in girl’s direction.

“This lady is Miss Rachel Drew. Rachel, this is my friend, Mister Daniel Stewart.

Now if you’ll excuse me,” he said, turning toward the direction of his father’s study, “I must be on my way.”

Daniel and Rachel looked on as Joshua raced to his father’s study. They turned to each other.

“Well, he certainly is busy, isn’t he?” Daniel said, trying to break the ice.

27 “Yes, he certainly is. He’s been this way all afternoon.” She looked shy.

A curious look overtook Daniel’s face. “You’re of the Eastbourne Drews, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Daniel’s eyebrow shot up. “I’m pleased to meet your acquaintance.”

Since they had most of the day to themselves and Daniel knew the house’s layout like his own, he showed her to the veranda.

“It would have been thoughtful for Joshua to invite you when he wasn’t so busy,” Daniel said as he showed her to a seat.

“Oh, well, he’s busy because of me. Well, because of my father, anyway.”

“Oh, really?” Daniel said as he took a seat.

“Yes. My father is thinking of buying a defunct shipbuilding site, you know, to expand his business, and he wants to know, since this site is rather old and has special historic value, what the legal implications are. Mr. Shaw is helping with that, so I guess he enlisted the help of Joshua as well.”

“Oh.” “Ordinarily, I wouldn’t be here, but my father only brought me here to see Joshua.

I think he’s trying to match us up.”

“Oh.” A worried tone came into Daniel’s voice.

“I suppose his work ethic is supposed to impress me,” Rachel continued. “I mean, it is impressive, but Joshua isn’t my type. He seems like a very nice person, though.”

Daniel relaxed. “He is a very nice person. Very considerate. Very hard-working.”

28 “My father even wanted me to bring my violin, to play some while I’m here, I guess.” Rachel went on to say. “As if that would impress Joshua enough to want him to marry me.”

Daniel lit up. “Well, what do you know? I play the violin, too!”

“Really?”

“Yes!” “Tell me, what type of violin do you own?”

“Oh, it’s probably nothing like the kind you have, especially since you’re a Drew.

I bet you have a Stradivarius, right?”

Rachel blushed. “Yes, I do.”

Daniel chuckled. “All I have is a hand-me-down. I tell everybody it’s a Stradivarius from the 17th century, but I have no idea who made it.”

They kept talking about violins and composers until it was dusk. By then, it was time for Rachel to leave. Joshua apologized to her for not having enough time to talk to her, and promised to make it up to her the next time he travelled to Eastbourne. As they left, Daniel said to Joshua, “You know, her father was trying to match you two up.”

Joshua looked sideways at Daniel. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“So…what do you think about that?”

“I don’t know. What do you think?”

“I think I’m the wrong man for the likes of her. Excuse me.”

As Joshua went toward the direction of his room, Daniel was left looking perplexed. At first he thought he said something wrong, but the more he thought about it,

29 he wasn’t sure what exactly upset Joshua. The one thing he was happy about, however, was that the feeling of indifference was mutual between Joshua and Rachel. ***** After tea, Daniel and Rachel walked to Beachy Head, where they watched the waves crash against the rocks.

“There’s something so peaceful about the ocean,” Rachel said, her ringlets being tossed about by the salty wind. “I wish everyone carried a piece of this tranquility with them at all times.”

“It certainly would be nice,” Daniel agreed.

“Perhaps people would be more trusting and open if they were as tranquil.”

“You must be a living example,” Daniel said. “You’re one of the most trusting people I know.”

“Thank you,” she said, looking down, blushing. “I know I don’t have many acquaintances. I don’t know if it’s because I’m so shy or if people are intimidated by my family’s money, but I value the few friends I have, and I couldn’t call myself their friend if I didn’t truly like everything about them.”

“I’m glad of that. If some of my friends knew more about me, they might oust me just like my parents did.”

“Friends like E.A.?”

“Possibly.”

“Do you think Joshua knows?”

“No. The great thing about him is that he’s much too oblivious, absorbed in his own affairs.”

30 Rachel sat down on the chalk cliff and sighed. Daniel sat down beside her.

“You know something? Sometimes I fantasize how it would be if you and Joshua and I could come here and look at the ocean. Like, if you two were coupled off and I with some romantic paramour. How fantastic would that be?”

Daniel leaned his head on her shoulder. “Utterly fantastic.”

Rachel smiled slightly as she leaned her head on his. “Perhaps one day, that dream will come true.”

31

Chapter Six Amelie admired her new fashion doll from her piano bench. She had swore to herself that she would admire the dress after she finished practicing the piano, but she couldn’t wait.

She couldn’t wait to get the full-size version of the dress; it was a beautiful teal satin, and the stomacher was complete with frills and pink bows. She imagined Emilio twirling her around in the dress, possibly at some party they would give a few years after they were married— “I thought you said you were going to practice, Amy.” Amelie whipped around to see Emilio leaning on the window, smirking.

“Emilio, you startled me!”

“I can tell,” he said playfully. “So…is this another Parisian dress?”

“Oh yes! Isn’t it divine?” She turned it around for him to view it.

“Ah…all I’ll say is that it’ll look great on you.”

“You really think so?”

“Yeah. Pretty much anything looks great on you.”

“Oh, Emilio, you sweet-talker. Anyway, I was thinking of ordering this dress for E.A.’s party. It’s about a month away, you know.” As she held up the doll to admire it some more, Amelie prattled on. “I really wish you could have been there at the last party.”

“If only I wasn’t a servant,” Emilio joked.

“If only,” she agreed with a sad sigh. “E.A. received so many odd presents that year. I didn’t realize she had so many friends. Someone sent her a kimono! I didn’t even

32 know she liked Japan! And who knew she liked wooden elephants? It was a gorgeous elephant, though. I’m stumped as to what to give her this year. I do know she likes journal writing; perhaps I could buy her a nice journal, and a lovely quill pen. I hear there are beautiful quill pens from Italy; perhaps I can find one of those. But I don’t know where to go around here to get something really special.”

Suddenly her face lit up. “I know what to do!” she blurted out, startling Emilio from the lull her talking had put him in. “I’ll make a trip to London! I’ll be sure to find something there! And I could make the trip coincide with Joshee’s trip! I’ll be able to see him off! I know he’ll be so surprised and happy to have a family member traveling with him to London! Talk about hitting two birds with one stone!”

She raised an eyebrow at Emilio, a sly grin slowly growing on her face. “And you know what else? You can come, too.”

“What? I can come?”

“Yeah, it would be spectacular. I’ll certainly need a chaperone, and I don’t want ‘ol Bartholomew to be it, especially since he’s already the coachman. And he’s so old.

It’ll be easy to convince Daddy to let you go with me; he’ll know you’ll take good care of me.”

“Uh…” “Come on, Emilio! Trust me, it’ll work.”

“I suppose so, Amy.” Amelie rolled her eyes at him. “You don’t think it’ll work, do you?”

“Well, all I’m saying is that there is a possibility it could work.”

33 “A possibility?!”

“You do remember that I’m employed by your parents.”

“But Daddy will surely see that you’re the best man to act as my chaperone. He can’t say no. And if he does, I’ll cry and make him feel guilty.”

Emilio looked toward the stables. “I hate to end our conversation, but I need to go back to work, otherwise your father will surely never let me go anywhere. Are you meeting me tonight?”

“Don’t I always?”

“The usual place?”

“Of course.”

“All right then.” He smirked. “Perhaps, you’ll have some good news for me?”

“Perhaps,” she said, smiling.

As Emilio left, Amelie decided to focus back on her piano lesson. As she played, her thoughts wandered back to London. How nice it would be to be able to go somewhere with Emilio, shopping together, enjoying each other’s company in public. She hoped she’d be able to find the right present for E.A. As big as London is, she thought, I should be sure to find something. Ooh! I wonder what kind of work the seamstresses do in London! Perhaps I could find some nice clothes there. I wonder how Emilio would look in upscale clothes— She stopped playing. An epiphany bloomed in her mind.

“Upscale clothes,” she said in awe.

Emilio was brushing one of the horses as he heard his name being called. He was shocked to find Amelie running toward him.

34 “Emilio! Emilio!”

“What?! What happened?”

“I just had the greatest idea ever!”

Emilio looked both confused and incredulous. “What?”

“You know how I said that it would be easy for you to go to London with me?”

“Yeah…”

“Well, apply that to E.A.’s party.”

“Um…” “Think about it; while we’re in London, we could find some fashionable clothes for you, and then when it’s time for E.A.’s party, you could dress up and come with me.

Most of her friends don’t know who you are; they’ll just think you’re some person who got an invite to her party! It’s foolproof!”

“And how is it foolproof?”

“Emilio! It is! You could sneak out!”

“Amy, don’t you know how much trouble I could get in by doing that?”

“It’s just one night!”

Emilio stared at her. “Well, we’ll think about this when the time comes.”

Amelie looked disappointed. Emilio sighed. He reached out and squeezed her shoulders.

“Look. I’d love to go with you to London. I’d love to go with you to E.A.’s party.

I’d love to go anywhere with you. But you have to realize that there are just some things we can’t do. That’s just the way it is.” He hated to see her look sad, so he added, “How

35 about when we meet tonight, you can tell me about all of the places you’d like for us to go in London? If you get the go-ahead, at least we’d already have a plan.”

Amelie smiled a bit. Emilio smiled back.

36

About Monique Polite Society is run by Monique Jones, a senior majoring in journalism at UAB and a visual arts graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts.

Monique has written for and was features editor and Editor-in-Chief of UAB’s school newspaper, Kaleidoscope, and now writes for iloveuab.com. Monique is also an online affiliate of the WB Entertainment Affiliate Program, and runs her own entertainment site, moniqueblog.net.

This is a work in progress; to read the story as it unfolds, go to http://societybook.wordpress.com.

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Š 2010 Monique Jones