James began to walk away from the house but stopped when he remembered whose house he was at.
“Lady Octania?” he ran back through the door and was surprised to see her walking towards him
“Oh!” she smiled, “Hello James! You missed the-”
“Yes sorry,” James replied, “What….what exactly was your announcement?”
“Oh!” she laughed and started walking towards the banquet hall, “Yes! It was about Thomas and Lady Adeline….I’m certain you’ve been told about them”
James followed, “I was told….but I’m not sure I understand. You told….the whole town?”
Lady Octania walked around the table of remaining refreshments, “Yes, we did”
“And you didn’t think to just….address it privately? For Christine’s sake?” he processed his words as he spoke
Lady Octania took a bite of a strawberry and casually continued, “Well the people love to know….it’s not like we are hiding it or anything”
“This is something you keep in a small circle! Given….the circumstances-”
“Oh hush James! I need someone who appreciates me in my life and that is Thomas, so I will take it while I can! He got the whole town on my side again….I help Thomas and he helps me, it’s perfect. We lost Christine….we can only get through it together!”
********************************************************************************
Christine heard a knock on the front door. She hurried to open it, expecting her husband.
“James I’ve made the most miraculous recovery-” she laughed but cut herself short when she saw Thomas in front of her
His defendant and cheer from earlier was gone.
“Hello Christine,” he said, fiddling with his top hat in his hands, “May I come in?”
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Christine nodded absentmindedly and opened the door further. Thomas stepped in and sighed, standing at the doorway for a moment. He took a deep breath and kept walking.
“Please, do sit….(Christine saw Lady Adeline and sat in a chair in surprise) down,” she cleared her throat and tried not to look confused.
“Christine,” Thomas began, “I-”
“Tea?” Christine quickly stood and went to the parlor a few steps away, pouring three cups
They whispered their thanks as she nervously sat back down, sipping at least half of her cup down in one gulp. She held it tightly in her lap to keep it from shaking.
“Christine,” Thomas started again, “it has occurred to me that I owe you an explanation. I’m truly sorry I didn’t tell you earlier but….this is Lady Adeline of Cambridge….we’ve been courting for a few weeks….and I announced our engagement at the gala-”
Christine clenched her cup so hard that it broke.
“-this afternoon”
She looked down suddenly and let out a nervous laugh, “Oh! I-I’m sorry”
She looked down at her bleeding hand and took the cup back to the parlor. Suddenly, the front door opened. Chrisrine was startled, already on edge as she quickly turned around, running her hand across her cheek.
“Oh,” she sighed, “it’s just you James”
“Hello,” he closed the door and scanned the room, “have I….missed the fun?”
Christine walked briskly towards him, “We were just having a discussion”
She turned her back to Adeline and Thomas as her eyes went wide. James reached for her face. Christine slowly grabbed his hand, “What?”
“Did he…”
“What?! God no James, I just got cut,” she whispered harshly
“Calm down-”
“He has another girl James, that is why I don’t get letters,” she whispered
“Wait,” James spoke louder, “I thought….”
He looked at Thomas.
“Thought what?” Christine turned around and looked at Thomas too
Thomas looked just as addled.
“You….didn’t tell her?” he asked
“You….knew about her?” Christine asked
Both of them looked at James, who was stuttering, “What? No….not until a moment ago. I just meant….the letters”
“What about the letters?” Christine closed her eyes in impatience
“What letters?” Lady Adeline questioned
You could cut the confusion in the room with a knife.
“Why did it stop?” Christine plainly asked
“Because I told him to,” James said
“Because of Adeline,” Thomas said
They spoke almost in unison. They all looked at Christine, then at each other.
“Will someone please give me a true answer here?” she asked slowly
Thomas started to speak, but Christine told him to wait.
“You….asked him to? Again?” she looked at James
“Christine, I’m sorry,” he replied calmly, “I only asked him to once and I did it for you-”
“Oh stop it James,” Thomas cut in, “you only did it for yourself”
“What do you mean?” Christine was starting to get overwhelmed
“So you haven’t told her that either?” Thomas scoffed
“Thomas, come now…..If you all would just let me explain-”
James stopped when Christine started towards the back door.