Muslin,debuts and brides  by  ferme2

Muslin, Debuts and Brides
Chapter One

London 1810

Lady Violet Ashton was dressed in a beautiful gown of white muslin decorated with white feathers and blue ribbons. She had her dark hair pulled with white clips and beside her sat a white bonnet with a blue ribbon around it. Opposite her sat Simon Marsh, a man in his late forties with ice white hair and grey beard. His reputation was beginning to spiral out of control. Simon had spent the night at Lady Ashton’s despite being 20 years her senior. Gossip spread fast through high society in Bath and news of Lady Ashton’s and Simon Marsh’s affair had reached almost everyone’s ears. Simon had gambled all his money away and convientley for him, Lady Ashton has been left a large amount of money by her late husband as well as her own wealth. He had asked her last week to marry him and she had accepted.
“Violet, I think we should make our engagement public, people are beginning to talk”. Simon said.
“I agree, we shall announce it at your brother’s garden party” Lady Ashton said “Now, I have to get ready to visit my sister”.
“Of course” Simon said standing up and kissing her on the cheek.

Bath 1810

Arabella Marsh was sitting in the ground floor drawing room of the family house writing letters, whilst her mother Venetia was teaching her younger sister Elena about introducing people. It was her sister’s debutante ball in a few weeks and she needed all the help she could get. Elena was quite loud and did things without thinking about the consequences. Arabella however was more reserved and quiet. She was a plain girl with semi-tame dark hair and big, bright blue eyes. Later that day Arabella was meeting her fiancé Nathaniel Cohen, a handsome young man in his early twenties. He was very rich, perhaps part of one of the richest in all of Bath. Of course she wouldn’t be meeting him alone, that would be frowned upon, and her mother would have to accompany her. Arabella’s wedding was in a month’s time and there were many things still to organize. She had picked out a dress and had a fitting, but her bridesmaids; two of her sisters, Elena and Serena, and also her particular friend Nicola still had no dress.
The three women were interrupted by the maid Rachel. “Mr Simon Marsh to see you mam” she said to Mrs Venetia Marsh.
“I shall see him in the second drawing room. Arabella you may come with me. I wonder what your dear uncle is planning now”.
Arabella and her mother climbed the marble stairs, together with the maid Rachel and entered the second drawing room on the first floor. The room was painted a sky blue and portraits of ancestors hung on the wall. Simon Marsh was standing facing the fire place directly opposite the door. He turned and faced his sister in law and his niece.
“Venetia, how kind of you to talk to me. And Arabella too, Venetia are you sure you want your daughter to hear what I have to say.” Simon said, speaking directly to Venetia, ignoring Arabella.
“Yes I am sure, so what have you done now”.
“It is actually good news this time” he said pausing slightly “I have asked Lady Ashton to marry me and she has accepted. We are planning on announcing it at your garden party. Only if you let us mind”.
“I suppose that you won’t listen to me anyway, so I guess I congratulate you on your engagement”. Venetia said.
“No, nothing and no one will stop me from marrying my dear Lady Ashton” Simon said proudly “I must be going now, business you see”.
After her uncle had left, Arabella sent a note to her friend by footman to meet her in Pingriff House, a shop and restaurant where only the very rich shop. Arabella arrived first and waited for her dear friend Nicola Davis. Nicola was a very pretty young lady with blonde curled hair and bright blue eyes. She was rich, very rich.
“Nicola, how good to see you, you look so well.” Arabella said “I have so much to tell you”.
“Tell me all”. Nicola replied excitedly.
“Today my uncle visited to tell use he is getting married to Lady Violet Ashton.”
Nicola gasped “But she is one of the richest women in all of London, even if she only has new money. Why his he marrying her, I've heard the gossip about them, is that why?. “
Arabella blushed at this and Nicola had noticed. “Arabellla, you and Nathaniel.” Nicola paused “Does anyone know?”
“No, I think father would disown me.” They both giggled.

Nathaniel Cohen was going to visit Mr Astley. Mr Astley lived in the country with his two sons and one daughter. His wife had died a year ago and he was Nathaniel’s godfather and Nathaniel’s father’s good friend. Nathaniel was visiting him to pick up his wedding outfit. However when Nathaniel arrived Mr Astley wasn’t there, his daughter Victoria Astley was. When he walked in the room, Victoria had her back to him. Last time he had seen her she was only twelve years old, now she was seventeen, five years younger than Nathaniel. She turned around and Nathaniel gasped, her beauty literately took his breath away. He hadn’t remembered her like this. Her raven dark hair was pulled up and curled and her face bore no make-up.
“Mr Cohen, I do not believe we have met in five years”. She walked towards him, the end of her cream gown trailing behind her.
Nathaniel and Victoria Astley met up five times that week and on his sixth visit to her house they took a walk, in the garden, out the way of prying eyes. They were walking very close and Nathaniel reached out and held Victoria’s hand, she didn’t snatch away like he thought she would, but instead she stopped and kissed him. Nathaniel taken by surprise responded. He was kissing her more passionately this time and Victoria’s hands were now around his neck, whether he had put them there he didn’t know. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her nearer. Nathaniel knew he shouldn’t be doing it but he couldn’t help it, he did love Arabella, but she was plain where as Victoria was beautiful.
From then on, Nathaniel and Victoria began an affair. Nathaniel had even been found by Victoria’s maid in the same bed as Victoria. The maid; Martine having known Victoria from when she was born had not said anything, but was becoming increasingly worried.
Nathaniel however had told someone; his brother Hugo. Hugo was ten years older than Nathaniel, already married and already had two sons. Hugo Cohen was a known adulterer in society, so it was hardly surprising that his behaviour had rubbed off on Nathaniel.
“Nathaniel, it doesn’t matter. Do you think that my dear wife is bothered by my doing. She would herself I am sure if she couldn’t become pregnant. That’s another thing; don’t ever have an affair with a single woman because if she becomes pregnant then she can say it’s definitely yours”. Hugo said.
“Victoria will be married in a few weeks to Lord William Watson, as will I to Arabella” Nathaniel said “I do love her you know, Arabella I mean, despite my behaviour”. Hugo snorted.