Tempted by Curiosity Read online

  No one spoke, no one laughed, and no one even complained about the odd silence. Something was very wrong here. In a way, this felt like the Stansfield’s last supper.

  After supper, Marcella went straight up to her room and started packing for her London season. She shed no tears that night, because it was time to grow up. It was time for her to live in the real world.

  Chapter 4

  The next morning Marcella made her final preparations for London. Her trunks were put together and organized by Lady Stansfield, with Anne’s assistance of course.

  Since Marcella would be gone for sometime, she needed to be prepared for all sorts of activities and events that she might be invited to. There would surely be dances, fancy balls, afternoon lunches, mundane walks in the park, and so much more.

  All necessary items needed to be packed.

  That included kidskin gloves, various walking dresses, even a few pieces of jewelry and even a couple of accessories. A handbag, and a dutiful parasol to be exact. Considering the short notice, everything had been packed in record time. Marcella never had many things, nor did she have many trinkets about her room, so packing had proven to be quite easy for Marcella.

  Looking around the room, it suddenly felt bare. As if she’d never lived in it at all.

  There was just furniture left in her room, curtains left hanging open, and a sense of loneliness misting about in the air. Marcella didn’t like feeling lonely, it was rare that she ever did. Living in a full house, there seldom ever was a moment of lonesomeness.

  Thankfully, Marcella wouldn’t feel too lonely in London because Anne would be accompanying her to the city as her maid. She wouldn’t feel alone now, and gladly Anne knew what needed to be done in order to help Marcella transition from country life to city life.

  There was little time left before the carriage would come around, and there was only bag left to be prepared for Marcella’s trip. Her traveling valise. That she would keep close by her side throughout the ride.

  There wasn’t enough time left in the day to be spent with all of her sisters before she officially left them for London.

  The Stansfield sisters had never been apart, not even for a day. Unfortunately, the day had come when it had to be done.

  The hardest part of this trip for Marcella was leaving Flora behind. Their rooms were right across from each other, and Flora had always depended on Marcella the most, especially since Flora saw Marcella as a second mother. Saying goodbye to her was going to be the hardest goodbye ever.

  Marcella’s was trying to decide which book she wanted to place in her valise when her bedroom door opened wide, and Flora stumbled into the room.

  The poor little thing had tears in her eyes as she said, “Ella, I know you have to go, but I don’t want you to!”

  Flora hugged Marcella tightly around the waist as she burst into tears. Marcella tried to be strong for both of them, but her eyes began to water, and a quick tear escaped her left eye.

  Marcella had to be strong, not just for her little sister, but for every single person in the Stansfield family. She would be the one who would save them all from utter ruin, and Marcella wanted to be their savior.

  As Marcella hugged Flora back tightly, she gave her a kiss on the forehead, and with a slight sigh said, “I love you so much Flora. I will write to Lydia every week, and she will let all of you know about my life in London. Unfortunately, it’s now time to go. As much as I would love to spend the day saying goodbye to you, I still have to say goodbye to the others downstairs as well.”

  Flora looked up at Marcella, uncoiled her arms from around her big sister’s waist and used the back of her hands to wipe away her tears. The littlest Stansfield took a deep breath, fixed her dress and pushed her hair behind her ears, “Of course Marcella, you’re right.”

  Marcella picked up the book that she had chosen from her small book stack by her bedside table, put it in her valise, and closed up the bag. Marcella then took her sister’s hand as they walked out of her bedroom, down the front staircase, and out the front door towards the driveway.

  Marcella’s trunks were already sitting outside the front door accompanied by two tall footmen waiting to lift them onto the family’s carriage. The rest of the family joined Marcella and Flora outside the home minutes later.

  The carriage driver was signaled to bring the carriage around to the front of the manor and then motioned to the footmen to start loading Marcella’s trunks onto the back of the carriage.

  There were three trunks in total, and they weren’t too heavy to lift. Marcella knew that even she could lift one of the trunks, if she was permitted to. Marcella had packed lightly because she didn’t have that many garments to pack in the first place, and with a bit of luck what she had would be enough for the start of the season. If not, she would need to visit a professional modiste who would be willing to create something quickly. Marcella hoped that she would have enough money to afford such clothing if need be.

  The black-painted carriage had the Stansfield’s family coat of arms painted neatly on both sides of the carriage. The coat of arms consisted of a top banner that read the family’s name. Beneath the banner was a large red thistle with a crown mounted on top of it. Accompanying the thistle was a bold laurel wreath with small English roses sprouting beneath it. There then was a lower banner beneath the flowers that had the family’s motto in Latin,

  Familia Super Omnia.

  Family Above All Else.

  There was a field of thistles not too far from their home in Hertford, and Marcella’s great-great-Grandfather thought that the thistle would be the perfect flower to represent their family.

  Since the late King George had given their family an elevated rank from landed gentry to a British peerage with titles, the crown had allowed the Stansfield family to place a crown on their coat of arms. All thanks to the Stansfield family’s efforts in repairing English and Scottish relations.

  Till this day Marcella could never remember the exact facts of her family’s elevation in rank, nor which King George had taken a liking to her family in the first place to give them such an honor. Was it George the third or the fourth?

  Marcella didn’t know. Even her late Grandfather had been confused about the whole ordeal as a child. Though an elevation in rank by the king was an honor, it was also a hassle. Primogeniture became stricter, and even the peerage rules that were now put upon their family because of that increase in rank was difficult to manage.

  As her trunks were lifted onto the carriage one by one, Marcella could feel that her time in Hertfordshire was ticking by fast. Lord Stansfield had told Marcella last night that he would be accompanying her to the Pinkerton’s townhome in Kensington, and then he would leave her there to stay on with the family for the entire season.

  Lord Ernest gave his wife a sweet kiss on the cheek, waved goodbye to all of his daughters, he then climbed right up into the carriage and waited for Marcella to join him. Marcella blinked in shock at her father’s eagerness to leave Hertford, but she did not say a word aloud about it.

  This wasn’t proper behavior coming from Lord Stansfield, but Marcella reasoned that her father had lost any propriety that he’d had left when he’d lost his thousands of pounds in that London establishment that he’d mentioned last night before supper.

  Marcella gathered her sisters around her and said, “Now that it’s just us girls, I have something to say. Since I’ll be away for some time, I think it would be best if you all listened to Lydia in my absence. She’s going to be the eldest sister now, and she deserves your respect. We will be sending letters to each other, I will write about my time in London, and Lydia will update me on each and every one of you. I’ll miss you all dearly.”

  Marcella did her best to smile, but her mouth slightly began to quiver. She had to be a force of strength for them, a role model.

  Duty and family, above all else.

  Lydia smiled brightly at the news of her new authoritative role in their household. S
he was more than happy to have control for once, but she would miss Marcella even more than all of that power, “Not as much as we’ll miss you Marcella.”

  With that said, all of the Stansfield daughters gathered into a large hug. Lady Rowena joined her daughters, hugging them lightly, but unfortunately she had to be the bearer of bad news.

  With a sigh, Lady Rowena pulled back and took Marcella by the hands, “You must leave now my darling, before your Father gets bothered. You know how he can be, but most of all I want you to know that I love you. You’re my first baby, and the love that you bring into my life continues to grow. I will miss you very much my dear girl, every single day.”

  Marcella nodded, “I understand, I love you too Mother. Goodbye, for now.”

  With those last words, she hugged her mother quickly, then walked on over to the carriage. As she approached carriage she saw her father put his hand out for her.

  She looked back to her family for that little bit of extra encouragement that she needed. Marcella did her best to smile as she saw all of her sisters waving and shouting their goodbyes to her from the front door of the house.

  She waved back at them, then took her father’s hand and climbed into the carriage where she settled right across from her father. Her maid, Anne, joined them and sat on the same side as Marcella.

  The carriage took off with a start, and Marcella waved goodbye frantically from the window to her sisters and mother.

  She had a very important job to do, at least that’s how she was going to view this season in London. The carriage ride from her home in Hertfordshire to the Pinkerton’s house in Kensington, London was a couple of hours southbound. The carriage driver seemed to be in a hurry, because they reached London before the sunset came into view.

  Marcella looked out the window and realized that their carriage had stopped right in front of a marvelously lit corner house. She noticed that there wasn’t much activity happening on this street.

  Marcella looked up and down the street, memorizing as many little details about her new surroundings as she could. It seemed to be a quiet and calm place to live, especially in such a booming city.

  Kensington was lit with oil lamps that flickered with subtle bright yellow-orange flames. Marcella could see that there were two men lighting each and every individual lamp on the street by hand. The second the flame burst to life the man would smile and move on to the next lamp. It was at that mundane moment that Marcella knew right away that she was quickly falling in love with the elusive beauty of London at night.

  The way the light shone from the little glass lamp houses right onto the cobble streets below them, to the grand architectural prowess of London, all those aspects brought this city to life in ways that Marcella could’ve never imagined. It was no wonder why people were beginning to flock back to London these days. There was just something magical about this city, and Marcella could not wait to find out what that something was.

  A footman came up to the carriage door, knocked on it, and then opened it wide with a nod pointed at her father. The footman then went to speak to the driver, most likely ordering the man where to park the carriage.

  Lord Stansfield was the first to depart from the carriage in a quick fashion. Marcella watched as her father stretched his long legs on the sidewalk, then cracked his back and walked right up to the door without helping his daughter out of the carriage.

  Marcella just stared at her father in utter disbelief, she realized that he must no longer care about formalities anymore because he was surely lacking in that area at this moment. They were lords and ladies, had he forgotten that formalities mattered the most in London?

  Without anyone’s help, Marcella proudly climbed out of the carriage by herself. She then made her way to stand by her father, and before she knew it the front door in front of them was opening. Marcella was taken aback by the family of five who stood before her and her father on the threshold of the house. They were the blondest lot of people that she had ever seen in her life.

  Could anyone’s hair truly be that light?

  This was most assuredly the Pinkerton family that she had been told about. They were all wearing shades of black and grey clothing. It was an odd scene to behold.

  Had Marcella just entered into a gothic novel? This whole scene felt like it came right out of Jane Austen’s, Northanger Abbey. All that was missing from this scene before her was a ghost. Perhaps, if she thought hard enough a ghost would come gliding down the staircase and greet her. Marcella knew that the chance of that happening was slim to none, but for some reason she could visualize it way too easily.

  She hoped that she wasn’t turning into a Catherine Morland, not because she didn’t like the character, but Marcella had always envisioned herself more of an Elinor Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility.

  All the Stansfield daughters had a favorite female character from one of Jane Austen’s literary works. Those chosen characters reminded them of themselves.

  Lydia’s was undoubtedly Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, Lucinda’s was unquestionably Emma Woodhouse from Emma, Bernice’s was Fanny Price from Mansfield Park, and Flora’s was the ever-imaginative Catherine Morland from Northanger Abbey.

  Marcella quickly recalled that her mother had mentioned that Lady Rachel Pinkerton’s fiancé had passed away months ago and out of respect for the Davenport family, the Pinkerton’s had taken on a small period of mourning. The family’s dramatic clothing choices made far more sense now.

  Since the Pinkerton’s were to be in-laws with the Davenport’s it was seen as a kind gesture towards the grieving family to pay tribute to them with the utmost respect.

  Marcella was told by her mother that the mourning period had been less than six months to be precise since Lady Rachel had been newly engaged, and was not in fact a married woman. That was the formal reason why she was not allowed to take on a period of full mourning.

  Respect and loyalty was hard to come by in this world, and Marcella could tell that the Pinkerton family seemed to be both respectful and loyal. A tall thin man with chiffon white hair approached them with a sturdy walk.

  He then said with a strong articulate voice, “Lord Stansfield, what a pleasure it is to see you again old chap. Lady Marcella, we are delighted and honored to host you for your first season here in London. I’m Lord Gerard Pinkerton, please do come in and join us for a nice warm supper.”

  The second her father heard Lord Pinkerton mention supper, he instantly became excited, “Wonderful! Thank you Gerard. Come on girl, let’s eat.”

  Marcella did her best not to show her displeasure with her father’s choice of words and current behavior. So instead she kindly smiled at Lord Pinkerton and his family. Her father was being rude, but he didn’t seem to have a care in the world at his actions, so she simply followed his lead into her new abode for the next few months.

  They passed the threshold of the home and then continued on to follow behind the Pinkerton family. As Marcella entered the town home she barely had a chance to take a deep breath before she was introduced to the rest of Pinkerton family.

  Lord Pinkerton’s wife, Lady Celia Pinkerton, was a kind and gentle lady with kind brown eyes and cream blonde hair that was pulled back into a loose chignon at her neck. It was decorated elegantly with pearls that resembled the colors of a canola flower field.

  They had only spoken a few sentences to each other, but Marcella could easily understand how her mother and Lady Celia Pinkerton had become such great friends during their own respective season.

  Marcella was then introduced to the eldest Pinkerton daughter, Lady Rachel. She looked quite similar to her father. She was very tall and slender, her platinum white blonde hair was shinning bright. It was quite blinding at first sight.

  She also had these pale eyes that almost looked like a lavender purple. She had never seen such spellbinding eyes before. Yet, there was a deep sadness lingering within them. At that sight alone, Marcella knew that she would have to tread ca
utiously with this family.

  The youngest Pinkerton sibling was introduced to her next, the only son of the family. His name was Lord Zachary Pinkerton, and he was a handsome young man with parchment blond hair and blue twinkling eyes. He was rather tall for his age, and in a way he too looked like a miniature version of his father.

  Zachary had happy eyes, an intriguing smile, and Marcella knew that there was something mischievous about the young man before her as he took her hand and said, “A pleasure to meet you Lady Marcella.”

  Lord Zachary winked at her, then bowed slightly over her hand and placed a phantom kiss upon it. Oh, he was definitely going to be the biggest handful of them all.

  Marcella looked about and thought that she had originally seen five people at the door, but now as she looked about the room again she only saw that there was four.

  She knew for a fact that she was going to be debuting this season alongside a Lady Louisa Pinkerton, but she had yet to meet the lady. Perhaps, the fifth person at the door had been a ghost after all. Marcella’s skin prickled at that thought, and she took a really good look around the house. This was a lovely home, there were no ghosts here.

  To her amazement, the Pinkerton’s Townhome felt traditional, and there was nothing constricting about any of the decor. Marcella truly liked the baroque styling of it all. There was a sort of warmness that started to come over her, and Marcella just knew that she would be able to make this place a temporary home instantly.

  There was nothing complicated by the layout of the home either, from what she could see the staircase was centered right in the middle of the foyer. There were vases full of lilies placed in every corner on the main floor, most likely to showcase that the family was in mourning.

  From her vantage point, Marcela could see that there were so many different rooms on the main floor. She could tell that there was a study, a parlor, a formal dining area, a library, and even a music room.