Waltz of Wings by the Regency Company 6/?

[kmf]

Waltz of Wings

Chapter Six

By kmf

Lord Treize Kushrinada sat comfortably in his carriage. Opposite him sat two ladies; the first his dear love and soon to be wife Lady Anne Une and the other Miss Sally Powell who was acting as their chaperone and companion to Anne.

Life was good to Treize. He was from a rich and powerful family and was heir to Duke Dermail. On the current Duke?s death, Treize would become the tenth Duke of Dermail and felt more than able to take up the challenge of continuing the record of excellence and achievements established by his illustrious forbears. Treize owned many properties in his own right. He was not like most peers; he did not like to sit quietly back and let agents handle his businesses. Nothing was better than actively participating in a profitable business venture.

Which was why he and the young ladies were travelling to Portsmouth harbour to greet his current pride and joy: Epyon. Epyon was a clipper captained by a young prot?g? of Treize?s. The captain had gained fame from his skill in sailing. His daring at successfully travelling through storms that put most ships to port had earned him the title of ?The Lightening Count?, but he was more commonly known as Captain Zechs Marquis. Treize smiled as he thought of his captain who trusted so many secrets to him, not least his true identity.

Zechs had bought another shipment of tea back from China, the profitable cargo that filled Epyon?s holds once the cargo of opium had reached its intended destination. It was good business; opium was purchased cheaply from India then transported by sea to Hong Kong. There it was sold at a huge profit to the smoking houses. Then tea was purchased and transported back to England where it too was sold at a satisfying profit.

Treize had always been blessed with sound intuition so far as business went. He could sense that the time was coming when the opium trade in its current form would cease to make the profit it was currently making. The Chinese Emperor had been trying to end the trade for many years and whilst the British had till now ignored him it was only a matter of time before the Emperor lost patience and declared war.

So, Treize was considering other options. Opium had been imported to England for a long time, but only in limited amounts usually to be mixed with alcohol to produce laudanum ? a sedative frequently prescribed by the medical profession. Treize had tapped into this market already, but he foresaw better uses.

In China he had met an interesting man by the name of Po. He was a skilled chemist and had worked for Treize investigating whether opium could be modified or refined to make a stronger drug, one that caused addiction more swiftly than opium in its raw state. Treize had little care for the morality of this trade; addiction equated to profit.

After Treize had left China Po had written to Treize informing him of the successful outcome of the experiment. Treize had immediately returned to China but on his arrival found that Po had died and Po?s only daughter, Sally, had destroyed his papers. This girl was a highly intelligent woman who had closely worked with her father as his assistant. She was also half-white, her mother was the daughter of a missionary who had travelled to China in the hope of saving souls. Sally did not look Chinese, her eyes were blue, her hair fair. In fact the only paternal characteristic she seemed to have inherited was her intelligence.

Treize had been sure that Sally knew the secret to refine opium but he was careful before confronting her to investigate where her loyalties lay. He found, to his annoyance, that she objected strongly to the trade and that was the reason she had destroyed her father?s notes. Once Treize had discovered this, he worked carefully to gain first her trust and then her respect. He made no mention of the refining to make her think that her father acted on his own accord.

Treize had acted as a brother to Sally and bought her back to England where he installed her into the care of his fianc?e. He actively cultivated her enjoyment of high society, presenting her lavish gifts and introducing her to the cr?me de la cr?me of society. She was now truly addicted to the niceties of upper class living. It would soon be time for Treize to play his ace card: he would threaten to tell all her acquaintances that she was a half-caste unless she modified the opium for him. Treize smiled ? there was more than one type of addiction. Sally loved her new life and he was sure that she would comply.

The carriage came to a halt and Treize was jolted from his musings realising that they were at the wharf. He waited for the footman to open the door. For the first time he spoke to the two ladies he had been thinking about. They had been sitting quietly out of respect for Treize, who preferred to travel in silence and use the time for quiet contemplation.

?Come, ladies.? He said helping them out of the carriage ?You are soon to see a lovely sight.? He gestured to the boat that was tied up at the wharf.

The Epyon was a beautiful boat, designed and built by Hercules Linton?s company Scott & Linton*. She was a small ship, just 963 tons gross, but because of her size she was fast. Her speed was important when trying to bring the first shipment of a commodity in for the year ? premium prices were paid for those shipments. Epyon?s structure was one of composite construction: the hull was an iron frame over which was a wooden skin. American Rock Elm was used for the keel and the main deck was made of teak.

Epyon had been in port for a while, her sails were furled, the three masts bare. As Treize observed his ship he saw Zechs emerge from the companionway that led to the officers quarters. Zechs was a distinctive man. He wore his pale blonde hair long, trailing over his shoulders and down his back. It made him look almost feminine, but in reality there was nothing feminine about him. He was a tough sailor who demanded and expected complete loyalty from those who sailed with him.

Zechs stood by the wheel talking to the mate before his sharp observant eyes scanning the wharf made out Treize?s party. Zechs held his arm aloft in greeting and Treize inclined his head. Zechs appeared to call down to the officers quarters and another person emerged to join Zechs on the poop deck. It was a Chinese man dressed in European clothes. Treize smiled again. Wufei Chang was an enterprising merchant whose father, head of the infamous Dragon Clan, owned a high proportion of the Opium smoking dens in Hong Kong. Wufei was here to see if smoking dens could be set up in England.

Zechs made his way forward to the fo?c?sle to check that all cargo had been unloaded. Crewmembers were busy operating a winch to bring chests out of the cargo hatch and place them on the quay to wait for collection. Obviously satisfied, Zechs and Wufei disembarked and met Treize on the quayside.

?A good trip?? Treize asked, shaking Zechs by the hand ?I see you have once more beaten the competition to port.?

Zechs grinned ?I had the additional incentive of wanting to arrive before your wedding.? He bowed to Lady Une, taking her hand and kissing it lightly ?It is very good to meet you again, Lady Une.? Lady Une smiled graciously, and Zechs turned to Sally ?And it is also good to see you again Miss Powell. England seems to be suiting you, you seem very well?

Sally smiled, ?I should hope that I do look better than last we met, I believe on that occasion I was suffering badly from sea sickness. I have become very fond of this country, Mr Marquis, but then I have always had a fondness for dry land as opposed to water.?

?Ah yes, I recall now. That was a rough journey.? Zechs smiled, releasing her hand.

?Ladies, may I introduce you to a business acquaintance, Mr Wufei Chang.? Treize said and Wufei bowed, but did not offer to kiss hands in the European tradition. ?My fianc?e Lady Une and her companion Miss Sally Powell.

?Lord Kushrinada has told me much about you.? Lady Une said, and she turned to whisper to Sally. Sally nodded and, reaching into her reticule drew forth a large gold embossed card, which she handed to Lady Une. In turn Lady Une handed it to Wufei, who regarded it in some surprise ?I had hoped that you would be able to do us the honour of attending our wedding. We were so very sure that you would arrive in time, Captain Marquis being such an excellent sailor. Please say that you will attend.?

Wufei regarded the card, reading the elegant script. The invitation was from Duke Dermail and Lady Une, which indicated that Lady Une no longer had parents alive. Wufei had attended University in Oxford and so knew much about social niceties. ?I would be delighted to attend, Lady Une.? He said, ?I shall send both you and Duke Dermail a formal reply tonight.?

Lady Une dreamily inclined her head, smiling serenely.

?Zechs, would you kindly see the ladies back into the carriage. It is cold out in the winter air, and I have a little business to discuss with Mr Chang.? Treize asked.

Zechs nodded his assent and proceeded to help the woman back into the warmth of the carriage. Treize and Wufei walked out of earshot.

?My father indicated that you have made progress with the refining of opium.? Wufei began ?He is very keen to invest in this process, perhaps more so than investing in more smoking dens.?

Treize nodded ?A wise decision. However, I have not been able to secure the secret of refining, yet.?

Wufei frowned ?We will not invest until such time as the refining process is proven. I had been informed that this was done.?

?I can assure you and your honourable father that it is well in hand.? Treize looked back to the carriage to watch Zechs take Sally?s hand to balance her as she mounted the steps into the carriage. Wufei looked where he was watching, puzzled. ?Perhaps you can aid in the extraction of the information?? Treize turned back to Wufei. ?The chemist who discovered the secret is dead. However, his daughter lives and I am certain she knows the process.?

Wufei looked back to the carriage. Sally had now entered and Zechs was closing the door.

?That woman?? Wufei asked.

?Yes.? Treize confirmed, and outlined his plan to blackmail her.

?How can I aid?? Wufei asked.

?At the wedding you can remind her of her origins. Remind her of what life would be like for her to return to China, how she would no longer have access to wealth and society. Remind her of what it is to be an obedient Chinese woman.? Treize said, ?After the wedding, I shall then give her the ultimatum. I am sure she will do what is right for herself.?

Wufei nodded ?As you wish.?

They walked back to the carriage, and Treize opened the door and climbed aboard. Wufei took the opportunity to look closely at Miss Powell. She saw him regard her with narrowed eyes, and stared back before suddenly lowering her head. Wufei smiled to himself, this one would not be an easy woman to break he thought. However it would be an interesting distraction to do so.

?I will see you both at the wedding.? Treize inclined his head and tapped his walking stick to the roof of the carriage.

* * * *

The wedding of Lord Treize Kushrinana and Lady Anne Une was set to take place on the morning of the 5th of January at the little parish church in Buxted. Treize had felt it appropriate that they wed in the parish church local to his ancestral home and Lady Une had no family to argue with him. Une was a woman of no real property at all, but had large amounts of money invested in various businesses deemed appropriate by her fianc?. Une followed Treize?s advice in all things and would, as many observed, make a perfect obedient wife for her Master Treize.

Dorothy had extended her Christmas visit with her cousin. It was Dorothy?s usual practice to be gone by the New Year, but on this occasion she had decided to stay in situ until after the wedding had taken place. She was pleased with her decision on a number of accounts, not least being that she knew it annoyed Relena immensely. Another positive reason was that the very interesting Mr Maxwell and Mr Yuy were also still staying at Buxted: Dorothy considered both gentlemen to be worthy of her interest in a matrimonial way.

But now, on the morning of the wedding, Miss Dorothy Catalonia was completely put out. The day of the wedding had come, but rather than be bright, as she had hoped, it was cold. Bitterly cold. Dark clouds hung heavy across the sky from which came forth rain that occasionally turned to flurries of sleet. Dorothy was not worried about the weather indicating bad luck for the bride and the marriage. No, she was put out because her new ensemble that she had made to shine at the wedding and wedding breakfast was really completely unsuitable for such weather.

The wedding was set for eleven o?clock in the morning, and at such a time the style of dress demanded by society were morning dresses, which invariably were quite plain. Dorothy had gone at great lengths to find out what her cousin Relena was wearing and had then had a dress made for herself that was lower cut and of sheerer fabric.

She stood in front of the mirror, assessing her day dress of sheer yellow muslin, knowing that she would be extremely cold if she wore it. Even with the matching pelisse it offered no real protection from the cold. But she looked so good in it and the alternative was to dress in heavier cottons which would not flatter her figure nearly as much and would not make her stand out from the crowd.

Dorothy sighed. She would just have to grin and bear the cold. There were so many fine gentlemen invited to the wedding; the occasion was too greater opportunity to find a potential rich husband to hide away in dowdy clothes.

Catherine entered the room and looked at Dorothy in dismay. ?Miss Catalonia, surely you cannot intend to go forth in that.? She protested ?You will freeze to death!?

This only increased Dorothy?s determination. Catherine, as always, had dressed plainly and sensibly as the weather dictated. She was older than Dorothy was and still unmarried, so she was not someone whose fashion sense Dorothy chose to follow.

?Nonsense! There will be foot warmers in the coach and the only cold area will be the church. I suppose it would be too much for us to expect that Mr Winner Snr would anticipate the guests needs of warmth to truncate his sermon.? Dorothy grimaced and put on her fine new bonnet, which was lined with canary yellow silk to match her dress, and adorned with white and yellow silk flowers. ?I shall soon warm up once we arrive at Duke Dermail?s Hall for the wedding breakfast. And dancing is always good for the circulation.?

?But there is not to be a ball.? Catherine protested.

?I have it on good authority that there will be a quartet of musicians there.? Dorothy was firm ?And with such entertainment, there is sure to be some impromptu dancing.? Dorothy took her cloak and threw it to Catherine. ?Here, make yourself useful and carry this.?

Catherine nodded, her eyes lowered and followed Dorothy out of the room. She knew better than to argue and if Dorothy suffered a cold from her vanity then so be it.

They met Relena and her father in the hall. Relena pointedly looked at the large grandfather clock as Dorothy swept down the stairs, and refrained from telling Dorothy off for her tardiness. There was no point; Dorothy would only blame Catherine and Relena felt Catherine had enough to bear without her adding to it. Relena also refrained from making comment about Dorothy?s completely unsuitable dress for a cold winter?s day, but was irritated because if Dorothy did sicken from her vanity then she was sure to extend her visit yet further.

Dorothy smiled at Relena ?Oh, Rellie, you look so nice.? Commenting on Relena?s pale lemon dress, modestly high cut and warm ? it was obvious by the way her skirts hung that she was wearing quilted petticoats for the winter conditions. Dorothy, of course, had know exactly what she would be wearing and had chosen a colour in the same hue but bolder hoping to catch more notice than her rich cousin.

Relena knew exactly how her cousin?s mind worked. But Relena would not enter into a fashion war ? fashionable clothes were all very nice, but Relena would not make herself look silly for the sake of fashion. Nor would she catch her death. And Relena thought that today Dorothy did look more than a little idiotic. She was dressed for a balmy summer day, not for snow. ?I could never match you for style, dear Dotty.? She said politely, taking note at just how irritated Dorothy was at the shortening of her name.

?All of you look delightful!? Mr Darlian said, pleasantly, ?I shall be the envy of all the single men of Buxted.? He held out both arms, and the cousins slipped their hands into the crook of his elbows to be escorted to the waiting carriage. Footmen flanked them with raised umbrellas to shield the women from the rain. Catherine followed behind, smiling at the kind old gentlemen who was so obviously aware of the animosity between both his daughter and his niece, but was sensible enough to not be drawn into their quarrels.

And so they attended the wedding that was remarkably simple for such a wealthy couple. Lady Une wore a blue silk day dress, trimmed in white satin. Her pelisse was cut long, so looked more of an overskirt than a jacket, and she wore a matching turban. The couple both walked down to the altar in the correct formal manner, not acknowledging any of the guests, and Mr Winner Snr started the service.

During the service Relena took the opportunity to look at the fellow worshipper for familiar faces. She had heard from Lucrezia and Hilde that Duo and Heero had both been invited; Treize was apparently inviting all noteworthy gentlemen and ladies in the district. And sure enough, Relena soon caught sight of the two men and Mr Barton sitting close to the back. Mr Yuy caught her gazing towards him and nodded. Relena felt her cheeks blush and hurried to turn to face the front again. She hoped that Dorothy had not caught site of her reaction for if she did Relena knew that she would be discussing it loudly later with all that would listen.

There were a number of other unfamiliar faces in the church that day. An oriental gentleman sat still and straight, concentrating on the words of the clergyman. Near to him sat a young woman who, Relena observed, kept looking at the oriental man through lowered lashes. Relena could not decide whether the woman was taken by him or alarmed by him. Being curious about this new comer, Relena decided that she would make further enquiries at the reception.

In addition there was a very striking young gentleman with long blond hair that cut a dashing figure. Relena saw more than one woman cast her eyes towards this man: Lucrezia and her cousin Dorothy included. Again thought that she would seek to be introduced to this man at the reception.

For his part, Heero watched Relena with curiosity. He had heard much of Treize?s interest in Relena when she first inherited her money from her mother. Although Relena had said at the dinner party that the interest had never been reciprocated, Heero was not so sure. He watched for signs of her being distressed when Treize and Une exchanged wedding vows and was, for some reason, acutely happy when there were none. Then he spied her looking closely at a young blond gentleman and felt uneasiness overcome him again. Heero was not exactly sure, but he thought that he was beginning to feel the stirring of jealousy and wondered how this very interesting, intelligent, independent woman could capture his interest in such a short time when no other woman had before.

Tearing his eyes away from her, Heero noted that Relena was not the only person to be looking closely at the blonde stranger. Mr Darlian had also been looking around the chapel, nodding at people who caught his eye in a friendly manner. Then his eye fell on the tall blond man and Mr Darlian seemed to freeze. He blinked a couple of times, going a little pale. Relena had, at that point, noticed her father was in a little distress and had touched his arm. Heero watched as Mr Darlian nodded to his daughter indicating he was all right. But through the rest of the service he kept glancing over to the other side of the chapel. The blonde gentleman was completely oblivious to all the attention he was receiving.

The service itself was, in Dorothy?s mind, mercifully short and before long Treize was slipping a ring on Une?s finger. All the ladies lined up to kiss the bride, and then the couple were conveyed into their waiting coach to be transported to the Hall for the wedding breakfast. Despite the service being short, Dorothy?s feet were numb with cold by the end, and she longed to reach her own carriage where she could remove her slippers and place her feet near the iron foot warmers that housed dull orange coals. She was so intent on this that she failed to see Quatre approach her with a look of concern.

?Miss Catalonia.? He said quietly ?It is very cold outside.? He looked at her sheer gown.

?It is very cold inside.? Dorothy said pointedly, annoyed that his young clergyman should be addressing her preventing her from talking to eligible young gentlemen or worse, preventing her from gaining the safe warm haven of Darlian?s carriage.

Quatre smiled lightly at her comment, and presented her a fur muff. ?Please use this to help keep yourself warm, it would be a shame if you caught a chill on such a joyous day.? Dorothy was startled at his kindness and accepted the muff, thrusting her hands into it gratefully and feeling some surprise when she felt lingering warmth inside. ?I always come prepared on days such as this.? Quatre explained ?Father?s sermons can, on occasion, go on forever and my fingers feel the cold.? He bowed and left her.

Dorothy was left with a very unsettling feeling of gratitude towards the handsome young man. She frowned. Handsome, young poor man. This would never do, she could not allow herself to feel any degree of regard for a man of the cloth. Dorothy had a strong desire to boost her wealth to a higher level than her dear cousin Rellie, and a man as poor as a church mouse would not achieve her goal.

?Come Catherine!? Dorothy demanded, observing her companion sharing a few words with Mr Maxwell?s land agent. It was time to go to the Duke?s Hall, it was time to socialise. Dorothy smiled. It was time to socialise with wealth.





*Inspiration for ?Epyon? from ?The Cutty Sark? a tea cutter built by Scott & Linton in the later half of the 1800?s


TBC