Waltz of Wings by the Regency Company 3/?

[kmf]

Waltz of Wings


Chapter Three

By: Miaka Mouse


The heap of clothes that lay on the bed seemed too expensive to be thrown together so carelessly. Dorothy Catalonia
regarded them with exasperation before finally exclaiming to her companion.
"Nothing here is suitable at all. This is very vexing." Her redheaded friend nodded in agreement, well aware that any words that should come out of her mouth would only further irritate the lady?s nerves. "I suppose we must go into town."
"Yes of course Miss Dorothy."
"And I suppose you shall have to have a dress made as well, Cathy." Cathy seemed a bit surprised at this, but offered a grateful smile. "Yes well, I don?t even know why I make such a fuss over visiting Buxted. It is, after all, nothing but a quaint country town."
It was a very well known fact to both of these young ladies why Dorothy should make a fuss over visiting the countryside. That reason could be summed in the person of one Miss Relena Dorlian. An outsider may have been surprised at this had he witnessed Relena?s agreeable disposition or heard of Dorothy?s impressive connexions and reputation in polished society. For it was well known to all those fortunate enough to frequent her social circles, that Dorothy?s father?s sister was none other than the wife of the Baron Khushrenada, whose son, Treize Khushrenada was engaged to the illustrious Lady Une. It seemed that not even this could satisfy Dorothy?s competitive nature.
Miss Dorothy Catalonia was an ambitious character. She was ?out? in society at the ripe age of fifteen. Being six months younger than her cousin Relena had inspired much envy in the young Miss Dorothy. When news came to her of Relena?s coming out on her sixteenth birthday in October, Dorothy was determined not to be left behind. So, the following Christmas, only two months having passed, Dorothy had her own coming out; a full four months before she completed her sixteenth year. Relena, being the na?ve, good-natured child that she was, delighted in having her cousin out so soon after her. She took enjoyment in her cousin?s company at all those, what Relena considered, intimidating social events. However, as Relena?s discourse was pleasant and lively, she acquired acquaintances more easily than her sharp-tongued cousin. This, of course, only contributed to Dorothy?s growing jealousy and the competition became fixed in her heart.
Over the years, Relena?s optimistic heart finally recognized Dorothy?s design, and realized that Dorothy was not the sister she would have liked her to be. Henceforth, every conversation between them became a battle of wits. It had even come to the point that when Relena befriended the fortune-less Miss Noins, Dorothy went out to acquire her own charity case. She found poor people extremely disagreeable, so she had to find the next best alternative.
Miss Catherine Bloom was the daughter of a disgraced General in His Majesty?s Service. Labelled a coward and demoted from his rank, he became a veritable pariah. Her brother was rumoured to have either run away from home or committed suicide upon his father?s opprobrium. This, of course, prevented Cathy from coming out into society. Being the only daughter of the former General, Cathy had a sizable fortune, but a less then impressive reputation and absolutely no connexions. When Dorothy took it upon herself to introduce her into society, Cathy was not yet one-and-twenty. More than three years had passed since then and Cathy would be four-and-twenty by the end of winter. It was high time that she should be married but Dorothy was determined to assume a husband before she did.
This was not a difficult task to accomplish as Dorothy had a fair countenance, with pale-gold hair and ice-blue eyes. To be sure, Catherine was not at all ill-favored, and was, in fact, quite handsome. However, her beauty could not outshine Dorothy?s fashion and fortune, and she was often left to sit idly by in her shadow. She was not bothered by this in that she was grateful for Dorothy?s patronage, albeit her intentions. In addition, she did not especially like to bring attention to herself, a trait that manifested itself at the time of her father?s ignominy. She was the perfect companion for Dorothy, beauty without fashion and submission without weakness. It was not many a constitution that could withstand Dorothy?s sarcastic remarks.
"It is always the same provincial unpolished acquaintances every year. Though," she paused, regarding Catherine, "I have just had a letter from dear Rellie that Mr. Winner?s son is finally to come live with his father. It seems the old man?s health has taken a turn for the worst." She commented indifferently. Catherine gave her a confused look. "Oh, don?t be such a simpleton, Cathy. Mr. Winner is that decrepit old minister of the parish in Buxted. His son is also a clergyman and will, most likely, take up his father?s position. He?s probably a very plain, stern, boring sort of fellow. Why do I lower myself to this kind of society? All the best people spend Christmas in town," she huffed in indignation.
Desperate to bring her friend out of her ill-temper, Catherine spoke quickly.
"I have just had the news that three young gentlemen from Derbyshire are coming to Buxted directly, for the holidays." Dorothy raised a forked eyebrow.
"Indeed? Pray tell, from whom have you had this?" Catherine stammered in response.
"Oh?uh, just an acquaintance. Nobody important enough for you to trifle with."
"Oh yes, quite right. I have no interest in your lowly acquaintances." Catherine forced a smile. "Well, this is distracting news indeed. Now I most assuredly need to have the most expensive and fashionable clothes, in order to impress gentlemen from Derbyshire. They must have livings of at least five or six thousand a year," she said with an amused smile. "These gentlemen are single, of course."
"Of course."
"How lovely."