Waltz of Wings by the Regency Company 4/?

[kmf]

Waltz of Wings
Chapter 4
By: Patty


Upon receiving notice of her guests to be, Relena took into account one who may pose a disturbance to her new possible acquaintances, Miss Dorothy Catalonia. Dorothy was Relena's cousin in regards to her father's side of the family, being that their mothers were sisters. Her cousin always dealt Relena a challenge when it came to reason and moral preservation. While Relena held objections to the morees and formalities of society, Dorothy adhered to them very liberally and thought those who did not were wrong to think ill of it.
Relena had always enjoyed the idea of free will and thought whereas Dorothy was more comfortable with conforming to society. Relena strongly believed that the Catalonia's political influence directly corresponded with Dorothy's belief in remaining within the lines. Relena had formed a theory and even though it seemed rather silly to some, it contained much truth within the words. After being brought up living up to everyone else's doctrine of life, one tends to think that that was the way the world was supposed to be, thus allowing no room for freedom of thought. Relena truly thought that this was the direct cause of her cousin's behavior. With lack of original thought, ignorance is welcomed and enjoyed in bliss. When your lives are as public as theirs, it would be a faux pas to go against what society deems to be right.
Relena never understood this way of life for the simple reason that her father raised her as as her own person. She did not agree with the idea of living a life just for the sake of getting married. Whenever her and Dorothy would sit down for a t?te-?-t?te, all that would come out of Miss Catalonia's mouth were regurgitated ideas that had been past down through the ranks of society. Relena would cringe at times knowing full well that those were not the words of her cousin, but the words of the world she had been raised in. She has failed many a times in promoting the notion of independent thought to her cousin. Relena rather felt sorry for her cousin for the sole fact that society has molded her into the arrogant, self-righteous woman that she is. One is not born that way, they are bred that way.
On the other side of this, Relena was quite eager to become acquainted with the three gentlemen who would join her company on the twentieth of December, a mere two days in the future. She had also received notice that her cousin would be arriving a day earlier than the rest of the party, the evening before to be exact. Since the gentlemen were not expected to arrive until that afternoon, Relena could attend church with her cousin. Relena saw church as an opportune time for her to visit with her dear friend Quatre Winner, a clergyman just as his father before him. He was a very close acquaintance of hers, a rather pleasant gentleman. Maybe his agreeable persona and handsome countenance would warm up Dorothy's rather cold disposition.
Dorothy arrived as expected on that Saturday evening along with her companion, Miss Catherine Bloom. Dorothy was quite pleased to be in the company of her cousin once again. "Good evening dear cousin," Dorothy greeted Relena.
"And a good evening to you Dorothy and Miss Bloom. Won't you come sit down, you must be exhausted from your trip."
"Very well, I guess I am a little tired," Dorothy answered as she followed Relena into the drawing room, Catherine following quietly behind.
Miss Catalonia was dressed in the finest of clothes, clothes that only the social elite could afford to wear. Her dress was a delicate blue material, very expensive to say the least, tapered softly just below her shoulders and trimmed with a fine lace around her neckline. Miss Bloom was also an elegant creature, but due to her father's shortcomings, she frequently lingered in the shadows. The ladies took a seat close to the fire and caught up on the time that has past between the two. "That dress is one of a kind cousin, very agreeable," Relena commented.
"Well yes it is, made by the finest dress shop in London," her arrogance underlying the very words she spoke.
"Really? They certainly must possess a group of very accomplished seamstresses," Relena added. She knew the subject to be very dry and dull, however, she was not up to having a quarrel that evening, especially with her.
"Indeed. You are looking remarkably well."
"As do you Dorothy. How are your mother and father? It has been too long since I have been in their company."
"They are wonderful thank you. Father left for business in London earlier today, mother accompanied him in his travels. How is uncle?"
"Father is fairing well. He tends to keep to himself in the library for a good part of the day however."
"With what you said reminds me of something, who are these gentleman you have asked to come?" Dorothy was eager to find out if any of them were wealthy and handsome.
"I know as much as you I'm afraid. I know a little bit about Mr. Maxwell but the other two I cannot say."
"Well don't hold your tongue dear cousin," Dorothy exclaimed.
"Mr. Maxwell is a relative of the Noins, acquaintances of mine. He will inherit their estate when their father dies. That is all the information I can give you at this point." Relena then smiled. "Dorothy, I would like for you to attend church with me tomorrow morn', Mr. Winner will be there and I would love you to meet him."
Dorothy cocked an eyebrow. "Is this the clergyman you spoke of in your letter? This should be quite interesting. I shall attend with you, I am eager to meet this Mr. Winner you speak so fondly of."
"Splendid. Miss Bloom, how are you doing this evening?" Relena asked politely, she did not favor in treating people in such ways as her cousin did.
She nodded and quietly replied, "Very well Miss Dorilan."
Their conversation ended on that note as the butler came in to announce that dinner was served. After supper, Dorothy and Relena retired to parlor to continue with their idle chitchat; catch up on events that have passed since their last meeting. Morning came with the dawn and Relena, Dorothy and Catherine ate breakfast before going to church. Both in their Sunday best, they walked down the road to the church, a mile from High Ridge.
"Lovely morning isn't it?" Relena said gaily.
"It would have been much better viewed in the carriage," Dorothy quipped.
"My dear cousin, it is only a mile to the church, it would be impractical to take a carriage. Besides, a walk is good stretch of the legs."
"People of our stature should never be subject to walking," she spoke elegantly.
"That is the difference between you and I Dorothy. I have a substantial inheritance, I do not deny that; however, I do not use it to identify myself," Relena retorted.
"And that is what I will never understand about you. These days, people are solely known by their wealth and name."
"Well that is something I disagree with. I want to be known by name, yes, but I reject the idea of being known only by how many pounds I am to receive," Relena replied, she was not one to be judged by her inheritance alone, the thought of that did not appear right to her.
Like her cousin, she was not easily dissuaded from what she believes in. The conversation ended with Relena's statement and just shortly before arriving at the church, much to Relena's satisfaction. The ladies entered the church along with several other patrons and took a seat in one of the pews. Both sat quietly through the service, Dorothy still wandering who this acquaintance of Relena's was. When the service concluded, Dorothy followed Relena outside. "Where exactly is Mr. Winner?" Dorothy spoke impatiently.
"Good morning Miss Dorlian," a man's voice sounded from behind. Relena turned as well as Dorothy.
What stood in front of them was a clergyman, but not the type Dorothy imagined. He was of medium stature and complimented with agreeable features. His hair was light blonde in color, slightly tossled but nothing that can be defined as messy. His eyes were bright as freshly polished sapphires and his skin, fair to say the least. He was indeed quite handsome.
"Mr. Winner, what a pleasure it is to see you on this fine morning," she replied with a smile.
"The pleasure is mine old friend. Who are these fine young ladies in your company?" Mr. Winner inquired in the direction of Dorothy and Catherine.
"Please forgive me. Quatre, may I introduce to you my cousin, Miss Dorothy Catalonia and her companion Miss Catherine Bloom. They are to stay at High Ridge for the holiday."
"A pleasure," Quatre bowed in acknowledgment.
"Thank you," Dorothy answered shortly. Quatre looked to Catherine who only gave him a nod.
"Quatre, you're quite overdue for a visit," Relena informed her friend.
"I am sorry for that, I assure you. Does the invitation still stand?"
"It has never been withdrawn. Declare the day and I will look forward to your coming."
"Agreed. Miss Dorothy and Miss Bloom, I would like to converse with you more but I'm afraid not is the time. Now if you would please excuse me ladies, my father needs my help in the sacristy," Mr. Winner nodded and went on his way.
"Relena, I did not imagine Mr. Winner to be this way," Dorothy informed her as the three of them began their walk back home.
"Does that not suit you cousin?"
"I will acknowledge that Mr. Winner is quite handsome, but members of the clergy tend to be poor and of low rank."
"That is a fact, however, I don't view Mr. Winner as anything but a dear friend. Please do not judge him merely by rank and purse, you will be severely bias in your opinion of him."
"In truth, I have not formed an opinion on the matter, but I guarantee that it will not take me long."
Relena let it go at that, quarreling any more would be pointless and a waste of breath. From that moment, she grew even more eager for her other company to arrive.