The Standwell Estate (Ch3)

Charlie was walking home when he ran into the town baker's son. Jeffrey was an interesting lad, and though he was several classes beneath the Standwell’s, Charlie still enjoyed his conversation. The two had an unspoken friendship and made conversation whenever they could.

Though Charles saw him first he allowed Jeffrey to assert conversation. “Hello, ole mate. Where are you comin’ from so early in the morn’? Say, ain’t your house on the opposite end of town?”

“Yes, I am headed home from the Austin Ball.” Charles replied. “It ran a little later than expected.”

“Say, that ended around ten as usual. I remember because I saw ev’one headed home ‘round that time.”

“Yes, well not everyone had the same night that I had.”

“Oh, pray do tell. Ya didn’t hook up with one those there Austin Sisters did you?” While Jeffrey was not part of the same social class or around the same members of society, he definitely knew the in’s and out’s of the upper class. And he knew that hooking up with one of the Austin Sisters would lead to a life without peace, especially if you didn’t marry her after.

“Oh, God no, Jeffrey!” Charlie was almost appalled. “First of all I do not, under any circumstances, sleep with whomever catches my eye that night. Second, I spent my night with Greer.”

“You finally tell ‘er how ya feels did ya?” Jeffrey sat on the bench behind his father’s store and gestured for Charlie to join him.

“In a way I suppose. However, I afraid that it will all mean nothing after tonight.” Charlie confessed.

“What ya mean you suppose? Did you or din’t you? And why would t’night make any difference?”

“Well, we left the party around nine to go sit in the garden and I told her that the idea of us being married wasn’t so bad. But tonight my family has been invited to the Colborn estate for dinner and my father has enlightened me to the fact that he has been coercing with her father to marry us off. To each other. Tonight they are supposed to bring the idea to the table over cocktails and whatever fancy dinner Mrs. Colborn decides is best for the occasion. She did not say a word last night after I had brought it up and now I’m afraid she will believe that what I said was simply my fathers doing. That I was supposed to butter her up so that she would come around to the idea more easily.”

“Well, I cain’t say I can help wit that one there. Nev’r been in that sich-ee-ation.” Jeffery was now being called upon by his father to come inside. “I gotta escape now mate,” he said as he retreated back to his work.. With one final inquiry he turned and asked Charlie, “Do you love her mate?”

Charlie could do nothing but stare at his friend. Thinking of nothing else to say, he responds, “for quite some time.”

Charlie made his way home to an irate father waiting to hear the explanation of why his son was out all hours of the night without sending word home. Of course, when his father heard where he had been, his mood quickly changed to delight. He wanted to know every detail and if tonights plans were going off without a hitch. He wanted to know if his son had already broken the news. “The plan was to tell her tonight with both families present. Though I suppose if it went well than that is no great matter of mind.” When Charles could take no more of his father’s yapping he spoke with a raised tone.

“ I, in no way, want to force Greer to marry me, Father! I have been in love with her for several years now, yet she has not seemed to return the feelings I have toward her. I told her last night that it would not be such an awful idea if we were to wed. Do you know what she said? NOTHING! Not one word. Not a question or a statement. Not a denial or a confirmation. Not one bloody thing!” Charles did not know how he would face Greer tonight knowing their fathers planned to propose a marriage between the two of them. Especially not knowing how Greer thought of him in her heart.

Charlie decided that he would arrive at the Colborn estate before his father that evening and speak with Greer himself, before the cavalry set in. He did not wish to surprise her not did he want her to question his actions the night before. He quickly bathed, changed clothes, and rushed out to the stables to ready his horse.

Shortly after the conversation with her father, Greer heard a knock of her bedroom door. She had been crying and was in no mood for company; but she knew she must clean herself up for the dinner that would take place in just a few hours. Composing herself she answered the door. It was Lidia. She hurried into the room closing the door behind her. “You must wash your face and come down stairs at once. You may want to fix your hair as well.” Greer was just staring at her friend. She had no motivation to move until Lidia spoke up once more, “He is down stairs, Greer. Charles is down stairs.”

Greer found herself with all the energy in the room. She quickly moved into the bathroom. Turning the faucet in her porcelain sink. Lidia helped with her hair as she cleaned her face. “What is he doing here? He is not expected for another hour.”

“ I do not know why he is here so early. His family is not in accompany with him. I did not see a carriage outside either.” Lidia had just finished putting Greer’s hair into a acceptable ballet bun. It was not the best style for a dinner party, however in the lack of time available it would have to do. “Greer I think he may came come on horseback. It makes me think he may have been in a hurry. Does he not usually walk places? Not to mention that today is their horse washin’ day. They don’t finish giving them a washin’ down until late at evening sun.”

Greer stood tall ready to meet her caller in the foyer and assured the frazzled maid that she had no idea what could possess him to come so early before dinner, however she intended to find out soon enough. Greer grabbed both sides of her long red and black dress, put one foot in front of the other, and headed down the long staircase prepared to meet Charles in a professional and politically correct manner for a male caller. He may be her best friend, but now he was also her future husband. Or so their parents seemed to believe. She knew he was quite aware of the proposal and wondered why he had not mentioned it the night before. However, that could wait until after dinner. After everything calmed down; she would get him alone, and they would discuss it like they should have done in the beginning. No parents. Just the two of them, and their thoughts and feelings toward the whole ordeal.