Bellamy

“Bellamy, please!” Eloise Langdon said in exasperation. She swatted Bellamy away from the tea cakes. “That’s enough, child!”

Laughing, Bellamy licked her finger and quickly made her way out of the kitchen to avoid any more swatting. She turned, her auburn curls bouncing and nearly bumped into her father. He raised a stern eyebrow as she attempted to compose herself.

“Bellamy, what’s all this noise?” he inquired. Before she could respond, his frustrated wife shouted from in the kitchen.

“Your daughter has been in the tea cakes. It’s a wonder she is able to keep her figure the way she eats sweets!”

Bellamy grinned sheepishly as her father stifled a laugh. He patted her cheek fondly, an amused glint in his eye.

“Bella, do be mindful of your mother’s temperament,” he chided. “I don’t need any hysterics while your sister is visiting.”

“Yes, father, of course,”she replied. Satisfied, he made his way into the parlour, pulling out his pipe and standing before the window that faced the cobbled street.

Bellamy headed upstairs, taking two stairs at a time. She paused at the top to catch her breath and then made her way into the bedroom she shared with her younger sister, Caroline.

Caroline sat before a mirror, pinning up her dark brown hair into an elegant bouffant. She looked quite lovely in her favorite lavender dress, trimmed with silver and dotted with small pearls. Her brown eyes followed Bellamy as she strode into the room.

“Will you get ready?” Caroline asked. “Victoria will be here soon.”

“Yes, dear sister. What do you think of the blue muslin?” Bellamy asked. She went to her chest and pulled out a blue dress. The material was light and silky to the touch. More importantly, it wasn’t nearly as constrictive as her other dresses and allowed her a little more freedom of movement.

“The blue is lovely, Bella.”

After slipping into her dress, she allowed Caroline to do her hair. She even dabbed on a bit of perfume and placed a small amount of rouge on her lips for color. Despite feeling a bit ridiculous and out of her norm, she was excited to see her older sister.

Satisfied with their looks, the two sisters linked arms and headed downstairs. They had just reached the bottom when they heard loud knocking. In a flurry of excitement, skirts and giggles, Bellamy and Caroline raced to the door and threw it open.

A bewildered coachman hastily stepped aside as the girls rushed past him and enveloped Victoria, who had barely stepped out of the carriage, in a myriad of chatter and laughter. The oldest of the three young women looked in good health, her dark hair tucked neatly into a wide brimmed hat that matched her rather splendid dress. Her normally pale complexion was now a bit freckled and glowing from the sun.

“Oh, Toria,” Caroline said breathlessly. “I am so glad you are home. I have so many questions that require answers immediately!”

“Yes, dear sister,” Victoria said with a smile. “But first, let me introduce you to Mr. Thomas Astley.”

With wide eyes, the girls turned to see a young man standing patiently next to the horses, a hand tucked into his fine coat. He was very handsome, his dark hair framing a finely shaped face and deep green eyes. His smile was sincere and warm as he bowed low.

“A pleasure to finally meet you, m'ladies,” he said. He carried himself with an air only found among gentleman bred into wealth. Bellamy shot Caroline a knowing look and suppressed a smile before they returned his gesture with a curtsy.

“The pleasure is ours, Mr. Astley,” Bellamy responded. “I am Bellamy. And this is Caroline.”

“We were unaware our sister was to visit with such fine company,” Caroline spoke with delight. "Mother will be most pleased."

“Oh, my dear Victoria!” Mrs. Langdon exclaimed, appearing in the doorway. “Do come in so we can make proper introductions.”

The girls made their way inside, followed by Mr. Astley and the coachman who carried the luggage. As Victoria greeted her parents and introduced Mr. Astley, Bellamy went into the kitchen to bring out the tea and cakes. She reminded a maid to prepare supper before heading into the parlour.

“You must excuse us for not having supper already prepared,” Mrs. Langdon said to Mr. Astley. “We had not prepared to be in such fine company this evening.”

“Please, do not fret on my behalf,” he responded cordially. “It is I who must apologize for arriving unannounced.”

“Sugar, Mr. Astley?” Bellamy asked, pouring the tea.

“Please.”

She handed him his cup and continued preparing the others. Mr. Langdon sipped his tea, observing Mr. Astley carefully. Bellamy and Carolina glanced at each other. They could sense the palpable question that hung in the air.

“And what is the nature of your visit today, my good sir?” Mr. Langdon asked. Victoria’s face flushed and Mrs. Langdon put a hand to her chest. Clearing his throat, Mr. Astley’s poise wavered slightly under Mr. Langdon’s steady gaze.

“First, I would like to sincerely apologize for my unannounced arrival," Mr. Astley began. "Had I known prior to Ms. Langdon's early departure, I would have better prepared."

Bellamy eyed her father's expression. It remained as still and unwavering as his gaze. It was the same gaze he wore around his trade affiliates when they discussed business. And even though Mr. Astley was clearly of higher class than the Langdons, he too found Mr. Langdons austerity to be quite unnerving.

"Had I waited, I fear I would have lost an opportune moment," Mr. Astley persevered. "I-I have come to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage, sir."

Mrs. Langdon and Caroline gasped in delight as Mr. Langdon set his tea cup down. He continued to observe Mr. Astley carefully. Knowing her father, Bellamy knew he would not give his answer right away.

Mr. Langdon stood, pulling out his pipe. He gestured for Mr. Astley to follow him to his study to speak privately. With a bow to the women and a small smile for Victoria, Mr. Astley followed Mr. Langdon out of the room.

“Oh, my lovely Victoria,” Mrs. Langdon said proudly. “I knew sending you to London for your season would bring you such good fortune.”

“He seems amicable, indeed,” Caroline chimed in. “He must be an Earl with his fine dress and manners.”

“Any man is amicable enough when it comes to a pretty face,” Bellamy said dryly. She received a shrewd look from her mother.

“No, not an Earl. Mr. Astley has recently inherited his late father’s land in the village of Braunstone in Leicester,” Victoria explained, unbothered by Bellamy's remark. “His family has owned land there since King Henry VI.”

“Oh, a landed gentleman!” Mrs. Langdon exclaimed. “You shall want for nothing, my dear. What a wonderful match you two shall make!”

Bellamy sipped her tea as her mother and sisters continued to chatter in excitement. She found herself unable to join in the merriment of marriage, the cakes suddenly heavy in her stomach, as she realized that she too would be expected to find a suitable husband. She found most men lacking substance, caring only for her sizable inheritance and father’s lucrative trade wealth.

“Bella, another cake and you will not have room for your supper,” Mrs. Langdon chided.

“Yes, mother.”

After a while, the maid entered, announcing supper was ready. Bellamy followed her sisters into the dining room where the table had been immaculately set with the Langdon’s best porcelain and silver. Victoria’s favorite flowers made a beautiful center piece, their sweet scent lingering in the air.

They took their place at the table as Mr. Langdon and Mr. Astley returned, both smiling. As the food was brought in, Mr. Langdon gave his final thoughts on Mr. Astley’s proposal.

“After some consideration,” he began. “I have decided to give Mr. Astley my blessings. So long as Victoria wishes it.” Victoria beamed.

“Yes, father,” Victoria said, her honey brown eyes filled with happiness. “Mr. Astley has been the kindest and most considerate. He makes me happy.”

She and Mr. Astley smiled at each other. Bellamy had never seen her sister so smitten. Perhaps there were such men out there with some kind of substance. She sincerely prayed her sister would have a happy marriage. Both of them. And herself, if she could ever bring herself to consider it.

Supper was filled with much discussion of the wedding. Caroline and Mrs. Langdon seemed the most excited, envisioning a rather grandeur ceremony. Bellamy was sure Victoria and Mr. Astley would have settled for something not so grandiose but Mrs. Langdon was not one to be persuaded otherwise.

After the meal, Caroline treated the newly engaged couple to a few tunes on the piano. And then Mr. Astley accompanied Victoria on a walk through the Langdon’s garden for a moment of privacy. Mr. Langdon himself retreated into his study to acquire some peace and quiet, and Caroline and Mrs. Langdon continued their zealous discussion of the wedding and future coming outs.

Not particularly interested in their conversation, Bellamy secluded herself in the library. She sat down at the small writing table nestled between two large bookshelves, just underneath a large window overlooking the garden. She could see Mr. Astley and Victoria sitting under the pavilion. Victoria’s head rested on his shoulder as they watched the last remnants of sunlight slowly disappear, creating a canvas of orange and purple across the sky.

Looking away, Bellamy pulled out a sheet of paper and pen. She hadn’t written Nathaniel a letter in a long time. Her childhood friend was somewhere in the Atlantic, exploring the new world as she remained in England filled with envy. Perhaps on his return she could look forward to learning from him everything he had experienced.

Heartened by the thought, she dipped her pen into the inkwell and proceeded to inform Nathaniel of her recent events. It all seemed trivial to her to be writing of such things when he was experiencing much more exciting endeavors. But it was all she had, considering her life has remained the same since his departure a year ago. Finished, she slid the letter into a drawer, looking forward to going into town the following day to deliver it to Nathaniel’s family.