Hyde Park: "A Turn Around the Park", 4/14: late am; David A, Kitty, Belle

[David Alford (Francesca)]

Lord Auckland and his cousin had been walking in silence for time. In general, David was not opposed to the state, and indeed, had viewed this particular instance of it as something of a pleasant surprise, considering the fact that Cassandra was reputed to be an inveterate prattler. However, it seemed that they really did have nothing to say to each other, and the lack of conversation was beginning to pall a little. He opened his mouth to make some sort of comment, but before he had a chance to do so, his cousin preempted him.

"The festivities are quite delightful, are they not? Indeed, they are quite one of the most charming things about Easter, would you not agree?"

David cast a slow, scornful stare at the festivities that Cassandra had been praising. "No", he replied crisply. "I do not. I see little reason for resorting to such pagan customs to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord." Coming to a stop, he realised that he had stated his opinions a little more strongly than he had actually intended. "I do not approve of frivolity, but I suppose that people could find far more vicious ways to entertain themselves", he conceded grudgingly. "The children seem to derive some degree of enjoyment from it and perhaps it will do them no harm."

Cassandra merely cast a disbelieving look at David before turning her gaze back to the celebrations. Heavens! He was even more stiff-rumped than she remembered. What was someone to say to such a man, even if he was family? Then again, the whole family had been absolutely impossible, if she recalled correctly. It was no secret after all that the previous earl had been a complete wastrel.

"What did you make of the sermon?"

Cassandra was started out of her reverie by David's stentorian tones. "The sermon? It was very...very..." She cast around for a suitable adjective with which to describe the sermon. "Long!" she said triumphantly. Judging by her cousin's appalled expression however, her choice of words had left something to be desired. "And very thought-provoking as well!" she hastened to add. "I think - I think that the importance of - of tempering joy with - sober reflection was very pertinent indeed!" There! That had silenced him for a moment. Now she had better change the subject before he took it into his head to cross-examine her about the sermon. "Will you be attending the Emerson Ball this evening cousin?" she inquired brightly. She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Especially in light of what they say happened!"

"I have replied to Lady Emerson, accepting her kind invitation", said David stiffly. "It would be unpardonably rude of me to go back on my word." Even if the host IS mad, he added silently to himself. He could scarcely believe that such a thing was even possible in civilised society. The whole affair, whether real or imagined was thoroughly distasteful in every particular, as was his cousin's transparent willingness to discuss the issue further. He fixed her with his most censorious gaze. "I might further add that it is both imprudent and impolite to gossip about one's hosts in this unpleasant manner", he rebuked. "I for one will have no part of it."

Oh no! Cassandra could just feel the second sermon of the day coming on. No doubt it would be even longer than the first. Why had Mama and Tristan abandoned her to this fate? It was really too bad of them! Desperate to avert the impending catastrophe, she looked around for some sort of distraction and found it in the form of a familiar figure with blonde hair. "Oh! It is Miss Beacham. I met her the other day and found her an amiable sort of girl. Are you acquainted with her? Come, I must introduce you!"

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

After church, Belle had gone along with Daphne and the little ones to the park. She could use the excuse that she was looking forward to seeing the children enjoy the lovely weather and festivities, but in truth, no one enjoyed a party more than Belle. She was two steps behind Poppy and Theodore, marveling with delight at their revelry.

Hearing her name called, she turned, just finishing the last bit of a hot cross bun. Just across the way she saw Lady Cassandra, alongside a very serious-looking (and also very handsome-looking) gentleman. She beamed and scampered over, after excusing herself from Daphne, and offered a curtsy to Cassandra. "Happy Easter, Lady Cassandra! You look very well today - what a fetching bonnet!" She sneaked a glance at the tall gentleman. "I saw you in church, but the crowd was unbearable, and so I couldn't talk to you before we left. "

[David Alford (Francesca)]

"Happy Easter, Miss Beacham!" Cassandra responded with a curtsy of her own, doubly cheered by the fact that she would not have to endure David's conversation alone. "Thank you so much! I must say the same for you! That colour is perfectly charming! May I introduce my cousin to you? This is Lord Auckland. David, Miss Beacham is come to London recently, much like the two of us."

David looked Miss Beacham over. The girl was undoubtedly lovely, with a fresh, untouched charm that spoke vividly of the country, and she seemed sweet tempered as well, but her conversation thus far had proved to be frivolous, and lacking entirely in substance. He pursed his lips, but nevertheless made his bow. "I am delighted to make your acquaintance Miss Beacham." If his voice did not echo the sentiment of his words, at least it would come as no surprise to those who knew him well.

Cassandra in the mean time had seized upon her remark about the prodigious number of people at church. "Yes indeed!" she exclaimed. "It took us a positive age to get out ourselves! have never seen quite as many people in attendance at St. George's before. I suppose it is because of Easter."

David's lip curled sardonically at this last statement. "Indeed", he agreed. "People do usually tend to develop an extraordinary degree of piety this time of year." Cassandra stole a suspicious glance at him. Had he been jesting? Surely not. Everyone knew that David had no sense of humour whatsoever. "Well, I suppose you would know", she commented. "Lord Auckland was a clergyman before coming into the title", she told Miss Beacham by way of explanation.

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

Belle acknowledged David's introduction with a curtsy. "I am very glad to make the acquaintance of any of Lady Cassandra's relations," she replied with a smile. His stiff manner and tone were a bit off-putting - quite unlike Cassandra or her brother, who were always easy and very merry. The explanation of his profession brought more understanding to the whole picture. It certainly did not follow that clergymen had to be so serious, but it seemed a peculiar tendency of the profession.

She turned to Cassandra. "Are the rest of your family here? I thought I saw your brother in the pew with you. No doubt they are all off enjoying the festivities?"

Including David, she inquired, "And will you be at the ball tonight? I must say, I am positively longing to be there right this instant! I shall not tell you what my costume is, I will leave it for you to be surprised, but I am absolutely wild with excitement! I dare say I didn't sleep a wink last night." She giggled, clasping her hands. If her words hadn't betrayed her emotions, her entire countenance would.

[David Alford (Francesca)]

"Yes, my parents and brother accompanied me to the park as well", Cassandra confirmed. "Although I can't think where they've got to at the moment! It is all very mysterious. However, I dare say we will have to find them soon enough, because, as you just mentioned, the Emerson Ball is tonight!" She smiled happily. "I believe that I am every bit as excited as you are. Or will be, once I convince Mama of the wisdom of my choice of dress!"

She laughed as Belle informed her that she would have to wait till the evening to learn anything about her costume. "Oh now that you have piqued my curiosity, I can barely wait! I will do my best to curb my impatience however, and I am sure that you will look quite lovely in any case! May I ask if you are wearing flowers or feathers? I gave the matter much thought myself and finally decided that flowers would be a better choice. Feathers last much longer of course, and are more showy as well, but I do think flowers would be more appropriate, for I am firmly of the opinion that short people shouldn't wear feathers! It makes them look as though they are trying much too hard!"

After giving Annabelle a nod in response to her question and stating that he too would be attending the ball that evening, David had shifted slightly to one side as the girls started talking about their prospective toilettes. He stared at his cousin and her friend, disapprobation writ large on his features. The conversation was growing quickly more vapid. He was thinking of ways to ensure that his own sisters did not turn out to be quite so giddy when he was interrupted by his cousin. Cassandra had a faint gleam in her eye that suggested that she was was up to no good.

"Well David? What is your opinion on the subject? Would you choose flowers or feathers?"

David gave her an incredulous look before drawing himself up to make his retort. "By the virtue of my sex, I am mercifully exempt from the travails of making such a taxing decision", he said, sarcasm dripping with every word. "However, I believe you are already acquainted with my views on simplicity in dress", he added, returning to the sort of voice he would use to preach at someone. "Meretricious ostentation merely breeds vanity."

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

Belle laughed outright at Cassandra, her head thrown back in glee. "Oh Lady Cassandra, how droll! Indeed, I am led to believe that gentlemen never have much of an opinion on the matter. They see loveliness in a whole form, whereas we ladies see the sum of parts." It was a remarkably deep observation for Belle. In fact, she had heard it from an aunt, but had been astute enough to notice the truth in it, despite parroting.

This Lord Auckland was very severe. She pretended not to notice and went on. "I must disagree with you. I believe those of shorter stature have much more right to wear feathers than we of taller frame. I am afraid I could never wear large plumes, or I might have trouble walking through doorways!" She let out a tittering laugh. "In any case, I am sure flowers shall suit you very well!"

She turned to David. "And how do you find the season, my lord? Are you much in Town?" The usual questions.

[David Alford (Francesca)]

"No, no, I assure you it is true!" Cassandra said earnestly. "Why, when I was a little girl, I would often go up to the attic and playact with my grandmother's old dresses. There were trunks full of them you know, and lots of plumes as well. Huge ostrich ones, dyed to match each gown - they were quite delightful. Or they would have been, were each one not at least half as tall as I was myself!" She looked down at her petite form ruefully. "I have not grown much since then", she confessed.

Neither in stature, nor in maturity it would seem, David commented silently to himself, casting a disapproving eye at his cousin. The conversation appeared to be degenerating rapidly. It was just as well that he had so little part of it. Both ladies seemed quite content to prattle on to each other about fripperies. At this juncture however, Miss Beacham decided to address him.

"I have not been in town long enough to form much of an opinion on the subject", David responded. "I arrived but late Wednesday evening. I am primarily interested in parliamentary affairs to say the truth, and not inclined to care very greatly for the social aspects of the season."

"But you are going to the ball aren't you?" chirped Cassandra. Indeed, uninterested though David might claim to be in the season, she had it from the best authority (her mother) that Lord Auckland was in London not only to participate in the parliamentary debates but also to look for a wife. Someone needed to supervise his sisters' debut after all! Why, the older girl, Sarah, was as old as she was! Mama would have agreed to do it if asked of course, but no doubt everyone would prefer David's wife to perform the duty. "You will have to ask a great many ladies to dance, you know! There is nothing we dislike as much as disobliging gentlemen who claim to hold dancing in distaste."

David gave her a clipped bow. "You may be sure that I will in no way be shirking my duties, Ma'am", he said coldly.

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

"Well, we are certainly glad for it, my lord!" Belle smiled obligingly at him. She wished she could tell him to cheer up, but she doubted it would be proper, or that he would take it well. Lud, why DID such gentlemen show up at parks and parties anyway, if they were only going to frown and speak crossly? It was a lovely day, and it was Easter after all, so even clergymen were supposed to be merry. If not, why on Earth did Christ die on the cross anyway?

Belle turned to Cassandra once more. "And where has Lord Latimer gotten off to? I should like to wish him and your mother a happy Easter too."

[David Alford (Francesca)]

David pondered whether he should ask Cassandra's friend to dance. She was certainly very pretty and seemed equally good natured. However, her conversation had been vapid and uninteresting, and at the risk of sounding immodest, he was certain that he could do better. After all, he was a titled, respectable young man of more or less ample means, sober, serious-minded, and in possession of his faculties, his teeth, and not entirely unprepossessing looks. Yes, he certainly thought he could do better, and in any case, Miss Beacham would not be any worse off for his neglect. No doubt a score of other men would be entranced enough by her fair appearance to wrangle with one another for a dance. He contented himself with smiling stiffly at her and saying nothing.

Cassandra, who had been scanning the surroundings for the errant relatives whom Miss Beacham had mentioned, turned back to the other girl with an expression of comical dismay on her face. "I don't know, I'm sure", she said ruefully. "We appear to have lost them." She sneaked a quick look at David under her eyelashes. "I blame Lord Auckland", she said with the slightest hint of a laugh in her voice. "You must forgive me cousin, but you do walk very fast, you know!"

"I cannot abide dawdling", David snapped in response, stung by this criticism.

"Ah!" said Cassandra brightly. "I am sure you can empathise with Miss Beacham then. She proved last Thursday to be quite as brisk and sprightly as you are, cousin!"

"Indeed?" asked David with heavy sarcasm. "What fascinatingly unusual places we discover common ground in." This brisk and sprightly manner that Cassandra talked of put him in mind of running in public and other similar improprieties, and he simply could not approve.

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

It didn't signify if David didn't ask her to dance. She certainly didn't want to dance with him. Lud! What a stick in the mud! Her face flushed pink as Cassandra brought up her "athletic abilities", as the gossip column had called it. "I beg you, Lady Cassandra, do not mention it! Quite embarrassing, I assure you, but we do go about things differently in the country!"

She chose to ignore his lordship's disapproving tones and went on. "You are acquainted with Mr. Devenish, are you not? I saw your brother speaking with him at church. We made each others' acquaintance and he was kind enough to provide an escort outside. What an amiable gentleman! I promised him the first dance of the ball, you know!" This last part was said conspiratorially, and followed up with a girlish giggle.