PORTIA & the BARON

Two days passed and the masked ball was being held the following night. Portia and Percy had so looked forward to the ball all during the autumn months at Mont Clair. Now they were just looking forward to leaving and going back to school. Lord Cheslyn never discussed what was said when he went rushing off to Durkinwald Castle, and when his daughter asked, his response was that she had made a mountain out of a molehill, and it was up to her to fix it or break it. The conversation finally took place that night at the dinner table, and Lady Cheslyn was outraged by her husband’s reaction. He always sided with Gertrude Von Hasselberg, and she told him so. She said, “Do you not even care what she tried to do to your only daughter?” His response was that everything was taken out of context and that Portia shouldn’t have been talking to servants and listening through keyholes. Portia said, “So, Papa, you don’t care if that man was marrying me for my fortune? Or don’t I have one now? I will at the very least require an income when I leave school to set up my own accommodation. Percy will require an income too since we will be sharing a flat in London or possibly Paris. However, she will need to demand hers from her stingy, nasty, and greedy brother. Perhaps you can speak to Trudy about the matter.” It wasn’t often that the earl was angry at his beloved daughter, but she had pushed him beyond endurance. He said, “You no longer have permission to call the dowager baroness that endearment. It was offered when she thought you would be marrying her son. As to incomes, I will be happy to give both of you girls an income and send you off to Timbuktu! The drama you have caused since turning eighteen is beyond understanding.” Fortunately, Lady Cheslyn was, for once, on the girls’ side. She said, “I must apologize to you Madame De Valois, this is not our usual behavior, however….” She turned towards her husband, “First your youngest son spreads a nasty rumor about Persephone, which has completely ruined her life, and as if that weren’t enough for my poor nerves to contend with, your dear friend, the dowager baroness, attempts to compromise our daughter in order that she might get her hands on her fortune! This is insupportable! Where are both of these men anyway? Rufus hiding in the rectory and as for the other one….” Lord Cheslyn returned to his pigeon pies, which were sitting untouched on the ladies’ plates. They had merely partaken in the winter vegetables which followed the family’s first two courses of butternut squash soup and poached salmon. However, he stopped eating to say, “He has to travel back to Brazil. He received a telegram. Some trouble brewing there. I think he intends to sell the plantations, but it depends on receiving the right offer. He leaves early in the new year.” Portia jumped up. “You saw him? He was supposed to be in London!” The earl said, “Yes, he had already returned when I went over there. He had gone into York to book passage at the travel agency located in the city. I distinctly got the impression he was not pleased to find you had disrespected his mother and uncle, and then ran away leaving behind the expensive ring he bestowed upon you the previous evening to ask for your hand in marriage. An offer which of course, he has now withdrawn, given the circumstances.” Lord Cheslyn turned towards Madame De Valois, who was contemplating an entirely fascinating entry in her journal that evening at bedtime. He said, “Please do not upset yourself with the nonsense all around you. I hope we are forgiven and besides, I feel sure you know both of our girls very well indeed. However, this last term at school should center more on the application of common sense, if indeed such a thing can be learned. Persephone, what part did you feel bound to play today in your silly friend’s drama? I understand you paid a rare visit to your mother.” Percy blushed. This was not what she or Portia expected, and Portia looked about to burst into tears. She said, “Um, I went to see my brother and to demand an income of five hundred pounds a month. I also demanded to know if I had a dowry, and if so I needed it now.” The earl said, “And did he agree to these demands?” Percy looked up defiantly and said, “No. He did not. He told me the family had disowned me and that I must find my own way in the world. My mother didn’t intervene and neither did my uncle and I told them they were all ….” She stopped, and the earl said, “All what, Persephone?” She couldn’t help the smirk which was mirrored by Portia when she said, “I said they were all nothing but a den of thieves and procurers of innocent young maidens.” Lord Cheslyn said, “Ah, very nicely put. Tell me, how did they take such an authoritative put down?” Percy said, “I was asked to leave,” and both girls began giggling so hard, they were told to leave the table. However, not before Portia turned towards her father, “Papa! I cannot believe you did not stand up for me. You could have explained what I heard and was told. Anyone might have considered the same thing. Also, what do you mean? Withdrawn? I can sue him for breach of promise.” Lord Cheslyn said, “Possibly, had you kept the ring. Just your word against his now.”