Notting Hill - Miss Scott announces her departure from London
Anna had expected her drawing room to be crowded. Gossip spread quickly through the haute ton, and rumors regarding the belle of the season seemed to have the swiftest wings. However, even her own generous estimation was dwarfed by the daunting reality. A veritable gaggle of debutantes and their mamas were perched on every bit of furniture available in the room. Many additional cards had been left on the salver in the hall. Today would be a trial. Anna had on her most composed face, took a fortifying sip of tea, and attended to the interminable questions that would be her lot until she was able to escape London.
“But shall we expect the pleasure of your company in London for the remainder of the season, dear Miss Scott?” gushed the concerned-looking debutante at her elbow.
“No, Miss Dominic, I fear not,” Anna answered calmly. “We depart for the country estate this very afternoon.”
“But surely,” asked another, with a carefully studied air of innocence, “you shall return for Lord Jeffrey’s marriage?”
Anna sighed inwardly. No amount of dewy eyelash-batting could disguise the motive behind the question. The inquisitive little miss was positively agog.
“My family has long counted Lord Jeffrey among our friends, but I am afraid our stay in the country may prevent our attendance. Though I had not had a confirmation of the rumor that he was, in fact betrothed. Have you?”
Anna mirrored the questioning debutantes innocent gaze, as the other girl covered her flustered speechlessness by carefully selecting and eating a biscuit.
There, Anna thought. That should give them sufficient fuel to keep their tongues wagging for the remainder of the spring.
“Miss Scott, if i may-- I apologize for the intrusion.”
Anna looked up at the familiar voice. Mr. Thacker, here of all places. Her carefully crafted resolve began to crack. No, she thought. I shall maintain my composure. My heart is my own, broken though it may be, and I shall not display it for half of London to crow over.
“No, please. You are welcome to join us. You wished to ask me something?”
William Thacker looked over the heads of the gathered assembly, all inclined curiously toward him. It was too late to do anything but proceed.
“I had thought, perhaps, you may have been more inclined to prolong your stay in London. Or perhaps may have been persuaded to do so.”
“There was a time, sir, when I had thought that as well. I find, though, that I was quite mistaken. I have no reason to stay.”
“Of course. Would it be a possibility, do you think, if one who may have persuaded you in the past realized that he had been an addlepated penis-”
The debutantes giggled, silenced instantly my disapproving glares from their mothers. Miss Scott raised a delicate eyebrow.
“And begged,” William continued, "begged you most ardently that you reconsider, could you find it in your heart to... reconsider?”
Anna felt a warmth spreading throughout her body at his words.
“Yes, Mr. Thacker. I do believe I might.”
A gasp arose from the gathered crowd, reminding the enamored pair of their audience.
“Miss Dominic, I do believe you asked me a question moments ago. Could you please ask again?”
“Yes, Miss Scott,” the girl said. “How much longer may we expect the pleasure of your company in London?”
