A Victorian Tale Part 3

Chapter Three (WonderCat) She peered at herself in the looking glass as she contemplated her fate. The Earl of Gotham had returned her to her lodgings in London almost immediately after their meeting with Captain White and Inspector Kent. He had been just as brash as always, informing her of their dinner plans to join Lord Garrick and his party, as though she had nothing better to do than obey his every whim. She snorted inwardly as she glanced over her toilette. Ribbons and various small gems were strewn about, along with powders and things she was not quite sure what were—offerings from her betrothed because they are what every modern woman wants. He was so arrogant and pompous; so sure of himself….he was so many traits that she despised about men…but there was something, some spark that she saw in him. She knew he wanted to do good. She knew he wanted to keep the people under his guardianship safe from harm, including too harsh taxes. Everything else about him, however, seemed to infuriate her. More than once she had wondered if she had made the right choice in accepting his proposal. When she accepted, she had thought she could change him. She thought she could help bring out the good man inside him so the whole world could see, but now she seemed so unsure. She remembered their first meeting; he had been washed over board during a terrible storm at sea. Thanks to Poseidon, she found him floating not far from her home. She pulled him from the sea, helped him to heal, and fell in love him…or so she had thought at the time. Now she was not quite so sure about that part. Once he had healed, she journeyed with him to England. She remembered being so very happy then, but upon their arrival to England, he seemed like a different man altogether. He became broody and silent. He flirted with other women, disturbingly so. She did not think it would bother her quite so much, except that he seemed to take such pleasure from it…and there was one woman…Miss Lane, daughter of General Lane, who had led England to many successful campaigns. The woman was infuriating. Anytime she was at an event in which the Earl of Gotham attended, she made sure to be on his arm or in some way occupying his attention. It was obvious to anyone that she was nothing more than a social climber, more interested in his money and station than his love. She found it revolting and had asked her betrothed on several occasions to stop. He had only given her that fake smile he often flashed in public and falsely promised to “try his best.” She longed for a man that would be honest with her. She longed for a man that did not feel he had to hide his kindness or his desire to good or help others, but who was still strong despite his kindness. She longed for someone who did not seem so very false. She smiled at the thought of her dear betrothed being silenced by a man he thought beneath him. The Inspector had been quite forceful in his way, but not harsh or overbearing, an admirable trait. He seemed so very different from the others of his sex. Though she had only seen him for a few moments, and spoken to him only briefly, she could not help but feel akin to him. There was something about him… A knock at the door startled her from her revere. She looked to the door as she said, “yes?” The door opened and a short, plump maid entered the room. “’cuse me, Miss?” “Yes, Etta? What is it?” “Is there anythin’ I can g’t you, Miss?”