ETERNITY: The Past

Chapter 1

Grosvenor Square
LONDON

The faint breeze fluttered the elaborate lace curtains but the air she breathed in was neither clean nor refreshing. She sighed, remembering the wild wind that stirred her hair and caressed her face while she stared out into the unadulterated view of the sea, sky and sand. Today, she was no longer standing on top of the hills, as free as a wild creature of the mountains could possibly be. Instead, she sat on the window seat in the Drawing Room, her chin sinking lower into one cupped hand, as she gazed out at the scenery that unfolded before her under an overcast sky fighting heavily to obscure the miniature beams of morning sunlight that filtered through. The city was busy as always, even at this quiet elegant corner where massive townhouses stretched like mini-palaces huddled together like elegant courtiers lounging at court. Carriages of all modes, small and large, fast and slow, but all equally elegant, bustled quietly, almost daintily down the immaculate tree-lined street. One carriage, raven black and lined with silver edges, displaying a familiar crest, stopped directly below her window. The footman, in formal livery jumped down and threw down the steps, opening the door and bowing with obsequious politeness at the masculine form that stepped slowly, almost gingerly out of the vehicle.

She shook her head almost imperceptibly, tempted to glance at the clock to clarify the hour but what she saw was nothing new. She had seen this before, on more than once occasion.

“For Goodness’ sake, Jessica, I'm trying to talk to you. Have you been listening to what I have been saying?” There was a pause as the voice waited for her to answer but all that Jessica did was sigh for the second time, almost inaudibly. “What is so interesting out there anyway?”

Jessica lifted her chin from her hand and straightened almost languidly before she turned towards the voice. The lady who spoke was far from young, looking perhaps in her early fourth decade but she retained the perfect white unlined skin and unmistakable features of a remarkable beauty.

“Mother, I have been listening although I really do not see why you have to worry so much about all these invitations. I really do not feel like attending all these balls after having spent most of the past year in European ballrooms.”

“Now, Jessica, you must consider your future. You are four and twenty. If you hadn't been subjected through a series of mourning periods, you’d be well and truly married by now.”

A twinkle glimmered faintly in her eyes but her mouth didn’t curve as Jessica noted how her ‘mourning periods’ as her mother called them had been relegated to mere inconveniences. She was tempted to mention that had it not been for her Uncle, the late Duke of Chiltern’s passing, Mother would not be basking under the glory of being Dowager Duchess of Chiltern, her brother would not be the present Duke of Chiltern and she would not be Lady Jessica Smythe-Carrington instead of a nobody. Without her grandmother’s and Great Aunt Miranda’s inheritance after their demise in the previous two years, their family would still be paupers, titled but poor. As it is, the greatest wealth and position now surrounded their family like a golden cloak. She never knew them as her relatives and the extended period of mourning had been more a duty rather than a matter of grief and it was little compared to what her family had obtained in exchange. Just then, Jessica heard the front door opening, the faint whisper of the butler’s voice greeting the newcomer and the unmistakable lazy tones that replied.

“Is that your brother?” Her mother’s voice reached her again, sounding somewhat strained but when she looked up, almost searchingly at her mother, the dowager duchess’ face was as smooth and composed as before. “Your brother has done a lot for the family.” The comment was quiet but it seemed full of meaning at that moment. Jessica merely nodded and for a moment, all was quiet as the duchess poured tea and handed her an elegant cup. She shook her head at the plate of cucumber sandwiches, finding her appetite nonexistent. Her mother ignored the sandwiches as well as she partook of the tea quietly.

The sound of the front door’s closing made Jessica sigh for the third time that morning. Life was full of inconveniences but Jessica would willingly pay through those rigorous periods of mourning all over again, perpetually attired in grey and black, almost isolated from most social interaction, all that and more if it meant that her brother could be happier, more alive than the pale shadow that stepped out drunkenly from the elegant carriage downstairs. It would seem however that the greatest wealth could not mend an injured soul. She herself, more than anyone, could attest to that truth.

“Had it not been for these unavoidable distractions, anyone would consider you a spinster at this age” Her mother was speaking again, picking up unrelentingly on her previous subject – Jessica’s marriageable age. “With your outstanding looks, you should have been married off in your first season or in your second season four years ago. Gallivanting all over Europe for the past year certainly has not increased your chances. If you do not attend this year's functions, how will you meet any eligible gentlemen?”

Jessica did not reply immediately but looked down, veiling her eyes with her eyelashes long enough to make her mother frown almost in envy at the sight but the Dowager Duchess waited patiently as her daughter started to arrange some of the folds of her skirt.

“If you may recall, Mother, I was a poor plain Miss in my first season. In my second season, four years ago, I was titled but still poor. Few gentlemen were interested in girls without a dowry.” Jessica’s voice never changed tone, remaining as soft and pleasant as before but the eyes that looked back up at her mother reflected a brief bitter sadness that tugged unexpectedly at the elderly lady’s chest. That momentary surprise may have shown in the dowager duchess’ face but Jessica had looked down again, avoiding her mother’s eyes. The Dowager Duchess remained quiet. It was an uncustomary gesture for her, but at last, she may have unexpectedly seen the hidden soul of the daughter she had never bothered to know.

“This year, mother, I come equipped with wealth and title, what gentleman could resist such charms?” Her lips curved into a cynical half-smile though her eyes remained downcast. “I see not the need to attend every single function. Wealth will always draw gentlemen like honey to the bees and my title shall bring in the most fastidious of all lords.”

“Jessica, do not be vulgar. All this talk of money will put gentlemen off.” The Dowager duchess reproved her daughter but her tone was very soft and mild. She was still recovering from her surprise that part of her had hurt to see the young lady before her hurt. Lady Carina Smythe-Carrington, Dowager Duchess of Chiltern, had always accepted that selfishness was part of her soul and if it had always prevented her from loving her daughter in the past, then she could not have done anything about it. Yet now, that brief moment of revelation, the bitterness in those eyes so like her own, the almost imperceptible tremor in those young lips, reminded her so much of herself from a long time ago, that for a moment, she felt the sting of tears cloud her eyes. She shook her head almost imperceptibly and took a breath as she crushed the emotion away and buried her past once more. She had no time to deal with the past and less time with a stranger she called her daughter.

“You will attend the balls I have selected and you will do as you’re told, Jessica.” The dowager duchess spoke with enough authority to cover the emotion that threatened to spill, making her voice sound harsher than she intended. “You will do as I say, Jessica. Heed me or you will find life a little harder to bear.”

Jessica did not bother to reply, turning away towards the window but her shoulders were almost slumped in resignation. The dowager duchess must have been satisfied that her threat had been effective because the next thing Jessica heard was the rustle of her skirts and the butler closing the door behind the duchess.

CAST:

Please refer to CHARACTERS:

Lady Jessica Smythe-Carrington: JESSICA HSUAN

Lady Carina Smythe-Carrington, Dowager Duchess of Chiltern: CARINA LAU

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