Chapter Three - The Sharma's

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"Are you sure that it's okay that I am here?" I ask, glancing toward Lady Danbury with a worried look, "I don't want to intrude on your guest's stay."

"I think that you and Miss Sharma will get along quite well," Lady Danbury says, waving off my concern. "It would do well for you to make new friends... some of the company you keep it rather..."

"The company I keep is for me to worry about only, Lady Danbury... although I do appreciate your concern." I say, "besides, I am friends with plenty of other people than Cressida... although we are rather close."

Lady Danbury hums as we enter into one of her morning rooms, pausing and looking at the two people that were already occupied in it.

"Lady Mary," Lady Danbury says, smiling toward her old friend and welcoming her back with open arms.

"Lady Danbury," Lady Mary greets, turning around and smiling at her old friend.

The young lady beside her was gorgeous, there was no doubt about it. There was a certain aura around her that exuded kindness, it drew you into her, and made you smile.

"Oh, how delightful it is to see you," Lady Mary continues, stepping closer towards Lady Danbury, her eyes flickering over towards me with curiosity.

"And you," Lady Danbury says, "have you met Florence Harding yet, Lady Mary? The Duchess of Windsor?"

"I don't believe I have," Lady Mary says, turning towards me and offering me a small curtsy and smile, "an honor to meet you, Your Grace."

"A pleasure, Lady Mary. I have heard wonderful things from Lady Danbury about you all," I say, offering a smile to both her and, who I assumed to be, her youngest daughter, Edwina.

"After all these years," Lady Danbury mutters, looking over at Lady Mary with fondness. "You look well."

"Allow me to introduce to you my youngest, Miss Edwina Sharma," Lady Mary says, reaching for her daughter and watching as she steps forwards and curtsy's to us both.

"A true pleasure, Lady Danbury, Your Grace," Edwina says. "I am so grateful for your hospitality. Your home... it is magnificent."

Lady Danbury chuckles and looks around the room with a smile, "consider it yours for the season. Though, I was expecting another?"

"Yes, my eldest," Lady Mary says, glancing back at Edwina with a semi-strained smile. "Kate."

Lady Danbury nods her head in acknowledgment, "Kate. Yes. Well, she did get off the ship with you last night, did she not?"

The two break out into chuckles as another lady enters the room behind us.

As if on cue, a breathless woman, who I could only assume to be Kate, enters the room with a smile.

"Apologies."

Edwina's smile grows at the sight of her sister's entrance. "Kate!"

"There you are, dearest," Lady Mary says, smiling towards her eldest daughter in relief.

"I hope I did not keep you waiting long," Kate says pleasantly, offering both Lady Danbury and I warm smiles. "The gardens here are so lovely. After such a lengthy journey, I found that I wanted some freshness and morning air. But, uh, I am here now."

"My eldest, Lady Danbury, Your Grace. Miss Kate Sharma," Lady Mary introduces.

"Lovely to meet you Miss Sharma... your dress is gorgeous on you. The color is simply magnificent," I say, smiling over at her.

She curtsies and offers me a relieved smile. "An honor to make your acquaintance, Your Grace."

Lady Danbury chuckles and offers us all a smile, "well, now that we are all arrived-"

"Almost," Kate interjects.

Lady Danbury falters, looking over at Kate with a furrowed brow, "I beg your pardon?"

"We have almost all arrived. There is also Newton," Kate clarifies.

I turn towards Lady Mary with raised eyebrows, "you have a son, Lady Mary?"

"Is he still upstairs?" Kate asks.

Lady Mary chuckles nervously as she glances toward Lady Danbury.

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After a rather, surprising conversation with Lady Mary, Lady Danbury and I had found out that Newton was not Lady Mary's son, but rather a dog.

Well, a corgi to be more exact.

"I find him to be an excellent judge of character," Kate says, smiling down at the dog and gently petting his head.

"He... judges one's character... how wonderful," I whisper, staring at the small, rather fluffy-looking animal in wonder. I look over at Kate with a raised brow and slowly raise my hand, "may I?"

"Of course."

I reach my hand forwards and let Newton sniff it.

He pauses, pulling back and looking at me before sniffing me one more and barking, his tail doing a short wag before settling back down onto Kate's lap.

"I think he rather likes you, Your Grace," Kate says, grinning down at the dog with adoration in her eyes.

"I... am glad," I say breathlessly, "I don't think I can remember the last time I've pet a dog... my mother was allergic, so we never had one."

"Would the Duke like a dog?" Lady Danbury asks, glancing at the corgi with a raised brow, the disgust, however well hidden, was still clear through her furrowed brow.

"Frederick has never talked about it, though he does seem to enjoy the company of animals," I say, "with all the travel and hustle there is simply no time, I think."

"Of course," Lady Danbury nods her head in agreement before turning back to Edwina and Kate.

"Mama tells us you host the first ball of every season, Lady Danbury," Edwina says, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Yes. I have appropriated a conservatory from the Duchess here for this year's festivities," Lady Danbury says, sending me a smile and wink.

"Did you hear that, Edwina?" Kate asks, looking over towards her as she continues to pet Newton's head.

Edwina nods her head and turns back towards Lady Danbury with a smile, "well, that sounds delightful."

"It will make for a most spectacular entrance to society, indeed," Lady Sharma says, "I cannot tell you how eager the young ladies are for the upcoming season."

"As am I," Lady Danbury agrees, "I would've ensured their presentation to Her Majesty the Queen, but I thought it wise for me to examine their deportment prior to their first engagement. Her Majesty is most discerning, you understand."

"So Her Majesty will be in attendance, then, at the ball?" Lady Sharma asks, her face almost seeming to pale at the very thought.

"Well, there is no reason for concern, Lady Mary," Lady Danbury assures, "you will be with me, after all."

Lady Mary nods her head and takes a sip of her tea. "Of course."

"Now," Lady Danbury turns back towards Kate and Edwina, "I have made all the arrangements. The pianoforte is tuned, the instructors hired. Dance lessons begin at noon, followed by a short but comprehensive visit from a lovely French tutor I have secured. Well, stand up. Both of you. Could you, uh-"

Edwina is quick to stand up and move towards the fireplace, while Kate ensures that Newton is comfortable on Lady Mary's lap before moving to stand beside her sister.

Lady Danbury stands up and begins to pace, looking them both over with a careful and critical eye. "Exceptional posture. Beautiful smiles."

Lady Mary watches on with a proud smile, petting Newton's head as she nods in agreement. "Yes, they are, quite."

Lady Danbury pauses her walking and leans over towards Lady Mary, lowering her voice just slightly, "the age of the elder miss may raise concern. Any suitable gentleman will require some persuading, whether we like it or not, as she will already be regarded as an old maid at the mature age of..."

"Six and twenty, ma'am," Kate says. "But it should truly be of no concern, as I assure you I am not here to find a husband for myself, only for my sister, who, indeed, stands quite tall and smiles rather exquisitely. Even more so when she speaks French, I rather think."

Kate looks over at Edwina and nods her head.

Edwina smiles at her and turns back towards Lady Danbury, offering up a quick, rather eloquent sounding sentence in French, causing Lady Danbury to chuckle and smile.

"She is accomplished in both Latin and Greek, in addition to Marathi and Hundstail, of course," Kate continues, "she not only plays sitar and maruli, but pianoforte too. And as for her dancing, well, it is quite remarkable, if I do say so myself. And I do say so, considering it was I who taught my sister the cotillion, the quadrille, the waltz. Self-taught, naturally, but still quite remarkable nonetheless."

"Hmm. Well-"

Lady Danbury is quickly cut off by Lady Mary, who glows at her daughter's words, "Kate feels quite passionately about her sister's prospects this season."

"I hope you did not go to too much trouble, finding all of those instructors?" Kate says, furrowing her brow in concern.

"Not at all," Lady Danbury says, gripping her cane just a hair tighter than normal.

"My mama did not err in her description of you," Kate continues, offering Lady Danbury a kind smile. "A woman of such grace and kindness. I am sure we have much to learn from you, such as the preparation of this most excellent tea."

I bite back my grin as Lady Mary chuckles nervously, taking a sip from her own teacup as she looks between Kate and Lady Danbury.

"Kate, dear?"

Kate hums in acknowledgment and looks over to her mother with a smile.

"Might Newton require a walk before he makes his mess all over these fine carpets?" She asks.

"Indeed," Kate falls into a small curtsy and offers both Lady Danbury and I small smiles. "Delighted to make your acquaintance, Lady Danbury. My sister and I do look forward to your sponsorship this season. Your Grace."

We all watch as Kate strolls out of the room with Newton right on her heels.

"Well, I think that must get going now, Lady Danbury, I did promise Cressida that I would go and visit later this afternoon." I stand up and offer Lady Danbury a small smile. "I shall see you soon, though. Lady Mary, Miss Sharma, a pleasure to meet you both. Give Kate my regards?"

Lady Mary nods her head, "of course, Your Grace."

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-T