C12 Wits and Beauty

In an instant the feeling of defeat she was feeling few moments ago suddenly disappeared as if fading with the sounds of his name coming from her own tongue. Great! The effect was something never anticipated. Francesca could feel her nerves and impulse slowly calming. ‘How can his name has such effect on me?’ she wondered.

“And yours my lady?” Lord Syford asked back to hear the introductory monologue of the Feledencian woman with a radiating smile registered on his face brought about by the pleasure of hearing her say such words he long to hear after three long years of his loss.

Lady Francesca was quick to get back on her wits upon hearing him ask for hers. “Francesca. Francesca of House Chandler, the only daughter of the late duke of Feledencia. My mother was a Feledencian noble, daughter of Lady Margaret,” she introduced.

“Whoa! Such a beauty coming from two very powerful clans,” he commented, which made Francesca look away.

‘Such power so dangerous for her to handle. Such power as to where the master of evils spring up from.’ she silently thought.

“As you my lord...I heard from the news in our dukedom that Verindale was the leading exporter of cottons in England with a quota of about seventy percent of the total cottons harvested within a year in the country. The remaining thirty percent comes from the collective small plantations of other counties. Aside from that, you also produced some silk grown on plants. It was with no exaggerations that your earldom ranks the highest producer of raw materials for fabrics,” Lady Francesca commented as her natural interest with local economics sparks up.

Lord Syford curled his lips for a smile on the woman’s enthusiasm on the matter. Just as he expected, her wits was grounded on the fact that she has a good intellectual capacity. She might have undergone strict studying lessons since she was a kid with a personal governess with a high caliber.

“Too much for the flattery about Verindale. Your dukedom also was a remarkable realm for stocks and cattle raising given the wide land pastures in the countryside. And most importantly, your people’s inept passion for horses that you actually hold the largest and sturdiest stables among London. Your annual rodeo was one of a kind,” Lord Syford had returned the woman’s informative remarks earlier with his own freshly earned knowledge about Feledencia while making sure to execute the dance steps properly.

He actually had had just recently visited the said dukedom few months ago to purchase new saddle for his well-loved and tamed horse, Rodnie, the brown horse with a weird spot of white oval shape in his forehead.

“Speaking of which, I would expect less from the daughter of Feledencia about horses,” Dynirho added, which made Lady Francesca smiled confidently. No noble woman could ride a horse as better as her in the entirety of London. Perhaps, it runs in the blood as her ancestors were known well as excellent horseback riders as well.

Swaying to the side with the beats of the music, Lady Francesca answered:

“Certainly! I am! I can ride horses well, my lord. Riding them was like riding a carriage even. Not to boast but as a matter of fact, I won three gold medals on the annual rodeo competition in our dukedom officiated by my guests judges coming from different earldoms and dukedoms,” she bragged, feeling more fired up than usual. They were talking about her best buddies, that is after all.

“It was just saddening when I cannot do much of it lately. Life had become extra tight and rough to even have a leisurely trip into the mountainside,” she added, lowering her head to hide the gloomy expression on her face. It was a good thing the music piece was coming into an end.

Doing few more sways and quick turns, the dance came into an end with a loud drifting final blow from the violinist and pianist. Lady Francesca curtsied while Lord Syford lowered his head while simultaneously putting his arms in front and the other at the back. Bowing into each other, they gave regards to each talents and skills in dancing.

Afterward, as per proper etiquette, the earl ushered his escort safely and gracefully back into her seat. Planting a small kiss at the back of her palms, he looked at her eyes intently. The traces of longing over the habits now remain in the past remains visible in the maiden’s eyes, giving the earl an idea on how can he see the lady once more after the party.

“I, too has an avid obsession about horses, my lady. Would you mind joining me in a short trip into the mountain tomorrow?” Dynirho offered. Lady Francesca’s eyes naturally glinted in amusement. She was extremely joyous of the invitation she got. She didn’t realize how much she actually misses riding a horse until someone let her realize its worth for her.

“Not that I have any objections about it, my lord especially when its about horses and fun,” Lady Francesca retorted with a bright smile.

Throwing her a glance once more, Lord Syford bid his temporary goodbye to attend on his other guests or else it will be rude no matter how much he wishes to stay a little bit longer with the Feldencian woman.

“I am afraid, Lady Francesca, I have to get myself in front of other guests as well or we’ll be topping the headline tomorrow for spending much time together,” he started.

L-Lady Francesca… This was the first time he actually said her name as such. And she couldn’t understand it too…

‘Why does it sounds different when it came from him?’ Why does my heart skipped a little bit faster than it usual does in normal occasion?’ Being innocent about the enticing concept of any form of opposite sex attraction, she marveled.

And wait what?

...headline tomorrow for spending much time together? ‘Does he mean gossips?’ Great! I never did imagine our second meet up would turned out into something I never had anticipated.

Didn’t I just loathe him at first sight due to his vulgarity and lascivious acts? Yet here I am happily anticipating for spending more time with him again tomorrow as we trek the mountain. Ugh! This is getting insane and incomprehensible.

“Are you feeling alright, my lady?”

Lady Francesca was taken aback her senses when Catherine snapped her back. “You appear bothered after the dance. Is there anything I can bring you to soothe your mood?” she asked.

Shaking her head lightly, she denied the allegations.

“Need not to fret. I am still sane enough though I personally think I am not in my best shape,” Lady Francesca admitted pertaining to the fact on how easily her perception, impression, and attitude toward the earl.

Dynirho had made her act strangely on her own. And Francesca had had no single idea on how much she also made him rethink about his strong position about the equality of commoners and nobles, as she serves as a living proof of the invalidity of his premise. Or perhaps, he’s judgment was clouded on the fact he got captivated by her beauty and wit.