Social Hour 1.3

 Soon it was time again for the weekly committee meeting. Florence and Mary walked down the stairs, and their mother joined them as they got in the carriage, headed for Bertha Raymond's house.

When the Elliot's arrived, the ladies were socializing and snacking on orders prepared by Bertha's maid Rita. Ruth Marianne was playing the piano, an entertaining skill she thought all proper ladies should have.

"

Bertha gathered all of the ladies to sit down and discuss the winter ball and other topics.

"First order of business, the Winter Ball. The prime minster and the countess will be in attendance, so it must be the most grand of events the Springs has ever hosted." 

"Yes, I quite agree." Clair Nathan added. "In order to make it grand, we will all have to pitch in. Now, we have the guest list, the Hall booked, along with the food and entertainment." They discussed the ball for a while, and then moved on to the next subject.

"As some of you know, Florence and James Nathan are courting." Elisabeth said.
"Yes, and the engagement has not been set quite yet, but it will be soon." Clair added in. The ladies sent nods of approval towards Florence.

"Now, Rita, play some music, let's have dinner."

Rita played for them while the cook and butler served dinner. Afterwords, they prepared to head home.

 Florence and Mary headed out for their carriage, their mother behind them.

Frances Marianne and Clair left as well, their chauffeurs waiting to escort them home.

 Later that night, Mary heard a noise at the window. She climbed out of bed, and looked down. James was standing in the garden.

 "I need to talk to you!" He whisper-yelled.
"Come up to my room!" She whisper-yelled back.

He explained everything, how he had no idea there was to be a marriage between him and Florence until the day Mary found out.

"I promise, we'll get out of it." James said, and pulled Mary in for a kiss. When they pulled apart, she pulled him to her bed.

Again-thanks for reading! Comment if you liked it! 1.4 will probably be out in the next couple weeks, I won't be able to use my computer for a while!

Social Hour 1.2

 A few days after the committee meeting, Clair Nathan and Elisabeth Elliot sat in the Nathan's parlor. Despite their rivalry, they had gathered together to discuss marriage. The marriage of Florence Elliot and James Nathan.

 "Now, Elisabeth, I know you were thinking of Henry for a suitor. However, I find that James and Florence would make an even perfect couple. We have been looking for a wife for James for quite some time now, and have never found a girl to be suitable. In the recent months, I believe Florence has blossomed into a beautiful and charming lady. In addition, I hear that Henry's family's dowry requirements are so high not even a family like yours would get any benefit from the marriage." Clair stated her case as to why Florence and James should be married.

"Yes, I am quite aware of the Henry situation. And I agree, James and Florence would make a perfect match. Why not arrange a courtship to begin immediately?"
"I am happy you feel the same way. James should be back in the next hour from his archery lesson. I will discuss this with him." Clair said.
"Terrific. I will send for Florence."

 Clair played piano for her guest while she and Elisabeth awaited James and Florence's arrival. Finally they arrived, James along with his sister, and the five of them sat down.

 "Now, James, Florence, Elisabeth and I have something to say." Clair stated.
"Yes, we certainly do. After much discussion we have decided that you two will begin a courtship. We feel you will make a perfect match." Elisabeth began.
"Yes, a perfect husband and wife." Clair smiled widely at the two.



The information began to sink in. James felt as if the world was coming down, as if there was no escape from sorrow. Mary. Mary. Mary. This was the only word that James could process.
"Now James, why don't you escort Florence on a stroll through the gardens?" Elisabeth inquired, more of an order then a question.



 James lead Florence out of the house and through the gardens, numb. Everything was a blur. Florence tried to start up a conversation, but James just didn't have the ability to engage. She got the message that there was something bothering him, and kept her distance for the rest of the walk.



Finally, when reality came into check, James started to think deeper about the situation. There had to be a way to get out of having to marry Florence, there had to be a way to be with Mary...

 That night Mary Elliot is eating dinner with her parents at their estate. Her father was droning on about the weather in India when Elisabeth spoke up.

"We found the perfect suitor for Florence today. The courtship is to start immediately."

"Oh really?" Mary's father asked. Mary couldn't have been less interested.

"Well we were going for that Henry you know. However, we found someone much more suitable."

"Who?"

"James Nathan."

Mary choked on her bite of her crab bisque.

"Exuse me?"

"James Nathan." Elisabeth repeated.



Mary suddenly felt bile rising in her throat. She jumped up, slammed in her chair, and began running.

 She ran up the stairs, headed for the bathroom. A scream was rising as well, and Mary felt the urge to run back downstairs and rip out her mother's throat.

 As soon as she reached the bathroom, Mary began crying. Sobs racked her body as she lost control of all emotions. So many questions were circling her. Did James know? How could this have happened? What had they done wrong? How could anyone be so cruel as to take away innocent love from two innocent people? What would they do? As soon as Mary regained control of herself she drew a bath.

 James would think of something. Mary knew he would. There had to be someway they could still be together. They would make it through. In the back of her mind lurked a thousand what if's. What if they didn't find a way? What if James and Florence were married? Mary imagined a life without James. Or even worse, a lifetime of watching James and Florence's marriage. Them having children, raising them, and growing old together. No. That would not happen. Mary was sure of it.

Social Hour 1.1

 Mary Elliot sat on her embroidered green couch in the living room, waiting for something interesting to happen. Her sister Florence was directly across from Mary, practicing her embroidery. After a few minutes of staring out the window, their maid Helen walked in.

 "Good afternoon Ms. Mary. James Nathan's butler has asked me to pass along the message: James will be here tonight to see you." A smile spread across Mary's face. She would see James. Tonight. She hadn't seen him for almost a month, his family was in Paris.

"Oh, and one more thing, his butler also gave me a gift from James to pass along to you, it's upstairs on your night table." Helen said and left the room. Mary couldn't help but grin out of pure happiness. James had been sending her little gifts, usually every week, since they had meet one year ago. At the time he was 19 and she 15. Their first year together had been a wonderful one filled with first love and youthful romance. Helen was the only one who knew about them, she knew she could not tell her parents, nor Florence.



 Mary walked up stairs, she felt an urge to run but didn't, her mother Elisabeth was in the house and would kill her if she knew. After all, running was simply not lady like.

 The gift was wrapped in beautiful purple in yellow paper, Mary's favorite colors. She carefully opened it, and read the card:
"Mary,
I love you and have missed you terribly since I have been away. We returned last night, a week early, and I was honestly happy. Paris was extraordinary, but simply not the same without you. I will see you tonight, around midnight? Meet me outside.
P.S: Hope you loved the gift.
Yours truly,
James Nathan"
Mary opened the box, and inside was a beautiful lace headband. She immediately walked to the bathroom to put it on.

 Mary pushed back her hair and slid the band on. It matched her dress perfectly. She admired her reflection and smiled, wearing the headband made her feel closer to James.
"Mary! Mary!" Her mother Elisabeth called. "Come to my sitting room please!" Mary sighed and speed walked over to her mother's sitting room.

 She plopped down on the imported Indian couch and zoned off as her mother lectured her.
"The winter ball is to be in precisely two weeks. Because you are a member of the committee now, I expect you will help with the planning. Now, for the guest list..." Elisabeth droned on and on as Mary thought of nothing but James.

 "Mary. Mary! Are you listening?"
"Yes mother." She snapped out of her trance.
"Good. Now remember, Florence is in great need of a husband. We are thinking of that Henry fellow, he is sure to make a fine match. I want you to help your sister prepare for her courtship, alright?"
"Yes mother."
"Oh, and be downstairs in five minutes for your piano lesson."

 Elisabeth got up, brushed off her skirt, and exited the room.

 After her lesson and dinner, Mary lay on her bed and day dreamed, waiting for midnight to come. Finally when the hour came, she quietly crept downstairs and outside to meet James.

"James!" She exclaimed. They embraced, and kissed.

 "Come upstairs with me. Everyone is sleeping." Mary pulled on his arm, but he stayed still.
"I can't. I haven't got much time. Mary, you don't know how much I have missed you." James said, and pulled her in for another kiss.

 "By the way, I love the head band." James commented after they broke apart.
"Thank you so much. It's beautiful." Mary smiled up at him.

 "You are very welcome." He said, smiling his classic sneaky smile.
"James, I know you hate me to ask you of this, but still, I must. When will we get to be together? When will we not have to hide things anymore?"
"Soon. Your parents are working on finding your sister a suitor right now. As soon as she is married off and out of the way, I can ask for your hand in marriage."
"Oh James, I can't wait until then."
"Me either."  He stroked her cheek. "Look, I must leave. I will call for you soon. Write me if anything."

"Goodbye James." They came together for one last kiss, and then said their goodbyes.

"I love you!" Mary shouted after him as he began walking away. She watched his figure fade into the night before returning inside.

Mary changed into her nightdress and climbed into bed, thinking about the days events. She missed James already. The only question now was, when would she see him again? She blew out the candle, and closed her eyes. Mrs. Mary James Nathan. Mary liked the sound of that.


Thank you for reading! Again, sorry about all the blumblobs in the shots. (Little green dimonds) I will do better on that next time! I still have a little more time before I won't be able to use my computer again, so I will try to get a few more chapters in! I hope you enjoyed!

Social Hour 1.0

The finest ladies of the Springs were gathered at Bertha Raymond's house. They talked amongst each other, waiting for the weekly meeting to begin.

 Mary Anne Elliot shifted in her uncomfortable corset, as this was one of her first meetings, and she found them all to be quite tedious. At the young age of 16, she had more interest in her own social life then the planning of weekly galas and balls, plus long readings of the Bible.

Next to her sat Ruth and Frances, the Marianne sisters. Ruth was higher on the social ladder due to her husband owning half the town. Frances was a young widow who lived with Ruth, and rumor was that the cause of her housing situation was dwindling funds.

Across the room sat Mary's sister, Florence Elliot, and her mother, Elisabeth Elliot. Florence was 19, and one subject of today's meeting was finding a proper suitor for her.
"Darling, take it from me, you can't stay single for ever!" Bertha was constantly reminding her. Elisabeth was kind, but strict when it came to the rules of being a lady.

Bertha was president of their weekly meetings, simply because she had been on it the longest, and, although none of the ladies would admit it, she intimidated them.
"Now, for our first order of business..." Bertha trailed off. "Wait a minute, where is Clair?"
"Her family is in Paris, remember?" Elisabeth answered.
"Oh, right. Well, on to it then."

After discussing the upcoming winter ball, and the need to find a suitable husband for Florence, Bertha's maid entered the room.
"I brought your sandwich, mam."
"Thank you, but at the moment that won't be necessary. We'll take some tea."
"Yes'm."

After the Elliot sisters had to return home for a music lesson, the chatting when on for quite some time.
"Bertha, don't you think that young Henry boy would make a perfect husband for Florence? Elisabeth, you must be so proud of her. She has climbed so high on the youth's social latter she could have any suitor in town!" Ruth exclaimed.
"Yes, I quite am. Henry is just the right match, I agree. I think I shall have to talk with his mother." Florence replied, thinking out loud.
"Oh yes! I love..." Bertha was cut off as her maid came into the room again.

"Clair has arrived, Ms. Raymond"
"Oh my! Well, invite her in. And prepare some more tea." The maid nodded and left the room.

In came Clair Nathan, the town jewel and Elisabeth's rival. Although they were friendly toward each other, as their husband's were best friends, everyone knew they competed for the top social slot.
"Well, Ms. Nathan, I didn't know you would be back so soon." Bertha said.
"Well me either!" She laughed. "But our chauffeur got sick, and had to return home. I thought we might as well head home also, I really couldn't miss the planning of the Winter Ball!"
"Well, have a seat!" Bertha smiled as she replied.

"Claire, I didn't know full skirts were back again." Elisabeth commented.
"Oh, I hear they are all the rage in Europe!" Frances said.
"Yes, they quite are, I just had to pick a few up."
The small talk went on, and eventually it was time to leave and prepare for dinner.

They ladies said their goodbyes, and soon Bertha was left alone.

"Rita, start the preparations for the ball. It will be a night to remember."



Thank you for reading! 1.1 won't be out for a while, we are remodeling my house and my desktop will be unusable for a while! And I promise the plot is going to get way more interesting!
P.S. Sorry for all the plum blobs by the way. This is my first story so I was bound to make some mistakes! :)