Dinner With Galley

"Magnolia!" Florence rejoiced when she saw her friend, the duchess. She rushed to her and hugged her tightly. She had been waiting for her friend's arrival for days.

"Oh Florence, I have missed you."

"I have missed you too."

Florence felt like she could finally breathe. She needed someone to confide in, and ask for advice. Over the past couple of weeks, she felt like she was suffocating. She needed a friend because her family did not seem to care enough about her feelings. Her eyes watered as she linked her arm through her friend's.

After they exchanged their greetings, and Richard introduced the dowager countess, they all headed inside.

The earl led them to a sitting room that was particularly favored by his mother. Lina had taken special care in redecorating this room, choosing mustard wallpaper to highlight the natural light that flooded in throughout the day. The room's location was carefully chosen to ensure it received sunlight all day long.

After Lady Kalwen rang the bell for tea, it was promptly brought to them. The men gathered in a corner to discuss the latest news, while the women chatted about the lavish celebrations arranged by the dowager countess for her daughter's birthday.

"Every room in the castle is occupied," the older woman mentioned proudly. "We even had to have some guests stay at my sister's manor, a few miles away." She was more excited than Florence herself, and it showed. Magnolia noticed that she seemed uninterested in her mother's enthusiasm.

Florence wished that she could visit with her friend, but her mother barely gave them a chance to say a word. She just had to find an opportunity to speak privately with her, later.

"Please, rest until supper is ready," Lady Kalwen said. "I will notify you when it is, Your Graces."

"Thank you, Lady Kalwen." Magnolia smiled, relieved. The journey was long and they were tired. She squeezed Florence's hand, a silent promise that they will get to spend more time together, soon.

"You should start getting ready for dinner," Lina turned her attention to Florence after the duke and duchess exited.

"Is it not a bit early?"

"I do not believe it is, no."

Florence sighed. "Alright." She walked to her room and reached it at the same time as a few maids. They were sent by her mother.

They immediately ran a bath and started the dreaded preparations. Florence did not understand why she had to go through it all for dinner.

'Not all the guests are even here yet.'

However, as soon as she descended the stairs, she comprehended the reason. The so-called 'dinner' was more of a lavish banquet. Due to the vast number of attendees, the tables had been arranged in the center of the ballroom instead of the dining hall. The atmosphere was lively and exuberant.

Florence walked toward the table to look for her name. She had hoped to be seated next to Magnolia, but her mother would never make things easy for her, she thought. A footman approached her after a moment.

"My lady, please follow me."

She complied and walked with him to the other end of the table, where she found her seat. The footman helped her with the chair, but immediately after she sat, she felt her face heat up.

'My Gods, is she serious?'

The name to her right was none other than Marquis Galley. Her eyes roamed for a moment. Maybe she could switch with someone she knew. She looked for her brother, but he was seated on the far right. He would probably not even notice her distressed eyes. She grabbed her name card and pushed to her feet, determined to find a solution. But as soon as she did, the marquis arrived.

"My lady, it seems I am the luckiest man tonight to be able to dine with you." He bowed to her before pulling the chair for her to sit back.

Florence's fist clenched around the paper. Her eyes traveled to the head of the table, where her mother sat with a satisfied look on her face. She bit her lip and sat down. She was shaking with anger.

"I had the pleasure to tour the property earlier," Galley uttered when he took the spot next to Florence. "I must say, I was quite impressed. I honestly cannot wait to do business with your brother."

'I pray that you never do. Maybe I should sabotage this long awaited meeting.'

Florence looked to her left, hoping to find an acquaintance. Someone who could distract her from her other neighbor. But her mother had it all planned.

'Marquise Hannah Walter.' Florence chuckled bitterly.

Dinner was atrocious. The marquis spoke the whole time. Florence's head was throbbing, and she could barely eat.

The man was disgusting. He spoke while chewing, resulting in food sometimes flying out of his mouth. Florence gagged a few times and could not touch her food after that. But the marquis was too engrossed in what he was saying to even notice.

'Did his mother not teach him table manners, or his governess maybe?'

Florence looked toward her mother. 'I hope you see this, Mother. I hope you can see how repulsive this man is.' She was sure everyone around the table could hear his chewing.

Florence looked back to the marquis. His face was a rosy tint. She reckoned it was from his cravat, it looked like it was choking him. His dark brown hair was thin at the crown of his head, and the bright light of the ballroom reflected through it. His lips were quite big and chapped. But all Florence's attention was drawn to the loud sounds coming from his mouth through all six courses. She grimaced.

'Gods, I would rather die than marry this man.'