Free Web NovelChapter 176: Desires (4)
"What am I going to do with that child?" Rachel shook her head. She didn’t see why Regina would not want to make amends with her brother.
"Don’t worry mother," Samuel patted Rachel’s back to calm her down before she started fuming again. "There will be a lot of opportunities for me to talk to her tonight. She can’t cause a scene out in public."
"Samuel, you’ll be surprised by the times your sister does when she wants attention. Let’s go before your grandmother gets upset by our absence," Rachel intertwined her arm with Samuel’s. Her son was the key to all of this one day belonging to her.
When Samuel and Rachel reached the carriage, Nathaniel and Regina were seated beside each other while Minnie sat all alone on her side. It was evident by Nathaniel and Regina’s identical facial expressions that neither of them wanted the two to sit beside them. In the end, Samuel sat next to Minnie, and Rachel at the end beside her side.
"So kind of you to finally join us," Minnie scolded the mother and son. They knew she loved being on time but took longer than they needed. "Driver, please leave."
Samuel sat staring directly at Regina who completely ignored his existence. He had to look away when he saw his father glaring at him, clearly still upset with him. For all his childhood, Samuel failed to see why their father favored his sister more. What Samuel also failed to see was Regina trying to understand why their mother favored her brother more.
’This will be a long night,’ he sighed leaning back into his seat.
Fifteen minutes later, the family arrived at a friend of Minnie’s known for holding parties where invitations were only sent to those who mattered in the town. It was no surprise Minnie would receive an invitation even with her recent scandal.
All those who took joy in having something to talk about Minnie would run to her and pretend to be her friend. Minnie didn’t mind their fake smiles as long as they knew she ran the social world.
All eyes were on their carriage as guests wanted to see the family who was out of sight from the moment the rumor spread around.
"Nathaniel," Rachel held out her hand to her husband for him to help her out rather than using the help of the servant who came to the side of the carriage. Nathaniel could be angry with her but they had the role to play as the perfect couple.
Without a word, Nathaniel took her hand and signaled to the servant to open the door. Once the door was opened, he helped Rachel outside followed by Samuel helping Minnie out. Regina was the last to get out and was offered help by Samuel but she chose to step out by herself.
"Good behavior tonight," Minnie said whilst smiling. She wasn’t sure what caused a rift between everyone tonight and she didn’t care. She would not go easy on any of them if they embarrass her tonight. "Especially you, Regina."
Regina didn’t react to her grandmother pointing her out and focused on Esmeralda who had somehow arrived at the party. The woman looked amazed by the dazzling lights and the people all dressed up. For the first time since the woman had popped up before her, she looked truly happy.
’How much of her youth did she miss,’ Regina thought to herself. Her great-grandmother resembled a child given candy for the first time.
Regina took a deep breath knowing this party wasn’t just about having fun. She already saw some of her peers mingling with the other sex trying to capture their interests before this season would end and the news of those who managed to become engaged would spread around. Regina planned to use this time to look around for someone to be her husband.
Walking ahead of her family, she walked into the party with her head held high. She intended to be the diamond of the party where all the suitors would come to have a dance with her. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
"Regina," she heard her mother call behind her. However, Regina continued to walk ahead because the woman had cut ties with her when it came to these sorts of things.
"Regina dear. Look how much you have grown in the few days that I have not seen you," Laura Holt, the host of the party said as she greeted Regina with a hug. "I’ve invited a lot of young men from great families just for you. Make sure you grab onto one tonight."
"Haha, thank you, Mrs. Holt," Regina replied, hugging the woman. Laura was one of Minnie’s friends she quite liked. The woman was bubbly and energetic for her age. She made you want to laugh in a moment when you only felt like crying.
"Oh please, dear. Just call me, Laura. I’m so close to getting rid of the brute I call my husband. You look lovely tonight dear. Such a shame the news kept you from shining at all the other parties. Though, I have a feeling you enjoyed not having to dress up and dance around," Laura joked as she was well aware of Regina’s personality. "I miss the days you would skip dance lessons and come to my home."
"I do too. One day I will pay you a visit so that we can catch up."
"Please do. It gets really lonely in this house being all by myself. Ssh! Your grandmother is coming. Hello Minnie," Laura greeted the said woman with a hug.
Regina found it interesting how Laura was always nice to Minnie but still kept secrets she knew about Regina from Minnie.
"What were you talking about so happily with Regina?" Minnie asked curious to know what the two could have to talk about with each other. They weren’t close in age and as far as she was concerned, Regina only spoke with Laura when she tagged along for the ride for when Minnie went to have tea with the woman.
"Oh, I told Regina there are some nice young men here for her to get acquainted with. There are some nice young ladies for you, Samuel. You are at the age where you should have a wife and settle down to prepare for children. The two of you should go along and talk to others while I have a chat with your family. Go on," she nudged the two in the direction where all the other young people were gathering.
"It was nice seeing you," Regina told Laura, followed by a curtsy before she left to find a good spot to examine who was here and who wasn’t. She found a nice corner to do so but rolled her eyes when she saw Samuel how on her tail to speak with her. "He does not know when to give up."
"Regina, we need to talk," Samuel informed her when he got by her side. This attitude of hers was what got him upset in the first place. Why were they never able to talk like civilized adults? They were siblings, not strangers off the street.
"What part of I have said enough to you don’t you understand? You cornering me here won’t make me want to talk to you about anything Samuel. I will keep walking away as you chase me. Leave me alone."
"We made a promise about your marriage partner and one little argument ruined that. I apologize for hitting you when I shouldn’t have and I had no idea that our mother did the same. You have to understand that the way you spoke-"
"When you apologize to someone Samuel, don’t add an excuse for why you did it. There are many things you did wrong these days but I have been keeping to myself and ignoring you. You know what, I accept your apology so leave me alone now," Regina walked to the side to get away from him but Samuel continued to follow her. This only showed her how desperate he was to use her. "Samuel, leave me alone."
"Is something wrong here?" Questioned Timothy as he approached the siblings. He had been keeping an eye on Regina from the moment Regina arrived and was surprised to see her annoyed with her older brother.
"Timothy. I didn’t expect to see you here tonight. You don’t normally come to these things," Samuel switched his tone now that the man was here. He was hoping that despite their odds, Regina and Timothy would get together.
Timothy was someone who branched off from his family and gained his own wealth. There was also the important detail of him being a relative of the king and having connections to the palace.
"I don’t like to announce where I am going. It gets annoying when people know and try to push their business ideas and daughters my way. It’s nice to see some friends here although Regina doesn’t look too happy," Timothy said enjoying the glare she gave him.
"She’s just-"
"Would you like to share your first dance with me?" Timothy ignored Samuel and held out his hand for Regina.
