Olive at the Ballroom Bonus Scene

The following Christmastide

“Welcome back to Welwick House, Olive,” the Duchess, Lady Vera, said as her friend stepped out of the dark, military coach. “How was your journey from the far reaches of Scotland?”

Olive hugged Lady Vera as the Duchess’ children gathered around, and she bent down to hug each one in turn. 

“Lonely, because Julius insisted on driving the coach, saying no one else can handle his horses,” Olive laughed because in truth she didn’t mind. “At least I had the company of Aunt Flora and Uncle Hector, who have taken up your invitation to spend Christmastide in England.

“Aye, we need to see if the English know how to celebrate properly,” Uncle Hector said. He chuckled as he hugged one of the children that had taken a liking to his fluffy, ginger beard. 

Julius didn’t dismount from the driver’s seat; instead, he drove the coach to the Duke’s stable. There, the four horses would be bedded down and cared for. Meanwhile, Olive followed Vera into Welwick hall, knowing that her husband would only join them when he’d settled his horses. 

“And do tell me, how are you finding married life?” Lady Vera asked as they made their way to a small parlour room. 

The children busied themselves showing their toys to her aunt and uncle, who were more than happy to be entertained by the little ones. 

“I have never been so happy,” Olive declared. “And by February we should be moving into our new home by the river Ness.”

“Yes, your old manor house is looking rather empty with all the furniture removed,” Lady Vera said, a little sadness in her eyes. “When I visited, I recalled the fond memory of once hiding in your stable dressed as my brother.”

“Yes, and we have been best of friends ever since, so for that I am grateful,” Olive smiled. “I am so grateful for your help at this end with the sale of my house. It would have been difficult had I needed to travel back. Your stewards did a splendid job in packing up the heavy wagons with the furniture. It will be a few months before it all arrives, which is why I’ve set my moving-in date for February.”

“It all sounds very exciting,” Lady Vera said. “I cannot imagine the difficulties of moving house from one end of the country to the other. But you and Julius are more than up to the challenge.”

As they enjoyed the refreshing tea, the Duke soon joined them. With him was Julius, and the families came together in their excitement over the upcoming festivities

Viscount Fergus and his Countess, Lady Adelia Effistone, arrived the next day, and Olive was pleased to see her mother. She hadn’t seen her since she left for Ireland, and it surprised her how much she’d missed her. 

Christmastide soon arrived and the first wave of celebrations was always a spectacular celebration at Welwick hall, and this year was no exception. The tables were ladened with the finest foods and the best wines from France. Along with ample Scotch whisky, provided by Laird Hamish. 

They barely had time to recover from the overindulgence, when the Twelfth Night Christmastide Ball was upon them, on the fifth day of January. The annual theme of a masquerade ball remained the same because that was how the Duke and Duchess had first come together. 

“And what do you think of Ireland then, Countess? I’ve heard it is referred to as the Emerald Isle for a very good reason?” Olive overhead a group of ladies asking her mother. 

It caused her to smile at how her mother had changed over the past year, and she went to join her with the chattering women. 

“Ireland is very beautiful, but I do miss my dearest daughter, ah…here she is—” Adelia announced as Olive kissed her cheeks in greeting.

“Shall we take a turn around the dance floor, Mother, and enjoy a little time to ourselves?” Olive suggested, and her mother looked a little relieved to be saved from the group. 

“Thank you, my dear, that would be wonderful, if you will excuse me, Ladies,” Lady Adelia said to the group. “While we are about, you can help me find your aunt so that I am saved from the chattering locals?” 

“Once upon a time, Mother, you would have been among those gossipers, and now you wish to escape them?” Olive said as she hooked into her mother’s arm.

“I enjoy the peace of Ireland, it is giving me much happiness, daughter dear,” Lady Adelia said. “And my husband treats me like a queen, so you can imagine, I have everything I need. But I do miss you.”

“I know, Mother, and when we have moved into our new home, we can come and visit, or you may visit us,” Olive suggested.

They chatted as they strolled around the outer edges of the dance floor. Occasionally they stopped to watch the younger ones dancing with much vigour and enthusiasm. 

“Ah, there she is,” Olive pointed out. “Aunt Flora is chatting with Lady Vera. Shall we head their way?”

But as they arrived to join their friends, the Duke had stood himself high on a table and called out for all to be quiet. It took a few moments before the message made its way across the hall, as this was always a very well-attended ball. 

“It is time for my annual speech,” Lord Oscar called out as he waved his glass of champagne in the air. “Everyone, please take a glass from the trays being distributed, so that we may share a toast.” He called out as others were also raising their glasses as requested. “I first wish to welcome a very good friend to my family, Lady Olive Burke. She brings with her a new husband, Mr Julius Burke. They have travelled all the way from Scotland, to join us here for our celebrations.” 

He paused as he looked over and smiled at each of them. Olive felt her husband come to stand behind her and a feeling of contentment swept through her. 

“Further, I would like to welcome Lady Adelia Effistone, the Countess of Stormont in Ireland. She is visiting from even further afield and brings with her the Viscount, her husband” Lord Oscar added and looked their way. “Many of you know the story of how my wife and I came together. It was all thanks to Lady Olive, and I can never repay her for her well-meant mischief on the night of my first Masquerade Ball. I wish to propose a toast to all marriage unions that are filled with love. We, none of us, should put that all-important ingredient aside, which is sadly often missing in a marriage of convenience. But, for tonight, here’s to love. And I, for one, am still very much in love with my beautiful wife, Lady Vera Wald.”

“There is one more I wish to include, but he is not with us. My wife and I wish her twin brother, Silas, happy tidings. I am afraid he was to travel to Africa but is to bypass to Italy on business for me. But he was also an important factor in bringing Lady Vera and I together, and my lifelong friend.”

With his final words, the Duke raised his glass as did everyone else in the ballroom. As tradition had it at these balls, everyone called out, “Happy Twelfth Night Christmastide Ball.”

Julius whispered into Olive’s ear, “And I toast to loving my wife for all of eternity.”

She leaned into him, raising her glass, and replying in a hushed voice so only Julius would hear, “And I toast to loving my husband forever and ever.”

The End...

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Olive and Julius lived happily ever after… Meanwhile Silas Atkins is travelling the world looking for his own future… Is he going to find it at last?

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