"Why both of you are not dressed yet?" Sarah came inside and looked at her daughters as they were chatting, laughing vigorously.

"I am done with both of you. Today is your auspicious day. Marial ..." And she summoned her maid. She told her to prepare Evelyn for the evening. She had to look most beautiful and when she glanced at Fiona,

"Mother, you know I hate them." Fiona, clearly signalled,

"We already have discussed and there shall be no more talking. All three of us will go."

Fiona hesitated, requested, begged.

"I will not hear any no or never, you are going their with us." Lady Sarah was serious.

"But mother, I have not fetched any dress. So precisely, I cannot go their wearing my lame dresses as you mentioned."

"Don't worry, I have managed."

She asked Marial, her maid, to bring Fiona a wonderful dress from her old trunk and when Marial brought it, was too wayward and old.

"I am not wearing this ..." She said instantly, "It's going to diminish my radiance. You know? Its like an antique piece."

"Do not complain," Her mother replied, " This dress is an relic of your father's first gift to me. Its splendor is not faded yet and look at those yellow laces, so pretty, sparkly."

"Yes very sparkly, yellowing with age now."

" I would have never want you to wear this but you left me no choice, dear. Sarah looked at the dress, blew it thrice in air, to release the dust and then simply told, "Just look it elegancy, shining so brightly even after so many years."

"Mother???" Fiona's eyes widened, "Where the hell is it shining? Are not you getting that rusty smell???"

Sarah crossed her arms and stood in resilience. Fiona had no choice in the end. She had to wear it, at least for the sake of her sister. She knew her deary sister Evelyn had really paired up with Lord Hester and she was quite getting along with him.

And,

Any error by her side might disrupt Evelyn; s relationship with Hester, so she kept aside all her issues and commotions and finally wore it. She donned that, rusty, lackluster shady gown and was all ready to go. Meanwhile Evelyn came in the hall, enhancing herself in the most shimmering attire, silky, and delicately embroidered with white laces. Sarah looked at her with teary eyes, "You are looking so beautiful, my dear." She spoke.

"That it. I knew it., I am really adopted. You never said this when I am actually wearing one of the gowns of your mother."

And three of them laughed in tears.

"Footman, are at the doors, my lady." Marial informed them.

The carriage arrived. Lady Sarah along with her two loving daughters reached at the mansion of Lady Finsbury Marston. They were welcomed with great smiles and embrace until Finsbury's eyes reached for the youngest daughter, 'The poison apple of her eyes'

"What on earth you manage to pair up with Hester? Wasn't you aware of my equations with his mother?" She asked Evelyn after her greetings with Finsbury appeared elaborately odd.

"You know? Hester approached me and his genuine courtship awed me."

"Sister, you should have at least spared a thought about me before going further."

"Just be calm and put a forgiving smile. I believe she will like you." Evelyn's assurance was not enough to calm down her nerves.

Fiona and Lady Marston had a past commotion on a very trivial matter. It happened a year ago when on a very similar note of finding pair. That was a whole civil drama, a striking riot when Finsbury daughter Barbara fell in love with a Marques named Ralph. It was just flickering attraction until Ralph met Miss Fiona Pembroke.

She was just 18 that time, lovely and radiant. Her glowing face had attracted many charms and Ralph was one of them. His gaze chanced upon the captivating countenance of Miss Fiona peer and her wonderful sight had just smitten him completely. He wanted to begin a thing with her and when this news reached Barbara ears, she got very angry and complained to her mother.

Then this incident rose a tumult between the parties. Lady Finsbury was consumed by a fierce indignation and tightened to ventilate her grievances to Edgeworth's family. The matter came to resolved days after when Marques Ralph himself took a step to clear out things with Barbara and her family. He stated that he found love with another woman.

In the end, it was Barbara who cried mercilessly and left to tears. This incident was so vividly inscribed in Lady Finsbury's head that she could not endure, even for a brief period. Her aversion towards her was utterly insufferable.

As each one of them took seat, teas were served on the table with few cakes, cold meats, fruits, and evening supper. Sisters sat together and Florentia left sat her Lady Sarah. Opposite to Fiona, it was none other than but Lady Finsbury and her scrutinizing gaze. Everyone looked curious at the sight of Fiona curving her eyes down dumbly for more than a minute, and when Evelyn pinched her, she understood that the lights were now fixed on her.

"Did you find something down?" The old-witted lady opposite her asked peculiarly.

"Nothing, I am just exasperated by this wonderful flowery rug."

"RUGS???" Lady Finsbury was bereft of speech. "Have you not seen rugs before?"

"I do .... actually ...." She stuttered a little and then continued, "These floors are so shiny. Just cannot take my eyes off."

Everyone in the hall was astonished. It was quite clear Fiona was uncomfortable in many ways and just wanted to breathe freely. But in front of this crooked lady, she could even move a inch.

After a few exchanges of words between the parents, then entered Lord Hester along with his sister Barbara.

"What a surprise!" Lady Marston spoke as soon as she saw them. Barbara entered along with her brother and she looked at the two girls sitting at the tea table. Her eyes reached when she saw the familiar face of that girl who ruined her prospects of marriage.

"Miss Vile Pembroke ..." She muttered under her breath and rolled her eyes. A nervous fluttering joy seemed to overtake Fion's senses, most ungraceful and awkward glee.

Lord Hester came in and smiled at Evelyn and then turned at Lady Sarah. He, with a courtly gesture, took her limp, gloved hand, and brushed an airy kiss. He repeated the same with his peer and then took a seat next to hir mother. Babara also sat and presented a smile.

"What a delight, you have finally managed to come in." Finsbusy told.

"How could I miss my brother's marriage? I have to come."

"Marriage is yet to happen; it's not decided yet..." She said but not inadvertently. Sarah and both of her daughters looked slightly displeased by such utterance but they maintained a calm composure. Even Hester looked at his mother in confusion but she swallowed the startling.

"Dear Evelyn "She continued, " I felt very happy when I heard this news of courtship between you two, after all you know, there is hardly a man of high rank who would choose the daughters of a Baron for marriage. But, my son is a gentleman, he has seen the diamond in you despite your financial distress."

Her words came out to be very repulsive and unseemly reprehensible. She was indirectly pointing on the rank of Pembroke family. Fiona held her grievances only because of her sister's love towards Hester. She even passed a glance at her mother but somehow her mother calmed her down.

"Lady Finsbury..." Sarah finally broke her long silence, "Seymour has gone for a legal settlement and is out of town. He is yet to know about these. However, as soon as he returns, we shall be taking it further......"

Finsbury smiled, "Of course, my dear, I can see the impatience in Hester. He has informed me about his love for your daughter but what about Fiona, my dear?"

"Fiona??"

"I mean, rumors had it way always. Have you turned down Lord Wilkins offer?"

"No...." She promptly answered, "we are still talking, learning ourselves better."

"Learning?? ...looks childish...." she laughed wickedly, "What are you learning? Wilkins is one of the reputed man in the society, with good wealth and name. As far as I heard, he is outstanding, with substantial fortune which you could receive if you marry him. He is in a distinguished position in the court, and if you are still thinking there could be a fairy tale love, you will be the most stupid one here."

Finsbury said in most demeaning way. Apparently, she was trying to humiliate their position very disdainfully. Fiona could understood the motive behind her nature, but she composed herself in calm manner and did not react much. Instead, she pleasantly smiled and said, " Love is stupid, yet the greatest and all greatest fools are clever than the wise."

Finsburylaughed at her quote citing love, " Fiona, my child. I met and married LordMarston for his great wealth, title, for I know, he is the one to provide me withthe esteemed reputation in the society and also good care for my children.