Oakland Park by Sarejess (top books of all time TXT) 📕

who was one of the foremost persons of quality and style. For his royal guest was none other then His highness Prince Fredrick the duke of York.

The knock that came to the door was expected his lordships butler announced the presence of his most esteemed guest.

The prince once he entered the room smiled for he was delighted once more to find at home his friend of former days with a snifter proffered towards him “Glad to see your highness is well” remarked the Earl. “Indeed most well and most happy to have recived your note,” replied the prince taking a seat.

“So there is to be a duel?” said the prince, “I find that too many gentlemen of the lower nobility seem to find there honor offended and demanding satisfaction. When there better put them in there place” he continued.

“It seems your highness that Sir Thomas is an out and out rogue had he but heard correctly my question in the house was a fair one,” remarked the earl as he raised the snifter to his lips.

“I have never had occasion to have any dealings with the man before what occasioned this attack?” asked the Prince. For he had not been in the house upon the day in question and had only heard of the matter second hand.

Highness the details are not difficult to follow pray allow me to enlighten you about two seasons ago he approached me to make advances on the behalf of his son for a commission; well I tried and added to the commission a small fee of three thousand pounds which he was unwilling or unable to pay. I then was obliged to invite him to my country seat for a little sport, while there he became involved in a domestic matter of a scalawag and rouge that was agitating for Catholic emancipation and for the lower order. His intervention was most unseemly the end result of which was the servant who had caused all the problems was taken away from my service by Sir Thomas I lost a dammed fine cook to boot in the event,“ said the Earl. ”Dammed inconsiderate and quite ungentlemanly of Sir Thomas I would say,“ said the Prince.

“This is most unseemly how a man with a title can behave in such an unfashionable way,” enquired the prince. ‘This letter I recived from Lady Ann his wife with the reply to my letter asking for a settlement of the matter of honor most extraordinary indeed the contents makes me wonder what domestic upheaval has occasioned his lady to write asking me an avowed enemy for a favor,“ said the Earl

Taking the letter the prince began to read, the concern upon his countenance growing with each new sentence that he read. “William my friend there is but one thing that you can do in this matter,” remarked the Prince

“Indeed I see it plainly I have been placed under an obligation by Lady Ann not only to settle the old matter but allow her to play her part in this new matter a ladies honor has been impinged and Sir Thomas must pay for his dalliances‘ with the Spanish woman who ever she is” said the Earl.

“I have always wanted to defend a ladies honor well it seems that I am to have my chance this confounded fellow Sir Thomas I believe is a great favorite among a number of naval gentlemen,” said The Prince. “Indeed Highness he has always been an agitator and one of those who seeks to better the lower order with promises of a better life, said the Earl ”I believe he had some part to play when the navy mutinied at the Nore. He been one of the few officers whose men did not send him ashore. Thus his roll was pivotal in bringing to an end the troubles in the navy the men look to him for leadership I have heard“ said the Prince. ”Indeed he has some qualities but he is also quite ungentlemanly,“ replied the Earl. ”William one has got to give him credit for his achievements, however I believe that one should never gain say ones betters in any matter of importance,“ remarked the Prince. ”As for your request I will be happy to stand as one of your seconds in this matter of honor“ said the prince. Highness for this I am most happy, remarked the Earl as he refilled the snifter in the Dukes hand. ”I dare say Sir Thomas has all the marks of a mushroom,“ said the duke. ”Indeed I would not be surprised if he was one,“ replied the Earl

Sir Thomas was addressing the members of his household all were listening with the greatest concern for the house was to receive a number of visitors of the best society.
“Although there exists a measure of animosity between the Earl of Waterford, I would remind you that this house had always extended a hand of hospitality to all guests. I warn you now and take note each and ever one of you that the Earl and his company are to be treated with the greatest respect and civility, he said

“These people of quality will be here as my guests and I expect that each and every one of you will do your utmost to make them at ease,” he continued. I want the best rooms in the house aired the bed linen changed and fresh, Ill not tolerate any discrepancy, is this understood?“ there was a mumble of assent from the gathered servants and household member’s. ”Pray Ruth,“ said Sir Thomas ”heed my words for upon you rests the greatest work for you are to prepare the chambers for his Lordship the Earl and another for his highness the Duke of York. Make sure that when you have completed your supervision of the staff that you inform me that I might check that all is in order for there coming,“ said Sir Thomas.

“I would be most displeased should any thing not be as it should be Ruth I therefore require of you that you do you utmost to make these chambers as comfortable as possible,” said Sir Thomas. “Yes master I will do my very best to please you may I ask am I to prepare the addition chamber for Lady Virginia or will Elizabeth be doing that?” Asked the maid “Not to worry about that Elizabeth has that well in hand replied Sir Thomas.

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Publication Date: 04-13-2010

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