The Switch

Grandmama had thought long and hard for a few days after the ball about someone else replacing Lord Radcliffe as Aurelia's suitor and agreed to let her pick someone new. The only catch was she had to tell Lord Radcliffe that he had to leave. Grandmama thought Aurelia could stand to toughen up a little bit.

She didn't want to have to be around Edward for any longer than she had to. When the Monday after the ball came around Aurelia decided it was going to end the courtship between Lord Radcliffe and herself.

With the help of Winona, she got ready for the day with purpose. Aurelia put on a light grey dress with a higher neckline than she normally wears. She kept her hair out of her face in a low tight bun with a pearl comb to hold the bun in place. Along with a single strand of pearls around her neck and pearl drop earrings.

"Miss, I hate to say anything but you look like a governess or a spinster," Winona whispered worriedly.

"That's exactly what I was going for," Aurelia giggled. "I wanted to look pious and demure."

"I understand you are telling Lord Radcliffe to leave today?"

"And good riddance," She mumbled.

As Winona sprayed rose water on her cheeks she said, "I wish you luck, Miss."

Aurelia smiled at her handmaid and she left the room to go to the lunch she set up with only Lord Radcliffe and herself.

Willa was waiting for Aurelia at the top of the stairs to give her a reassuring hug. "You got this, Aurie," She said sweetly before letting go of her.

Aurelia steeled herself and took a deep breath as she walked down the stairs and into the dining hall.

Lord Radcliffe was already seated reading the daily newsletter, looking extremely bored. The table was set for two and a footman was about to pull out Aurelia's chair when Edward stood up abruptly and walked over to the chair himself to pull it out for her.

She stared at him bewildered before taking the seat he offered. "Thank you," Aurelia murmured as she settled in the chair.

He walked back to his own chair and two maids brought out several platters of food. Chicken and vegetables were served with soup and some bread.

"So, what did you arrange this lunch for?" Lord Radcliffe asked in a clipped voice.

"I have some unfortunate news to pass along," Aurelia said carefully. "I thought this would be a good setting."

"Is there ever a good setting for unfortunate news?" Radcliffe asked. He stared at the insolent girl intently leaving his plate bare.

She focused on loading her plate up, she looked everywhere but into Edward's eyes. "I think you are right," Aurelia said softly.

Radcliffe began to fill his plate as well and didn't say anything but looked at her expectantly.

Aurelia squared her shoulders and looked at Edward. "I would like to end our courtship," She said with as much confidence as she could muster.

"Why?" Edward demanded. His eyes narrowed and his mouth drew into a thin line.

"I do not want to be around someone who treats me harshly and with disrespect." She looked even more determined to end any chance to be in courtship with him.

Edward raked his fingers through his hair and looked at her with daggers in his eyes. "You have been nothing but inappropriate and informal, you have not earned my respect," he bellowed.

"I was being myself and nothing more," Aurelia shrieked, her face turning a bright red from the anger boiling inside of her. "I have never liked the decorum and formalities of the gentry, I am sorry you find me to be inappropriate and informal but this just proves that we would not be a good match."

Edward stood up and stared down at the brazen woman in front of him. He wanted very badly to punish Miss Brooks for her insolence but he couldn't help admiring her bravery. She was not a weak young girl in the slightest. A plan was forming in his mind, leaving wouldn't be the worst idea now.

"Fine, I shall take my leave then," Edward said quietly. "You are wrong though, I think we would make a great match." With that Lord Radcliffe turned and stalked out of the dining room, leaving Aurelia alone and highly confused. She thought he would fight her more on her decision to end the courtship, he gave in too easily for her liking.

Aurelia ate a few more bites of her lunch as not to waste all the food left out when a footman came in holding an envelope for her. She thanked John and he bowed to her before leaving. She opened the letter to reveal an invitation to Jacob's estate for dinner that night for her and her entire family.

Aurelia stared at the letter for a moment and smiled. Jacob was probably going to ask to proceed in courting her for the rest of the time before she could be with Max. He was a much more amiable option for her to spend time with.

She left the dining room and went to the parlor where everyone was watching Lord Radcliffe leave in a carriage.

"I can't believe she actually got him to leave," Willa said surprised.

"I think he may be up to something," Aurelia said loudly making Willa and Grandmama jump.

"Aurelia Florentina Augusta Brooks," Grandmama exclaimed. "Don't just walk into a room shouting about like a common fish wife."

"Sorry, Grandmama," Aurelia murmured. Agnes looked at her granddaughter and sighed, the young girl was always so precocious.

"Why do you think Lord Radcliffe is up to something?" Ben asked with a concerned look settling on his face.

"He left without much of a fight," Aurelia explained. "I am worried he is going to try to cause greater scandal to shame me for not continuing the courtship."

"We won't let that happen, Aurie," Willa said confidently. "We will know it is nothing but lies this time."

Aurelia looked at her brother and sister who cared so much for her, they were more like her mother and father at times like this. Her heart felt warm from the love and concern they showed for her.

"I do have some good news though," Aurelia said with a bright smile. "Mr. Browning has invited all of us over for dinner tonight."

Grandmama looked delighted, "I have always liked that young man, he has a sound head on his shoulders."

"I shall send a messenger to confirm our dinner then," Aurelia said excitedly. Jacob was still dear to her in her heart, she loved Max but Jacob was her first love. She dashed out of the parlor to write a quick response and sought out the messenger, Henry, to deliver the message.

As she watched the messenger ride away on his horse she walked back inside the house and to her room to get ready for dinner.