Fortune's Son (The Tasmanian Tales Book 1) by Jennifer Scoullar

Author:Jennifer Scoullar [Scoullar, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pilyara Press
Published: 2018-06-06T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 34

The celebration was in full swing. Sideboards groaned with lobsters. Guests feasted on truffles and oysters, foie gras and squab, while speculating on whether or not this was more than a birthday party. Their idle curiosity was soon laid to rest. A short speech by Daniel, proposing a toast on the occasion of his daughter’s seventeenth birthday. Then a long speech by Henry, announcing his only son’s engagement to Miss Isabelle Campbell. Much polite applause, accompanied by knowing nods. The odds had always been in favour of this union.

Elizabeth knew it was asking for trouble, seating Henry and Daniel at the same table, but convention demanded it. Tensions ran high between the two men during the cock-a-leekie soup. By the time the beef wellington arrived, their voices were raised. Jane looked across the table at Elizabeth in alarm. There were still eight courses to come.

With agonising slowness, the procession of dishes marched on: venison, loin of lamb, chartreuse of duck, quail eggs in aspic, baked trout. The diners washed their food down with copious quantities of champagne and claret, sherry and port. Henry seemed well on the way to drunkenness. A dangerously long break until dessert allowed for much sniping across the table. Afterwards, the orchestra would strike up to introduce the main event of the evening – the ball. It couldn’t come quickly enough for Elizabeth. Belle quietly appealed to her father to ignore Sir Henry, but not quietly enough.

‘So, my soon-to-be daughter-in-law thinks to ignore me,’ said Henry. ‘Once married, she’ll change her tune and become as obedient as my own son.’

Edward went red and Daniel opened his mouth to reply.

‘Hold your tongues,’ scolded Jane. ‘Both of you.’

Henry and Daniel lapsed into glowering silence. The timely arrival of desserts defused the situation: pineapple-cream cake, ginger pudding, wine and walnut trifle, colourful ices and fresh fruit salad in glittering crystal punchbowls. A truce settled on the table.

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