The Victoria Era

The Trouble with Henrietta

"Is she alright?!" I said worriedly.
"Yes, Miss... no, Miss. Well, yes and no... " James said. Then, as if he had just noticed him, James looked to Nathaniel. "Shall I give you both a moment?"
I looked at Nathaniel apologetically. "No, it's alright, bring me to your sister."
"No! That's why I came to you. Raven is with her now, but she is in a losing battle. I must speak with you privately. You need to understand my sister because you somehow managed to coax out a little bit of what she once was. I don't want to break her trust, but this must be done." James exclaimed loudly.
"You may confide in me anything. Come." I said leading him away to the Grace Family Garden. "This is the Grace garden. No one but me can get in. Now, tell me what you must."
"It's lovely." James said looking around. "Miss Grace, my sister..." He sat down rubbing his face. "was once a part of the ballet. She trained at the Wilksin School of Art when she was very young until she was eight and ten years of age. She was quite the vivacious little dancer. High kicks and turns, but also grace and agility. And once you were ready to graduate, you would audition for the Wilksin Theatre Company or other companies. But..."
"Sir, you can not stop now!" I yelled exasperated.
"She was not chosen. The company did not want her. After all that she had worked for! We tried sending her to London or to the mainland, but she would not go. But she retained her fire and gumption. She trained long and hard with a private coach for months and then she tried again. That's where she met Etienne." He said sadly.
"Etienne! That is the man who her heart is bound to right?" I yelled.
"But it was he who broke her. It was love at first sight and she wanted more than anything to impress the handsome guest. But she had been rejected by the company again and Etienne had made a snide remark about her dancing and that is what broke her. After that she lost all hope in this world. She would watch the ballets like a ghost, then return to her work as always. Nothing could excite her... except... you, Miss."
"Me? How could I spark what this monster has so cruelly diminished! How can she love someone so foul?!" I yelled angrily.
"He did not mean to hurt her. I believe after rejection she was already quite delicate. He just happened to touch at the wrong time. She is still very much infatuated with him, but I can see that she loves you as well. The way she spoke of you made her eyes light up. She cares deeply for you, Miss Grace. She's not IN love with you, but she her affection for you is evident. Remember, she is a very passionate person driven by her feelings, though she tries to push them down. You need only to push through the wall she has built in order to reach her heart, and her spirit will be free." He explained hastily.
"What do you suggest I do?" I said shaking a little from the rattling story. Suddenly, an idea struck me and I grabbed his shoulders, my eyes shining. "I must be off for I fear I am already too late to change her mind!" I ran out of the garden and to the ribbon shop.