LADY MEREDITH INTERVIEWS LORD
CHETWYN
Lady Meredith in sotto voce: Dear
Visitor, I wish I could claim to be happy to be here today, but the thought of
being anywhere near Lord Chetwyn causes my heart to flutter, my hands to grow
damp, and my throat to tighten with unshed tears. I gave him my heart, you see,
and he cast it aside like so much rubbish. He proposed to another, Lady Anne.
And she left him at the altar. Now Chetwyn is more commonly referred to as “that
unfortunate fellow, Lord Chetwyn.” I wish to have nothing further to do with him
but in the spirit of the holidays, I shall persevere in order to give you the
opportunity to know this dastardly fellow who is prone to breaking lady’s
hearts.
Clears throat.
Lady Meredith speaking succinctly:
Good day, Lord Chetwyn. I trust you’re well.
Lord Chetwyn: Good day to you, Lady
Meredith. As well as can be expected when I have much for which to make
amends.
LM: Yes, well, do be so kind as to
share with us your favorite part of the holidays.
LC: Attending various balls where I
can observe you dancing.
LM: You will gain nothing with false
flattery.
LC: I speak only the truth.
LM: I notice you do not ask me to
dance.
LC: Would you dance with me if I
asked?
LM: I will admit that you are quite
adept at the waltz, but I require more in a partner.
LC: You deserve more in a partner.
LM, blushing profusely as his eyes
smolder with innuendo:You loved Lady
Anne—
LC: I did not.
LM: But you asked her to marry
you.
LC: Guilt prompted my actions. Do
you love Lord Litton?
LM: I shan’t discuss
him.
LC: But you are betrothed to
him.
LM: As I am the interviewer, I ask
the questions.
LC: Very well. Ask me
anything.
LM: Why did Lady Anne leave you at
the altar?
LC: Because she loves Lord Tristan.
And she didn’t exactly leave me at the altar. I stood as his best
man.
LM: It was unconventional. Why ever
did you stand by as you did? It made you look a fool.
LC: Better to look a fool than to be
one. I wanted there to be no doubt that I approved of their union. And I do. I
have seldom been witness to a love so grand. I daresay that I hope to find
myself in such fortune some day. And I wish the same for
you.
LM: Without question, I am well on
my way to having it.
LC: Not if you marry Lord
Litton.
LM: He cares for me
immensely.
LC: He cares for your dowry
more.
LM: Let me remind you that we are
not here to discuss me, but to interview you. What is your favorite holiday
dish?
LC: I would very much like to nibble
on your bare shoulders.
LM, toes curling: Yes, well, that’s not going to
happen. is it?
LC: Don’t be so sure. Christmas is a
time for miracles and second chances.
LM: I don’t believe in second
chances, or miracles for that matter.
LC: Then it seems I have my job cut
out for me.
LM: Yes, well, I have no more
questions. I wish you a happy holiday.
LC: I will see you at the Duke and
Duchess of Keswick’s holiday ball. Perhaps I shall ask you to
dance.
LM: As I said earlier, I shall say
no.
LM in sotto voce: Dear visitor, I
apologize for the short interview but the way he was watching me, studying me as
though he harbors some dark
secret, as though I am not safe from his
advances. I fear he may have that dance after all. I must go now and see that my maid
has packed everything for the journey to Keswick’s. I shall be there for three
nights. Surely during that time nothing of significance can happen. And shortly,
thereafter, I shall be married to Lord Litton. Although I fear I shall never
forget the regret and yearning that I just saw in Chetwyn’s eyes. But my
battered pride will not allow me to forgive him.
Thank you for joining me here
today.
Happy Holidays!
Lorraine
For more information, visit Lorraine’s
