The Duchene Estate, Leighton England (1763)...
Both Alain and Casimir arrived in good time from the brothel despite Alana Duchaine being mortified when she realized where her elder son had been and where her precious younger son Alain had to retrieve him. Alain had been quite amused as he moved through the crowd making his way to the servants carrying champagne and he watched from afar as everyone scrambled to get ready for the upcoming nuptials. He'd taken a moment to clear his head after heading upstairs in a bid to avoid a bombardment of unwanted questions from women still auctioning off their unwed daughters and found that the room that one of the guest rooms had been occupied by none other than Noreen McCrayson herself. She had been quite a lovely sight, sitting before the vanity in the room and appearing to compose herself as she awaited news of Casimir's arrival and the impending wedding that was to change both of their lives forever.
From the looks of her, she'd been as beautiful as ever given her porcelain white flesh and elegant attire and refinement so profound that even in this place Alain had taken notice of it as he had back at the old grove where they met every week. She seemed shocked when she noticed his presence through the mirror and turned around to face him.
"You came after all," she said delighted to see him even with the bitterness and awkward air between them. "Casimir would be delighted to know you've decided to join us."
"I did not expect to find you here so soon," replied Alain turning to head out the door. "Forgive my intrusion."
"Wait," said Noreen getting up from the vanity, her elegant wedding gown and train flowing with each step she took toward him. "Alain please...don't rush off...there is something I need to say to you."
Alain stopped in his tracks at the door knowing all too well that he wasn't in the least going to like what she had to say to him, she'd already broken his heart and was dead set on marrying his elder brother as if to add insult to the already pulsating injury.
"You may not wish to hear this from me of all people." began Noreen with a rather sorrowful expression filed across her lovely pale face. "But I am truly sorry that I hurt you."
"Are you yet finished?" asked Alain in a barely restrained bitter tone as he arched a brow in the wake of her words. "I care nothing for an apology done in the hopes of smoothing things over so that no one finds out about our past, you meant to cause me distress and you have done so, mission accomplished there is no turning back, and I for one haven't given you a second thought since the engagement party, now if you'd excuse me."
He walked out of the room at a brisk pace and Noreen took a moment to get over the shock of his coldness in the wake of her attempt to make amends. He did seem to have been well and truly over her and as a result, she sighed and moved back toward the vanity where she prepared herself to become Mrs. Casimir DuChaine.
Unbeknownst to her, Alain had been further aggravated by her apology and the memory of what she'd done to him but kept his composure and ventured to his bedroom where his own little game was just about to begin. He had plans for the evening and none that required him to interrupt the wedding and spout about his unyielding love for the bride at the last second, no he had planned a formal means of humiliation for Noreen and it served her right for all that she had done to him for the sake of her own ambition and fears of an arranged marriage.
Alain made his way back down to the dining hall eager to get the party started and what was more, he'd been quite eager to see the look on Noreen's face after she confessed to feeling remorse about all that she'd done to him. Casimir had come down bathed and dressed at last and stood in his proper place while ushering Alain to do the same as he handed his younger sibling the ring in which he'd put on Noreen's finger.
Alain steeled himself and complied without fuss much to Alana's relief as she watched her two sons but she could feel that there was something wrong with Alain despite his compliance. As the ceremony began to get underway, one final guest arrived in an elegant stagecoach with a gown as refined and elegant as the dresses of the bride and the mother of the groom. Her long vibrant red locks had been draped in neat curls down her slim shoulders and she moved with a style and grace only capable of being done by a woman of superior breeding and refinement.
Whispers filled the estate from servant and noble alike as all eyes seemed to shift toward the lovely redhead lass that had graced the ball with her presence. Even Casimir had been caught unawares as he stared into the crowd at the lovely lass who had been attending his wedding. Alain smirked knowing all too well what the rest of the group had not when it came to the lovely new arrival.
"What a lovely woman," remarked Casimir as he stood next to Alain with his mouth agape and his eyes unable to part from the lovely guest that had commanded not only his attention but nearly everyone in the room as well.
Alain seemed to be amused with the reaction from the pompous nobles as he stepped down from beside Casimir and into the crowd swiftly approaching the lovely redhead with refined attire, the forest green and black coloration of her dress with black lace had been something that gave everyone pause as she moved toward the rather tall and handsome noble their eyes locked amid a sea of curious faces and shocked whispers.
"It is a pleasure having you here my lady," said Alain in greeting as he bowed in respect and kissed the lovely lady's extended hand. "The wedding is just about to begin."
She nodded in pleasant agreement but had not said a word adding to the mystery of just who she had been aside from the fact that she and Alain Remington of all people had been acquainted.
Alain walked her toward a guest table and made his way back toward Casimir where they awaited the wedding march and the entrance of Noreen McCrayson. From the moment she entered, however, not many people had their eyes on the bride but on the lovely new arrival with vibrant red hair.