Baskergrand The Nautilus

As the three of them rode on their horses away from the path leading away from Comerton Hall, Baskergrand's residence, Valerie could not stop thinking about Percival. She wished for him to love her the same way she loved him, but was deeply troubled by her love not being returned. She was behind him, her eyes plastered on his back, wondering if he will ever change. In her mind, though, Percival would never see her the way she wanted him to. Valerie sighed to herself, then looked down, disheartened.

''Valerie, come ride beside me,'' Percival said to her. Valerie looked up at him instantaneously and gave a small smile, then silently obeyed, manoeuvring her horse to trot alongside Percival's horse.

''Valerie, I have plans to have a ball at Comerton. I have yet to ask mother and father, but I'm sure they will acquiesce. We have not had one since April, and I do wish to have another before winter sets in. When I do set a date, would you be able to come? I heard your father is being called away on business soon, so you may be joining him,'' Percival conversed with her. Valerie's eyes lit up and responded straight away.

''Of course I will come! I like balls, you know I do. I had hoped you were going to have one. My father does not require me to join him, so I will be able to come,'' Valerie answered, happier in tone. ''Besides, I need to come. I shan't have you being ennuied by the Bartletts all night,'' Valerie returned her voice to its usual severity.

''Oh, good. I always have to ask you first because of prior engagements, but I am glad you can come,'' Percival said.

''Well, I have no need to be with my father anyway. I usually go with him because he hopes for me to possibly meet someone I will marry. A son of a Duke, an heir to a thriving business in London. By the way, are you planning to have it sometime this month?'' Valerie queried.

''Well, yes, I do. Why do you ask?'' Percival returned with a question.

''I believe the Bartletts are due to travel to India soon. They like to explore parts of the world where the British rule, apparently. They want to collect some delicacies from there and bring them over, to see if we would take a liking to them,'' Valerie replied.

''I dare say, the Bartletts are quite an adventurous lot,'' Percival remarked.

''Yes, I agree. Especially the girls. Remember what happened at your last ball? Rosemary practically beat all the men at Old Maid and Hannah had the gall to try her hand at drinking rum faster than my father. What a ridiculous pair of girls!'' Valerie retorted. Percival chortled heartily.

''Yes, they are quite ridiculous, but I think it only fair that we give them a proper send-off. What do you think, Bene? Shall I get an elephant for the ball? Parade a little piece of India for them?'' Percival asked mockingly.

''I do hope that you are saying that for amusement's sake, Gray. I would not like to think about what would happen to your beautiful hall if an animal as colossal as that should set foot in it. Where would you even get an elephant to begin with?'' Valerie asked.

''I do not know. But, yes, I was merely attempting to amuse you, dear cousin. But it would have been very humorous to have one,'' Percival said with a smile. Valerie stared at him as he smiled, pondering on Percival's happy and calm demeanour. She began to smile herself.

''Percival, are we there yet? I am quite famished,'' Millicent piped up from behind them.

''Not too long now, Millie, just a bit further. Can you see it, over there on the left?'' Percival said to her, directing his finger to his left.

''Ah, yes! I see it! Thank goodness,'' Millicent said with relief.

''Tell you what. Why don't we all have a race, and whoever gets to the bay first, can get more slices of apple tart,'' Percival motioned to Valerie and Millicent. Valerie and Millicent looked at each other, the latter's eyes lighting up wildly.

''Oh, I do love apple tart! It's my favourite!'' Millicent gushed. Percival chuckled as he turned back forward, and slowed his horse down. Millicent came along side the right of Percival and the three of them stopped to line up in a row.

''Good. On the count of three, we will go. One, two, three!'' Percival shouted. All three bounded towards the bay very quickly, but Valerie's horse was falling behind slightly. Millicent was pulling ahead of her, but Percival was in the lead. Valerie beckoned her horse to go faster, but Millicent began to pull away from the both of them.

''Yes! I won!'' Millicent rejoiced as they reached the bay. Percival laughed heartily as he watched Millicent trot happily with her horse around him and Valerie.

''Well done, Millicent. A victory well deserved,'' Percival remarked before they all dismounted, and Percival took a grey sack off of his horse. Millicent took off her cloak and laid it out on the sand, then they all sat down on it while Percival lay the sack in the middle and opened it up.

''Don't forget my prize,'' Millicent said as she looked at Percival.

''Oh, I won't, little Miss Horace,'' Percival responded with a smile. Valerie looked at him contentedly as he passed her little sister two apple tarts, before staring out towards the sight of the waves being enveloped within each other.

'Will he...ever notice me?' she thought to herself, her eyes lost in the breakers of sea.