Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Journey of a Thousand Miles ❯ Chapter3 ( Chapter 3 )

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A special Thank You to Anne Olsen for beta reading.

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Journey of a Thousand Miles "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

-Confucius-

Part 3

The next morning soon after breakfast, we left Rosehill Manor soon after breakfast to go shopping. After more than an hour's drive through the lovely countryside our carriage rolled into the town of Chesterfield. Barely able to contain my excitement I stared out of the window, my nose almost pressing against the glass.
It was a beautiful, sunny morning and the streets were filled with people, shopping or just taking a walk. Dozens of stores were selling everything from bread to fine jewelry.
When I looked back I noticed the duke watching me in silent amusement. My cheeks reddened in embarrassment regarding my excitement and I felt suddenly very childish and immature, next to my older and so much more sophisticated cousin. I settled down quietly on my seat across from him.
"Chesterfield is a little bigger than Wellington, isn't it?"

"Yes, Sir. A whole lot bigger I would say. I have never seen so many stores on one street."
Treize smiled brilliantly at me. "Just wait until you see London."
"London?" I echoed. " We are going to travel to London?"
"Yes, of course." He nodded. "This may be a good place to buy most necessities, but to find the finer things you have to go to London. Besides, I dare say that the social and cultural scene in Chesterfield leaves a lot to be desired."
"Oh, I see." I answered politely.
The duke raised his walking stick and knocked at the front of the carriage, signaling for the driver to stop. We exited the coach and I let my gaze wander while he told the driver when and where to pick us up again.
A slight tap on my shoulder got my attention. "There will be time later to look at everything," Treize told me. "But first thing first." He gestured toward a large store across the street. Beneath a red and white marquee was a sign that read: "Bounderby's Gentlemen Garments and Fine Clothing"

*****

A short, corpulent man with graying hair weaseled toward us the moment we entered the store.
"Duke Khushrenada, it is such a pleasure to see you again. What can I do for you today? I hope you didn't come to pick up your coat. I'm afraid it will not be finished before Friday."
"No, that's not why we are here. Mister Bounderby, I want you to meet Quatre Winner, my protege. He has been living at the edge of civilization for most of his life. As you can see, he needs a whole new wardrobe; something that makes him a little more presentable."

Mr. Bounderby looked me over with his little beady eyes. "That shouldn't bee too difficult to accomplish. He is such a handsome young man, I'll take care of him myself. Please make yourself comfortable. May I offer you something to drink while you are waiting, your Excellency? A cup of tea perhaps?"
My cousin nodded. "Thank you, that sounds wonderful."
Bounderby gestured for his store assistant to bring the tea.
The duke took a seat in the small sitting area in the front of the store. He put his walking stick down on the chair beside him and started to pull off his white gloves, while I followed Mr. Bounderby to the changing rooms. After an assistant took my measurements the storeowner brought me a few outfits to try on.

I soon realized that cousin Treize was very particular and hard to please when it came to appearance. The first pair of breeches was too dark, the second pair too loose fitting and after the fifth pair he decided that trousers would probably look much more favorable on me. Two hours and about two dozen shirts, coats and vests later I was willing to walk around dressed in a potato sack if it meant I didn't have to try on another piece of clothing. Treize finally seemed to notice my growing frustration and took pity on me.
"Very well," he said. "This will do for now. It's time to have lunch anyway."
I was allowed to keep on the outfit I was wearing - a pair of cream colored trousers and a coat of deep plum color - while my old clothes were packed up with the rest. The duke paid for the purchases and ordered the packages to be delivered to his estate once any necessary alterations had been made.
We walked about half a block to a small bistro and had lunch outside, at a table beneath a large canvas umbrella.

*****

"You can't possibly be finished already," Treize remarked as I pushed away my plate. "You have barely touched your omelet."
"You ate even less than I did." I pointed out, glancing at his plate.
"Perhaps! However, I'm not the one who is still growing. Cecilia is right, you know. You are too thin and too small for your age. How do you expect to grow up strong and healthy without the proper food? Now, eat up!"

"I'm not that small," I grumbled quietly, somewhat sullen. Suddenly I felt his fingers under my chin, raising my face up to his level.

"Now now, no pouting." He looked at me, slightly amused. " As cute as it might look, I won't have it."
I scowled, picked up my fork and started to poke around on the plate.

Wonderful, I thought. Just Wonderful! I couldn't grow up fast enough for Aunt Sophia and Cousin Treize is treating me like I am a little child.

The duke pulled his golden pocket watch out to check the time.
"I'll be meeting a business associate shortly," he told me. " You are more then welcome to accompany me, Quatre, but I'm afraid you might find it somewhat boring to listen to us talk about buying and selling silk, woods or grain. Perhaps you would rather stroll around Town Square and enjoy the beautiful day?"

"All by myself?" I asked surprised and excited at the same time.
Treize gave me a firm gaze. "I trust that you will be able to keep out of trouble?"
"You have nothing to worry, Cousin." I assured him.
"Very well, then." He checked his watch once more. "We shall meet back here again at half past two sharp."

I nodded in acknowledgement; looked up to the clock tower and noted that it would give me a good two hours to explore the town.
Treize paid for our meals, and before he put away his moneybag, pulled out two half-shilling coins and handed them to me.
I gave my cousin a questioning look.

"We can't have you walking around without a penny in your pockets, now can we? You might see something that you just have to have."
Thanking him politely I slipped the money into my coat-pocket.

*****

After my cousin and I had parted I made my way down the street. Just across from the bistro where we had eaten was a bookstore. I had almost walked past the shop, before I decided to turn around and go in. A bell rung when I opened the door and the salesclerk looked up from behind his counter. Paying little attention to the man, I let my eyes wander over hundreds of books until I found what I had been looking for. It was the tale about a shipwrecked sailor who spent several years on a deserted island. I pulled the book from its place on the shelf, carefully opened it and started to read.
…I was born in the Year 1632, in the City of York, of a good Family, tho' not of that Country, my Father being a Foreigner of Bremen, who settled first at Hull: He got a good Estate by Merchandise, and leaving off his Trade, lived afterward at York, from whence he had married my Mother, Relations were named Robinson, a very good Family at Country, and from whom I was called Robinson Keutznaer; but by the usual Corruption of Words in England, we are now called, nay we call our Selves, and writer Name Crusoe, and so my Companions always call'd me.… (1)

"Are you going to buy that?"

The voice startled me, making me almost drop the book
"No, Sir." I stammered. "I was only looking."
"Nonsense." the clerk barked at me. "If you are not planning to buy it, put it back. How am I supposed to sell the book after you put your dirty little hands all over it?"

I was tempted to tell him that my hands were probably cleaner than his, but instead I just put the book back onto the shelf.
"Go find yourself another place to play around." He took me by the shoulder and directed me out the door with gentle force.

I waited until he had turned his back before I stuck my tongue out at him.
What an old grouch!
Keeping an eye on the clock tower I continued my stroll down Main Street. Luckily not everybody was as ill tempered as the man in the bookshop. I had a rather pleasant conversation with the owner of a small music store, which was unfortunately cut short when he had to tend to some customers.

Although it was a little before half past two when I got back to the bistro, the duke was already there. He was reading the paper, a glass of red wine in front of him. I cleared my throat as I approached the table so as not to startle him and my cousin looked up, giving me one of his brilliant smiles.
"Ah, Quatre, did you enjoy yourself?"

"Very much so. Chesterfield is a beautiful town." I told him as I reached into my pocket and handed the half-shilling pieces back to him before I sat down.
He looked at the money then up at me, surprised as it seemed.
"You didn't buy anything?"
"There was really nothing I needed, Sir. You have already bought everything."

"There is a difference between needing and wanting, dear cousin. Surely you must have been something that you saw and wished to have?"
"Well, there was…to tell the truth." I replied quietly.
"Then you should have bought it. That's what this money was meant for. If I expected it back why would I have given it to you in the first place?" He pushed the coins back toward me.
After a short moment of contemplation I glanced at the duke's wineglass. It was still half full. Good, that meant we weren't going to leave right away.

"Please excuse me. I'll be right back." I jumped up and dashed across the street, dodging a small carriage even as my cousin shouted after me to watch out.
I entered the bookstore for the second time heading straight for the novel section.
"You again?" The clerk glared at me. "Didn't I tell you already once…"

"I want to buy this book." I interrupted him.
He looked at me suspiciously. "It costs 8 pence."
"I know. I can read," I replied cheekily as I pulled my money out of my pocket to let him see that I was able to pay.
For a moment I thought he was going to throw me out of the store again, but at the sight of the money his expression changed and he just gave me a wide, although fake, smile.
"Would you like me to wrap it for you, Sir?"

*****

As soon as we got back to Rosehill Manor I excused myself and went to my room where I eagerly ripped off the packaging of my new book.
I was lying belly down on my bed enthralled in the story when a rap at the door drew my attention. I got up to open the door and found cousin Treize standing in the hall.

"I hope I didn't wake you." he spoke.
"No, I was not asleep," I told him as I stepped aside to let him in. "I was just reading."

"I just wanted to let you know that we are going to have company tonight. An acquaintance of mine will be coming over for dinner and a bottle of wine afterward."

"I suppose this means you want me to stay in my room tonight?" It was nothing I wasn't used to. During social gatherings at my aunt's house, depending on the occasion and the kind of guests that were coming, I was either shown off or hidden away. "Don't worry, you will not even know I'm here."

"On the contrary, Quatre, I expect you to join us. Mister Merquise is a neighbor so to speak, living at the mansion just on the other side of the woods."

I remembered seeing the manor on the way to Chesterfield.

"He is also a dear friend of mine," Treize continued. "I would like for him to meet you, as you will probably see a lot of him in the future. Somehow I have the feeling that the two of you will like each other."
"I'm looking forward to meeting him."
"Excellent!" Treize walked to the door, but before retreating from the room, he turned once more, "Dinner will be served at 6 o' clock sharp. Please be punctual." With that he shut the door behind him.
There was still plenty of time, so I went back to finish the chapter I had been reading before I got myself ready for supper.

In front of the large dressing mirror, I smoothed out my outfit. I was all dressed up in a dark blue double-breasted coat and cream-colored trousers. The silk lace around the collar of my white shirt was of the same color as the coat. Giving the sleeves one last tug I studied my reflection critically. The last thing I wanted was to embarrass my cousin in front of his acquaintance.

As I was walking downstairs I could hear voices coming from the drawing room, where the duke and his guest were probably having their cocktails. Curious to find out what kind of people my cousin socialized with, I knocked at the door and entered the room.

"Ah, Quatre, please come and join us." Treize greeted me, waiting for me to step closer before he proceeded to introduce me to his visitor. "Zechs, I would like you to meet my cousin Quatre Winner. Quatre, please meet Zechs Merquise.

His guest rose to greet me; I turned to face him and gaped. I knew I was staring, I just couldn't help it.
Merquise was younger than my cousin, and at least as tall. His long hair was pale-blond, almost white, his face delicately shaped. Frisky bangs nearly hid a pair of stunningly crystal blue eyes. He was wearing white trousers and a short white coat with golden trimmings and buttons. He looked like…like he had just stepped out of some sort of fairytale.
"What a pleasure to meet you." His voice was deep and pleasant. "Your cousin has told me a lot about you."
I had to clear my throat before I could return his greeting.
"The pleasure is mine, Sir."
"So, tell me, Quatre, how do you like Southeast England?" he asked as he settled down in his chair again.
"I have only been here two days, but from what I have seen it is beautiful." I took a seat next to my cousin. "The weather is so much nicer too. Spring had barely begun in Wellington when I left and here the flowers are blooming already."

We passed the time with small talk until Xander came to let us know that dinner had been served.

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T.B.C.

Author's Note: Feedback is greatly appreciated, constructive criticism is welcome :-)