“Let me have it.”
Henri handed the letter. Nicholas opened it and scanned the contents.
“An invitation to Lord and Lady Burlington’s ball in Cambridge, would you like to go?”
“Yeah, I’d love to, when is it?”
“It’s this Saturday night.”
“Yeah, that’s great sir,” replied Henri.
Little did he realize the invitation would change his life forever.
Most of the heavy work was done concerning inspecting the estates, and he was taking a well-earned rest from the pressures of the last few months, looking forward to Saturday night. In the meantime, he and Henri, his constant companion, made a journey to the Cambridge Cathedral to visit his spiritual advisor and source of stability in his life, Cardinal Wentworth.
Nicholas knocked on his door. “Come in,” was the reply.
Nicholas walked in. “Good afternoon, Cardinal,” said Nicholas.
The cardinal jumped up from his seat, excited to see him, and gave him a warm embrace. “And to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Oh, I just want some spiritual guidance, your Grace. Your counsel is like a river of eternal enlightenment that nourishes my soul and enriches my heart.”
“Well, how may I help?”
“I have everything in life and yet I have nothing. My life is devoid of any satisfaction. Any enjoyment I get is always fleeting,” he moaned.
“Money isn’t everything, my son. If there is no spiritual nourishment in your life, it can be an empty exercise. Why don’t you attend our Sunday services on a regular basis and get the spiritual nourishment your heart craves?”
“Yes, that’s what I should do.”
They talked for another thirty minutes and the Cardinal had to excuse himself to attend a meeting. Nicholas left refreshed and rejuvenated.
Finis. ( The end. )
It was Saturday on the Montaque estate, Nicholas and Henri were busying themselves preparing for the evening ball. For some reason unknown to himself he had high hopes for the evening, a sense of something about to happen. At the appointed hour, decked out in their finery, they stepped into their carriage for their drive to Cambridge. This was one of the wealthiest families in England, their estate equal to his own. As he entered the ballroom, the head servant announced to all and sundry, “Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, the honourable Duke Nicholas Montaque.”
Nicholas made his entrance with all the flair of his nobility. Several paces behind walked Henri. When they got settled, Nicholas turned to Henri, and said, “OK, I’ll see you at the end of the evening, happy hunting!”
And off they went their separate ways. A young lady whom he had met at previous balls stood at the side of the floor. What a shame. He walked over and introduced himself. “What a surprise, Lady Charlotte, to see you. Are you interested in dancing?”
“Nicholas, am I ever glad to see you. Yeah, I’d love to dance.”
And off they went. Their conversation was lively, and they spent the next hour together until her mother called her away. Nicholas took the opportunity to walk around the floor. As he walked, a lady caught his eye. He turned to his friend Jeremy, “Who is that lady over there, Jeremy?”
