Illicit Affairs(ONC2021)

Chapter Eight

"I understand that Agnes didn't allow you in my study until now, but please do not let that deter you from seeking my council in the future, Adelina."

Ethan sat across from Nina in his study, drumming his fingers on the wood of his desk. It was a large room with books and shelves lining the walls. Nina wondered what far-reaching places were held in those pages. There was a warm fireplace and two plush seats with a small table and a half-finished game of chess across the room from them. They both sat a huge oak desk with mounds of paperwork, staring at each other.

Nina nervously wrung her hands in her lap. She kept a smile on her face and her posture high because she knew if she showed fear or discontentment then Ethan would scold her. She had discovered his kindness but she also knew of his almost passive aggressive perfectionism. 

Only moments after Ethan's return, every single living thing in Hyland castle was put to work in preparation for the Welcome Ball. The kitchens were filled with dish after dish rolling out and being tasted for perfection, while the halls of the castle were buzzing with scurrying maids and serfs dusting and hanging decorations.

Amid the chaos, a young serf had knocked on her door and told Nina her presence was requested in Lord Clarke's study. A surprising and reluctantly nerve-racking request that sent Nina's mind racing with two thousand possibilities.

"As you and I both understand, this is your first season as a debutante. Would you elaborate as to why?"

"Yes, my mother thought it best to wait until I was sixteen to depute, but then we didn't have enough funds or time for last season." Nina trailed off sadly, feeling like she'd revealed too much.

"Well, we're here now and more than ready. I do have one pressing question that will dictate the rest of our season."

"And that is?"

"Are you a virgin, Adelina?"

Nina choked on her tongue and widened her eyes. Had he really just asked her that? He stated the question so bluntly. His features were neutral and his eyes bore into Nina seriously. 

"Did he really just ask me that question?" Thought Nina, unsure of whether she should be offended or appalled... or both.

"I need to know, as some gentleman of the court will not take kindly to a woman whose ruined herself. However, with that knowledge, I can try to work better to still find you a good enough suitor in your first season. Albeit, it will be difficult and may have to be post poned until next season, which would delay you on the market even further, it can be possibly done."

Nina paused for a moment, baffled. She knew virginity upon marriage was important but was it so important that the uncle she's only just met have the need to ask her? And if she had had sex with a man, then she wasn't quite taken with the idea that she had ruined herself of all things. Such a strong annotation that Nina couldn't see to be fit with a young lady of high standing such as herself. Yet here she was being asked the question and preliminarily labeled as ruined.

She sighed, finally, and said simply, "Yes, I am a virgin."

Ethan smiled. "That's very good, Adelina. Now, I have a list of wealthy men I think you'll like and that will surely like you. I'll pass this off to you so that you may study it further for the time being and I expect that you'll make an effort with all of these conquests to have their names on your dance card tonight at the Welcome ball."

Ethan handed Nina a piece of parchment with at least a dozen or so names, each one ranked by age and title. Beside each name was a small scribble of words, in what she could only assume was her uncle's sloppy penmanship, like wealthy and ladies man.