A Century's Love

Chapter 4: Damon

Three men arrived to see Madelyn today. Three suitors for her to choose from. And it irked me.  "Please have a seat," she said, her voice quivering ever so slightly. This was hard without her family, I understood that feeling well.    "Thank you, Miss Grant," the one in the middle said, Bradford Forbes, another founding family member. Even though he was attractive, he had a rude temper and fierce loyalty to money, not something Madelyn should consider when looking for a husband. But then again, what do I know, I was merely infatuated with her and every part of my being was clouded with jealousy.  "You are most welcome, Mister," she started. "Bradford Forbes," he said, a gentle smile on his face. I wanted to smack that smile off of his face, the predatory look in his eye was not welcome here. He pointed to his companion on the right then the left. "Jonathan Gilbert and George Lockwood,"

    She acknowledged them both, turning her attention to Father, who was talking with me in the hallway. "She must not refuse suitors any longer," he said. "Then why must they be in our house," I argued. "I am very sorry to tell you this, but I am suddenly feeling under the weather. One of the Salvatore men will see you out and to your carriages," Madelyn interrupted, placing a hand on her forehead for effect.

    "Of course, we will come calling again." Mister Forbes said. "I would like that," she said, giving them a weak smile. They all stood, the men gave her a bow each and she curtsied to them before they headed out the door. "Mister Salvatore, if you do not mind, I will take the mid-day meal and supper in my room, I am feeling quite ill," she said. "Not at all, my dear," Father nodded. She exited the room, her head down.

"Father I would like to talk to you about a very serious matter," I said, when I heard the door close upstairs. "I would like to pursue the opportunity to begin a courtship with Madelyn," I said, softly. "And you would like me to permit you to begin a courtship," he said. I nodded. "I think that is a good idea, son. Lord knows the suitors from today will not suit well for marriage," he said. "You have my permission," he said and I let out a breath of air. "Thank you Father," I said, walking up the stairs.

    When I got to the top of the stairs, I saw Hattie walking out the door. "Do you know where Miss Pierce is?" she asked. "I saw her with my brother," I said. She nodded, "Thank you Mister Salvatore," she said, walking down the stairs. I opened Madelyn's door, saying, ""You seem to be good at avoiding conversations,"

I paused in the doorway, seeing her lying on her bed, hands over her closed eyes. "And you seem to be good at trying to make conversation," she said, opening her eyes. "You're not supposed to be here," she told me. "Yet I'm here anyway," I said. "Why are you here?" she asked.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay," I said, looking concerned. I wanted her to be okay. She sat up, wrapping a dressing robe around herself before addressing me. "I am, thank you for checking on me, but I would like to rest now," she said, quietly. "I will check on you later, if that is alright with you," I asked. "I would like that very much Damon," she said. I gave her a smile and a nod before walking down the stairs, closing her door behind me.

Dinner was boring without her, Katherine tried to fill the silence with idle chatter, but it did nothing to ease my nerves. After dinner, I walked back up to Madelyn's room, "Are you feeling well enough to join me for a stroll in the gardens?" I asked. "I believe so," she said, standing up slowly, walking towards me.

    We walked to the stairwell, Stefan and Katherine talking in the living room. She grabbed a shawl from the entryway, heading outside with me. We walked side by side through the gardens, strolling slowly. "What do you aspire to do after the war?" she asked softly. "I wish to settle down, work like my father, have a family with my sweetheart." I said. "You still do not have a sweetheart, do you?" she asked. "Not officially, but I have my eye on someone," I said, giving a laugh. She laughed as well, and I took in her appearance. She was truly beautiful, not in the way she dressed or how she did her hair, not conventional beauty like Katherine. She was beautiful in the purity of her heart, having to go through great tragedy, and coming out the other side, gracefully and joyfully.