A Rose For A Rose

Chapter 9

I didn't tell Lissa what had happened, but I think she figured it out on her own. If I could have stayed home from the rest of the events, I would have. But this was my punishment, being forced to go to all the events and pretend that nothing was wrong.

To pretend that seeing Dimitri or being around him wouldn't hurt me was going to be a feat.

It was hard to force the smile when I felt so low. The only person I confided in was Pipa. I didn't want to tarnish Lissa's happiness by telling her about my heartache. Pipa held me while my heart broke, sobbing into my pillow.

The anger I felt towards Andre was unprecedented. My blood was boiling. A very small, part of me understood that he was trying to protect me. But he went about it the wrong way. There were other things he could have done. But to force us to separate was cruel. If anyone found out what transpired between us, my virtue would be tarnished. I would be considered 'soiled goods'.

In every situation that had speculation, a quick and swift marriage was the solution. But this...this wasn't his decision to make.

"What am I to do?" I hiccupped, looking up at Pipa. She frowned at me and ran her hand over my hair, shaking her head.

"I don't know, miss. But you'll both find a way," Pipa said softly.

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I used the avoidance of Andre to be out and about in town. It was dictated that I was not to leave the house alone, so I asked Pipa to accompany me. She was also given stern words from Andre that I was not to approach Dimitri, and he was not to approach me.

And as much as Pipa wanted to help me, she knew when she had to do what Andre said. She couldn't afford to lose her job.

But even if she did, I'd beg Baba to hire her as a personal lady's maid. Lissa didn't require two, and even then, Lissa rarely used Pipa if I was here. She always left Pipa to tend to me.

"What if we stopped by Anthony's Ice Shop? That usually will put a smile on your face," Pipa offered, breaking protocol and slipping her arm through mine. I looked at her with a sigh.

"Maybe if it's not too busy," I said, the idea of a sweet treat was enticing. Pipa beamed at me and patted my arm, questioning about what delights I might enjoy today when a commotion pulled our attention from our conversation. People were running into what was known as the fisher's district, which was where the working class lived.

I had been down here enough times to know the faces of the people and my way to Mason's house.

"I wonder what's happening," I said to Pipa, my brows knitting together.

"I don't know, but whatever it is, it's caused a stir," she said worriedly, craning her neck to see what was happening as we walked. But as we walked I started to recognize where we were and I felt panic settle in my chest.

I let go of Pipa's hand and hurried down the lane, praying that I was wrong and that it was just a house near Mason's. I knew that it was useless prayer but I prayed. But when I stopped with the crowd gathered around his house, my heart sank.

"Mason," I whispered to myself, pushing myself through the crowd to find him. When I made it through the people I couldn't see Mason or his sister or his mother and I whirled around, finding a neighbour I recognized.

"Where is Mason?"

She looked at me grief-stricken. "They're still inside," she said with sorrow, "The flames broke out so quickly."

I didn't think, I just ran. There were hollers and clamouring as I ran into the house. The fire had spread quite a bit, taking up most of the building. I could hear coughing and crying in the back of the house and I pushed the table aside as I fought to get back there.