True Love

Let The Game Begin

Ross spent the night alone again. Demelza slept in her old room. Ross tried to convince his wife to sleep in their room but she refused to say until she made her choice of who would be her husband, they would not be sharing a room. Ross responded in anger telling her that in the eyes of the law she was his wife and the babe she carried was his and he had all legal rights. She turned to him, "you may have all the rights here but not where I will take the child inside me. If I leave here and go with my Grandfather you will be the one with no rights. So don't try to play that card. Besides you can have your children with someone from your class since that seems to be the only thing you care about." "Demelza what are you talking about, Ross asked?" Why your infatuation with women of higher social status, Ruth, Caroline, and mostly Elizabeth why would you else would you break your promise if it was not for that." Demelza got up from the chair and went to walk past Ross. She said, "I am tired of my wants and needs are to be deemed foolish or something to be overlooked. While yours must be held in the highest regard." She left the room with Ross staring behind her.

Ross barely slept; he didn't realize his wife was not sleeping much either. She worried that the plan to make Ross jealous would backfire and he would choose to go with Elizabeth. Joshua had told her, as well as the king that if that happened then Ross was not the man for her anyway. Her heart, she knew, would not survive. She loved Ross since the first time she saw him. Yes, he was arrogant but what gentleman wasn't? He carried the power of being a noble man. She just wanted him to stop chasing Elizabeth. Ross was awake thinking about what he would do if someone else claim Demelza's heart, he did not know how he would go on. Even worse was the fact that if she left, she took his child. Didn't she realize that if she left, he had no reason to continue with this life she was his everything? He only wanted her.

He got up the next morning heading toward the water closet and heard someone retching.  He knocked on the door and opened it a crack seeing his wife on the floor with her head laying against the tub, he hurried into the room. Ross picked her up and held her in his arms, she automatically put her head on his shoulder and tried to calm her stomach. Ross said, "Demelza how long will this go on."  Demelza thinking she was talking about the situation with Elizabeth said, "until you make a choice once and for all, society or us."  Ross said, "I have no choice I want my wife and child." Again, Ross had put his foot in his mouth. Demelza scurried off his lap causing a new wave of nausea, "well I have no choice either but to find a man that chooses me instead of considering me a burden." She leaned over the chamber pot and vomited again. Ross realizing, she took his statement wrong said, "that is not what I meant, Judas Demelza you know I love you and only you." Demelza looked at him and said, "and what do you feel for her." Ross hesitated because he did want any chance of misunderstanding. Demelza said, "that's what I thought," she sprang up not caring she needed to rinse her mouth she ran to her room locked the door fell on the bed putting her pillow over her head so no one could hear her sobs.

Ross knocked on her door asking for her to unlock it so they could talk. He didn't know she could not hear him because of the pillow or sobs. Drake came out of his room, looking at Ross he asked, "did you upset sister yet again?" Ross ran his hands through his hair. Drake shook his head, "I would not be drinking any tea she made if I were you unless you want to be sick." Ross went to Drake and picked him up he told him, "Drake, I do not fear your sister she is fair and has great gentleness, I just have to figure out how to express that she is the only one I want." Drake said, "that be easy just stop whining about the witch that lives at Twenwith." Ross ruffled his hair replying, "I have not wanted that which since I met you sister." Drake said, "then you must not be worried, I am sure she will pick you." Ross put him down Drake noticed Ross's face looked sad so he said, "you must pray and ask God to make sister choose you." Ross nodded and walked away.

Ross went down to breakfast, Joshua raised an eyebrow at his son, it was clear he had not slept well. Melza said, "is the mistress coming down?" Ross said, "I don't believe, she was retching a few minutes ago. Maggy told Melza, "I will take a tray up in a little while with some tea. Ross looked at his teacup wondering if Maggy and Melza would give him tea that would make him sick. Melza laughed, "don't worry boy if we wanted to make you pay for hurting our girl it would be much worse than an upset stomach." Joshua snickered because Ross was turning a little green. The king happened to look up at Ross, "will you be taking me to Grambler this morning? Ross nodded; he didn't want to spend the day traipsing after the old man but he knew it was expected of him. The king said, "Good, Good, would you mind if Sam went with us? I hear the China Clay mine is his vision and I would like him to explain it to me." Ross seeing this would take some of the pressure himself agreed readily. Then the Queen said, to the rest of the boys, your sister will be entertaining fairy men, some even Fairy Princes, we need you to be on your best behavior. Ross caught Drake's eye, he wanted to tell them to act dreadful to the visitors so they would leave before Demelza even met them. The King spoke, "Ross don't go encouraging the boys to misbehave. It will be them that suffers for the misdeed, not you." Ross nodded and Drake shrugged his shoulders. Ross waited to see his wife but the king came out and said, "let us be on our way. Ross was upset he did not see Demelza before the left for the mine.

Riding to Grambler they didn't expect to come across Francis. Ross said, Francis, this is Demelza's grandfather Demetrius, Demetrius this is my cousin Francis." Francis raised an eyebrow saying, "it was his understanding Demelza came from a lower class."  Demetrius laughed, "you should not be too quick to judge, her father was of the low class but my granddaughter is higher than any society lady in this area." Francis chuckled, "best not let Elizabeth hear this or she will be reorganizing her own ancestry to improve her ranking." The king's face got as dark as a stormy night, "Elizabeth is your wife." Francis said, "unfortunately yes." The king said, "if that is the way you feel maybe you should enlighten your cousin." The king spurred his horse on and Francis said, "what was that about?" Ross said, "nothing do not trouble yourself just some rumors that Demetrius has heard." Francis said, "oh yes quite a few rumors are going around. I must tell you I am sorry but I will not be able to attend your ball.". Ross sighed could his prayers be answered, "I am sorry to hear you and Elizabeth will not be there." Francis said, "Oh no forgive me. I will not be there but Elizabeth has already picked out her ball gown. She needed to ensure she got the best one around so all eyes are on her." Ross thought if it wasn't for bad luck, I would have no life at all.

The king seemed quite impressed when looking over the mine and speaking to the new hires. The fairies working in this mine were almost double what he had in Wheal Leisure. The China Clay also seemed to employ a significant amount of fairies. Francis said, "Ross, I think you should share your profit with our family. You surely have paid for the cost of the mine and are bringing in a good profit." The King turned and looked at him. "Please tell me why you think you deserve a piece of the profit," the king asked? Francis bristled he thought who was this man that he dared to ask such a question? The king said, "as far as my thinking the men that do the manual labor should gain a share over some dandy that does not believe in work." Ross jumped in before any more could be said. "Francis, I must tell you I only invited Elizabeth because of your connection so if you are not coming." Ross was cut off by Francis, "Ross unless you want to tell her I would suggest she be allowed to attend because I am not going to deliver that news," Francis snickered.

Ross and the king were on their way home when they passed a four-horse-drawn carriage. When going past the king it stopped, a man that Ross thought was the most handsome and well-built man he ever saw stepped out and bowed to the king. "My King," the man said. "Raise Kili, tell me what are you about," the king asked? Kili grinned, "I have been to see the princess, she is most beautiful and I would be honored if she would pick me for her King." Ross bristled asking, "you have been to my home to visit my wife?" Kili still smiling said, "If your home is where Princess Demelza resides then yes, I was there most of the afternoon getting to know her. I found her most charming and believe we would make the most handsome couple. If we were blessed with children, they would be most beautiful. Ross said, "you are aware 'My Wife' is carrying my child?" Kili said, "makes no difference to me. Even though it might be plain compared to ours I would still care for it." Ross growled, "you will never take my child or my wife." He spurred his horse and left at a gallop leaving the king grinning. The king said, "Kili, you have played your part well and I will certainly show my appreciation any time you need my service." Kili replied, "if she does decide she doesn't want the human then let me know. She is the most beautiful, gracious woman I have ever met." The king nodded, "ay I will but her heart belongs to the human."

Ross went into the house yelling "Demelza, Demelza, where are you?" Joshua came around the corner and said, "what is all this yelling about." Ross was infuriated "where is my wife, did you know she had a gentleman caller today?" Joshua said, "I did. She will have a few until the night she decides." Ross exploded, "she has no choice she is my wife." Joshua said, "then treat her as a woman you love instead of one that of a woman who desires and happiness last." Ross pushed past his father he turned and said, "you know that libertine said, our child would be plain. Plain as if a child of Demelza's could ever be plain." Demelza came down the staircase, Ross noticed she was in a fine gown and she looked more like a beautiful princess than ever before. He thought she may be beautiful like this but not more so them my wife with her hair tied up or her apron on, I prefer that not some princess. He did not know that Demelza was as uncomfortable in the clothes she had on. She to enjoy the simpler fashions of the day. Clothes that if she wanted to work in the garden, not worrying about staining them. She could do nothing but sit and play music or stitch in these clothes. She could not go to the barn and love and play with the animals or roll around with Garrick. She couldn't cook for fear of spilling something and ruining it. She wanted to dress as a Mistress of Nampara, not a princess. Ross's hope was she would pick him. Demelza hoped that he would pick her.