The Cousin - ONC 2023

Chapter Five

As Oscar swirled the brandy around the bottom of his glass, he reflected on the events of that day.

How pleasant it had been to glimpse the old Emily—only for their time to be ruined by her careless actions.

No, that was a lie. Something had spooked her earlier in the clearing. She had closed up like an oyster protecting its pearl from the perils of the wild sea—and that was how she had stayed for the rest of the day, avoiding him as if he were trying to steal her precious pearl.

Oscar drained the last of the amber liquid, then as he rose from the high-backed leather chair, the library door opened. He ignored the intruder and poured himself another drink. Except this time adding an extra glass.

"Dare I ask what we are celebrating?" Henry asked as Oscar handed him the other glass.

"Not celebrating my good man. Drowning one's sorrows."

"How very dramatic of you Oscar," Henry said with a roll of his eyes. "What happened?"

Henry had been out on estate business with his father for most of the day, leaving Oscar to wallow in self pity as Emily ignored him and Cecily bored him.

"I had a very interesting exchange with Miss Hollyford this morning—"

"Emily." Henry unhelpfully interjected.

"Oh no, she insists I call her Miss Hollyford," Oscar said as he sat back down in the oversized chair, next to the roaring fire.

"What did you do?" Henry rolled his eyes once more and joined him in the chair opposite.

"Stop doing that, Henry, and I do not know. One minute we were laughing, I innocently complimented her beauty and then the next, she was running away."

"Ah."

"What do you mean, 'ah'?" Oscar asked with a raised brow.

"Well, any man and his dog can see Mrs Andrews has intentions for you and her daughter, and I dare say, Emily knows not to bite the hand that feeds her."

Oscar pondered this for a moment. It was not as if he were proposing marriage. He had simply complimented an old friend. Honestly, the ladies in his life sometimes felt more trouble than they were worth. He set his glass down and rubbed small circles on his temple.

"I should have listened to my mother and never come. She warned me something like this could happen."

"Don't be so hysterical, cousin. If you had not come, then who would have provided me with such splendid entertainment," Henry said as he tried not to laugh.

"Don't be so facetious, Henry. I feel like the prized pig at a country fair."

At that, Henry burst out laughing. Despite his annoyance, Oscar joined in. It really was all too ridiculous.

"You must understand dear cousin how refreshing it is not to be the pig being fawned over for once. I never knew being ignored could be so wonderful," Henry said through shakes of laughter.

Oscar stopped laughing and narrowed his gaze at Henry. "Enjoy it while you can, dear cousin, enjoy it while you can."

Oscar retrieved his glass and sipped away while he waited for Henry to cease his infernal caterwauling.

"Their behaviour does not surprise me, I am very much used to silly little girls and their scheming Mama's. But with only a handful of us in residence, where on earth am I to hide? I am certain they have spies all over the estate, I cannot get one moment's piece from the dreadful Andrews'."

Henry sobered up as he watched Oscar gaze into the fire. A look of defeat etched over his face.

"I apologise. I should not be laughing at your misfortune. But I would tread carefully with Mrs Andrews, I would not put it past her to orchestrate a compromising situation between Cecily and yourself."