The Abandoned Lady

Chapter 9

Oscar stepped off the glorious ship  onto the east London docks. He had arrived in England, and to no surprise, it was pouring down with rain. He hated the weather in England, it was so unpredictable unlike the sun in America. He would really miss that, but now that he was back permanently he had to adapt to the weather again.

'My Lord, the carriage is waiting.' Edward said leading the way to the carriage.

Oscar sat in the carriage as it rumbled on the rickety streets as they rode to his town house to spend the night there as well as meeting Lord Haywood. Oscar was exhausted and couldn't wait until his head fell onto a pillow that wasn't actually moving! Maybe he'd take an afternoon nap before heading to Lord Haywood's for dinner. It was going to be his first time meeting the new Lady Haywood. He had missed their wedding which had taken place six months ago.

'My Lord,  May I ask where we are going to be heading tomorrow? Is it to Warrington House or Ripley Estate?' Edward asked hesitantly. Oscar looked at his valet for a moment and sighed.

'I think...er... it night be best to go to Warrington House first, clean up and rest properly before seeing father.' Oscar said finally.The truth was he didn't want to go to Warrington House nor see his father. But the main reason was not to face the hideous wife he had let behind more than five years ago. It suddenly crossed his mind about how she'd react to him. She was most probably going to be like the same annoyingly, timid person. God he didn't know why he felt so irritated and annoyed every time he thought about her. Oh! Of course because he was forced to be with someone he had no inclination towards and it wasn't for a while, a couple of years. No, it was for the rest of his bloody life.

Later

The evening dinner at Lord Haywood's town has was going according to plan. Everything had been going smooth so far. Oscar watched Lady and Lord Haywood talking and laughing with each other as he sat drinking his brandy sombrely. That could have been him, laughing and joking with his wife instead of running. Oscar didn't realise he was staring until he suddenly Lord Haywood turned and caught him off guard.

'Cheer u,p Oscar. Dear Lord you look like you're in a funeral party.' Lord Haywood smiled. Oscar didn't say anything and left the room, onto the balcony. He signed and looked up at the sky.

'Oscar what's wrong?' Lord Haywood said, standing next to him.

'Nothing.'

'Of course, there's something wrong just look at your face.'

'Lady Haywood is very...pretty. how'd you meet?' Oscar said sipping his brandy. Lord Haywood started to laugh.

'Oh lord, I never thought you were the jealous type. Anyhow, Yes, Lizzy and I met at a ball during the season. I thought it was time to settle down. Had my years of fun, time to get serious.' Lord Haywood imitated a pirates voice. 'and you know what Pierce, the funniest thing is that I feel as if I'm a whole person now, by finding Lizzy. Oh I know it's sounds daft an-'

'No, it doesn't. I'm happy for you. Honestly.' Oscar smiled.

' I feel extremely idiotic saying this aloud but Love does exist. It's not illusion and fake like how we used to say. That belief is...I don't know.'

'Good Lord, Haywood, Lizzy has brainwashed you already, hasn't she?' Oscar joked. 'No, it's changed for you, but it won't for me.'

'Hmm, I wouldn't be so sure. You should see Lady Pierce and well, for the sake of your happiness, there are ways to get rid of her permanently and find someone else more suited to you.'

'Haywood, what the devil are you talking about? I'm not going to murder someone for the sake of my happiness.'

'No, you silly mutt, I'm not talking about killing her.' Lord Haywood, took a sip of his drink. 'Can I ask, it's very private, but I must know, have you bedded her?'

Oscar gulped the last of his brandy down and finally admitted with humiliation, 'No.' 

'Do not worry, I wouldn't have blamed you either. Well, it just makes matters easier.'

'Haywood, just get to the point. What are you talking about?' Oscar said feeling frustrated.

'A divorce.'

****

2 days later

Oscar was standing outside his house. The sun was shinning, the sky was blue and birds were tweeting. It was a little after eight in the morning and no one seemed to be home, Probably sleeping. The house looked different, like a family home. It seemed more lively and colourful, a positive aura omitted from it. Yet, the house looked more or less the same. 

Oscar stepped on the door step in order to knock on the door. He felt stupid doing that. It was his house for God's sake, but he knocked anyway.

One door of the double doors opened, revealing Harry the butler. Harry's mouth opened in shock but he quickly shut it and gathered himself. What was Lord Pierce doing home? He hadn't been here for a good five years.

'My Lord...it is good to see you' Harry said, not knowing what else to say.

'You too Harry. Er...Send out someone to collect my belongings, it's not a lot.' Oscar said sensing Harry's discomfort.

'Sure my lord. Welcome home.' Harry said stepping aside. Oscar stepped in and froze.

He gaped at his hallway. Everything old had been replaced by something new. There was a huge crystal chandelier in the middle of the hallway next to the grand staircase. Beautiful paintings hung up on the walls. The wooden floor looked new and were shinning. Cream wallpaper with gold designs encompassed the walls. Flowers were everywhere, and he could smell the sweet scents of magnolia, lavender, violent and roses.

'What...what happened to my house?' Oscar muttered in astonishment. It looked amazing, fit for a royal.

Oscar rushed to what he knew to be the dinning room and opened the door. The room had been replaced by a new set of expensive tables and chairs, and it smelt of breakfast, bacon, eggs, coffee and butter. There were more picturesque paintings and fresh flowers.

'That's the breakfast room, my lord and the dinning room is a few doors down and so is the lunch room. Lady Amelia refurbished majority of the house a while back.' Oscar cleared his throat as Harry answered his question.

'Why? Why did she do that and where did she get the fund..' Oscar stopped

'Well, I don't really know my Lord, you'll have to ask her.' Harrys said, hesitatingly and annoyed. Lord Pierce had been so cruel to her and Harry had been glad that Lady Amelia had redecorated the dreary and dull interior of the house into something more exquisite and beautiful like the exterior of the house.

Oscar exhaled and didn't answer. 'Show me to my room.'

'Oh, that's exactly where it was. It hasn't been altered...much.' Harry said leading the way, up the grand staircase. he opened the heavy oak door.

'Oh.' Oscar said slightly disappointed. It was identical to the way he had left it. Brown dark and gloomy.

'However, a new typed of lock has been installed. For privacy. I'll get one of the maids to unpack you things since there is no sign of your valet.' Saying that, Harry left.

It just didn't make sense. Where had all that money come from. Her uncle? His father? It couldn't be her nor him. His balances were still untouched from the last time he had visited England. Why hadn't she touched his room? and where was she in the first place? Clearly nor in the house, since she didn't come to meet him. But Oscar was relieved when she hadn't. He had been dreading the meeting  throughout the whole way.

Suddenly, Oscar's stomach rumbled, he hadn't eaten since last night at the inn. Before he could react, there was a knock at the door.

'Come in.' Oscar ordered.

'Forgive me my Lord, but you must be hungry from the long journey. Breakfast is being prepared downstairs. It'll be ready in around ten minutes, so take your time... wash up and change.'

Oscar nodded his head and muttered a thanks and felt glad that he hadn't needed to ask. He felt like a stranger, a visitor in his own home.