The Art of Betrayal

Chapter 4 🌑

This is torture. I'm in the carriage in the way to ask... that women for help. Can my life get anymore pitiful. My mother, John, and Melody are all in the carriage with me. Melody and my mom are catching up after not talking for some time, and john is looking out the window clearly deep in thought.
"So Melody what is this I hear about my son getting rejected?" She laughs.
Oh how I missed her laugh.
My mother's been a ball of stress ever since my drunken mistake. Worried about what society is saying about me, about her. She's never been one to care much about those types of things, but what I did was enough to get the queen talking. Only Melody had been able to soothe here worries. I guess that's best friends for you.
"Oh my! It was quite the entertainment indeed! His look of shock as she walked up to me, I couldn't help but laugh as the other women stared in disbelief!"
I lean back and close my eyes.
"Well it's because no matter how many mistakes I make I'll always be adored by their daughters."
As I'm laidback I feel a hand hit my arm.
"Hey!" I grab my arm where the hand hit.
"Oh that didn't hurt. Plus clearly not all daughters adore you." She looks out the window.
I follow her gaze, and when I do I'm met with Layla. Shit.
"Is that the girl!?!" My mother says.
"It is indeed." Melody winks at my mother.
"Yeah she looks to sweet for him. She's standing out in the dark waiting for us!" She laughs.
She's standing in lantern light next to a girl who looks a little older than her. She's in a teal colored evening dress, her hair in an updo.
Our carriage pulls up and I step out of the carriage, helping my mother out after. John follows, helping Melody when she steps out. Layla speaks first.
"You must be Lady Harrington. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"No the pleasures all mine dear. You look beautiful in that color might I add." My mother smiles as the girl next to Layla leads us inside.
She's not wrong. She does look- what am I thinking!?!? My face goes red at the thought.
We walk into the living room where her mother and father are.
"Lady Harrington!" Her mother offers a smile.
My mother smiles but I can tell she's nervous.
"Lady Fawn. Thank you for inviting me and my son to your home!" She says with a shy smile.
Melody leans into my mother's ear. Whatever she said calmed my mother, probably along the lines of "she doesn't know about your son and his reputation".
My mother and the lady's have a seat.
"Lord Harrington, Lord Kingsley! I've heard so much about you too! What a pleasure to meet you!" Lord Fawn shakes me and John's hand, and takes a seat. Me and John have a seat across from my mother, and melody. Lord Fawn is sat on a chair to the right of us, and Layla was seated to the left. John looks at Lord Fawn.
"So Lord Fawn-"
"Please call me Jason."
"Ok. Jason. What brings you to things area? Why did you move so far from home?"
"I needed a change of scenery."
I see him glance towards his wife then look back towards John. An affair. Of course. This might be bad but he looks the type. He looks to be in his 50's, born into money, along with entitlement. I just wonder why his white would choose him?Lady Fawn looks no older than 40, and just like her daughter. The same long brown hair, tall figure, the only difference is their eyes. Hers are drown, while Laylas are a shade of blue. I look at Layla and can't quite tell if they are the safe of the sky, or deeper like the ocean. My eyes glance above her, I must have been staring because when I look up her. Whatever. Is standing behind her shaking her head. Shit.
"Harrington?" Lord Fawn says.
"Yes. Sorry I didn't hear your question?"
"How is business?" He raises an eyebrow.
I look at John who is shaking his head. What in the world?
"Uhhh well. It's going well." I answer putting on a smile.
"Well that's nice. I'm already re-tired so if you would like advice please don't hesitate to ask. I'm known for my business advice back home!" Her fawn smiles at me, a smile full of pride.
I see Layla roll her eyes. Her mother's eyes dart towards her with a look that says "watch it".
We all begin speaking getting lost in the conversation.

"Well we should be off." John says as he stands proceeding to help his wife up of the couch. She is completely capable, but he will never let her stand up with out a helping hand. I notice my mother having a weary smile at the site. She's always loved, well, love.I walk to my mother and do the same, her smile grows wide as she takes my hand. My father used to do the same for her, both he and John are the spitting image of a gentleman. I take my mother on my arm, and proceed to walk with her following John. Lord Fawn rush's to the door and opens it into the hall.
"It was lovely to meet you all and I do hope to see you soon! Layla and Maria will escort you out." He says as we'll walk down the hall to the door.
"It would be our pleasure to host you one evening!" John calls back.
"Just keep us posted!"
Fawn walks up the stairs after his wife.
We walk out the door into onto their walk way. Layla stops, but we continue to the carriage that is waiting for us. John helps Melody in, and the takes the job of helping my mother.
"Speak with her." He whispers in my ear.
"Why can't you? She already rejected me once why wouldn't she do it again."
He gives me a look. "Go."
Layla begins walking inside.
I wave to stop her before she walks in.
"Layla. Can I speak with you."
She looks at Maria and waves her inside.
"Yes. What is it about Harrington?"
"Business."
"Business?" She raises an eyebrow.
"Can you get in contact with the owner of that dress shop for me?"
"Yes, why?"
"I'd like to become their partner before my competitors can take their chance. When the public learns they were behind your dress they will be swarmed by investors. I'd like to get to them before that happens." I look at her eyes in the lantern light as she contemplates her options.
"I think I can be of some assistance" she says with a smirk. What is going on behind those blue eyes. What are you planning?
"If you can do me a favor."
There it is.
"Yes..."
"Please ensure your mother meets with my mother again. Preferably without my step father around. It always makes her on edge and I can't bare the idea of that ruining her chances of becoming friends with what I heard to be, two very important women."
I can tell she's being sincere. However all I can think is-
"Step father?" I let it slip.
"Yes? What about it?" Her eyes narrow at me.
"Nothing at all. I just don't hear that quite often. I will be sure to follow through with your request if you do so with mine, thank you." I say turning.
I walk off quickly before she can answer. I climb into the back of the carriage, my mother giving me a look. However, I don't even acknowledge it I look out the window and start to think. Did her father pass, or did her divorce Lady Fawn? If so, why? Questions are flooding my head. It's just not something you hear of everyday.