The Art of the Corset

Chapter Thirteen- The Dinner

Eleanor took a seat beside her step father as Joseph looked to Eve who sat beside Adams. They were awaiting the other members of the family that they would introduce one by one as it was tradition of a new house guest-mostly royals but to Joseph-he portrayed Eve as a wealthy woman sent here to be with them. A part of their dysfunctional family.

All those who came before the table seemed friendly. Bowing to Eve and then having a seat somewhere in the table. But one man stuck out from them all...

"Marth. The duke of Vaudetta. A very noble man." As he looked up from his bow, his eyes shifted quick as he realized who she was. The woman he helped all that time ago and how she was now sitting at a table of his relative as he believed something horrid had happened to her.

Dinner came and was midway as Eve spoke to Joseph about Marth's background.

"What is the relation?" She asked as she placed a small piece of fruit on her fork and ate it, making the conversation intriguing to Eleanor who silenced her fiance who squinted his eyes to Joseph as if he was a threat.

"Cousin. His mother is my sister. She passed away about six years ago, the boy was about your age and was desperate to be knighted. His mother begged me to not allow it so I then allowed him to be a duke, he hunts for the nearby villages."

"And of his romantic status?"

"Do you find him a prospect?" Joseph asked with a surprised expression.

"No. I just feel as if I had seen him before."

"He was not one of your men was he?"

"No." She said almost as if the comment was an insult more than a genuine question.

"Perhaps he has recognizable features. I am sure you two have not crossed paths. He is a very chaste man. Desired by every woman for such a reputation."

"Why is this? Why is he so chaste?"

"He is very religious. Adores the God he worships more than money-that fool."

"You are not religious?"

"Of course not. I am a worldly man. I have lived, what I see is what I believe to be true..."

"And what do you believe of love?"

"Only us lucky enough to find it, quickly discover the difficulty on keeping it..." He said with a grin. Throughout the entire dinner, her eyes did not leave his and vise versa. She now knew more than ever she would have to take her lessons serious-to not allow him any cause to think of her true occupation...or previous occupation...