Arrogance & Innocence

Another Death

Then my mother got sick. She had the same thing Hannah had died from. Everyone in the house was frantic. They all wanted to keep her alive, but it was no use. She died 2 months later. I woke up stiff and sad. I dressed in black and went downstairs to eat breakfast. My stepfather and his daughters weren't at the table yet so I ate by myself in silence. Finally my stepfather and stepsisters came down to eat. They too were in black and they didn't make eye contact. When they were finished we all got into the carriage and rode off to my mother's funeral. Rani and Quinn cried and my stepfather and I stayed grim faced as the last of my loved ones was buried. We all rode home in a sad silence. As we got out of the carriage I scampered up to my bedroom for some peace. Opening the door, I found one of the servants going through my things. “What are you doing?” I asked a bit annoyed.

“Master Doyle told me to get rid of everything but a few clothes and belongings.” The man answered.

Annoyed I turned to go downstairs but ran into my stepfather.

“What is the meaning of this?” I asked.

My stepfather gave me an evil grin and answered. “Well, since your mother is now dead, you are now under my rule. I have decided that you will become my stable boy to earn your keep in this family.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“But I'm a Duke! I outrank you! You can't do this!” I protested.

“You're mine now. My responsibility if that's what you want to call it that. I can do whatever I want.” my stepfather pointed out.

Forcing down my want to punch him I cursed him and his ancestors. A sharp pain on my cheek told me that I had just been slapped.
“If you ever say something like that again you will get more that just a slap.” my stepfather threatened his voice shaking with anger.

I grinned mockingly.

“Yes your Lordship.” I said bowing.

When I looked up I could see that my stepfather's eyes were burning with hate.

“Ian!” He yelled at the man in my room. “Show DUKE Harris to the stable. Then show him how to do everything. Also tell the others that he is taking over their jobs. I want him to be the only stable boy.”

“Yes Sir!” Ian said. “Come.”

He beckoned to me to follow him.