THE HEIRESS (Sample)

CHAPTER EIGHT

“I forbid it Auntie…I would rather die if I have to.”

“Shrrr...it is so unlady-like to swear.” Just then she caught a glimpse of a figure approaching them from the distance. “Aha! Here comes your cousin, William is a better match, you know? He will make a lucky woman as you a wonderful husband.”

“Lord William is six years my senior...” She frowned “and besides...I don’t like him, not the slightest bit ...he seems so vile and shrewd. I would rather spend the rest of my life with a ferret than with him.”

“Don’t be visceral young woman!” scolded the Duchess. “It’s unfortunate that you have got a child’s brain in a mature head. Sometimes you don’t think like the mature person you are.”

“Forgive my naivety milady” she curtsied as Lord William joined them.

“William! What a surprise!” The Duchess smiled.

“Your Grace!” Lord William kissed her hand. "I was a little busy and I decided to come down here and spend some time with my fairest cousin.” Lord Williams said, smiling at Emilia.

“How generous and thoughtful of you.” commented the Duchesses.

“I appreciate your offer, Williams but I don’t need anyone’s company...I was just going to the library to read some books.”

“Be nice to your cousin Emilia.” Scolded the Duchess. “He came down here to offer to spend some of his time with you, show some gratitude and hospitality young lady!”

Before Emilia could reply, Lord Williams beat her to it. “You don’t have to be so harsh on her, Milady. Emilia and I will get along very well, you have nothing to worry about.” He politely interceded on Emilia’s behalf.

“I doubt that!” Emilia muttered under her breath.

“Then I should leave you two to get to work on that.” Said the Duchess, giving Emilia a knowing look as she walked away.
“This old lady needs to rest her old bones.”

“Should I walk you to your quarters, milady?” Lord William quickly stepped forward, offering his arm.

“No!” The Duchess pushed his arm away gently. “I am old, doesn’t mean I don’t know my way around my late husband’s castle just take care of Emilia.” She said and walked away.

Smiling, Lord William turned to Emilia, who was wringing her fingers to keep steady and composed.

“I must comment that you look astonishing this morning.” He said after a quick observation.

“Thank you.” She simply faked a smile.

“Shall we?” He swept an arm towards the left foot path. Emilia hesitated then went on that direction while he followed.

As they walked, he started pointing out things he didn’t like about the castle and how he would like to replace or get rid of them. “Like this statue!” He pointed at the statue of the late duke. “It’s been here for like sixteen years now and it should be replaced.”

Emilia who had been quietly tolerating him and seething in anger burst out. “Lord William, I mean no disrespect but your talk is really beginning to get on nerves.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Of course!” She continued. ”The late duke built this castle and your saucy talk about renovating it to your taste when it is not even in your position to.”

“Need I bring it to your notice that I am the only available and competent heir prospect to the wealth and heirloom of Lady Catherine left by her late husband the Duke who was my Uncle. She is childless and I am fit to take over, which makes it my right to do anything I want to about this castle.” He gloated.

Emilia fumed in anger. “I won’t have you talk about my aunt in such an insolent manner, Lord William.” She said coldly.

“She is also my aunt, Emilia. Whichever way you choose to perceive it, one day, just very soon...” He regarded the property with opened arms. “I will be the Duke of Pearlsworth.”

“Don’t be so sure, disappointment could be a sour taste, trust me.” she replied sarcastically.

“From the look of things dear cousin, I have no one to dispute nor oppose me over this heirloom.” He took her hand. “...And with you by my side as my Duchess, we would make such a great team with a prosperous estate.”

Emilia yanked her hand away from his, in utter disgust. “I believe we have walked far enough” she spat. “I had better return to chambers in time for tea.”

He gave a low bow, wearing a sly smile. “The honor is mine milady, when the time comes, I shall seek your hand out in marriage, and you might not really have much of a choice.” He ran a finger down the side of her face and she winced at his touch. “So fair to behold, are you. So soft to the touch, just like a fresh-baked bread from the oven.”

“I forbid you to speak in such uncouthly manner with me!” She responded icily, hating his lusty look.

“I take my leave now, and I am sure you’ll find some other woman to lavish your time on, Cousin William.” She said sarcastically. "Good day to you!” She turned down the cobbled path leading to the back of the house and was gone.

Lord William smiled, pulled out his pocket watched rimmed with gold and glanced down at it. He looked up at the gulls flying overhead and went in the opposite direction where he had come from.

          ***
Robert emerged from the corner pushing a small cart full of potatoes and tulips.

He stopped and wiped off the sweat from his brow with the rolled-up sleeve of his upper-arm. He grimaced in pain as he stretched his back and rolled his aching waist.

“Hot sun!” He said to Aidan who was sitting on the porch, leaning on the wooden pillar, smoking. “You shouldn’t really be taking that.” He regarded the smoking pipe between Aidan’s fingers as he began to offload the cart. “It’s bad for your health.” He hefted a big watermelon onto the porch.

“And besides, it could worsen my mother’s cough.”

Aidan who had quietly been watching the young teenager work, extinguish his pipe and safely tucked it away, letting the remnant of the smoke he inhaled drift from his nostrils and between his lips. He came down the porch steps and walked past Robert.

Robert turned, puzzled. “Where are you going to?” he shaded his eyes from the sun with his hand.

“Going out to make some money.” Aidan replied without looking back.

“Money?” Robert asked. “You got a job?”

“No, gamble!”

“Can I come with you?”

“No, too dangerous.”

“Please, let me come with you, Aidan.” Robert pleaded.

Aidan stopped and half turned to look at him. “It’s too dangerous for you, boy.” He said in a calm low voice.

“I have an idea or two about how this thing works, I could be of help.” He eagerly persisted.

Aidan studied him for a while and replied. “Fine! But on one condition, you pretend you are not with me, I attract trouble like moths to fire. I don’t want any harm coming to you, you got a mother to look after.”

Robert’s face brightened with a smile. “Aye sir!” he grabbed his coat from a nail in the corner and jogged to join Aidan.