THE HEIRESS (Sample)

CHAPTER TEN

Emilia burst into the room with her lady-in-waiting on her heels. Vera stood in the corner, preparing tea for the Duchess who was tucked into bed.

The blanket was drawn up below her chest and she looked so frail and pale. Emilia immediately settled down on the bed beside the Duchess’ head.
“Auntie… auntie…” she called in a teary voice.

“Little one…” the Duchess replied weakly in shaky voice. “Aren’t you supposed to be on your way to Menxes, already?”

“What happened to you?” Emilia took the Duchess hand in hers, she seemed to have aged the more and the wrinkles were more obvious.
"I heard you had fallen ill.”

The Duchess managed a weak smile. “I’ll be fine Emilia...I am just worn out from fatigue, that’s all.”

“You don’t look tired to me, you look pale. Someone should go for the doctor.”

“The Duchess refused.” Vera said. “But it will be done soon, milady.”

“Why soon? Why not now?” Emilia asked apprehensively.

“Shrrr... don’t worry an old lady. I will be fine... my health is just failing me because of my old age, nothing more.”

“It doesn’t look that way to me.” She protested.

“You worry yourself too much, Child.” The Duchess patted her hand. “I believe you have packed and the coach is waiting to take you to the pier. Be on your way now lest you miss your ship.”

“No! I can’t leave you like this! I don’t mind postponing my travelling till the weekend.” She protested stubbornly.

Vera secretly pulled a small cylindrical bottle out of her apron pocket and let in two drops of its liquid into the tea, returning it to her pocket, she quickly stirred it.

“I won’t let you postpone your travelling Emilia, you must leave today, this moment.” Replied the Duchess as Vera approached with the cup of tea and its saucer.

“See reason with me on this, Auntie. I will be weary over there knowing I left you in such a state.”

“You have absolute nothing to worry about little one, I promise I will write you a letter when I recover, this very week.” The Duchess assured.

Not satisfied, she persisted. “Auntie, even though it is just three days, please just let me stay and help you get well.” She pleaded.

“Your love and concern for me is obviously genuine. You are too strong-headed for a lady. Worry me no more Emilia, be on your way this minute!” she said sternly.

Vera offered the tea to the Duchess with a curtsy. Emilia took the cup from the duchess’ shaky hands after she was helped into a sitting position and gave her little to sip. “Thank you, Vera.” The Duchess said.

Vera curtsied again, collecting the cup and placing it near-by. Noticing her niece wasn’t showing any sign of obeying her, the Duchess called out. “Festus!”

A man at the door, more like a personal guard to the Duchess approached the large four poster bed and bowed. “Your Grace?”

“Come closer.” She beckoned.

When the guard came closer and leaned down, the Duchess whispered some words to him, he nodded and left the room immediately.

Moments later, the doors opened and Lord William rushed in, in long strides. “Your Grace, I came as soon as I was informed, is all well?”

“Not really, William, but I should recover soon.” The Duchess replied.

“What in the heavens is taking the Doctor so long!” Emilia yelled in frustration.

“Easy child, easy.” The Duchess calmed her. “Matilda?”

Emilia’s lady-in-waiting, a plump small woman in her early fifties stepped forward. “Please, depart with my niece to Menxes now... I want you putting an eye on her there...heaven knows this stubborn lass might not even go aboard the ship if she has the chance. I don’t want her sneaking back here.”

“I’m not moving an inch from here!” Emilia stubbornly stated.

Lord William flipped out his pocket watch, glanced down at it and exchanged knowing look with Vera who gave a subtle nod and this brief exchange was seen by nobody.

Lord William cleared his throat and stepped forward ready to intervene and help persuade Emilia to school. Immediately, his hands rested on her shoulders, she spun around and her glare made him take off his hands.

“The Duchess will be fine, I assure you. On my way here, I have already summoned the doctor.” He glanced down at his watch again. “He should be here any moment from now but you need to be on your way to Menxes now.”

“...And leave her like this, hell no!”

“Please Emilia, I beseech you not to disobey me!” said the Duchess, a hint of plea in her voice.”

“I promise you cousin, I will take care of her and make sure she is nursed back to health, I promise!” Lord William quickly added.

Emilia’s eyes turned glassy with tears. “One week!” she indicated with a raised finger. “One week I give you! If the duchess doesn’t improve, I will not hesitate to return.” With her last words, she kissed the Duchess sapphire ring and walked out of the room, hiding her flowing tears, the yellow skirts of her gown flowing after her as her lady-in-waiting hurriedly followed her, out.

“Vera...” Lord William beckoned her to a corner out of earshot after he watched Emilia leave and the Duchess lapsed into a short sleep. “What are the circumstances?” he whispered.

“The poison is slowly taking its toil as we planned.” She whispered back.

“Good.” He smiled approvingly. “That’s progress.”

“...But why would you summon a doctor, don’t you know I might be discovered if she is tested?” Vera said uneasily.

“I didn’t summon a doctor...”He whispered, glancing briefly over his shoulder at the sleeping Duchess. “That was just to get rid of that bull-headed Emilia.”

Vera sighed in relief. “I hope when this is all over, you will keep to your promise.”

“I am a man of my words so you can count on me, Vera.” He touched her cheek and she smiled coyly, walked back to the bed, took the saucer and the cup and exited the room.

Carefully and quietly, Lord William sauntered to the four poster bed, rubbing his hands in glee as he stared at the sleeping Duchess, a sly smile curving his lips.

He had been waiting for this moment for a long time, the old lady seemed tough and full of life which made him restless and impatient, thinking if she was ever going to die and join her husband.

He watched her chest rise and fall slowly as she breathed in her sleep. He pulled out his pocket watch, always attached to a gold chain, glanced down at it and returned it into his pocket as he walked out of the room, slowly shutting the double door after him.

His time for elevation was drawing near and all these wealth both far and near would be solely his for he was certain his name had been legally scribbled and signed on her will.

He wallowed in the thought of what pleasure and significance that would earn him when he took the privilege of throwing several balls and parties where only the wealthy class would be invited. He would take his time to savor the endless wealth that was soon to be his, break down the statue of the Duke in the court yard and erect his own with a fine crown studded with gems of all sorts.

...And as for Lady Emilia... he smiled inwardly, rubbing his palms slowly together...soft to the touch is her sweet smelling skin, those obstructive beautiful gowns she wore concealed a lot from the eye, his eye, and it was only a matter of time too.