THE HEIRESS (Sample)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

"The child I have known ever since she started her bleeding wouldn’t do what she just did a few minutes ago!” scolded Matilda. “Did you see yourself act? Attacking a well-respected man? That was hysterical, Emilia! Whatever came over you!”

Emilia fumbled with the pins in her hair, yanking them out, bereft of words. Her past deed was just dawning on her but she did not fully regret her actions. “I’m sorry Matilda, I just went Berserk with rage.” She said calmly as Matilda began to help her undo her gown. “But how could he have done something of such? It was a slap on my face commencing the burial of my aunt without first seeking my concurrence. He just casted me out of his plans as if I was not a member of the family. What he did was uncalled for… absolute wickedness I will say!”

“I do not dispute that  but a lady of your status and charisma shouldn’t have acted so heedlessly before a hall of esteemed people.”

Emilia sighed. “I wasn’t thinking Matilda. I only acted on first impulse. It just hurts to know that he intentionally denied me the last minutes I deserve with the Duchess, my aunt. It was just so fiendish and thoughtless of him.”

“You constituted a nuisance out there!” Matilda chided. “Tonight, after the guests depart, you will go to Lord William and apologize for your mannerless attitude.”

“I will do no such thing to that vile, inconsiderate man!” she snapped. “I’m not even sorry I did what I did to him. Heaven knows he deserved what he got!”

“You still don’t understand the consequences of what you did, Emilia, do you? You don’t understand the embarrassment you caused him. People will talk. The rumor will float on every lip for days. You are tarnishing your reputation dear.”

“I am still grieved Matilda. I will like some time of peace and quiet to myself.” She said as she sat on the bed and swung the covers over her body, laid down her head on the pillow, releasing a deep sigh.

“Ruminate on what we have discussed, dear. Think on it!” Matilda smoothed Emilia’s furrowed brows and exited the room.

        ***
Emilia hesitated. She rubbed the chill off her arms as she pulled the shawl around her shoulders tightly. She swallowed hard, composing herself and trying to muster courage to prove to herself that what she was about to do was the right thing.

She reached for the door once again, folded her knuckles and softly rapped on the door of the study this time before she had second thoughts and changed her mind.

Lord William replied without looking up from what he was writing at the desk. “You may enter."

The door opened and Emilia stepped in. Lord William looked up and straightened himself in his seat. “Still got some lava you would like to dislodge on me?”

Emilia ignored him. As much as she despised the man she still had to come do what Matilda had bid her to do and leave. “I only came to give my apologies for what transpired between us in the hall, earlier today.”

There was a brief moment of silence as he thumbed his beard chin for a while as if considering her apology. Then he stood up and came around to meet her. “No offense taken, milady. I understand you were grieved that was why you acted the way you did.”

She was a little bit pleased that at least, the knuckle-head had some tiny bits of brain left in his head even though she knew he was playing the gentleman and not being his real self. She was not through with him yet though.

She still wanted to scream at him, she wanted to pummel him to dust, she wanted to rake his deceitful face with her nails for burying the Duchess in her absence but she let the thought pass. They would settle their differences some other time but now was definitely not the time. He sat on the edge of the desk, regarding her.

“I will be travelling back to Menxes this weekend.” She broke the silence. “I have a month left to finish up my education.”

“I will advise you not to tarry longer.” He said.
“The family lawyer arrives on July 16th, that’s in six weeks’ time. I received his letter a few minutes ago.”

Emilia could pick the hint of pride in his voice. What an insolent, covetous wretch! So eager to have the wealth bequeathed to him. She cared less though because she was satisfied with the little the Duchess had given her before her sudden death. “I will keep that in mind.” She simply said. “I hope to return before the supposed date.”

“Excellent!” he remarked. “It is sorted out already. I just don’t want you missing out on anything. You are a very important part of the family.”

Indeed! How sly of him. He didn’t think of that before burying the Duchess in her absence. Self-centered bastard! “I take my leave now.” She said, turning to leave, already disgusted with his attitude but a clasp on her wrist stopped her.

She spun around. Her eyes travelled from the hand clasping her wrist to his face. He stood up before her, his eyes boring into hers. She could feel his breath against her cheek for he was unbearably close for comfort and she didn’t like what she saw in his eyes. It was glazed with familiar lust.

“Beloved cousin...” He began. “The passing away of our aunt should be a tool to pull us closer because this is when we need each other the most for comfort.” He wet his lower lip, his eyes roving her body with a leer. “We can’t silently continue to nurse a rift between us.”

He said so politely and harmlessly that Emilia almost felt guilty and accept his suggestion. She just wasn’t comfortable with his closeness. She could even smell the whisky on his breath.

His fingers caressing her arm jolted her back to reality. “I believe I was on my way out.” She said. With a feeling of discomfort, she turned to leave. He pulled her back this time and she didn’t see it coming as he planted his lips firmly on hers.

She was devastated and speechless as she suddenly clouded with rage. She shoved him away making him stagger backwards halting against his desk, the look of pleasure and satisfaction still lingering in his eyes as he watched her wipe her lips with her arm, clearly disgusted.

The impudent rake had just defiled and stolen her first kiss. She hated the smug look on his face and would have raked out at his face if only to tear his smirk to shreds.
“How dare you!” she snapped. “How dare you defile me!”

The smile lingered on the corner of his lips. “It was just a kiss, Emilia.” He pronounced her name for the very first time without her title sensually. “I can’t wait to discover the pleasure your chaste body keeps.” He swept her a mocking bow.

She would have offered him a resounding slap if not because that was the very reason she had come to apologize for in the first place. 

“You are despicable!” she simply stated bitterly, whirled around flounced out of the study, then down the hall bristling in rage.

So much for coming to apologize to the insolent Lord!