Legends from the Highlands: Seeking Freedom

Part 7

He must have instantly seen my facial reaction change as he quickly started to back away.

"Are you serious?"I said, clenching my fists. I started stomping towards him and he started to run.  "You had better run because I swear you will not rise to see the light of day again if I catch up to you!" I sprinted after him, past the flowerbeds, around the delicate topiaries and right into the castle until I lost him.  Darn he was fast... but this was far from over. I decided that the reasonable thing to do was look for my aunt who would probably be willing to skin me alive for leaving the ball without her pardon first. I entered to see her near an aged man who was wearing an official badge. Her eyes widened as she spotted me nearing them.  I bowed to the man.

"Lord Shirvington, army official chosen by the King."introduced the man as he bowed down and kissed the back of my hand.

"Lady Charlotte Hathertwaite."I said with a polite smile.

"I fear you are rather fair my lady."he began. "I am not eligible for marriage but I would like to dance with you..."

"Certainly my lord."I curtsied. We moved to the centre of the ballroom and swayed to the music. As I was with Lord Shirvington, I spotted Lord Daley dancing with the lady in pink from before. I felt bad for abondoning him and for the fact that he was forced to dance with her... he seemed like a good lad.

***

The next few days were a mixture of horse-riding lessons and archery.  I did not know of the shooting range in Fairlaw's acres at first and once I learned about it, no-one could keep me away.
Archery was the only thing besides art that I could practise without being judged by the lord himself or scolded by Aunt Monica because she said it was "not lady-like".  Although the Fairlaw mansion was beautiful, it was lonely and dark and I couldn't wait to move out after the next ball which would be held in Inverness; one of the King's largest castles in Scotland.

One night before the ball, I overheard Lord Fairlaw complain about some mysterious rumour concerning an arranged marriage between the Duke of Melrose's son and the King's niece, Lady Clarisse.  Apparently, they were being forced into this marriage and it was crystal clear that neither member wanted it to happen but there was nothing they could do since the Duke of Melrose was indebted to the royal family.  I immediately felt sorry for Lord Daley. I, for once turned out to be fortunate considering the fact that at least I was given a say regarding who to marry.

The Inverness ball approached soon enough and we were headed north. I'd never witnessed the highlands with my own eyes before but they were even more majestic than any description I'd ever heard.  Inverness Castle was no disappointment either. It actually looked like a fairytale castle with pointy turrets and a river flowing beside it.  The entrance was lit up with flaming torches and decorated with royal armory.

We were lead into the ballroom and the same procedure as always followed.  We were three dances through the night and no-one had bothered to ask me to dance, so naturally my dear aunt found someone herself for me to dance with me. 

"Lieutenant Woods, may I introduce my niece, Lady Charlotte?"introduced my aunt as I curtsied to the man.  He looked older than me but not too old... in his thirties probably. 

"It is a pleasure."he said bowing down and kissing my hand. "May I invite you to join me on the dance floor?"

"Yes my lord."I replied.  We moved to the centre of the ballroom and started to dance.

"Is it your first season?"he asked.

"Aye my lord."I replied. "Is it your first one too?"

"Nay, I fear 'tis my seventh season..."he said. I smiled politely but deep down, the pit of my stomach filled with worry and suspicion.  Why on Earth would someone not find a suitable wife after five bloody years?! Was he secretly sick? Or maybe he murdered someone back in the day? I was so lost in thought that I completely ignored his question.

"My lady?"he asked looking puzzled.

"Yes my lord? I apologise my lord..." I stammered before composing myself.

"Think nothing of it."he began.  "I asked if you would mind marrying someone older than you..."  My jaw dropped.

"It depends..."I began and immediately paused.  I had to give a polite response but let him down gently at the same time. "Surely, in some cases age can be overlooked."  He looked pleased at my words.

"I am sure you'll make a great wife."he remarked and before he could say anything else I knew I had to get out of the situation.

"Will you excuse me?"I quickly asked clutching my stomach as if I were about to throw up... not that I wouldn't after such a conversation.  He simply nodded and I ran off.  I hid behind a marble column until I saw him dance with another lady. When I thought it was safe to return back to my aunt and Lord Fairlaw, I slowly walked towards them.  The ball progressed and I was eagerly biting on a quail cake when I saw the bloody Duke of Carlisle approaching me.  With a smirk, he approached my aunt and bowed politely to her.

"May I invite your beautiful niece to dance?"he asked in a charming tone.

"Why of course my lord... I am sure she'd be delighted to join you..."she said with a flattering smile.  I swear I could have spit the quail cake right into his face had my aunt not been watching over me like a hawk.  I curtsied politely still staring daggers at him as he guided me onto the dance area of the ballroom.  The music started and after some steps I purposefully stepped on his right foot.

"Ouch!"he squealed in pain.

"That was for the kiss!"I hissed with an evil grin smudged on my face.  He only grinned in response but my revenge was certainly nowhere near end.  The music changed key and we started to dance much faster to match the rhythm. Again I stepped on his right foot. He only scrunched his nose this time to hide any pain.

"What was that for?"he whispered.

"For inviting me to dance..."I answered.  We continued to dance until we got to the part where he spun me around. I quickly grabbed his belt and undid the loop and before he could do a thing, I unzipped his trousers and left it hanging on the button.

"What the hell are you doing?"he whispered angrily.

"Making you apologise..."I stated.

"Never."

"Fine. I am sure the King will be thrilled to experience your wonder-filled underwear."I threatened, still fiddling with his trousers button.

"Fine. I'm sorry."he said giving in after a few moments.  "Now put that belt back into place." He scolded.

I spent the rest of the night remembering that mischievous act and smiling. No-one messes with Charlotte and certainly not a man.

As we arrived back in Fairlaw Mansion I quickly headed upstairs but before I could enter my room, I heard Aunt Monica calling me.  I paused and turned around to face her.

"I have news from home."she smiled as she walked closer to me.

"What is it?"I yawned.

"It appears that your darling Adrian will soon be betrothed to a certain Lady Agathe of the Houseburns and he sends you love and affection through your mother."she said clearly pleased with how much the news hurt me.

"How did you find this out?!"I asked.

"Your mother writes and I read..."she commented waving a letter in her hand.

"Mother writes to me!"I screamed.  "You read my letters?!"  I waited for a reply but she just shrugged.   "I can't believe you!"

"Well now you have nothing to distract you from the season..."she added in a cheerful tone.

"You can take the season and shove it up your-"I stopped. A thought crossed my mind. If the season was so important to her, then that is how she would pay for betraying me. 

"Aunt Monica, I forefeit my spot in the season."