The Compromise

Chapter 6 - A Matter Of Heritage (I)

The hallways stretched before Missi, curtains drawn to the sides to allow light to filter on the white and champagne decor as she stared at the door looming before her. Duke had not turned up for the morning meal much to her relief, but her mother had given her a worried look. Her father however...

She gulped at the memory. It wasn't as if he said anything bad. It was the fact he had said absolutely nothing. He had sat there, brooding over some papers placed at his side while while both her and her mother sat in silence - her mother and even tried to initiate conversation which was immediately shot down as he raised a gloved palm. She could tell the servants felt the tension.

Her father, William, the Duke of Devonshire was - for the most part - tolerating to her mother when she spoke, albeit it seemed that this morning he was having none of this, especially with the lack of presence of his guest. This was why she was feeling even more trepidation than before this morning.

She looked at the dark Oakwood door, her eyes running over the sharp edges, before she took a calming breath. Begging for her heart to be still, she moved to rasp her knuckles lightly, hearing the telltale sounds of the brass doorknob turning as a man opened the door. She didn't recognise the almost sharp features, long brown hair nor the dark eyes as the man stepped aside allowing her entry. He seemed to bore into her with curiosity and mild irritation as she passed him. Within those few seconds, her heart froze, before he left the room, closing her only escape with him.

There was no one else inside the room accept her father. This would be a private talk of matters he'd dare not wish to share with any loose-lipped ears.

She moved to perch herself on one of the adjourning chairs, watching her father continue to scribble notes, paying no acknowledgement to her presence. His white wig sat neatly upon his head, his blue eyes glued to parchment in front of him.

Tension was ever thickening as the silence between them continued, Missi's back becoming tighter than a bow string. Her Father sighed before dropping the quill he was holding and connecting his cobalt irises on her face.

"Missi." Her back pinched upward and her breathing hitched with apprehension of what he was going to say.

"Yes Father." Her voice was merely a wisp of breath out of her lips.

"You can relax my daughter. I wanted to ask you about this Duke you have shown interest in."

Missi exhaled and relaxed but only a fraction.

"What about him?"

"I've just had his hand servant come to me explaining his failed appearance. It doesn't really sit right with me however I'll make an exception for this time." He looked down at his papers again trailing his fingers over some writing. "Something else that doesn't sit right with me is The Casmir family history."

Missi nodded apprehensively, although she was curious to what he had uncovered - what would be the altercations? The possibility of what he had uncovered could ruin her plans.

"Actually it's the lack of it available. They're a pretty quiet family. The first generation moved from Italy and set up trade routes and imports, although the details are not clear."

"That sounds completely reasonable to me?" Missi's head tilted in question.

Her father's eyes bored into the few sheets on his desk then over to another sheet that was separated from the others.

"Yes but they could be literally anyone. I'm not keen on finding out much too late that my daughter has married into a family with certain aspects swept under the rug."