Insanity (Watty Awards 2012)

Chapter 18- The Plan in Progress

Ok still busy but I found time so here is a chapter and I know yall all want the next one and I will try my best to get it out tommarow no promises but I will try.  Also I am planning a seperate story with the Duke please tell me if yall think that is a good idea and of course it will be a romance.

Chapter 18

The Plan in Progress

Thomas

                          Lisbon, a key trading port in Spain. Where the wealth of the Colonies entered and traveled throughout the marvelous Holy Roman Empire. Walking down the street was a tall tanned Spaniard by the name of Duke Rafael Cadiz. He had been away for years in Italy. His nephew was Italian through and through, but he still burned with fiery Spanish blood. A letter was in the Dukes hand as he walked to his carriage. It had a seal from the king inviting him to a masquerade ball in honor of a kidnapped woman, whom had recently been rescued from a vile pirate.  The Duke felt a pull on is sleeve and he looked down at a young five year old girl with curly blonde hair. His newest ward. A whisper entered his ear as soon as he knelt down. With a grin he nodded and picked up his young niece. Her brother was more dignified then his sister, having been in his uncles care for five years. A good looking lad of fifteen, medium build with growing broad shoulders. His bright blonde hair was tied back in a short pony tail.  The uncle was much taller and his tanned skin was two shades darker than his pale Italian wards. Handsome, the count was and he was destined to marry extremely well.

                          However, his younger brothers escapades had prevented him from marrying sooner. His brother was wild and when studying a broad he met a woman. This Italian woman was very pretty and had bright blonde hair that captivated his brother’s heart and soul. They had a child a few months later and then were married. The Duke father disinherited his youngest for acting so foolishly. Rafael could not blame his father for if his children acted in such an irrational manner he would disown them as well. Unfortunately, for Rafael he loved his brother dearly, and while he was forbidden to help his brother he found he could at least help his children. Five years after, the incident, he went to visit his brother and his wife and found them living in squalor. When he arrived he was even more shocked to see his nephew. Dante was only five at the time, he had no shoes, was filthy, and owned no shirt only pants. Immediately, Rafael said that he was going to take charge of Dante, and any other children who were ever going to be born to his brother. Thus Dante became his ward. Five years later h discovered that his brother kept the baby a secret not wanting the Duke to take away all his children, but the count gave his brother no choice in the matter.

                          A man opened Rafael’s door and he lifted his niece in followed by Dante and then himself.

                          “To the Palace Arman. We have an engament there and I would hate to be late.” His driver nodded and started to drive out of Lisbon towards Madrid. The carriage bumped up and down along the dirt roads.  “Arman try to be smoother if you please… Arman?” The driver did not answer as the carriage came to a stop. They were in the middle of the road near a dense forest. Arman jumped off the carriage and opened the door. A surprised expression came off the Dukes face. “You are not Arman!” He exclaimed.

                          “Jolly Good Governa!” McGovern said with a smile, as Thomas and Daniel approached the carrage from the woods. A few of his men followed right behind.

                          “I am sorry my dearest count but you will not be making the ball in three days. Now if you and your children will kindly step out of the carriage my men will escort you to a nice little cabin not far from here. And if you behave nothing will happen to you and your children. A week from now you will be released and then you may go on your merry way.” Thomas chuckled as he finished. The Dukes ears got red as he pulled out a pistol and pointed it at Thomas.  Eyston laughed heartily as Robert appeared on the other side pointing his own pistol at the back of the Rafael’s head. The count dropped his gun and grabbed his niece. He cursed as he did as instructed. “Now if you will follow Robert he will escort you to the nice quant area in the middle of the forest.” A grunt came from the Duke as the three followed Robert.  “Daniel, I mean Dante… Time to go we mustn’t keep the King waiting  boyoh!” His arm went out beckoning the boy. A well dressed Daniel appeared. He looked a lot like the nephew when he was cleaned up. They both entered the carriage sitting the opposite from each other.

                          “So Captain what exactly is the plan?” The boy looked out the window and sighed waiting for his captain to reply.

                          “Well there is a ball in honor of Angelica’s safe return. Duke Cadiz and his two wards were specially invited to the ball. He is to be the new suitor for Angelica. The king picked him especially for her. The Duke is a distant cousin of the King and the King has not seen the Duke since he was a young boy. So the king will not recognize me. The King does know of what he has done for his younger, and admires him for it so he invited the whole family to stay. The respectable half of course and we are the respectable half.” Thomas said with a clever grin.

                          “Yes sir but one small hitch. We don’t have a little girl.” He unbuttoned his shirt feeling as if it was constricting him.

                          “Ahhh… But my young ward I have thought of this. You see your sister is with her nanny, sick and she could not come. While her health is improving she was too sick from traveling. Though I wanted to stay the young child insisted that we go as long as we returned as soon as possible.” Captain scratched the back of his head feeling extremely brilliant in his plan, and even Daniel had to admit that it was quite brilliant and well thought out. His Captain was smart inside all of his lunacies.

                          They arrived in grand style as the royal guard greeted them. The castle was much larger and magnificent than the two could ever have dreamed. Thomas watched as a man opened the carriage door. He stepped out nobly with Daniel following. The king, or whom he assumed was the king, coming out with his arms open wide. They bowed low in respect of the league.

                          “Now, Now none of that cousin!” The king exclaimed giving him a huge hug. A hug was returned and then the men separated. “This must be Dante. Well my boy I will see that you get into the finest schools that can be afforded and you will have a place in my court and if you should choose in my army.” He said patting Daniel hard on the back. They followed him inside and to there quarters. “Now cousin. I know you have been traveling for two days, but tomorrow is the Masquerade and your future wife is the guest of honor. So I am counting on you to make a good impression. She is a beautiful creature and is well worthy of you. I am glad you sent your measurements for I have the perfect outfit made for you. You will look like a Prince, and your young nephew will look like a squire. I will leave you two to rest, his room connects. Rest well” The king left and the two sighed opening the wardrobe. Both of them grinned and nodded to each other.

                          “Oh I can handle that” Daniel exclaimed. Thomas took the fabric and felt the soft material. “One more day my love one more day”