Redwitch Manor

Rotten Snitch In Red

My hair was in a perfect bun. I sat in front of my vanity mirror thinking about last night. The party was almost perfect. This man let me dance with him. His name was Sir Richard or something like that. He was quite handsome. Chestnut hair, sparkling brown eyes, and very muscular. He took me away to the stables and everything was going splendidly until this redhead came in and saw us both in the act. Then after that the whole party was a disaster. The carrot-head kept on glaring at me or giving me this know it all look. I stayed in my room after that. I heard a knock at my door snapping me out of my gaze.

"Come in." I called out. It was my butler, Gregory. I smoothed out my silky low cut pale yellow dress and turned in my chair to face him. "Yes, Gregory? Is something the matter?" I spoke with a slight edge to my voice. I wasn't in the mood for any interruptions. I was still brewing over everything.

"Lady Griffiths called for you in the study. She has a visitor." I nodded quickly before turning back to my vanity mirror. "She said it's urgent and she wants you there now." I let out a lengthy sigh before dismissing Gregory. I got up and started my way to the study. My sister was waiting down the warmly lit corridor with a pale face.

She looked nearly the opposite of me. Blonde hair instead of black. Deep blue eyes instead of my nearly grey eyes. She had Mother's nose while I had Father's. Despite our looks we were practically twins. She was my most trusted confidant and I was her. The worry in her face was unsettling. She, besides that nosy redhead, knew about my dalliance last night. She also knew about that interrupting redhead.

"That redhead is in the study with Mother. Something tells me he sold you out." I bit my lip and my eyes went wide. "Don't worry, I'll kill him for you as soon as he leaves." I let out a nervous chuckle.

"Don't. Then there'll be an even bigger scandal then there needs to be." She gave me a wry smile. "I've dealt with Mama's wrath before. I'll be able to deal with it again." I tried to give her the most convincing smile possible.

"No it's not that. I know you can take that. But," She bit her lip, "Oh I shouldn't keep you waiting. It'll only make Mother angrier." I nodded before continuing my way to the study. "Godspeed." I heard her call out to me. I giggled. My feet carried me faster to the study then I wanted them too. I took a deep breath, steadied my hand and turned the very elegant golden door knob. My mom sat in her favorite red chair in a red lacy dress.

"Hello Juliet." My Mother said without the least bit of emotion. I flinched slightly before steadying my breath yet. I did a very small curtsy before turning my gaze to him. The redhead who sold me out. I shot him the most cold glare I could possibly muster. "This is David. He told me about your dalliance with Sir Richard." I rolled my eyes. David smirked.

"Oh?" There was no use sounding surprise but I still tried. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I only danced with Sir Richard. He was very charming." I flashed her my most sweetest smile and I turned to David giving him the same sweet smile. "There were loads of girls at the party with my same features. I'm very common. He must've gotten me confused." I smiled again. "Now that we got this sorted out will you allow me to return to my room? I'm sorry for your unnecessary visit. I'm sure you feel quite silly, David." I saw it in their eyes. None of them were buying it.

"Oh stop it." Mother hissed. I flinched again. "You are such a horrible liar. That you inherited from your father." She smoothed put her dress. "Anyhow, I'm trying to get over your foolishness. David has proposed a proposition. He very well could have gone straight to the papers and spill this very juicy story but he didn't. He came to me. With an idea which solves both of our problems." I paled. She looked expectantly to David.

"I decided to take you up as my bride in return for not telling the paper about you and Sir Richard." This was the first time I heard David speak. He had a cold and commanding voice. His hair was very vibrant an orange and his eyes were a startling blue. "It's quite generous of me if you think about it. I mean you're not even a virgin and I still want you." He said with a smirk. I tensed up.

"No. I can't do it. I don't want to marry him Mother. I refuse his offer." I said firmly.

"You can't and you won't." They both said in unison. "You are to marry Sir David like I tell you to and you two will be very happy together. You've been single too long, darling. It's your chance to marry." My mother continued. I bristled at the thought of marrying him.

"No. No. No. I'm only 24! I still have time. I don't need him. I don't care if my name gets dragged down into the mud. I can take it. It doesn't matter! Let him take his second rate story to the news. It's all lies anyway." I pleaded.

"You selfish girl! Can't you see this isn't about your name only! It's about all of our names. Do you want to ruin your sister's future just like you're ruining yours by refusing?" She stood up suddenly. "You never think do you? Another thing you inherited from your father." My face went red.

"Lady Griffiths, if I may. I'll give Juliet a week to decide. All of this is so sudden. I don't want to overwhelm her. If she decides to marry me. Great. My mouth is shut and that's the end of the story. If she refuses I'll make sure every paper from here to America here's about your little scandal with Sir Richard." His blue eyes were so cold. Now if he wasn't such a horrible bastard that was ruining my life I would have maybe fallen for him.

"Alright. That sounds fair, I suppose." She shot me a glance. "Juliet show him to the door." I was about to complain but I thought against it. There was no point in complaining now. I walked out the door expecting him to follow me. He did. Once we were out of earshot from the study I pulled him into the nearest empty room and locked the door. I pushed him against the door and glared at him.

"You don't know who you're messing with. I suggest for your safety that you just drop this whole matter. You don't want to find your body floating in the river now do you?" I growled. At first he looked taken aback but then he just chuckled.

"You truly are cute." He smiled at me. My blood boiled. He grabbed my wrist and pushed me against the door. "I have my ways too. And I always get what I want." He squeezed my wrist tighter. "Don't threaten people you don't know, dear. I believe you don't know who you're messing with. You. Will. Marry. Me." I struggled against his tight grip.

"Get off of me or I'll scream. Now what a scandal that'll be." I threatened. He threw my wrist down and adjusted his coat. I opened the door, my face red, my mind churning. I could not let him win. I had to find a way to beat him. There would be no way I'd let this psychopath marry me. I showed him to the door before slamming it in his face and running into my room.

Thank you for giving my story a chance! Please feel free to keep on reading! Hope you enjoy the next chapter! :)