Redwitch Manor

Lies and Deception

Dear Juliet,

I feel the way I left you at the party was not appropriate and I feel we should meet up again. I felt our connection, don't pretend like you didn't feel it too. Please meet me in town by the Driven Dock Pub in the alleyway. You can meet me at 1 pm sharp on Monday.

Love,
Richard

My heart continued to flutter. Today was Monday and it was almost one pm. I dug through my closet until I found an appropriate dress. A low cut pink dress with short sleeves. I called Rosalyn and she was confused on why she was dressing me again but she dressed me nonetheless. I wore my beautiful black pearl necklace and pinned my hair with a pink gemmed pin in the shape of a rose. I sprayed myself with my rose and lavender perfume. I felt ready for a party although the bruises on my wrist made me wear a coat to cover them. I had to slip out quietly, out the back, and call our chauffeur to drive me. We drove straight into town and near the pub. I walked the rest of the way.

The alleyway was empty when I first arrived. I felt tricked. My face fell. I looked and strained my eyes against the dark alleyway but it was empty. Maybe he was running late. I went to edge of the alleyway where there was a brick wall. I placed my hand against the cold wall feeling it's coolness. I heard footsteps behind me. Finally.

"Sir Richard you really had me worried. I thought you weren't coming." I said without turning around. "You're right though. It was a little rude how you left me without even saying goodbye but I'll forgive you." I unbuttoned the top buttons of my coat exposing my breasts just slightly. "I'm sure you'll find a way to repay me." I said coyly and began to turn around. To my surprise it wasn't Sir Richard at all. It was him. "David." I pulled in a sharp breath.

"Hello my darling." He said with a sadistic smile. His eyes darted down to my unbuttoned coat. "I may not be Sir Richard but I could repay you all you want." He licked his bottom lip which made me shiver. In the bad way.

"H-how? What did you do to Sir Richard? He was supposed to meet me here at one! What did you do to him?" I cried. He smirked. I took a small step back.

"You really aren't as bright as I thought. Sir Richard never sent you any letter. It was I, my darling." He stroked my cheek and I pulled away. He scowled. "But you do admit it. You were here to come her to see Sir Richard. To give him your body, which should be mine, even though we are set to me married." He growled through gritted teeth.

"We are not set to be married. I have not agreed."

"Oh stop it. We both know you will. Stop playing with me like this." He took a step closer. "Don't be selfish. Don't drag your family's name through the mud just because you want to be with Sir Richard. He's not worth it." He took another step closer. "Now I know I said you have until the end of the week but I've changed my mind. You will either accept now and marry me or refuse and I'll go straight to the papers." He gave me a look like how a slave owner might look at a slave.

My mind was whirling. I didn't want to be selfish. I really didn't. But I also didn't want to marry David. But maybe for once in my life it was time for me to make a sacrifice. A sacrifice that would help my family. My sister didn't deserve to have her future destroyed just because I didn't want to marry him. If I didn't get a choice at least she should. I let out a shaky breath.

"I accept." Before I even knew what was happening I felt slightly chapped lips press against mine. I opened my mouth to gasp but that was a mistake. David just took more control. He pushed me against the wall. I pushed him away. "Don't. Just because I accept doesn't mean I need this." I hissed. It took me awhile to steady my breathing. "I hardly know you and I think if we are to marry we should get to know each other." He nodded slowly.

"Alright. That we can do. Shall we take a stroll around the town?" He asked in a softer tone. I saw his eyes shift slightly. I quickly buttoned up my coat.

"I suppose it couldn't hurt now that we're here. Would you like to go to the park nearby? I heard it's splendid looking this time of year." He forcefully hooked his arm with mine, pulling me close.

"Of course." Being with him would take a lot of patience. I tried to prepare myself for it. It wouldn't be easy. That I knew for sure. I knew though that maybe I could be happy.

***

We were strolling in the park, an uncomfortable silence growing larger and larger between us. This wasn't going as planned. I wanted to get to know him if I were to marry him. I just needed to know the basics at least.

"Well this is going horrible." I commented. David stopped walking. "We're supposed to be talking. Getting to know each other. Not just walking around like some idiots. I need to know things about you before we dive into this marriage lot. I can't be happy with someone I don't know." I said.

"Alright. What do you want to know?" He asked calmly.

"Well I suppose your last name! I don't even know that for heaven sakes. Or your age. Or your social status. I just know your David. The man who ratted on me and nearly tore my life apart. Actually that was all I cared to know at the moment until you told me you wanted to marry me." We sat down at a nearby bench. I took a deep breath. "It's just," I tried to sound calm and started again, "It's just it seems you know more about me then I about you." He smiled warmly towards me but his smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Well my last name is Brandon. I'm a 26 year old man. And this may surprise you but I'm a marquess." He saw my surprised face. "Yes I know. For the past few days I haven't been acting how I should. But it's just, you drive me wild. In a bad and good way." I rolled my eyes and turned my head.

"I suppose that's the basics. How about you ask me something." I felt positive. We were finally sort of getting along.

"I want to know why you decided on giving Sir Richard your body and whether or not he was your first." I paled.

"Excuse me?" I asked again. He asked it so bluntly I wasn't sure if I heard him right. "I thought you just asked me, a lady, if I was a virgin before Sir Richard. Because that's rude." He smirked. "Don't smirk at me like that! It's not funny how disrespectful you're being." His grin grew only larger. I so wished to break his neck. So much for us getting along.

"So that is a no? He was not the first man to have your body." He pretended to be deep in thought. "I guess you are more of a prostitute then I think you are." I felt my blood boil. Without thinking I slapped him. Hard. On the face.

"That's enough. I'll find my own way home thank you very much. I don't need to be around you." I stormed off into the opposite direction of him, unsure of where I was going. I just knew I needed to get away from him. I don't know how I was supposed to marry this man. He got under my skin way too much. This would be impossible for me.

Thank you for still reading! As I'm typing this I'm on the bus on my way home from school. I hope your enjoying this! There's no WiFi on the bus so this might take awhile to post. Thanks for all the comments too! It's really nice to hear what you're thinking as you're reading it.

Anyway please keep reading. I might be able to get chapter 4 out by today. Homework is light tonight! Enjoy :)