The Sea & The Storm

ten*

The news seemed to be rolling around town like a wave of scandal, though Aidan didn't seem to mind it all that much. He talked openly and proudly about his decisions, like he did about all of them, though we both knew inwardly that we had made it unnecessarily harder for ourselves.

"You are mistress of Avenlee," he prompted, leaning up against the stone gate while I huffed a breathe in the cold morning air. "You tell her."

Karen was causing trouble for me, as she had always been, but now, she outright disobeyed my orders and we all knew I would have to prove I had a backbone sooner or later. We watched from afar as the impudent woman lazily swept the entryway, barely clearing the days worth of grime and dirt that blew in.

Aidan chuckled at my expression and I scowled at him. "She'll never learn respect if it's not you to teach it to her, Natalie."

"I know," I muttered in irritation, building my resolve and striding over with some confidence. I could feel my legs turn numb and my fists roll up in a ball. Karen merely looked up at me with a lazy, dissatisfied expression and only then did I have the motivation to put her in her place. "Karen, I'm tired of putting it nicely, I had better be able to see my reflection on this front step or I have no choice but to have you out."

Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head, "Have me out? Who d'ye think yer talking to, girl? Think yourself high and mighty now ye scraped yer way up to mistress? Well, you can be sure I be here to put you in your plac-"

"No," I said firmly. "You will do as I say when I say it, because you know what? There are many a people looking for work right now and I can wager they'll love to sweep my damn floors for half your pay for twice better work. I don't give an inch what you might think of me, so long as you do the work I tell you. Believe it or not, I don't want to have you out because Aidan loves you all so, but I won't stand disrespect and dirty floors."

She harrumphed, backing down ever so slightly at my mention of Aidan. She had seen the boy raised as it were.

"Thank you," I muttered, trudging back indoors where Sarah was eyeing me with an amused expression. She gave me a knowing look and a wink before we both let out a laugh.

I knew it had been rash and yet, I did it anyhow. I knew that lenders might think me impulsive and yet, it was moment of uncontrollable rebellion and I would deal with the consequences as they came.

I sat at the head of the table, around the circle of possible investors in a dingy room of the Oriole. I needed this money, to repair Wheal Sperity or find another mine. But I didn't have the money as it were and it would be an eternity before I resorted to the Garistons for a loan. So, I relied on my good name and reputation, knowing that one of these men ought to be curious if Lancaster had any more potential underground.

These were familiar faces, men I had known growing up or men that had I had come upon at county events. They knew me better than any foreign Gariston, they knew my family.

"So, gentleman, I propose that we explore our possible business ventures: to clear the rubble of Wheal Prosperity or invest to reopen Wheal Victoria. The potential for each are monumental and I recognize that there are risks, but I believe that what we might reap far outweighs those risks, do you not?" Tom and Oliver sat around the table, weighing the faces of the tired, old men with deep pockets. The looks were hard to read, but Mr. Whitworth spoke up amongst the group.

"We cannot say that we aren't tempted, Mr. Gerrard, but we don't have the money or influence to compete with such a party as the Gariston one. Moreover, we mean no offense, sir, but we cannot trust that you will not be rash with our money."