Tainted Love

Chapter 3 Part 4

    "Aye. What you say is true. I was born in Egypt while Rome had it's hold on the country. I have changed my name many times. I was born as Amun, but I am Jasper now. I have changed my name many times in order to protect myself and my family. 'Tis such a burden to bear. But here I am now, with you— with someone way older than I. We can get through this together. Who is your lover? Who have been your lovers?"
    I release him from my embrace. "Do you promise not to tell anyone?"
    "Yes. I promise on the Nile with Ra as my witness. Cross my heart." Jasper performs the gesture easily.
    "My first lover was Aeneas, son of Aphrodite and nephew of King Priam. When my family decided to come to this land, he went a separate way. My current lover is Theodore."
    "Wait. Lord Falkhurst?"
    I nod. "He loves me and I love him. We have kissed many times— until his death and after my return to the mansion."
    Jasper ponders this in his mind. He gets up and starts pacing back and forth. "Well, we must protect Lord Falkhurst from his killer. I will assist you, but for now, it's morning and we must go to the living room. George asked me to come and get you." With those parting words, Jasper leads me through the entrance hall and into the living room.
    Everyone is gathered there— George, Lady Worthing, Lucella, and Theodore.
    I take my place, standing beside George.
    He turns and whispers to me, "Lord Falkhurst has an announcement. I wonder what he wants to say."
    "Is he confronting his mother about the marriage?" I whisper back.
    "Possibly." George's attention returns and he smiles at Theodore.
    "I have gathered all of you here today because I have a few things to say— mainly about my engagement to Lady Anne Worthing," Theo turns to Lucella, "Mother, I know how much this marriage means to you..."
    Lucella and Anne share a smile.
    "But, I will not go through with it. I cannot will myself to marry Lady Worthing when my heart belongs to another. I do have a right to my own heart and I'm claiming that right this moment," he turns to Anne, "I apologize for hurting you in any way, but I am canceling our engagement. I cannot marry you, Lady Anne Worthing. My heart belongs to someone else... and you threatened her with a stake the other night when she accidentally bumped into you in the hallway."
    Anne turns her fiery gaze upon my pale body. She jumps up and runs toward me.
    George acts fast and grabs her wrists. "You will not lay a hand on Miss. Antonios or you shall suffer worse consequences than Lord Falkhurst has already arranged for you." He drags her to the center of the room. George turns her to face Theodore.
    "Lady Anne Worthing, I hereby officially end our engagement. We are no longer bound together in any way. My heart fully belongs to the woman who has given her heart to me. I will no longer acknowledge you, Anne Worthing."
    Lucella was silent and unmoving for most of her son's confession. She finally stands and approaches George. "Release Lady Worthing please. This is all a stunt!" Lucella faces her son, "You are going to marry Anne whether you like it or not! Your father left us in debt and I intend to fix it no matter what it takes! Apologize to her now!"
    "Okay, mother." Theo turns to me. "Sorry, Lady Iliana Antonios. I apologize for my mother's and Anne's behavior towards you. From this moment on, you have my full attention as well as my heart," he runs to my side and wraps his arms around me. "May we never be separated neither by soul nor flesh. We are forever one." Theo lifts my head up and presses his lips against mine.
    I feel a shock through my spine. My heart races. I ignore that we have an audience. I help Theo shrug off his suit jacket. I begin unbuttoning his vest and shirt after removing his neckerchief.
    Theodore frees my hair from my maid's bun. He runs his hands through the blonde cascade at my back. Theo slightly tugs on the sleeves of my dress.
    I let him do it. After all, I am his servant and he is my lord.
    After a while of our little show, Lucella marches towards us. She pushes us away from one another. "Theodore Falkhurst! What is the meaning of this?! You surely have ruined yourself with this maid!" She brings her hand up and slaps her son across the face.
    Theo seems unhurt, but there is clearly a red mark on his precious face. "Mother, please. I'm not a small boy anymore. I am a man. I am a lord— lord of this mansion and household. Stop trying to control my life. I can choose for myself. If I want to apologize to Iliana I will and if I don't want to apologize to Anne, I shall do as I see fit."
    Lucella slaps Theodore again.
    I want to charge the crazy woman, but Jasper comes up and grabs my hand as a child reaches for the hand of his mother.
    "You will marry Lady Worthing! That is my final answer!" She slaps her son one last time before approaching George again. "Release Anne."
    George shakes his head. "I cannot. Lord Falkhurst is my master and I am to listen to him. He has ordered me to keep hold of Anne until her escort has arrived. I shall do as I have been bade." He slowly walks Anne to the front door and opens it.
    I look through the window to see a jet black carriage with matching horses.
    George throws Lady Worthing inside and closes the door. He promptly comes inside. "My lord, the deed is done. Lady Worthing is Indeed on her way to Ireland and shall never return." George joins us in the living room once more.
    Lucella approaches me. "Who do you think you are?! Do you think you can ever claim the heart of a lord?!" She raises her hand to smack me.