Winter Rose

He wants me.

AN : I hope I didn't leave my lovely readers hanging. So the challenge still holds, anyone creating a cover for the story gets a dedication in the next chapter.

You have what I want and so do I.

Present Time.

"Earl of Greenfield, you have a mail sir" Sharon the recently hired maid informed.
Who is it from?
"The Duke of Lancaster, sir"
Did my daughter see it upon arrival.
"I don't believe so"
Make sure no one hears of this especially my daughter.
"Yes Sir"
You may leave.
'Thank you Sir"
Close the door after you.
With trembling hands and a rapid beating heart the Earl of Greenfield opened the letter.

Dear Gideon,
My dear old friend, it's with much pleasure that I invite you to the Galla I'm organizing this weekend remember to bring your daughter along....Then we will talk about our unfinished business.
                           Duke of Lancaster,
                                 Percival.
Sharon, get the carriage ready.
"Yes sir"
And make the driver aware of our current situation.
"I would " sir in a matter of minutes.
Good and be hurry about it.
"Dad where are you off to".
Don't worry sweetie, just going to take care of some business.
"It seems to be urgent"she said, who are you meeting this early?
Nothing much, it just needs to be attended to, I don't want you to be troubling that little head of yours.
" You have been a little distant for the past days"besides you never told me how the meeting went when you visited that ruthless Duke you call a friend.
Watch you words young lady, remember the fate you may face should anyone hear you speak of such a thing.
"Oh what is he going to do, ruin me when I only spoke of nothing but the truth?", Or maybe he is going to throw us out of our home and use Greenfield for his gains".
Listen Cathy, I know very much of how you despise the Duke and his ways but please calm down. I have sent you through so much pain for you to hold so much hatred against another should your mother have been here you would only have known love.
"I'm sorry Dad but I can't help it, we have lived in so much fear for a year now. I'm tired of been scared of losing our shelter, your business and everything we have worked hard for. I don't want to live knowing we could be thrown out of here at any given time. I'm tired if having to bury my head in work so we could stay afloat, I wish we could give up but not when we have come so far. I need you to tell me what is going to happen and most of all I need you to believe in me, to trust me, to un......".
Trust me when I tell you this "I love you and I understand how you feel but most of all, you earned my trust. You stood by me every day and night, I stole your youth. When you were to enjoy a nice day out you stayed with me, helping out with my business. I beg you to let me take care if this, it isn't something I can't handle and let us have a dinner together" he said engulfing me in a hug.
Trying to sniffle a sob I hugged him back"I love you too, so much that I can't bear the pain".
"I'm sorry to intrude, sir, but the coach has been waiting" we were interrupted by Sharon the maid.
Pressing a kiss to my head, the Earl of Greenfield left.
Take me to the household of the Lancaster's.
"At your service , Sir".

Ten minutes later
Rita could you be kind enough to inform the Duke of my arrival.
"Yes Sir, I would do so immediately".
Thanks.
"It is a pleasure Sir".
"The Duke has requested your presence sir"
Thank you, I would make my way to him now.

"Enter".
"Lord Percival", he bowed.
Gideon, I guess my letter brings you here.
I come here not as an old friend but rather a father to a child you want to exploit.
"That is where you get it all wrong my friend, I am not going to make your dearest daughter a concubine", he replied smugly, I am going to make a honest woman out of your daughter besides I have got ready females to give me what I want.
You mean marrying my Catherine.
"Well that is simple to put it", besides I am not here to deal as a friend either. I'm here to deal as a business man who already has a upper hand.
"But Lord Percival, my daughter already hates you, she can't stand hearing your name yet alone marrying you".
Then she has to deal with it.
"Catherine is still young to go into marriage", he defended.
I believe she turns legal in a fortnight. That is enough time for her to prepare herself for the upcoming future.
"My Lord , why are you heartless.
She is too young for this".
She is already matured and I regard her a grown up woman.
"For goodness sake, you are fifteen years her senior",she could be your daughter.
I don't care.
"You are dispecable".
"That got me here today", he stated smugly.
"I'll gladly take my leave out of this hell".
Now before you do that you should know that you will be attending that Galla.
"And if I don't".
Oh you will and that is a promise.
"Damn you".
"Yes damn me ", he chuckled.

"Send me home Eric", yes Sir.
"You welcome sir", Sharon greeted as she took my coat.
Hey Dad how did the meeting go? I've got something to tell you, let's move into the Office.
I would be there in a minute.

"Sit down Catherine, please".
What did you want to tell me?
The Duke has invited us to a Galla he would be hosting this Saturday.
"What ....why would he". He never did before and why now? Nobody ever wanted us, definitely no one would miss us or even notice. You can decline the invite.
" That is where you are wrong, Cathy".
Why is that?
"The Duke wants you", he replied nervously.
Why does he want me present, he owns the land and not us.
"I know. I wish I could explain but the truth is he wants to marry you in return for the lands and our business".

AN: I promised to update twice a week and this the second update in a week on my first story😍. I would make it a point to update a third time this week. Please vote, comment and post on my profile... I'll reply as fast as I can.
The challenge still stands..... ready for new cover design then relish in your own creativity and design a new cover for this book.
Winner gets a dedication in my next chapter....love you😘.