CHAPTER 2
Sleep offered no rest, only a vivid, consuming nightmare. The cool sheets began to warm, replaced with an intoxicating, feverish heat. A presence materialized in the subconscious, dark and alluring. A whisper escaped Anne's lips: "Those eyes...I can feel them again."
Suddenly, the gaze met hers ...those pairs of eyes majestic yet profound. Those eyes held the depth of midnight, and a gaze that promised both danger and delight. There was no fear, only an intense magnetic pull . A hand, strong and warm, seemed to brush a strand of hair off my sweat- slicked cheeks. I was scared beyond words.
The touch sent jolts of raw electricity through my entire body as I shook not of cold but of the warmth I felt. The air grew heavy with an exotic scent, a mix of ancient spices. He looked right at me, a slow smirk spreading across his lips as he bent his head closer to mine. I found myself reaching out, touching his face- hard and warm. I traced the sharp outline of his brows, felt the fullness of his lips. In that moment of intense déjà vu, I allowed myself to be completely lost, certain it was merely a dream.
He dipped his head low, I anticipated a kiss filled with love and romance, instead a sharp bite. The pain jolted me back to reality as the Dawn's first light chased the darkness away. I woke up sweating, a lingering pain on my lips. "It was merely a dream," I whispered, climbing out of bed, filled with disappointment.
The lingering pain on my lips was an ache," it was merely a dream", I whispered, the words hollow in the quiet room.
I pushed the quilt aside, my bare feet finding the cool wooden floor, the room was bathed in the soft, pale gold, of the rising sun. I felt a shiver, a mix of the morning chill and the unsettling dream that still clung to my mind.
Drawing my cotton robe tighter around me, I walked slowly across the room, my gaze fixed on the antique- full length mirror that stood in the corner. I looked pale and disoriented. A small crescent- shaped mark marred my lower lip; my hands traced the tender outline. The stark reality of the situation started to settle in. Moving closer to the mirror, to examine the mark more closely. Then I could smell it- the scent from my dreams hung on my robe, that exotic scent of spices. The horror as the line of reality and dream blurred
It was merely a dream I whispered one more time
The sharp knock came, interrupting the silence. "milady, there's a call for you. A certain call, "the maid said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "You'll want to speak to her... about Whiskey?"
Anne laughed joyfully. No, silly! it's about my horse. I'm hoping for a positive reply hopefully. Her smile faded as she noticed Mrs. cora gaze fell on her lips. "what happened to your lips? Did you hurt yourself?"
Anne paused "certainly! I mistakenly bit myself."
Without another word, she hurried down the stairs in a frantic rush.
"Anne, be careful!" Mrs Cory screamed from behind her, the sound echoing through the hall. "This child will certainly be the death of me."
PART TWO
My Kate, so headstrong, so beautifully willed, a vibrant force, who could erase my sorrows in a single laugh. But that day, the silence was louder than words. There were no jokes about how she hated school, no endless chatter, no drafting of a mischievous plan on how to sneak out. Just...Nothing. She walked through the door and went straight upstairs without a word.
Initially, I dismissed it, a plan of hers, to guilt me into letting her attend that themed masquerade ball. My heart ached at the thought of her going; she would be the odd one out, her simple clothes, shoes, and jewellery a stark contrast to the other ladies. I couldn't beat the thought of her being bullied, disgraced.
when she mentioned a wealthy boy had invited her. My suspicion was increased, a cold knot forming in my stomach. I knew the cruel games children of that world played. He would use her, treat her like a poor, dirty rag, just so others could mock her. The thought of Kate enduring such pain, such shame, was a torment I couldn't bear . My fear, my deep maternal pain, was for her protection, for her dignity.
My own mother had told me, a mother's heart was a strange thing, a vessel of both boundless love and infinite blame. Looking back the signs were all there, stark as a Christmas tree, but a mother in denial sees only what she wants.
It began with the small things: she stopped eating, the distance between us grew further. Then Kiara, her friend, who stated that my baby Kate hadn't been out with them, or spoken to anyone in a week. The teachers, too, started asking, their eyes filled with concern that mirrored the unease growing in this mother's own chest, asking if anything was wrong at home. Kate wasn't the same; she stopped joining them at the luncheon with them.
I saw the signs, saw them and dismissed them as mere "puberty stages" a convenient lie I told myself to conceal the truth. I blame myself for what had happened.
Had it been I was caring, had it been I wasn't such a bad mother, has it been I wasn't so careless, stupid, ungrateful to the gift God had given me!
Had it been....
PART ONE CONTINUE:
"Hey, ma'am, it's me, Anne! You called this morning with news about Whiskey, and I'm absolutely thrilled. I rushed over here as fast as I could!" Anne exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement.
A warm smile spread across the woman's face. "Oh, Yes! I just wanted to tell you... Whiskey is officially yours."
Anne let out a joyous scream, leaping up and down in sheer delight, her hat tumbling to the ground. "Oh, my goodness, yes! I'm soo incredibly happy! Where is he now?"
He's waiting at the front gate, my lady, "the woman replied. "But firstly, you'll need to meet with jack. He wants to share some important tips on handling Whiskey and give you some riding lessons you'll definitely need."
...
At the gate, a magnificent bay horse stood, its eyes a mockery of "kindness" and intelligence." "Meet Whiskey," he said. Anne approached slowly, extending a hand she immediately regretted.
Whiskey didn't just nudge her palm; he headbutted it with a force that screamed contempt.
"Ohhh whiskey ," she whispered, a hint of admiration in her tone.
I heard a voice from behind me, "he absolutely loves you. I'm definitely jealous." The sarcasm dripped from his words
"Oh hi, I'm Anne," I said, my voice tight with suppressed anger. "I'm supposed to meet Jack here".
"Ohh, Jack? He just took his leave."
"What do you mean he just left?" Anne's voice rose, the frustration finally breaking through. "There's a kind lady upfront who told me he would be here!"
"Ohh my goodness, I'm really sorry you missed him, he said his voice filled with amusement. "And I supposed you needed him to give you some tips on Whiskey, right?
"Umm.. yes, I suppose," Anne groaned. "but since he's not here, maybe you could do it? You know, give me some tips?"
"Well, that's impossible."
"Impossible?" Anne's eyes narrowed, the exhaustion of the day settling heavily on her shoulders. "Cause I know nothing about Whiskey and you can't take him home until you've met Jack."
"This is unbelievable, this is absurd!" Anne yelled throwing her hand up in the air. "Is this how you guys do business here, piling up dissatisfied customers?"
"When would Jack be coming back? "She demanded, her voice shaking.
"Next year".
"Next year????????? Anne screamed on the top of her lungs,
I... I can... I can't wait till then, Anne whispered, the fight draining out of her as she stammered, defeat settling in.
Anne adjusted her bodice, turning to leave. she was defeated, yes, but would not let this man ruin her day. "Okay, I'll see you next year then," Anne said, her voice tight with forced pleasantness as she walked away.
After only a few steps, a burst of genuine laughter and giggles. she could swear even the horse was chuckling. "What's so funny?" I demanded, spinning around sharply, a frown creasing her frown.
Jack was leaning against the stable wall for support, wiping a tear from his eye. His initial mockery had turned into genuine amusement at her reaction. You should have seen your face when I said 'next year', "he managed to say between chuckles. I was only fooling around, Anne. Come on let's reintroduce ourselves properly".
He extended a hand towards me, his eyes sparkling with amusement, I could feel my initial anger rising and rising, as I used my small purse to slap his hands away. I planned to walk away, but thinking of the way he acted, how selfish , rude, uncultured address of me simply as 'Anne'
Who the hell did he think he was. The sheer effrontery
I chose to turn back, a bright laugh escaped my lips turning towards Jack with a smirk on my lips , I gave him an utterly satisfying backhand across his face it made the exact smack sound I knew it would, you know the kind that gives butterflies in your belly.
It is 'Lady Anne' to you, or 'milady' I declared with a stern voice. Any other address shall be 'ma'am' or, if you are feeling particularly peculiar, 'madam'. With my point being perfectly and clearly made, I turned on my heel and swept away.
PART 3
A sharp click of the boardroom door brought Clara back to the present with a jolt. The air thick with the scent of stale coffee and up spoken resentments, she knew for a fact none of the men there liked her presence. It felt heavier than any noble title. She smoothed down her white satin skirt with shaky hands, taking her place at the long, polished table, her mind. The meeting hadn't even started, and already she disliked everything about it.
A shiver, sharp and cold ran through my spine. Lucian, a man who never ever invited women into his presence, had summoned her. Clara knew the men hated her as much as they feared for her. Though i internally denied my fear, rumors circulated like a plague: people whispered he was "the devil's son".
A belief even her old Caribbean grandmother affirmed, recounting the eerie events of his birth: "the very village dogs had been restless, the birds of the sky started flying in circles, cats seemed to be afraid all of the sudden, everyone felt the shiver through the trees, and the sounds of the winds sounded a lot inhuman nothing could tell me those were the sounds of what the heavens created." My wela (grandmother) Had told me while mixing herbal spices for my dry cough.
He did little to contradict these dark tales, behaving less like a man and more like a demon who fed on the fears of others. My palms were damp, and sweat sleek the skin between my thighs, testament to the fear i felt.
...
The heavy oak door creaked open revealing the dimly lit study where lucian sat, air thick with the scent of old papers and something metallic, a frantic bird trapped in a cage, Clara heart hammered against her chest.
"You summoned me, Lucian," I said, my voice merely a whisper, though I tried to keep it steady.
He didn't look up from the letter he was holding. "Clara," his voice was a low, resonant rumble that seemed to vibrate through the very floorboards.
"A simple task for you." He finally raised his gaze, and the sheer emptiness in his eyes made her want to bolt.
It was a look she had seen when he, for example, ordered the stable master to bring his finger forwards as he dislocated it, or when he calmly watched the head of his slave boy brought to the table because he had attempted to murder him, a chilling indifference to the suffering of others.
He leaned forward, placing the letters on the desk. "I require the presence of a certain young woman. Lady Anne, the daughter of the Duke of Thornton."
My mind couldn't help but drift to the laughter i and Anne shared, our outrageous dance steps, our little gossip, the way we laughed as we spilled tea on our dresses.
What does this monster want to do with Anne. Clara couldn't help but feel the range forming knots in her belly.
I swallowed hard. "Lady Anne? Why?"
A faint cruel smile touched his lips."That is not for you to question".
You will go to the Duke himself and tell him I request for his daughter Anne, then for your part, You will use by any means necessarily- a persuasion, a promise of a 'grand opportunity', perhaps a little subtle coercion to motivate her to come here.
The finality in his tone was absolute yet the implications felt as dark and forbidden as the man.
As I turned to leave he called out to me "Clara don't you want to know what's in for you" I could hear the laughter in his voice, then I could hear his steps coming closer and closer as he leaned to my ear and whispered. " A lady like you definitely needs a good alliance in times like this, it would be sad if she died from an unknown disease with signs of severe rash".
I knew he was threatening me but for my head's sake I ignored the comment and finally took my leave.