The Enigma Of Albert Morris by Leo 10

 Episode 10

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Albert arrived back home late. His huge castle had a sorrowful atmosphere. He came inside and Tom his butler, associate and confidante informed him that his uncle is waiting for him for dinner. Albert shrugged and went straight to his uncle.

An old man in his mid seventies, grey haired, tall and broad faced. His age had not affected his looks and one was certain that he must have been heart throbbing in his young age as he was still handsome. He had a cane in his hand and had worn a night gown. Smoking pipe he turned around and looked at his troubled nephew.

''My my, dear sir we finally got the chance of meeting you when we have no idea where have you been , what are you doing? Not taking care of your business, not caring about your relations with the other lords yet you are so stick to your petty own personal affairs.''

''Uncle I....'' 

''Don't uncle me, I have entire reports of your whereabouts. You threatened Edmund and his men last night I received news of it.''

Albert remained quiet. He sat down on one of the chairs. The magnanimous hall was half lit with lights and the rest was dark. Uncle Theodore's voice echoed in the hall.

''Albert forget about it. Leave it don't forget what will happen next.'' he said after some minutes of silence.

''I can't forget her neither have I forgotten what happens. I cannot do anything about it I'm afraid. The moment I met her for the first time in Dover since then I've tried everything to do just to be near her, I persuaded Victoria to bring her here with your help of course but what can I do? Is it all my fault what happens uncle? You too have been in love and still love that woman then why do you keep me from my happiness?'' he had tears in his eyes. 

Theodore Morris the man of principles which can be said just by looking at him sighed and sat down placing his cane near the side table.

''It's not your fault it isn't mine God knows how much I stopped William but he brought this wrath of grief over this house and our lives forever. Forget about everything come let's eat I haven't eaten since morning and an old man mustn't fast that much.'' he slapped his back and both of them left the hall.

 

''I don't want to break your heart but you can never marry her Albert.'' he said and they both left.

 

                                                     

 

''My my, did he just do it without your consent?'' Victoria said taking off her spectacles and putting away a letter she was reading.

They were in the orchard with their tea in front of them.

''Yes unfortunately.'' 

Victoria collected all her letters and saw Charlotte approaching.

''Don't mention this to anyone until the right time comes.'' Victoria greeted Charlotte and took a leave.

''I am glad you are here, after the classes finished I asked you never to stop coming here but you come here rarely now.'' Catherine hugged her.

''I am here on rather another matter, my dear I don't know how to say this to you but I'm moving to Ireland. I just came here to say goodbye. You don't need me anymore and I would now retire from tutoring.'' she wiped the steam of tea from her spectacles.

''But why are you leaving Lady Charlotte?'' Catherine offered her a pastry.

''I always thought of retiring at an old age. I cannot work now and tutoring is really a load of work you know everyone is not like you to whom teaching is rather a pleasure. Where is your Aunt I would like to talk to her before I leave.'' 

''She's inside.'' 

''Very well I'll be back in a moment.'' she got up and went inside.

She went inside and knocked on her study room,

''Come in.'' Victoria's granted permission.

''My lady I would like to have a word with you.'' 

''Go on I'm all ears.'' Victoria was reading some letters and did not take her eyes off them.

''I am leaving for Ireland in a few days and will not be returning.'' she said rubbing her hands.

''Come sit here, did you get your tuition fees I told my manager to give you all. What is the reason behind your leaving all of a sudden?'' she still didn't looked at her rather she was reading her letters.

''When I was with Catherine she seemed more like a daughter to me rather than a pupil. I have never felt such way about any of my pupils. She different. She's gifted with all things and that is what worries me most. Last week when I was at Simmons estate I heard somethings against her and after thinking I thought it of upmost importance to give you all the information regarding all that is talked about. You have a great responsibility upon you it's not about raising your niece , no it's rather protecting her from all the evils that has been raised since she rejected Edmund. Just be cautious of all those around you.''

Victoria looked at her from above her glasses.

''What did you heard?'' 

''It was Eleanor, she has an admiration for Albert and upon seeing him getting engaged to Catherine she and her envious family are up to a mischief definitely.'' 

''Ah, Albert ruined everything. He should have waited rather than doing such a childish act in front of everyone. Catherine is upset about it too but you know he loves her and I would do anything for both of their happiness. It was Albert because of whom Catherine is known to everyone otherwise she would have stayed in Dover forever until god forbid the day of doom arrived.'' she got up from her chair and came near Charlotte.

''You don't worry I have dealt with such matters all my life. What makes you think that they all fear me until they drop dead of their shaking legs when they see me. And as far as Simmons are concerned they have seventy five percent of their wealth under debt. It will only take a second for Albert and Theodore to diminish them from the face of the earth I assure you Charlotte I'll take care of Catherine. And one more thing don't mention any of this what I've said and what we both have talked about to Catherine alright, she still doesn't know about anything. For this flower to nourish well we must keep the sun rays in a balance. Too much heat could damage the camouflage.'' She toyed with a white rose in a pot on her desk. It was hard to understand about whom she was talking. About the flower in the pot or Catherine but Charlotte had spent all her life with Victoria and she understood her better. 

In her youth both of them had been good friends and shared the same aim of lifelong security of being alone rather than being with a man they could never bear.

''Don't worry Lady Victoria I understand.'' 

''Do you remember the days of our youth when you used to come here with your mother. God bless her soul. She used to teach me and I would sneak away with you to meet Teddy engaging her with my mother. God bless both of them. Where are those days Charlotte? What happened to us?''

''Time changes people. The change is the circle of life my lady. You are still you.'' Charlotte looked away. 

''Whatever happened , happened. I won't let anyone come between Albert and Catherine or I'll deal with him myself. Though it be Edmund or Eleanor.''

Catherine had heard everything. She went inside to return Charlotte her bag when she overheard them. She left the bag on the counter near the door and went straight to her room.

''I knew it. I knew it from the start but how could he lie to me? I daughter of the great war hero am now on mercy of people. Shame on me. It would have been an honor to die in Dover than to come here on someone's mercy.'' she walked in the room angrily and then all of a sudden began writing something.

She wrote a letter to Albert and quickly came downstairs.

''Teresa. Take this and deliver it to Lord Albert quickly. Now.''

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#suspense #thriller #fantasy #romance #novel