The Enigma of Albert Morris By Leo 8

 Episode 8

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 Teresa came running while they still hadn't finished their dinner. 

''My lady lord Edmund has arrived.''

Victoria and Catherine looked at each other.

 ''I...''

''Tell him to stay in the living room I'll be there.'' Victoria said and dismissed Teresa.

''You eat I'll go.'' Catherine got up.

 ''Not like this. He must first meet me and then you will appear. This is no way a lady behaves Catherine you stay right here.''

''But I...'' 

''You can do whatever you wish with him or whatever your plans are but like a lady.'' she got up wiped her face with the handkerchief.

''My my lord Edmund.'' Victoria appeared from the door which was immediately closed when she entered the living room.

''Lady Victoria.'' he bowed in front of her and then took her hand and kissed it.

He was dressed finely with flowers in his hand.

''Please com be seated.'' she pointed towards the gold engraved chairs.

''Are these for me?'' 

Edmund remained silent.

''Ah don't be shy. Teresa call lady Catherine there's someone here to meet her.'' Teresa nodded and exited the living room.

''I was thinking about my proposal have you talked with lady Catherine about it?''

''I did but I think lady Catherine needs time. It's her right. We don't get our children married just on proposals the truth is you must court her if she agrees and then it will be decided.''Victoria sat with one leg above the other and it seemed clear from her face she was not even the least interested in this conversation. 

Catherine appeared from the door.

''My lady.'' she bowed and stood near Victoria.

''My lady.'' Edmund stood.

''These are for you.'' he handed her flowers.

''Thank you that was very generous of you.'' she gave Teresa the flowers.

''Lady Victoria I am willing to give a remarkable celebration at my humble home in lady Catherine's honor I would be delighted if you both join me.'' 

''Well it depends on my schedule. On the other hand you haven't sent us any invitations. Have you?''

''Oh they will be delivered now if you allow?''

''Sure.'' 

Edmund followed Catherine out of the living room to the orchards.

She was silent he too was silent. 

''Why are you silent?'' she finally said. They were walking in front of the west wing.

''I don't know what to say. Though I had thought a great deal to say all those things to you but I forget everything when I see you.'' he looked at her.

Catherine was walking with her eyes focused in front yet she could feel the warmth of his gaze.

''Is this the first time you are courting someone?''

''Yes it is.''

''How come you never married? I have heard you are the most demanded suitor yet we find you single?''

''I was never interested in marriage.'' he folded his hands on his back.

''Then why now?'' she stopped and looked at him.

It was the first time Catherine finally looked at him. He was handsome, wealthy exceedingly wealthy and was the right age. He lacked nothing but Catherine had no idea why he didn't interest her.

''One seldom comes across someone after which one decided that he is really in search of a wife.'' he took her hand.

''Lord Edmund I don't think so that I am the right person for you. You should give it some more thinking.''

He took a long horizontal box out of his pocket. 

And gave it to Catherine.

''Maybe but time will prove me right or wrong.'' he kissed her on the cheek and went away.

''Wait I cannot accept this.'' he didn't stop and sat in his carriage. In a matter of seconds his carriage disappeared. 

Catherine came inside and found Victoria still in the living room.

''One girl and two completely worthy suitors. What are you planning my girl?'' she dropped the box on the table. 

''I don't know. Edmund won't give up that easily. ''

 

 

The morning was near and as usual Catherine who slept early just in order to wake up early even before the sun was ready to sneak out. The whole palace was still asleep and the servants too. It was cold today so she had worn a pelerine. She had tied her hair in a braid which was hanging on her back till her waist bone. ''Easy boy you ready to sneak away but today I am happy, you too are happy come on let us go to the same place where you and I both find joy.'' she took hold of the reigns and after walking for a while she mounted and began riding fast until she reached the forest. 

The sun was giving its brightness to the sky and birds were all ready to gather their meal of the day. She unmounted the horse near the flowing river and began to look around for Albert but she couldn't find him. There was no sign of him and his horse. 

''I think the lord deceived us my dear Wind, there is no sign of him. Maybe he overslept. These winds, this flowing river and these birds plus everything around me is my alibi of fulfilling my promise.'' 

''But late.'' a familiar voice came in her ear, she turned around and found him near her ear.

''What late you just arrived I am waiting here since half an hour.'' she said tucking her lock behind her ear.

''I am here since one hour.'' he sat on the grass cross legged as if telling her he's annoyed of waiting that much.

''I tried to wake up early but I couldn't I'm sorry Lord Albert Morris.'' she sat next to him.

Wind and Albert's horse were neighing and enjoying themselves too.

''Apology accepted Lady Catherine Ayling have you heard about the news lately?'' he lay his head on her lap.

''What news?''

''Edmund is giving a party in honor of you. I hear that he asked your hand in marriage but the thing is I'm not glad with it even if you have made your choice then it will be okay with me too. I'll miss these mornings which we used to spent together.'' 

''Shut up, there is no such thing as I and him the fact is I was with you all the time during the ball and I don't even know who he is.'' she made a face as if still teased by his joke.

''Don't be mad I was joking even if you agreed I would have blown his brain out.''

''What am I supposed to do? I don't want to go to his party, secondly Aunt Victoria will give him my answer today what am I supposed to do now. How lovely it would be that you and I go somewhere instead?'' she said facing him.

''Of course you and I will go somewhere but that would be his party this time he'll hear something after which neither he nor any man in England would dare to ask for your hand in marriage or to even look at you in any other sense.''

''What do you mean?'' she was shocked.

''You'll know, tell me one thing yesterday you sent me away because of this matter? your rejection?'' 

''Yes, much to my dismay aunt was already expecting such a reply and she made such a fuss after seeing your carriage at the door.'' she got up and saw that the sun was up.

''I must get going before she starts another agitation.'' 

''Come here.'' he kissed her. Taking her close to the tree. With his fingers in her hair. 

''He came yesterday.'' 

''He did?'' 

''Yes I tried to tell him that I was not interested in him but he didn't listen and instead gave me a present.'' she walked a little farther from him. 

''And you accepted?'' he was angry and his color changed all of a sudden.

''I did not. It was forced.'' she still didn't face him.

He came closer and turned her towards him.

''I believe then one day you'll be his and then you'll say it was forced.''

''Albert.'' 

''I'm sorry.'' he hugged her.

''It's just the thought of someone else that gives me the fright. Even just the thought that someone else even just took your hand.''

''The same goes for me have you thought about it?' he said facing him still under his arm.

''You have every right.'' he kissed her again.

 ''What about tomorrow?'' he called her when she mounted her horse.

''Hopes are high.'' she rode away.

 

                                                        

 

''Did you see what Edmund has done this time.'' Victoria threw the invitation on the floor. Catherine picked it up. Just as Albert had said, an invitation,

'To Lady Victoria Rochester,

You and your beloved niece are invited in the grand banquet of Lord Edmund Robinson Shaw on the occasion of relativity between the both families.

You are eagerly awaited by his majesty.

Regards,

Robinson Shaw.'

 

Catherine tore it into several pieces and threw it away. ''Milady should I take these away?'' Teresa inquired.

''Immediately take this filth out of my sight.'' Victoria held her arms around her back and began walking anxiously. 

''What will you do now?'' Catherine made her stop.

''We'll play with him just as he wants. We'll go and break his muddy pride.'' 

#stories #romance #suspense #fantasy #thriller #drama 

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