“Brother, I was only trying to familiarize how things work there,” I explained defensively.
“By asking if I did something dishonorable?!” his voice was raised.
Mr. Stanford must have reported our conversation to him.
“I was not accusing anyone, I merely wanted to help if there were any concerns of the workers,” I explained further.
Lady Katherine sat quietly in her seat, staring down the table as if trying not to get to my brother’s attention.
Andrew angrily glared at me, “The concerns of the Steel Plants are none of your business but mine. How dare you question my work.”
I did not answer, instead I continued to look down at my plate like a boy being scolded by his father.
“I expected more from you Curtis,” he continued, “Don’t forget that I am your Duke, I put the roof over your head, the clothes on your back, the food on your table, and everything you need. You should be careful, I could strip everything away from you,” he angrily warned me, making it sound like I should be grateful for him.
Andrew then left fuming without saying another word and Lady Katherine followed not long after. I continued to sit there alone contemplating of what just happened. Foolish of me to ask questions, I should have kept my mouth shut. Sometimes trying to be good could get you into trouble and this was not the right time for that since I was trying my best to be Lord of Pinewood. I thought I was strong enough for this but I was wrong.
Three days had passed. I had spent most of my time at the east wing trying to avoid Andrew. I was in the garden one sunny afternoon taking a stroll until a couple of birds distracted me with their singing while they played on the branches, I was amused as they hop around chasing each other. Miss Pattilyn did tell me that this was mother’s favorite garden. It was a bit farther from the manor with grass hedges surrounding it and trees, and flowers of different colors. Birds would flock here and for some reason they prefer this garden. The two birds playing were at the fountain still chasing each other in the water. Beyond that, I saw Mr. Thistle coming my way. If he was here, Andrew must have sent him which made me suddenly uncomfortable.
“Lord Curtis,” he called and bowed, “I’m glad I found you. His Grace would like to speak with you in his private office.”
What does he want? Why can’t he just leave me alone.
I followed Mr. Thistle back to the manor and we arrived at Andrew’s office in the west wing.
“That would be all Mr. Thistle,” Andrew dismissed him.
“Sit,” he gestured me to take a seat on the coach while he poured wine in two glasses. He gave me the other glass and he sat at the couch across from me. He drank from his glass then placed it on the table in front of us. He looked at me with no trace of anger for the time being.
“Look Curtis,” he began in a friendly approach, “I know you want to be useful, and I understand that, and I can’t let my own brother be deprived of his duties. I know I need trustworthy men around, who better than my brother?” he paused and drank again from his glass.
“I can give you something to do, don’t worry about it but not at the moment. First, I have something to make you feel more useful,” he said grinning and excited about something that I was unaware of.
I was curious what he meant by that.
“So I decided to have you marry,” he revealed with a huge grin on his face.
I was not expecting that. I knew I was going to marry but not this soon. Was this a joke? I had no idea what his intentions were but probably he plans to unite our House with another. I couldn’t help but wonder though if this was out of kindness or pity, or for his own benefit.
“So? What do you think?” he asked enthusiastically.
I didn’t know what to think. It was not like I had a choice and I knew I could not refuse him just because I was not ready.
“I guess…” I hesitantly and unwillingly obeyed.
“That’s the spirit! I already sent the application so any day now we will find out who your mate will be.”
“Wait, I thought you were going to choose who I marry?”
Andrew was puzzled then realized, “You mean bribe your match?” he laughed hard, “No no no,” shaking his head, “It’s more exciting this way isn’t?” he declared with a coy smile.
It was then that I convinced that he was playing with me.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be happy with your mate,” he teasingly assured with no trace of ever being sincere as he raised his glass for a toast.
I was in my private chamber, spending my afternoon looking at the Pinewood maps. I would love to go out for another ride but it was drizzling. I needed time away from here especially after the conversation I had with Andrew a week ago. I barely slept after that. I did not know what to expect. Would I find happiness? Or an eternity of despair? Whatever happens I am stuck with whoever I was matched with, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Suddenly there was a soft knock at the door.
“Come in,” I said without looking up from the map I was examining.
Peter entered and bowed.
“My Lord, you’re being summoned by his Grace at the Parlour.”
“Thank you Peter, I’ll be right there.”
Peter bowed again then left the room.
I arrived at the Parlour. Andrew was already there and a tall gentleman with pale blonde hair whom I saw around the manor was there as well. He had on a fine expensive business suit and wore a rimless glasses, and he never slouched, he also looked proud and very professional. They were sitting on the couch enjoying a cup of tea.
“Curtis, we’ve been waiting for you,” Andrew said clearly in a good mood, “Please join us. I’m sure you’ve seen Mr. Logan around, he’s my lawyer,” referring to the gentleman beside him.
Mr. Logan tilted his head to a bow after being introduced. I took a seat across from them and Mr. Thistle served a cup of tea which I accepted.
“Leave us,” Andrew commanded Mr. Thistle who obediently complied with a bow then left.
“What is this all about?” I asked unsure of what to expect.
Andrew beamed, “Mr. Logan here is a bearer of good news, show him,” he ordered Mr. Logan who reached under his suit on his breast pocket and took out a gold envelope with black prints on it, then handed it to me. I reluctantly accepted and examined it. My name was written elegantly on the back in black ink, and I turned it over, there was the royal seal of half a moon and half a sun side by side in black and red wax. I glanced at Andrew and Mr. Logan then I carefully broke the seal and opened the envelope. Inside was a gold card with the letters written in black ink and I read the writings silently, then I could feel myself shaking in terror. I couldn’t believe what I just read; I felt that my whole world had shattered. I was shaking my head and the word, “No” kept repeating on my lips. Andrew was confused and I knew he saw the obvious shock in my expression so he leaned over and snatched the card from my hand and silently read the letter for himself. He was frowning while reading but as he continued, his face lit up then he was grinning then he had difficulty finishing the letter because he was laughing so hard that he had tears in his eyes. He then passed the letter to Mr. Logan.
I did not find any of this funny. I was annoyed then I was furious at him.
“Fix this!” I commanded Andrew with a stern voice.
Andrew was running out of breath from laughing, he wiped the tears from his eyes and sighed heavily then shrugged his shoulders after he had calmed down and simply responded, “I can’t.”
“What?!” I raised my voice.
“I am not going to do anything illegal which you already accused me of and besides, fixing this would cost me a huge fortune,” Andrew explained without any signs of remorse.
“I’ll be the laughing stock of all the Elites,” I angrily complained.
“So?” he said without any care while trying to suppress another laugh.
His words did not give me any comfort and it only made
me madder.
“You did this, did you?” I blamed him and I could feel the blood rushing to my head.
Andrew became serious, “I did nothing of such sort but if you think that way then you have to accept your fate. I will not spend a single coin to make your life more convenient for you. I could care less.”
Of all the people who had the power to undo this, it had to be Andrew, and the only thing that gave him the power was only because he was born first. My life was ending before I knew it. I never felt so helpless, overpowered, and defeated.
CHAPTER 4: The Pledge
ELAINE
I woke up on a clear morning. I was getting ready for work welcoming another day where I expected that I would go down to eat breakfast and have an argument with mom, and a lovely talk with dad. Then I would be out of the house, see the man from across the street whom I had been trying to avoid ever since but to no avail. We only say hi and hello, and that was about it. I did not even bother to ask his name. I had no intention in putting a name to that handsome face; it was safer that way. After that, I would ride my bus to work. Do what I do at the clinic then make sure that Dr. Cook does not send me to another Elite client. Then at the end of the day, I would catch the bus back home, and glanced at the man from across the street again whose smile always gave me a weird feeling in my stomach. After that, dinner with mom and dad and talked about our day at work; and at night, I would lay in my bed while trying to stop myself from thinking about the man from across the street. This had been my routine but I was not complaining, I was more than satisfied living this way. I came down stairs for breakfast and as I entered the kitchen, I saw dad sitting on his chair but he was not reading his paper and mom was standing over the table, both were silent and staring at me. On the table, I saw a gold envelope with a black and red seal which I ignored and I did not know what was this all about but they were both acting strangely.
“Good morning honey, how was your sleep?” mom asked in a cheerful yet odd way.
Dad just sat there not speaking a word.
“It was fine,” I reluctantly respond.
There was an unusual pause which made me very uncomfortable so I asked impatiently, “What’s going on?”
“Oh honey! A letter arrived for you today,” mom said cheerfully but I could hear a hint of nervousness. She took a brief glance at the table where the letter was.
“What’s this?” I asked as I took the envelope from the table. I turned it around and my name was elegantly written on the back.
I was baffled what this was and where it came from but then it suddenly dawned on me. I dropped the envelope back to the table.
“No, I am not going to open it.”
Mom gasped and scolded, “You would do no such thing Ellie, it is against the law to refuse a match.”
“But I am not ready,” I stubbornly insisted.
“No one is ever ready,” mom exclaimed angrily.
Still I declined to open the letter. Mom was about to give me another lecture but dad interrupted, “Honey, Ellie,” he addressed me with a calm and comforting voice, “I know this is difficult but we’re here for you. We will always be there for you no matter what. You’re strong Ellie, you can do this. We have faith in you.”
Dad’s words gave me the confidence I needed. I looked at him and mom, took the envelope, held my breath then opened it. I read carefully the card inside. Its content made my knees weak that I had to grab the nearest chair to sit before I would fall. My eyes were wide in shock, and my mouth opened.
“Is everything alright honey?” I heard my mom asked sounding extremely worried.
She took the card from me then read it, her expression turned from concern to being elated when she was done. She gave the envelope to dad who became solemn after he read it.
“How… how is this possible?” I asked still in disbelief.
“We all knew that sometimes Betas could be matched with the Elites but it was extremely rare,” mom replied while trying to hide her enthusiasm.
“But why me?”
Mom couldn’t control it any longer, “Oh honey, don’t you see? You will be a Lady, you will have your own manor, wealth and your own land. Everybody will respect you. You will have fine clothes and delicious food. You won’t have to worry about paying the bills anymore.”
She made it sound like it was a good thing.
“But I don’t want to be a Lady. I don’t want any of it,” I cried, “I despise them, now I have to marry one of them?”
My tears came flowing freely on my cheeks. Everything was unfair. My life would never be the same again. Then I suddenly felt frightened, a Beta living among the Elites, I will be an outcast and never fitting in. I didn’t even have a clue on how to be Lady.
Dad leaned towards me and took my hand while I was sobbing, he wiped my tears with his other hand and placed it gently on the side of my face, and he softly told me, “It’s going to be alright Ellie, stop crying now. It is going to be hard, I know. We are not free to make the choices in our lives, our stations, our match but it is up to you what you make out of it, either you accept defeat and be miserable for the rest of your life, or make the best out of it, this is the only thing you can take control of,” dad sighed and added, “You’re going to be a Lady soon and what a fine and strong Lady you’re going to be, and you’re going to be different, but different is good. Your mother is right, you’re going to be respected and revered and you’re going to use that influence for something good. You can help more when you’re an Elite Ellie, remember that.”
We hugged and I held him tight like this might be the last time I get to hug him. Dad’s words gave me solace and he was right, I should accept my fate and try to make the best of this. Mom started to cry and came over, and all three of us were hugging, and I felt so loved. We don’t have much but we had each other and my heart was breaking knowing that I was going to leave them soon.
I left the house feeling down. The man from across the street smiled but became worried when I glanced at his direction then ignored him. I just walked aimlessly to the bus stop, trying my best to spend my day like nothing had happened. I lost focus at work and Dr. Cook took notice of it and asked if everything was okay.
“I’m fine,” I replied unconvincingly.
Dr. Cook gave me a long look then declared, “You’re clearly not fine Ellie, why don’t you take some days off?”
“I’m fine Doctor,” I insisted.
“You’ve been working hard Ellie, it’s time to take a break and that is not a request.”
I was tired and didn’t want to argue. I left the clinic then went straight back home. I was looking out the window while riding the bus and I thought this might be my last few days here in Coastal City, and I am going to miss this place. I was surprised when mom was already home when I got back.
“Oh good Ellie, you’re home. I left early from work today to buy you this,” she excitedly said, nodding at the couch where there was a shopping bag on it.
“Go ahead, open it,” she encouraged.
I opened the bag and inside was a black dress.
“A dress?” I asked curiously.
“Well that’s for the Betrothal of course. You like it? Try it on,” she urged.
That caught me off guard. I almost forgot about the Betrothal. It was when the match and their family would meet for the first time and agree on certain terms such as who gets to witness, where would the ceremony be, the living arrangements, and such.
“Maybe later mom, I’m sure it’s nice,” I was not in the mood.
I was about to go up to my room when mom called after me.
“Where are you going honey? Dinner will be served soon.”
“I’ll skip dinner tonight mom, I’m not hungry anyway,” I went up to my room before she could say anything more. I lay on my bed until it got dark. It was getting late but I was still awake. I couldn’t sleep because all the possible disaster that could happen when I marry kept running through my head. And a quest
ion kept on repeating, what was going to happen to me? I was distracted when I heard a soft tap on my window. It must be the wind. Then I heard another tap. I sat up and went towards the window, when I looked down, I saw under the moonlight the man from across the street standing in front, waving to get my attention. I was surprised to see him there. He gestured me to open the window.
“What are you doing here?” I asked in a low voice with a hint of urgency after I opened the window.
“Are you okay? Can we talk?” he asked sounding concern.
“Everything is fine,” I lied, “and no we can’t talk or it will get us into trouble,” I answered annoyed.
“I just want to talk, it won’t take long I promise,” he begged.
This was a very bad idea and could get us in trouble but the way he looked at me when he begged, I couldn’t deny him.
“Alright, we’ll talk by the entrance door but I am not letting you in. Just sit by the steps,” I instructed.
He smiled and nodded in agreement and waited outside.
I looked at the time before I went down, it was pass one. What does he want to talk about at this time of hour?
I reached downstairs then silently unlocked the door and slowly opened a small crack, enough that we could hear each other clearly. I took a peek and he was there standing.
“I told you to turn your back at the door so that we won’t seem suspicious,” I scolded in a whisper.
“Oh!” he obliged, he turned then sat down by the door facing away from the house.
I sat on the floor and leaned against the wall beside the door hugging my knees.
“What do you want?” I murmured sounding uneasy.
“I just want to know if you’re okay?” he gently whispered.
“I told you I’m fine.”
“You didn’t look fine this morning and when you came home,” he said tenderly.
I sighed and firmly told him, “I said I’m fine so please leave, it’s none of your concern anyway.”
He paused then softly confessed, “You are always my concern Ellie.”
The Premortals (The Premortals Series Book 1) Page 7
