by Ivy Hayes
The manor is in an easily defensible location, with three of the four ends impassable. One end is abutting town, another runs along the river and the third joins up with the steep mountainside, leaving only one possible route of attack, through the forest. It wouldn’t be easy to sneak up or attack with a large force. This is something I am sure my father is already aware of, he has been to Cliffden many times in his life.
Trying not to dwell on the futility of my mission, or my reluctance to dig, I busy myself with enjoying the sights and sounds of my walk. It’s a relatively warm morning that is only made more pleasant by the lack of Westhaven’s strong winds. Cliffden, being more landlocked is protected from the gales that are the nearly constant companion of my home.
I had unconsciously headed in the direction of the stables, so I pop in to check on Powder. Since last night, she has been brushed down again and given more oats and fresh hay in his stall. Satisfied with their horse master’s care of her, I walk over to her and greet her.
“Hey, old girl. How are you feeling?” She reaches her nose forward and nuzzles my shoulder, so I give her a long pet on the crown of her head. Looking to my left, I see they have some apples laid out for the horses, so I grab one and give it to her. She happily munches down on it and neighs for another one. Not wanting to disappoint, I hold out a second for her, then laugh as she tries to get a third.
I give her the third, but draw the line there, I don’t want her to get spoiled. While she is eating the final apple, I pat on the head, one more time then walk back outside, saying goodbye and promising to take her out riding in a couple days.
Unsure where to go next, I keep a slow walk around the manor, keeping my eyes out for anything of interest. I wander for about twenty minutes, seeing nothing but enjoying my time outside when I round a corner of the manor and stumble right in the middle of Gwen’s visit with her friend.
“Ladies,” I nod in their direction, but keep walking, not wanting to interrupt.
“Parker!” Gwen says, almost excitedly and I stop in my tracks, horribly confused, “Would you like to join us?” She takes a sip of tea and I am, once again, drawn to her plump lips.
“Uh, are you sure?”
An unexpected invite, but perhaps she has already forgiven me and is trying to be welcoming.
“I am,” she smiles assuredly at me, so I approach, taking a seat across from both the girls. “This is my friend, Lucy. Lucy, this is Parker, he just arrived from Westhaven yesterday.”
Lucy beamed at me and exposed a row of uneven teeth, “Happy to meet you, Parker.”
“Likewise. What were you both talking about?” I ask, trying to keep the conversation going.
“Oh, this and that,” Gwen said, then Lucy let out a small giggle. She added, “Parker, would you mind keeping Lucy company for a few minutes, I need to run inside and ask my mother something.”
Since it seems she has forgiven me, I would have done anything she asked to keep the peace, “I would be happy to.”
“Wonderful!” Gwen hops up then hurries her way inside, “I will be right back.”
Lucy doesn’t wait to speak, “How are you liking Cliffden so far, Parker?”
“It’s nice,” I answer, absentmindedly, I was too busy watching Gwen saunter off.
She clears her throat and I turn to look at her and add, “I haven’t been here long, so I am afraid I can’t answer much more than that, I don’t know anything more than what I have seen at the manor.”
As if my willingness to talk to her was in invitation, Lucy left her seat on the other side of the table and slid next to me. I scoot over, creating more than a proper amount of space and she seemed off-put by my distance making.
“That is a shame, Cliffden is a wonderful town, full of nice people. You really ought to see more of it.”
“I want to. I just haven’t had a chance to explore yet as I only got in yesterday.”
“If you’d like, I can show you around one of these days?”
That was bold and suddenly this whole situation makes sense. Gwen inviting me over, then immediately leaving me with her friend. Lucy leaving her side of the table to get closer to me. I am annoyed at Gwen. I don’t know what her goal is, but how dare she use her friend as an obvious pawn like this.
Whatever game she is playing, I will have no part in, so I let Lucy down easy, “Thank you, that is a generous offer, but I think I will ask Grant to show me around.”
“I see,” She sits back, looking defeated, but not deterred, “you can always let me know if you change your mind.”
“I will.”
Except, I won’t. It’s no offense to the girl, I am just not interested. Partly because she is not anywhere near my type, but mainly because I am not looking for love here, nor am in interested in leaving a trail of broken hearts and possible bastard children in my wake.
The silence grows thick and tense, so to break it, I ask, “Have you always lived here?”
She looks relieved with the topic change and eagerly answers, “I have. I grew up on a farm just outside of town, now I work at the tailors, making repairs and such.”
We spend the next twenty minutes talking about, well nothing of importance. She is eager to talk about herself, so I let her while my thoughts drift away. It is an easy, but annoying conversation, I only need to add a word here or there to keep her going.
Finally, I see Gwen coming back outside. I stand and say, “You’re back, good. Lucy, I must be off, but it was lovely to meet you.”
Without waiting for a reply, I head off. If I am forced to listen to one more sentence out of Lucy’s mouth, I am not sure I could stay cordial. That plus the mischievous smirk Gwen was wearing when she came back out was almost too much for my self-control to withstand.
SIX – GWEN
Sitting down in the space Parker just vacated, I eagerly ask Lucy, “How did it go?”
“I think well,” she replied, “we talked every second you were gone. He was interesting, and the conversation never lagged or felt awkward.”
Based on how fast Parker rose to leave, I don’t think he felt the same way about the conversation.
“What did you talk about?”
“Oh, the usual. He wanted to know about Cliffden, so I filled him in on everything I could think of. He seemed very interested, always prompting me to continue.”
“Did you find anything out about him?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“Hmm,” she placed a finger on her lip, pausing for a second to think, “you know, I don’t actually think so. Next time, I will have to ask more about him.”
“Next time? Did you set up a second meeting?” I hadn’t expected that.
“No, I wish. I offered to show him around town, but he declined. I am sure he was just trying to be proper with me, but after all the fun we just had, I am sure he will say yes next time I ask him.”
“That was bold of you, Lucy.”
“I know,” she flushed slightly red, “but he mentioned he hasn’t seen much so I couldn’t resist offering a tour.”
“Maybe he was just being a gentleman. It wouldn’t have been proper to accept your invitation when you only just met.”
“Do you think so?” Her eyes twinkled with hope.
“I can’t be sure, either way.”
Out of nowhere I realize I don’t want Lucy to spend any more time with Parker. I don’t know why, but when I think about that, my stomach turns. It must be because I feel rueful using my friend as a way to get this business with Parker away from me. I knew she liked the idea of him and I used that to my advantage, not thinking of my friend’s feelings at all.
“We won’t know until I ask,” her voice radiates with excitement and I flinch.
“No, we won’t.”
I can’t think of anything else to say and the silence stretches for a second before Lucy speaks, “I must be going. Sorry to run right after you got back, but I have to get back to work, I already stayed out longer than I should have.”
> “No problem, at all. Do you want me to walk back to town with you?”
“That is okay, I will be going pretty fast.” She lets out a little squeal, “This afternoon was so exciting!”
I try to mirror her excitement, but I can’t quite muster it.
“I will see you later,” she says then starts to walk away.
“Goodbye.”
Watching her go, I feel slightly relieved. I love Lucy, but right now, I am feeling upset being around her and it was completely my fault. It was silly of me to throw another woman at Parker, but based on his lack of reaction towards Lucy, that is one step closer to proving my hypothesis. He wouldn’t try to court another woman, if he was already engaged to me, after all.
After she leaves my view, I start clearing the remains of our tea and snacks from the table. I have a precarious hold on the platter and cups as I carefully make my way inside. Moving at a snail’s pace down the hall, I do my best to keep it all balanced as I walk.
I am nearly there when a door slams open right behind me. The sudden, unexpected sound causes me to lose control of my overly-ambitious stack. I was about the drop the entire thing when an arm appeared and helped me stabilize the wobbling tower. I look up and see Parker’s helping hands.
“Parker, you startled me,” is all I manage to say as he holds me steady.
“I apologize. I didn’t think you would be walking through here carrying a load as large as this. I would have been quieter.”
He has yet to take his hands off my arms, so I look down at them, “Is that so unexpected? Me cleaning up the remains of my afternoon tea?”
“I guess it is.” He releases his hold on my arms and I am lost in how my arms feel colder without his touch. He adds, “If you give me half, I can help carry them in the rest of the way?”
Under other circumstances, I would have brushed his offer off, but as I am surprisingly shaky right now and I am too worried to take another step.
“Thank you, that would be kind.”
I hold statue still as he takes the top layer of stacked dishes and balances them on his own arms, “There, that is much more manageable. Where were you taking these to? The kitchen?”
I nod and take a tentative step forward, heading in the right direction. “What were you doing inside?” I ask, curious as to his appearance near me when I saw him walking off in a different direction just a few minutes ago.
“Looking for Gregory or Grant. I haven’t been able to find them all morning.”
“Well, you won’t find them in here.” Feeling feisty, I let my sentence drop off there, he was looking at me, like he expected me to continue.
When I didn’t, he asked, “Do you know where they are, Gwen?”
“I do.” I slip into silence again, I know I am being petty, but I am having fun watching him grow frustrated.
Parker lets out an exasperated sigh, “Will you tell me?”
“I don’t see why not. Gregory accompanied Ash to the market, she needed to pick up some supplies for the house. Grant is helping at a farm of his friend’s this morning. They should both be back before too long, they rarely miss lunch.”
“I see. Perhaps you can keep me company until they get back?”
“I can’t. I am far too busy this afternoon.” It is true, I have lessons to prepare for my class tomorrow.
We make it to the kitchen and I drop of my load in the sink, then give him space to do the same. “Thanks for the help.”
I use the time it takes his to safely unload his armful to make my way out of the kitchen, trying to create space between us. I don’t want any awkwardness after I buffed his advances so boldly.
I don’t make it very far, when he come jogging up next to me. “What keeps you so busy?”
I debate on what I will tell him. I am sure he would not understand or support what I am trying to do with the young women of Cliffden, so I don’t want to try and explain it to him. Sticking to the bare minimum, “I teach a class thrice a week at the town’s school. I need to prepare for the lesson tomorrow.”
He laughs and asks, “What do you teach? Sewing and curtseying? What good would that do them.”
Of course, he would jump straight to that conclusion, after all, what else can a young lady of my birth possibly teach. His immediate lack of faith in my knowledge angers me more than anything else he has done. I am aware that by definition, that is what I am showing them, but in reality, there is so much more. I am furious with his assumptions and I am furious they are partly correct. Not for the first time, I wish I could tell the truth to everyone what I am doing with these ladies.
Stepping closer to him, I speak in a low, steady tone, ensuring he will hear each enunciated word, “At least I am doing something to help the people of my town. I suspect you have never made any efforts in your life.”
His mouth twitches, like he wants to say something, but I don’t give him the chance, “And how dare you instantly assume that would be all I found worth teaching them.”
I am so close to him now, glaring in his eyes, daring him to challenge me. He does not back up, merely looks down at me and starts to say, “I shouldn’t..” but I cut him off before he has a chance to say anything more.
“You are a narrow-minded, pig-headed, naïve idiot.”
I try to storm off.
“GWEN!” He yells, running after me and blocking my path, stopping me in my tracks. I won’t let my anger be quelled, by stopping me, all he did was open himself up to more of my ranting.
I poke his chest, “I knew you were going to be the worst sort of man, living in a world where a woman’s only purpose is to act as a lady, be beautiful and serve your every desire. I hate to break it to you, I. AM. NOT. TO. BE. USED.” I poke him with each of those last words, driving my point home.
I am brimming with anger and I know my gaze is alight with that fury, but he does not shy away from my stare, instead, he pulls me close and presses a hard kiss to my lips. I freeze for a second, stunned by the action. His lips start moving against mine and that snaps me back to myself. I push him back with all my strength then slap him square across the face.
“Don’t touch me ever again.”
With my hand stinging, I race past him and run up the stairs to the safety of my room, slamming the door shut behind me. This time, he doesn’t follow me.
Once I calm my breath, I reach a hand up and lightly touch the lingering feeling of his lips pressed to mine, wondering why I those few moments of contact were filled with so much passion and what it could possibly mean.
SEVEN - PARKER
It has been ten days since my arrival in Cliffden, and nine since the kiss with Gwen. She has used all this time to be icier than the most frigid winter storm. Right after it happened, I expected her brothers and father to be breaking down my guest room door, ready to have my head for taking advantage of her, but she must not have told them.
I can’t imagine her incentive for keeping it secret, but I am grateful.
It was reckless of me, but she wouldn’t stop yelling, it was all I could think of to get her to stop. Though, I would be kidding myself if I said that was the only reason, I desperately wanted a taste of her passion. She was fire and I wanted to burn with it.
Being around her made me foolish. My first mistake was attempting to make a joke, which only backfired. I implied she was only capable of teaching the most shallow and brainless of tasks, proving that I am hopeless at saying the right things to women.
Next, I was even more foolish for kissing her. I should have restrained myself, as she deserved our first kiss to be more than that. I should have let her yell until she tired, then apologized for my comment, not doing something to make her infinitely more upset.
I just wish I could figure out a way back into her good graces. These days have been torture, being able to look at her and admire everything about her, but not able to engage her in a conversation. I will go mad if it continues any longer.
A knock at the door brings my attent
ions back to the here and now and I open to find Lord Cliffden.
“Good Morning, Sir. What do I owe this early honor?”
“I found this letter on my desk. It got mixed in with my own, but it is yours.”
I look down at his hand and blessedly, the seal is still intact. I have no idea what my father had written, but I guarantee it would not have gone well if Lord Cliffden accidently read it.
I take it from him, “Thanks for delivering it, but you didn’t have to come all this way, you could have waiting until breakfast.”
“I wanted you to have it as soon as possible, I can’t be sure how long I’ve been holding onto it, so I didn’t want you to have to wait.”
“Oh, well, thank you.” The conversation lulled to nothing, and it was slightly awkward. I wasn’t sure what else to say to him, so I just stood in my doorway, holding the letter and he just looked at me.
“May I come in, Parker?”
I swallowed, suddenly nervous. Does he know everything?
Trying to keep my voice steady, I respond, “Sure.”
I open the door wider, giving him space to enter. He makes his way to the seating area near the fire, I shut the door then join him, dropping off the letter at my desk on the way. My relief is tangible when I see him sit, if he saw me as a threat, his actions would have been much different.
“What can I help you with, Sir?”
“Call me John.”
“Alright. John, what is this about?”
“I was curious how you were getting on with Gwen?”
I feel myself breathing normal, of course this is what this would be about. He still thinks Gwen and I are going to get married. I relax slightly in my chair then say, “Not good, Sir. Sorry, John. I am afraid she despises me.”
