“However, that doesn’t mean we can’t hazard a guess,” Janine suggested.
Slowly, he sat back down and waited.
“I would be willing to bet that she loves you.”
Marius sat forward. “Then why had she refused to marry me?”
“For the same reason I refused Taylor originally, I suppose.”
Everyone looked at Phoebe. “I refused to marry for propriety only. So I rejected him.”
Slowly what Sabrina had said was beginning to become clear. Standing, he thanked the ladies and returned to his own home. There he began making more chocolates, remembering she had said that nobody else held her heart. He was too blind, or perhaps simply stupid, to have seen it then.
Marius wasn’t sure how he should propose marriage again. He just knew it wasn’t going to be in the same manner as before. It most definitely had to special. What would be special to Sabrina? Should he present her with a box of chocolates and the latest romance novel as gifts?
No, he didn’t like that idea. But what else did he know about Sabrina? He thought back over all the times they had spent together. Kissing hadn’t worked in the past and knew it wouldn’t work now. What else was there? She had been at the academy for the past four or five years and he knew she liked to be busy. Slowly, he began to smile. He wouldn’t propose to Sabrina. He needed to propose to Cinderella.
Chapter 19
Following breakfast Marius sent his footman to the Sandlin residence for a particular book. Marius needed to familiarize himself with the story one last time before he moved forward with his plans. He paced in the library waiting for the footman to return, impatient to read the fairytale. His future would be decided on how he acted.
Finally the servant appeared and relinquished the book to Marius. After thanking him, Marius sat down to read. Immediately he stood up again and yelled for the footman who came running.
“Who retrieved the book for you?”
“Lord Sandlin.”
“And he knew it was for me?”
“Of course, sir. Is there a problem?”
For a moment he thought to send the man back but knew he wouldn’t get the right one until Taylor had his questions answered. “Nothing. I’ll return this one myself and get another.”
“Very well, sir.”
Marius found Taylor sitting behind his desk in the library, hands folded with a contemplative look on his face. “I wasn’t expecting you. Please come in.”
“Spare me the pleasantries, Taylor. Where is the other book?”
“I sent the book you requested.”
“It is in French.” Marius growled, tossing the book on the desk before Taylor.
“It is also the original language. I thought you would prefer to read it the way that it had been written.
“You know better than anyone I can’t speak French, let alone read it,” Marius yelled in frustration.
Taylor pushed his luck. “Are you sure?”
Marius had never wanted to throttle anyone the way he wanted to throttle Taylor right at that moment. “I find it hard to believe you, of all people, forgot my struggle with languages. After all, you are the one that stayed up with me all those nights trying to teach me how to conjugate verbs until the professor finally gave up on me.”
Taylor began to smile. “Oh yes. I remember now.”
“I doubt you forgot in the first place. Now may I have the other book please?”
“Why the sudden interest in Mother Goose?”
“I’m thinking of becoming a governess,” Marius retorted.
Taylor laughed. “Now that could prove quite interesting.” He held up the other book. “The truth Marius. Why this book? Could it have anything to do with Cinderella?”
Sighing, Marius sank into a chair. He expected this. “Sabrina won’t agree to marry me so I thought to pursue Cinderella instead.”
Taylor raised his eyebrows. “Inventive. How do you plan to go about this?”
“I won’t know until I read the story again.” Marius grabbed the book and left before Taylor could ask anything else.
While his second batch of chocolates set up and cooled, Marius re-read the story of Cinderella. He now had a plan. Unfortunately, he couldn’t move on that plan for two weeks, when Sabrina reached her majority. He would need all that time to accomplish everything that needed to be done. Before setting out on the first of necessary errands, he penned a letter to her.
Sabrina,
I have given a great deal of thought to everything you have said. I doubt that you would agree to see me so I won’t ask. Your return correspondence would be appreciated however.
Regarding your first issue. I don’t see how you can argue that you are in danger. Marriage to me would be added protection. I can keep you safe.
Marius
* * *
It had been two days since Sabrina had seen Marius. Part of her wanted him to call on her. The other part acknowledged that this was for the best. Still, she was unhappy and depressed. She had even taken to her room to read, not able to concentrate on the books but not wanting to converse with anyone in the household either. Constantly she reminded herself that this was for the best. His letter arrived that afternoon. Her reply was not difficult.
Mr. Parker,
I will do my best to explain my position. You are correct. As long as you speak of marriage between us I cannot see you.
You have failed to acknowledge that I am safest unwed. Marriage would only bring danger to my husband. I realize that once I reach my majority my uncle could lose his power. I am still undecided as to whether or not I will address the issue. Though I loathe what the man has gotten away with I am also cautious enough not to alert him of my knowledge, until sufficient evidence can be gathered.
It is very simple. You are much safer, as am I, if we do not wed.
Lady Sabrina Chester
Sabrina was feeling a little better after her note from Marius. She still was far from happy, but her energy returned. As she refused to leave the house and bring additional attention to her family, she did the next best thing. She began to clean.
A second letter arrived three days later.
My Dearest Sabrina,
The formality of your letter wounded me. I had hoped we had become close enough to address each other by our Christian names. Please think on this.
In truth, I cannot argue with your logic regarding my first reason so I will move on. This particular issue troubles me deeply. Your ruination. I cannot in good conscious allow this to continue as I was the one responsible for ruining you. Think of your future, dear. If not marriage, then children. I hate to remind you that few, if any, respectable men would consider you as a wife. I don’t mean this to be painful, dear. It is simply the unfortunate truth. You are too young and lovely to be wasted as a spinster.
Marius
If anything, Sabrina was angry after reading his letter. A proposal without the mention of love was one thing. But, to propose because he pitied her was beyond the pale. How dare he?
It took her a full day of thinking and cleaning the library, again, before she was calm enough to respond. Of course, she ate the entire box of chocolates he also sent in the process.
Mr. Parker,
I no longer feel that it is proper that we address each other with such familiarity.
With regard to my ruination. You are not at fault. You were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The blame for this current circumstance can be laid directly at the feet of Mrs. Davies.
Assuming I do wish to marry some other gentleman in the future, he will have to accept the rumors surrounding me as well as the truth of the matter. Any gentleman who cannot do so is not worthy of my affection.
Lady Sabrina Chester
P.S. The chocolates were delicious. Thank you.
P.P.S. Gifts are not necessary.
* * *
Marius missed her terribly but wouldn’t have missed this correspondence. She was a delight. Of course, he
couldn’t help read between the lines when she stated, “Assuming I wish to marry some other gentleman”. He continued to hope and thought carefully about how he would word his next argument.
My Dearest Sabrina.
I humbly acknowledge that no true gentleman is worthy of your affection. I include myself as well. Still, there is one last issue we cannot ignore. I understand that it is indelicate of me to address such an issue with a lady such as yourself, but how can you ignore the desire and passion we feel for each other?
Given your innocence I can understand why you don’t see the importance of this. I wish I could say I was as innocent as you, but alas I am not and I find myself regretting my past indiscretions. I didn’t know I would find you. Trust me when I tell you, as I already have, that we share something special and rare.
Yours,
Marius
The thought of Marius with other women had Sabrina cleaning and reorganizing the pantry while she ate her newest box of chocolates. Of course she assumed he was not a virgin but to openly acknowledge the fact enraged her. They were undoubtedly women of ill repute. Or just as bad, perhaps actresses. Everyone knew actresses had lovers, wealthy lovers, and not husbands. Marius did appear to be wealthy. Then again, widows were not above taking lovers either. Just how many of his past mistresses had she met?
By the time Sabrina had finished the pantry she had convinced herself Marius had been intimate with almost every woman in town between the ages of twenty and forty, which was why he was able to melt her with his kisses. How could he not with such vast experience? These thoughts alone helped her form her next letter, two days later when she was sufficiently calm again.
Mr. Parker:
I will not deny I feel a certain physical attraction to you. However, that is not the issue. You alone acknowledge that you have had other lovers and I was not surprised by this information. The simple fact that you are no longer with these women (of course this is only an assumption) is evidence that passion and attraction do not last. If they did, you would not be writing to me now.
Even you must acknowledge that what we share is fleeting. It certainly wasn’t present when we first met and I doubt it will be present a year from now. I’m sure you have to agree with my reasoning. The facts of your life support it completely.
Lady Sabrina Chester
* * *
Marius couldn’t have been more encouraged than he was by this last letter. Sabrina was jealous of his past lovers. Obviously she cared very much. She was also completely wrong.
Dearest:
Simply put, you are wrong. The desire I feel for you was acknowledged the moment I saw you in the cottage preparing the fire. It has grown daily since. What I feel for you is hardly fleeting and I honestly expect to feel the same until my dying breath.
You must be honest with yourself as well, my dear. You felt the attraction, if not desire, upon our meeting. It just didn’t become evident until the inn. Even in our sleep we knew where we belonged. First I came to you. Curling around you, my hand cupping your breast until my strong physical desire woke me from the sweet dream. I was not alone, for your own body sought me out as you slumbered. You found comfort with your head upon my shoulder and your thigh across my, um, middle. Truthfully, I slept very little that night or any night since when I began to remember how your body felt against mine.
This reminder was not meant to embarrass you and I have been careful not to mention it until now because I knew the topic was uncomfortable for you. Still, Sabrina, you cannot deny that the desire and passion we feel for each other has existed from our first meeting.
Faithfully yours,
Marius
* * *
It was while she was taking tea and visiting with Juliet and Phoebe that the letter arrived. At their insistence she read the contents, wishing she would have waited. Blushing profusely she quickly folded the parchment and slid it into her pocket without revealing a word of what he wrote.
Sabrina couldn’t get away from the ladies quick enough. She was mortified that he was aware of how they slept. Further, she was angry that he would even mention it. There was no use in denying she didn’t know what he was talking about, but how to respond.
It took the cleaning of the future school room and vacant bedrooms before she decided on an appropriate response.
Mr. Parker:
I believe we have exhausted your arguments. In fact, you have addressed issues better left unsaid. There is absolutely nothing else you can say or any argument you can broach that will change my mind.
I wish you well.
Lady Sabrina Chester
There. It was finally finished. Now perhaps he would give her peace. Besides, she was running out of rooms to clean.
* * *
Smiling at her response, Marius wrote his last letter only three days before her birthday.
Nothing Cinderella?
Chapter 20
It had been three days since his last note. Sabrina was still bewildered and depressed. She did not think his last note would be the last, yet he hadn’t sent another. On the other hand, she hadn’t responded. How did one respond to something like that? She did have the answer, but she refused to tell him.
She retreated to the attic. It was the only place not yet cleaned and the only place she could be alone with her thoughts. There she let her tears flow. She didn’t let anyone else see her pain, or she hadn’t thought she had. There was an obvious response to his question but if he felt anything he wouldn’t have had to ask. The fact that he had to even ask clearly spoke that his emotions weren’t involved. It tore at her loving him when he obviously didn’t feel the same.
A servant summoned Sabrina from the attic saying a package had arrived. The footman refused to bring it to her and stated it was waiting in the parlor.
“I can’t go downstairs like this.” She held out her hands so he could see the filth of her work gown. Dirt and dust smudged her skirt and bodice, not to mention her hair must look a fright.
“I promise no one is in the room.” He bowed and retreated before she could argue further.
Sabrina stood in the middle of the attic wringing her hands together. Should she remain here or go find out what was delivered to her? What if it was another note from Marius?
She began to pace. Maybe he finally figured out the answer. Sabrina quickly quashed any hope that began to bloom. If he did, he would be here in person and not send a package.
Her pacing resumed, if it were from Marius why such the hurry to go to the parlor to retrieve it? It took only moments before curiosity got the better of her and she wiped her eyes and left the attic to make her way to the parlor.
It could be the book she had ordered, but she was supposed to have picked that up. She was glad she was covered with dust and cobwebs. If anyone saw her, she hoped they would assume her red eyes were from the irritation and not her tears. If not, she would simply remind them it was her birthday and she always cried on her birthday. Nobody would know the truth. Perhaps somebody knew what today was and had sent her a gift, though she thought it unlikely.
The box sat upon the table in the parlor, tied with a pink satin ribbon. A card was tied to the top and Sabrina sat down in the chair and lifted the box. The note read:
To My Own Cinderella
Sabrina’s hands began to shake. No. She wouldn’t succumb to those emotions again. He hadn’t even signed the card and she could be foolishly reading too much into the situation.
Untying the ribbon, she lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in a pillow sat a glass slipper. Taking a steady breath, Sabrina removed the second note from the box. As she unfolded the pink parchment, she willed her heart to stop pounding and reminded herself to breathe.
Dearest Sabrina,
By chance, do you recall the moral of Cinderella from Stories or Tales from Times Past, with Morales, Tales of Mother Goose by Charles Perrault?
“Beauty in a woman is a very rare treasure:
Of it we can never tire
.
But what’s more, a priceless pleasure,
Is charm, which we must all admire.
That wise instructress, the godmother,
While dressing her fit for a queen
Was giving her power to charm another;
That is what this story means.
Ladies, better than teased-up hair is
To win a heart and conquer a ball.
Charm is the true gift of the fairers;
Without it you’ve nothing; with it all.
You’ve charmed me like no other and have stolen my heart completely. Be my Cinderella, be my wife and I’ll try to be your prince for the rest of my life.”
I love you.
His Contrary Bride (A Gentleman's Guide to One Upon a Time - Book 2) Page 17
