WoA2.23Smashwords (10 page)

“You are already walking on egg shells, so you might not want to give me a reason to--”

“I promise!” With that we survived the rest of dinner.

I retreated with the rest of the ladies to the drawing room while the men took their brandy in the dining hall. I hoped I would have a chance to talk to Li about her relationship with Leo.

The conversation with my Aunt and Celia dragged on for what felt like an eternity. There was talk of gloves and dinner parties and gossip about people I’d never heard of before. I also thanked my Aunt Emmaline for bringing Fleur to London to be my personal maid.

“You always seemed to have a soft spot for that girl.” Then she finally excused herself to bed. I did the same and hoped that Li would, as well, but she stayed with Celia for a while longer, talking of hats and gloves.

When I got to my room, I washed and changed and after I waited to hear Li knock on my door for some time, I quietly stepped out into the hall and knocked on her door. There was no answer. I let myself in and saw an opened note on her dresser. I picked it up and read:

“
Dearest Li,

I will be early for dinner, meet me in the drawing room so we can be alone?
”

It was signed simply, ‘
LH.
' I still had the note in my hand when I heard her voice behind me. She was not angry, she spoke softly.

“Tam, I wanted you to know, but I wasn’t sure how to tell you...” she said.

“Are you in love with him?” I asked.

She was quiet for a moment, and she walked over to me and we sat together on the bed.

“Are you?” I asked again.

She sighed and said, “Leo has asked for my hand. If my father gives his consent, we will be married.” We were both quiet for a long time. All this time, Leo held onto my handkerchief, but it was Li that he loved, not me.

“I’m so happy for you,” I finally said, and she immediately threw her arms around me, and when I saw her face she was tearing up and I knew that I was right to let it go. I was not really sure of my feelings for Leo.

“Tam, it is the only thing I have ever kept from you, and only because I thought it would upset you.” she said. I realized then that we hadn’t really talked openly since before Paris because we were so caught up in all the excitement. She filled me in on her relationship with Leo and told me that they wrote to one another nearly the entire time we were at school. When she finished the lengthy story, she asked about Eckhardt, and I told her that my Aunt was certain he would ask for my hand. Then I told her about my misgivings and about Julian.

“Well, I will still be with you here until the wedding, at least, and Leo and I agree that we want to take our time, as long as Father agrees.” she said.

“Li, there is no reason why he won’t agree. Leo is a fine man and he is practically family, anyway,” I said and patted her shoulder. I realized then how happy I was for her. She would be avoiding the season almost all together. I wished for my own escape, but at the same time, I was not keen on the idea of wedding Eckhardt. I was equally averse to Julian.

“What will you do if Eckhardt asks for your hand?” she said.

“I’m not sure.” I really did not know what I would say, though my Aunt seemed to think that it would not be long before the proposal arrived.

Chapter 9

That night my dreams were all flashes from that day I lost control of Perseus. I saw myself on the horse that Leo carried me to Creeda on. In the dream, I was in panic because there was a strange feeling that he was leading me the wrong way. I was screaming his name, but he would not turn. There was a flash and I was lying in the bed at Aven Cottage, with my wound undressed, the blood soaked my gown and the sheets. I heard the old woman’s whispering voice in my head.

“
Zwei Seelen, ein Körper.”

Another flash and the old woman’s contorted hand was right before me. She let go of the candle, enveloping me in the bright flames.

I gasped and shot up in my bed. My body shook and my night dress clung to me with sweat. Getting up, I went to open the window. A cool breeze blew the hair off my shoulders, and I began to calm myself down. It was the pressure that surrounded me. There was simply too much happening far too fast. It felt as though I was on Perseus, galloping toward a cliff with no way to stop him to gain a clear head.

The following afternoon I complained that I was not feeling well at breakfast and went back to bed. Celia and my Aunt took Li to see something of London, and I would have liked to have joined them, but being awake most of the night left me far too tired to go out. When I awoke, I went down to the library and began reading. Torrence, the butler came in not a moment later to say that a gentleman was waiting to be seen and I thought,
How does Julian always seem to catch me when I’m by myself?
I walked the length of the hallway toward the drawing room, it was empty when I got there, so I stood by the window and waited.

When Torrence came back he announced the guest.

“Mr. Eckhardt...”

I froze, knowing what he had come to ask me.

I did not know how to react, and Torrence came to my rescue by asking if he should ring for tea.

“Yes, thank you, Torrence.” After ringing the bell, he left us alone.

“Eckhardt,” I said, and he came to me and took my hand, slowly bending to kiss it and lingering a little too long when he did. He stood several inches taller than me and had an austere look about him.

“Tamsin,” he said and I was surprised that he used my Christian name and it made me all the more nervous. He did not look much different from when he came across Li and I in the forest that day.

“What brings you to London?” I asked cordially as I sat and gestured for him to do the same.

“I have come to see you, of course!” he said, genuinely surprised that I was not expecting him. There was a long and awkward pause while I waited for an explanation.

“You are about to have your season?” He asked, but I knew he was aware that was so.

“Yes, of course, along with Li, whom you met in the forest in Germany,” I responded questioningly. He nodded to the mention of Li.

“Ah yes, how is your friend?” he asked, but I did not feel that he was truly interested in the answer.

“She is well. I believe her season will be short as she already has a suitor,” I said. He nodded again, and then he moved closer to me. His hand took mine and before I realized what he was doing, an arm went around my shoulders and he kissed me hard on the lips. I wriggled free, standing up I shouted at him.

“How dare you be so familiar with me!” I was turning red, my hands began to sweat. He stood and reached for my hand, I snatched it away.

“Tamsin, we have written to one another for years, will you be so formal with me? I thought you knew what my intentions were...” He appeared to be truly shocked that I was so surprised by his actions. Apparently I had been naive in the understanding of our relationship. I looked to the door, wondering where the maid was with the tea, and longing for another person’s presence in the room. I finally understood why Aunt Emmaline never left me alone in the company of men. My silence seemed to spur him to continue.

“Please sit, I apologize for my forwardness. You must understand that I have cared for you since that moment I saw you in that darkened hall, standing by the piano.” I softened a little, though I was still skeptical, and I sat down in the chair leaving him to sit alone.

“I have come to ask for your hand, Tamsin. I realize that this is all very soon, you have not yet had your season. I have loved you since first I saw you. It would be a good match. You must feel something for me, you kept in contact with me for so long.” I was silent. He seemed to become upset at the quiet, and I knew that he came here expecting me to simply agree.

“Tamsin, you understand that this is the entire reason I am here? This has been my intention, as well as your family’s for some time. I have been given consent by your Uncle to ask for your hand.”

“It is so soon...” I began, this seemed to make him angry, and I was taken aback when he stood and walked over to where I sat. He grabbed my hands and pulled me up, wrapping his arms tightly around me.

“What do you think you are--” I began, but I was cut off by another kiss, hard on my lips, and in that moment I became very frightened by where this was going. I was longing for that absent tea that would be accompanied by a chaperone.

“Are you familiar with our relationship, several generations back, of course?” He asked and my eyes must have given the answer that I did not know what he was talking about.

“I do not understand, please let go of me...” I asked, trying to stay calm.

“I am surprised that secret was so well kept. It is probably best that you are told.” He was smiling oddly, his expression chilled me.

“Your Grandmother was my Grandfather’s sister. You have probably wondered where your mother came from all of this time. It was a tragic circumstance that I have always thought was handled badly,” he said and continued, still holding me so tight that I could barely move.

“This is the reason I have come to you. People often used to marry within their family to keep their blood line pure...” I was truly disgusted because I was finally aware of his reasoning for trying to get close to me.

“I understand what you mean, and I am not interested. I am rather appalled by your request now that I know who you are.” I turned my nose up, finally pulling myself free from his grip. I rushed to the bell and pulled the rope hoping it would speed up the presence of the maid.

“My dear,” he said, and he reminded me of the serpent that hung above Loki’s head in the painting at
Anbetung
. “You would do well to remember that your mother was well taken care of by her family. You allowed me to write to you, how can you say to me now that you have no interest in becoming my wife?”

“My mother was only given a dowry because your family wanted her to keep her Mother’s secret,” I said with a raised voice. He walked toward me, and I turned to go to the door, but he grabbed me again and held me tightly against him. It amused him that I continued to fight him, but he seemed to be more impatient now.

“We paid our debt to her by bestowing a dowry on the Rhineholt man she chose to marry, but the way she went about it... that was blackmail.” He pulled me along to where we sat before. His hands were on my shoulders and he pushed me down, forcing me to sit. His grasp was hard and when I winced in pain, it did not seem to faze him. He sat next to me, far closer than I would’ve liked, and held my hand so tightly that he could have broken it if he wanted. His voice was harsh when he spoke.

“My family has lost nearly everything, and we will go to great lengths to have that fortune restored. That dowry would be a welcome help, now. If you married me, I might be able to save what is left of our home. You do owe it to us, after all, for your family’s sake...” He finally let go of my hand.

I stood up and Franny finally came in with the tea at that moment. I gave her a look that she did not seem to understand.

“Franny, this gentleman was just leaving, would you have Torrence see him out?” I said and I think she noticed the quiver in my voice and she answered right away.

“I shall ring for him, Miss” she said, but stayed in the room with Eckhardt and me. He stood and dropped a card on the table.

“You can reach my man at that address when you come to your senses.” His face was like stone when he looked at me as he passed.

When he was gone, I fell back into my seat and breathed hard. I rubbed my hand which was now bruising, and Franny came to me.

“Miss, shall I fetch the Doctor?” I shook my head. “I should not have listened to him. He asked to be alone with you and said that he was proposing. I only agreed because it sounded so romantic... I’m so sorry, Miss...”

Aunt Emmaline, Celia, and Li returned only a few minutes after Eckhardt departed, and I was surprised to see Julian and Leo with them.

“Tamsin, dear! I hope you’re feeling better, look who’s come for tea--” I heard Celia’s voice stop sharp and she and my Aunt rushed to where I sat.

“Whatever has happened? You are positively green!” Celia said. My Aunt took my hand, and saw that it was red and turning purple in places.

“Franny, what has happened?” Celia said. Franny looked scattered and ashamed that she left me alone.

“I think she’s had a shock, Ma’am--” Franny said but was interrupted.

“Did you send Torrence to fetch the Doctor?” I heard my Aunt say, but I finally found my voice.

“Please, I don’t need to see a Doctor, I am only bruised, but all this commotion is too much. I need some air.” Julian opened the windows right away.

“Please tell us, what
is
going on, dear?” Aunt Emmaline was very concerned, and when she put an arm around my shoulders I winced in pain, feeling how badly Eckhardt hurt me. My shoulders, ribs and hands were all badly bruised, and I shivered thinking what it would be like to be married to a man like that.

I told her who just left and what he demanded of me. When I said that he was very forceful with me and that he nearly broke my hand holding on to it so tight, Julian’s face hardened. He exchanged a look with Leo. I explained that the Eckhardts were desperate for money and that he threatened me and our family because of my mother’s so called ‘
blackmail
'. There was obvious shock when I explained his relationship to my Grandmother. Aunt Emmaline said that she would not give consent to a man who would treat me as such, and that Uncle Charles was not aware of the Eckhardt’s declining status or their blood relationship to me.

“He said he would go to
great lengths to see that fortune restored...
” I wasn’t sure what he was planning to do, but I was certain it was something detestable. I rubbed my ribs, which felt very sore. I saw Julian say something to Leo, but I couldn’t tell what. Leo nodded and Julian came over to me and looked down at my throbbing hands.