ROMANCE: CLEAN ROMANCE: Summer Splash! (Sweet Inspirational Contemporary Romance) (New Adult Clean Fantasy Short Stories) (118 page)

“Now please. I don’t want you to use this walk to castigate me for an hour straight.”

“I know I said I wasn’t earlier… but I’m truly miserable.”

“You have no real reason to be.” Charles threw his half eaten apple onto the ground. “If you want to see true misery then go to the village… you’ll see what it is like to have nothing. ”

“There are many reasons one would feel as though they have nothing.”

Charles glanced towards the Mansion as he felt himself contemplate whether he should walk back. “Maybe there is some truth. But you have a life of comfort… even if this makes you feel empty.”

“I have a question for you. And I want you to be honest with me.

“I always am.”

“I saw you talking to the young maid yesterday morning, on the terrace. You looked excited… which obviously annoyed me. But what worried me more was that for the rest of the day your mind was elsewhere. Daniela took a deep breath to quell her anger. “I fear that you think nothing but her.”

“You’re mistaken.”

“Charles, don’t take me for a fool.”

“My mind was not caught up with thoughts of a good looking young blond.”

Daniela began walking away from Charles who began to follow. “Enough you dirty old man.”

“It’s more to do with the fact she has given me a few good ideas.”

“A maid… ideas. What has she inspired you to invent an automatic dishwasher or something?”

“Don’t be silly. Of course not. She would be putting women out of work”

“Charles.” Daniela stopped once more. She turned to scowl. “I never washed a dish myself… and don’t intend to either.”

“No. I’m obviously talking about the likes of Annabelle.”

“Oh, I see the wench has a name now.”

“Yes, as we all do.” Charles grabbed Daniela’s hand. “Annabelle likes to read, which made me think about the village. Apart from employing the villagers on our land and in the collieries, I think we should start educating them too.”

“You don’t want them to start thinking for themselves. That could be rebellious..”

“Hardly.”

“They might just start getting ideas. Like what happened in France.”

While wearing a proud smile, Charles folded his arms. “I was thinking of donating part of my collection to the village library.”

Daniela scoffed. “What library?”

“That’s just it. I will have to build one first.”

“That will cost money.”

“I have more than have enough.” Charles brushed Daniela’s fulsome cheek. “But then I thought, a library is not really sufficient. They need a proper school as well.”

“Great! Why don’t you just build them a bloody public bathhouse?”

“You know, what… you’re right. Thanks, Daniela.”

Daniela slapped her hands on Charles’s chest. “I wasn’t being serious.”

“Now, I just have to start planning the build.”

“OK, building a library is one thing. But how are you going to fund a bathhouse and school… why don’t you build a hospital while one is at it?”

Charles shrugged his shoulders.  “I’m just going to have to pull in a few favors. I think it best that we host a charity ball to share the burden. But it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“A party. Finally, now you have my interest.”

~

Annabelle felt the sweat building up on her forehead as she buffed the surface of the long mahogany dining table. To her eyes she saw the table already looked polished, but Benoit had told that it needed doing, so she continued to buff until her reflection was as clear as a brand new mirror.  But she suddenly came to a halt.

“Annabelle.”

              Annabelle turned to see Charles standing in the doorway. “Yes, my Lord.”

              “Do I look a little different from the drifter you rescued in the village.”

              Annabelle’s eyes observed Charles’s fine clothes. “You do indeed.”

              “Annabelle. I’m sure you will be pleased with this news.”

              “You have news for me?”

              “Yes. Me and the Duchess will be holding a charity ball this Friday. It will aim to gain funding for the library and school that I mentioned the other day.”

              “You’re keeping your word?”

              “Of course!” Charles sounded annoyed that she doubted his promise. “My word is cast iron. What I saw brought great shame on me.”

              “Why would it bring shame on you?”

“These people, these villages. They are the ones who bring me my wealth… yet I have abandoned them. It’s time I came good.”

              “Well…” Annabelle felt emotional and wasn’t sure what to say. “I do believe you will be rewarded for your kindness.”

              “Also, Annabelle, there was one other reason why I wanted to see you.”

“Yes?”

Charles smiled as he handed over a small hardback book. “I wanted to give you this.”

              “What is it?”

              “A book.”

              “I know it’s a book.”

              “It’s titled, Pamela. It is popular novel by Samuel Richardson.” The delight on Annabelle’s face caused Charles to melt inside. “It’s yours to keep.”

              “Really?”

“Of course it is. And it’s a privilege for me to give you your first ever book..”

“I never thought it would be possible…” Annabelle thought that she had never felt such emotion.  “…to have my very own book.”  She suddenly felt faint and rocked on her feet.

              “I chose it because the heroine reminds me a little of you…” Charles suddenly leapt to catch a fainting Annabelle.  Holding her in his arms, he gently rested her on the floor. He then called for Benoit while he rested her head on his rolled up jacket. “I wonder what the bloody hell would happen when you actually read the damn thing.”

~

The yellow and gold flames painted the small and simple room in shadows. Annabelle felt engrossed in the words of her book. So much so, that the spluttering snores of her father hadn’t affected her. But she then lifted her eyes from the page of her book as her father suddenly stirred from his sleep. “You finally woke?”

“Oh, I didn’t hear you get back?”

“I have been back an hour.”

Jacques turned his head to face his daughter who was sitting on her bed reading from her book. “Then I must get up and heat up your stew.”

“I spotted it upon my return and ate… It’s good that you found such deep sleep. It must mean that the pain in your leg is fading.”

Jacques carefully touched his leg. “Aye, I suppose it felt a little better today.” He then gingerly stood from the fireside chair. “Still, I don’t think it’ll ever be what it once was… unfortunately.”

“Do you need help getting up, Papa?”

“No. I just need to wet my lips.”

“You sure?” Annabelle felt a little skeptical.  “I can get it for you.”

“Yes. I have to use my legs or I’ll lose them.  “

“You’ve always been too brave for your own good”

“Funny. That’s exactly what your mother used to tell me.” Using his walking stick, Jacques, slowly walked across the room until he reached a large bucket that sat on a worktop. “So, I see you suddenly have a book that isn’t the bible. “Picking up a wooden drinking vessel, he dunked into the bucket of water. “I wish I learned to read.”

“It’s not too late.”

“It is, I can barely see the end of my nose... all those years in the darkness of the mine.”

“Maybe I could read it to you.” Annabelle held the book against her chest. “If you want.”

“That’s a good idea, Annabelle.” Jacques greedily drank from the wooden cup.  “I must admit I’m tempted to feel disgruntled that you would fork out for a fancy book when not too long ago we struggled to eat.”

“Papa.”

“But must hold my tongue… as I know you have been through the mill and deserve something special.”

“But Papa.” Annabelle jumped from the bed. “It didn’t cost a penny.”

“You didn’t steal?”

“The Duke gave me the book.”

Jacques placed his cup on the worktop and hung his head. “What does he want from you in return?”

“He asked for nothing.”

“Don’t give me that.”

“But he is a good man.” Annabelle felt shocked at her father’s reaction. “I don’t know what you mean, Papa.”

              “He is a libertine. Be weary.”

              “He is not, though is he? He is an industrialist. A good man who tells me of his plans for this village.”

              “His foremen at the colliery are always full of promises . But when my leg was crushed they did  bugger all.”

              “Maybe I can mention you to him… I seem to have his ear.”

              “All you have is his eye.” Jacques pointed his boney finger towards a distressed Annabelle.  “No. You will not say a word. You hear?” He then barked. “Not a word.”

              “He sounds so genuine that I believe him.”

              “That’s just it. He is like his father. He is successful in business as he is with his women.” Jacques’s hand trembled on top of his walking stick as he returned to his chair. “That is for sure.”

              “But all men do? Do they not?”

              “That much is true. But I fear for you, Annabelle. You are angel walking this grim earth. You need to live a life of virtue. Do not let this seedy libertine corrupt you.”

              Annabelle bookmarked her page with a short piece of card. “Papa, I will be careful. I promise.”

              “I have lost a wife. I do not wish to lose my beloved daughter.”

              “But his words are always so kind and helpful.”

              “Then the man is a wolf who is leading a lamb from its flock.”

~

              Inside the grand master bedroom Daniela and Charles busied themselves getting ready for the Charity ball. Staring at her appearance in the mirror, Daniela was finally satisfied with her ball gown. She noticed Charles struggling with his cuff links. “Why don’t you ask Annabelle to fix them for you?”

              “Annabelle?”

              “Please. Don’t act as if you have forgotten her name.”

              “No. I haven’t.” Charles nonchalantly shrugged. “I just want to know why she angers you?”

              “Benoit told me she fainted in your arms today.”

              “Yes. Would you believe that… over a silly book.”

              Daniela barked. “No. Charles. I don’t.”

              “Well it happened.”

              “You were fondling her weren’t you? With your wicked hands.“

              Charles stepped up to Daniela. “I wasn’t doing such a thing.”

              “You’re just like your father.”

              “I have always despised the man.” Charles placed a hand on each of his wife’s slender shoulders. “Now, let’s put this to bed. We have a show to put on and I wish it to be a success. Now put on your best smile. “He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against his wife’s. “I wish to forget this whole unsavory episode. I suggest you do the same. ”             

~

              As Daniela expected she found herself alone and forgotten about. She wondered alone the ballroom among a sea of unfamiliar faces.  She did not know where Charles was or who he was with. But she no longer cared.

Thinking about retiring for bed, Daniela finally spotted a familiar face. A face she had not seen since her schooling. “Giles… Captain Giles Bradshaw. What are you doing here?”

              “Commodore Bradshaw… if you wish to call me by my full title.”

              “Whatever you want to call yourself. So good to see you. I never thought...”

              “I always told you we would meet again. Can we talk?”

              “Yes, of course.” Daniela’s eyes greedily consumed Giles and his navy uniform. She then walked at his side as they walked towards the patio. “I must say, Giles. You look incredibly dashing. Quite the man you always told me you would become. Bravo.”

              “I will get to straight to the point of why I am here. I don’t give two jots about the charity… I heard through Maria Goldstein that you were not happy.”

              “I am not. But…”

              “I must say… It gave me hope.”

              “Giles ”Daniela felt shocked by Giles’s frank admission.  “You know full well that I waited, and waited.” She felt a rising anger that surprised her. “But you chose the navy over me.”

              “Then worry no more.  I have now come to take you away.”

              “Giles. You’re bloody crazy. It seems that age has not tamed your sense of reckless adventure.”

              Giles twisted the tip of his carefully kept moustache. “Such beauty as yours stirs passions in the most placid of men.”