by Aria Norton
“When you are eighteen, I shall be twenty-three, which is much too old for you to marry. By then, you will have met a beautiful girl who will steal your heart and make you forget all about me.”
The boy looked down, kicking the dirt. “Will you wait for me?”
What should she say to him now? She didn’t want to hurt him, but she needed to deter him from imagining himself in love with her. What did children at his age even know about love? She was seventeen, but she didn’t know anything beyond what she had experienced with the servants. But that was the caring love of a family, not the romantic love of a suitor. I have no idea what to say to avoid breaking his little heart. If I tell Netty, she might just box his ears for assuming himself in love with me. The cook was not one to accept any sort of unruly behaviour or imaginings and was especially hard on her son.
“Why don’t we focus on the game? I need to win, but you appear to be distracting me. Is that your way of making me lose?”
The boy’s face brightened. “You will not win either way. You have never hit all the stones from this distance.”
Aurora tossed her stone up and down in her palm, narrowing her eyes on the pile.
“There is a first time for everything, my dear Tommy.”
That included her father finally giving up on his need to see her married. Two weeks had passed since his return from London without a word about suitable bachelors. Nevertheless, she had remained vigilant, waiting for another suitor to appear when she least expected it. However, day after day had passed without sign of anyone coming to try and claim her as a wife. Truth be told, she was exhausted from all the pranks and tricks she had played since her father put her on the marriage market. Aurora felt that she was too old to put in the effort she used to when younger.
“Who knew that I would still need to pull tricks at this age?”
“Are you going to pull another trick?” Tommy asked excitedly.
“Heavens, no! I think that I shall retire from all that. Nanny would be glad.”
“Ah, no. Do you wish to become as boring as the adults?”
She laughed. “Boring? I think not! Would an adult be out here playing stones with you, getting her dress dirty and her face smudged with mud and who knows what else?”
“I suppose not, but I do enjoy your pranks.”
She did too, but that time was passing. “I shall pass all my knowledge to you; then you shall become the new Trick Master. I have to hang up my cape.”
“Me? The Trick Master?” the boy breathed.
On the Stafford Estate, it was well-known knowledge that you could not be a part of the family unless she had pranked you. Of course, the suitors had been an entirely different story. For years, Aurora had worn her Trick Master title with pride, but lately, the thrill had lost its effect. Nanny would tell me that I am growing up.
“Yes, you. Only do not tell your mother what I said, or she might box my ears.”
“Mama would never box your ears. She loves you more than she loves me.”
“Hmmm,” she said, tapping her chin. “If that is the case, then that must make me your sister. That means you cannot marry me!”
The boy looked crushed. Oh goodness! I didn’t mean to make him so sad. Oh, how is one to deal with this? Fortunately, some commotion was caused when one of the children shouted that a carriage was coming this way.
“I hope ’tis not one of my brothers. I have had enough of their lectures on marriage and propriety.”
After Hannah and Charles left, the rest of her brothers had arrived at the house almost daily to speak to her. Even their wives had attempted to change her thinking, but Aurora was determined to hold onto her opinions and beliefs. She wasn’t a child who failed to understand what they were saying, but she wasn’t a doormat either. I have a mind of my own, but they do not wish to recognise that. It seemed that one was only mature if you followed the rules of society.
“I do not like your brothers because they make you sad. If I were big, I would challenge them to a duel.”
A pistol fight? Dear me, he certainly has ideas in his head. “There is no need for that, Tommy. I can deal with them well enough on my own.”
What if it wasn’t one or more of her brothers but another suitor? The carriage doesn’t look like something my brothers would have. If it is a stranger, then I will look a sight to them. Perhaps I should quickly run into the house and make myself more presentable? But why on earth would she do something like that? Why should I make myself presentable for a stranger, no matter who he or she is? This was who she was, or at least, a part of her.
It would be better for the person to see her like this, especially if he were a potential suitor. I might drive him away with just my appearance. She had done that when the vicar had come to call on her, but she had worn men’s clothing then. Today, she was wearing an old dress that been stitched and restitched several times. Of course, she had dozens of other dresses, but this was her favourite when playing with the servants’ children.
The fancy carriage came to a stop right in front of them, kicking up so much dirt that they all stood about coughing, their arms flailing about trying to push the dust away from them.
“What foolish creature has the audacity to come into my home and kick dirt in our faces?” she fumed.
“Give him a piece of your mind, Aurora!” the children encouraged.
“Oh, I plan to!”
Planting her hands on her hips, she stood to the side, waiting for the person to step down. How dare he? Was there no other place to stop? And look! He has dropped all of my carefully stacked stones. Aurora was ready to scold the culprit, balling her fists by her side. However, as soon as the dust had cleared and the man stepped down, she felt her jaw hit the floor. Walking out of the carriage was quite possibly the most exotic-looking man she had ever seen. Who on earth was he? Dark-haired and dark-eyed with an olive complexion, he looked more like the pirates and heroes she regularly read about in her adventure books than the usual drab Englishman.
Aurora half expected him to have an earring in his ear, and perhaps a walking stick with a falcon on the end, but of course, he didn’t. The man was well-dressed in the latest fashion without appearing too much like a dandy. He looked at her as his feet touched the ground, giving her a once over. She couldn’t fathom why, but his gaze made her colour. Aurora looked down, cursing her unexpected reaction. No man had ever made her blush before, and she resented this man for causing it.
“I want to speak to Lord Leeds.”
Noticing his accent first, she was surprised to find that he didn’t have one. I was almost confident he would. Soon after, she realised he hadn’t spoken to her politely.
“And who are you?” she asked, using the same manner of speaking.
He raised one thick eyebrow. “Is this any way to speak to visitors? You may tell him that Carlos Fernandez is here to see him.”
Aurora was about to tell him that he should learn to speak politely to a lady when something occurred to her. I probably look a fright with my hair messed, face dirty, and dress muddied. He cannot see that I am Father’s daughter. Ha! He probably thought her a servant. Oddly, that didn’t sit too well with her. Why? She didn’t mind being called a servant. She gave the man her own once over, visibly amusing him.
“The baron?” he repeated. “I wish to see him.”
“In a moment,” she said carelessly.
What on earth could her father have to do with a man like this? None of his business associates look as interesting as this man.
“While I do not mind people staring at me, I simply do not have the time today to indulge your curiosity. Will you, or will you not announce me?”
He speaks well, but he is a tad rough around the edges. He didn’t mention a title, either. That meant she trumped him. I wonder how he will react when he realises that I am Father’s daughter? That would be interesting to see.
“I shall take you to Lord Leeds myself, Mr Fernandez. Your name, it is Spanish, is
it not?”
He appeared surprised. Whether by her announcement to take him to her father or her question, she didn’t know.
“Yes, it is.”
She nodded. “This way ... sir.”
Aurora took the lead, tempted to look behind her and look at him once more. She had to admit that he was handsome, and while he looked handsome in his clothing, she wondered if he would look better in pirate’s attire. He clearly spends some time in the sun, or he would not have that golden touch to his skin. Before she could think her question through, she blurted it out, pausing her footsteps.
“Do you enjoy the outdoors, Mr Fernandez?”
He stopped inches in front of her. Uneasy with the closeness, she took a step back.
“I spend much of my time outdoors.”
“Indeed? What do you do?”
“I am a merchant.”
“A merchant!”
She hadn’t expected him to say that, but it intrigued her even more. Father does not deal with imports and exports; why would he have any relations with this man? It was a perplexing matter, but she would find out soon enough.
“Yes. Is there a problem with being a merchant?”
“Not at all. Truthfully, I find it exciting. You must see many lands, Mr Fernandez. I have barely been out of the countryside.”
“If you are ever given the opportunity to travel to other countries, then I encourage you to do so. Now, will you take me the rest of the way?”
This man was used to ordering people about. Fortunately for him, she wasn’t in the mood for arguing. I am keener to see his facial expression once he realises who I am than to give his ears a sound scolding for ordering me about.
“As you wish, sir. Right, this way.”
Aurora was aware that she was tracking dirt into the house and would receive a sound scolding from both Nanny and Millie. Well, it will be worth it.
Her father’s study was on the second floor, beside the library. In the past, when she avoided him, she would have to tiptoe to the library, get a book, and tiptoe back to her room. Everyone warned her to keep away from him for much of her life, and she believed it normal because that was all she had ever known. It was only in her fourteenth year she realised how terribly odd and unfair her situation was.
From then, she wasn’t bothered whether he saw her or not, which more often was a case of not. Then one day, she happened to bump into him while walking about with her nose in a book. The book had fallen, and they had both reached down to get it, but he got to it first. When he eventually looked up and truly saw her for the first time, it looked as though he had seen a ghost. He had even called her by her mother’s name.
“Is this it?” the man asked, breaking into her thoughts.
Brow creased, she looked around her. When had they reached the study without her noticing?
“Uh, yes, this is it. One moment, please.”
She knocked, waiting for father to say enter before walking in. As per usual, her father was bent over papers, using a magnifying glass to enlarge some writing. Aurora cleared her throat, waiting for her father to look up.
“Aurora?” he asked. “Is there something you need?”
“A man is here to see you, Father. A Mr Carlos Fernandez.”
Recognition of the name did not dawn immediately, but quite suddenly, he paled.
“Let him in.”
That is strange. Is Father afraid of this man? He seems harmless enough, although he could pass for a villain. She pushed the door open, gesturing for the merchant to come in. The man looked shocked, not taking his eyes off her until he bumped into a chair. She bit back a smile. I knew he would be surprised, but he seems positively shocked out of his wits! Well, serves him right for kicking up dirt in our faces and assuming me to be a servant.
“Mr Fernandez, is anything the matter?”
“No, uh, no, Miss Stafford.”
Oh, so he has taken to addressing me formally? He even sounds polite! ’Tis amazing how a simple change in class will affect a man. Turning to her father, she noticed how his eyes warily tracked the movements of the merchant. What on earth is wrong with him?
“Should I ask Millie to bring refreshments, Father?”
He shook his head. “No. I think brandy will suffice. Do you agree, Mr Fernandez?”
Something so strong early in the day? I smell something full of pungent odour. A look she couldn’t decipher passed between the two men.
“A brandy sounds perfect, My Lord,” the man agreed.
I almost do not wish to leave. This matter looks too interesting to walk away from. However, she knew that her father would never allow her to be part of their conversation. ’Tis times like these that I wish I could shapeshift.
“Do you have any glasses to use?” she asked, stalling.
“I have a cabinet full of them, Aurora. You know that. Please, leave us.”
She would pout if it didn’t make her seem too childish. “Very well.”
Aurora took her time leaving the room, hoping the men would start their conversation. Obviously, they did not, their eyes on her back as she made her way to the door. Once there, she turned around to face them.
“Are you certain that refreshments are not required?”
“Aurora,” her father sighed. “I am quite certain. Now, please go that I may see to our guest?”
“As you wish.”
But I am not going far. Smirking, she closed the door and took up station outside, her ear to the oak door. She jerked away when she heard footsteps come her way. What on earth–! Hiding behind a sizeable indoor pot plant, she watched her father peer down the corridor. He knows me too well. She would have laughed out loud if it didn’t alert her father to her hiding spot. He eventually went back inside, and she returned to her place by the door. She was determined to hear precisely what her father and this Mr Fernandez had to say.
A servant passed by, her eyes big as she looked at Aurora. Shushing her, Aurora chased her away. As she put her ear to the door once more, what she heard made her blood boil. My father has finally lost his mind.
Chapter 7
Carlos knew that his jaw was still somewhere on the floor, but he couldn’t bring himself to pick it up. This was the woman he had pledged to marry? What on earth was he supposed to make of her? The only thing I can think of is that she is a strange woman. I have never come across a woman of her bearing behaving in such a way!
At least she was beautiful. Somehow, that made it seem better. When he had first entered the estate, he noticed several children playing with stones. For some reason, Philip had stopped right in front of them, kicking up dirt. He had thought to apologise, but when he saw the woman he initially believed a child, he was momentarily dumbfounded. Even with dirt caked on her face, her beauty was evident. Her dark green eyes had shone out of her face like beacons, spitting fire at him. Carlos had quickly reminded himself that he was here to marry the baron’s daughter, not admire a servant girl.
What else could he have thought her to be when she was dressed in a soiled dress with more patches than he could count? And, for goodness, sakes! Which noblewoman plays with the servants’ children? This must be what the baron had meant by his daughter being out of control. However, if that is her only flaw, then it is no flaw at all. As far as he was concerned, that made her humble, which he preferred.