Hi! :D So this is the second chapter ~ It's Edmund's POV and I can say that this is NOT the best chapter I've ever written since I don't usually do well in writing a boy's POV. It's shorter than the first chapter, just saying. ~

And also thanks for the really nice reviews :D It made my day very much. :D

Now, on to the story ~

Chapter Two: Caspian and his Mistress – Edmund

Ah, silence at last. No women talking non-stop about gossip and all that. Grandmother and Aunt Amelia were too busy arguing in the breakfast table, so I was able to slip away quietly to the balcony.

"Eddie, when will Uncle Caspian arrive?"

A voice jolted me away from my thoughts. I whirled around and saw my four year old cousin, Emma. She was holding her doll. Just a random thought: With her white nightgown and long black hair almost covering her face, Emma looked a bit too much like the ghosts in the stories Uncle Caspian told me.

Right. Moving on.

"I don't know, Em. Maybe later, he and Grandmother got into a nasty fight last time, maybe he won't be able to visit. Went off to cool his head" I said.

"But he promised me he'd take me apple-picking by the Scrubbs' orchards!" Emma sniffed and pouted. She then perked up abruptly, "Can you take me apple-picking, Eddie?"

The first thought was, hell no. But I couldn't resist Emma's puppy dog eyes so I finally relented, "Fine –"

The sounds of hooves clattering on the ground and the whinnying of a horse made me turn around and look out the window. Thank Aslan! It was Uncle Caspian!

He looked up and saw us, "Hey Ed! Emma!"

"Uncle Caspian!" Emma squealed. Too loudly. I think my ear drums are broken now. She quickly left the balcony, obviously to meet Uncle in the parlor. I followed her, in a more slower pace.

When I reached the parlor, Uncle Caspian was greeting Grandmother with a more dignified air. He spotted me and grinned, "Ed! Good to see you"

I grinned back, "You too, Uncle"

Uncle Caspian and I don't really have an uncle/nephew relationship, even if he is my father's younger brother. We treat each other more like siblings, and Grandmother disapproves of it a lot, but she's just being Grandmother. As usual.

Ten minutes later after a hasty snack, Uncle Caspian and I were on our horses, trotting to the field where we usually fled away whenever the house gets too noisy.

Uncle Caspian's like the dad/brother I've never had, since I'm an orphan. To make the long story short, my parents died when I was younger, that's why I live with my grandmother and aunt and cousins.

Uncle Caspian lives in his own manor, a few miles away from our's. He spends a lot of time there too, not alone, but with women.

We reached the field quickly, and after dismounting, we sat down next to a large tree, our horses, Philip and Destrier left to run around and graze.

"Grandmother's been worrying about you marrying again" I reported to Uncle as I unwrapped my handkerchief where I placed a few pieces of Turkish Delight. One of the few rare instances when I was able to sneak some under Grandmother's nose.

Uncle Caspian tossed back his head and laughed. "Mother needs to stop worrying about it. She only needs to worry about you and getting more heirs"

I rolled my eyes, "Fat chance I'll find a pretty girl in these parts"

"You seemed to like Anne Featherstone back then"

"Oh shut up, Uncle"

"You're blushing, Ed"

"Am not" I grunted. There was no way in hell am I going to admit that I had a teeny tiny crush on Anne Featherstone when I was nine years old.

I changed the subject, "Who was that woman you were with last week?"

Uncle Caspian looked at me, "Which one?"

I squinted as I tried to remember, "Um, the one with the hair that almost reaches her feet, light complexion, pretty"

Uncle smiled mysteriously, "That's for me to know and for you to find out, my dear nephew"

"Is she the one Grandmother and Aunt Amelia were gossiping about? Your mistress? What's her name?"

Don't blame me for snooping.

Uncle was quiet for a few seconds.

"Hello? Is anyone in there?" I asked.

Uncle Caspian grinned, "I'm not telling you anything"

"Barter?"

"What?"

"I'll groom Destrier for you, and not appear in your house for a few months, so you can have quality time –" I empasized the phrase, "quality time", – with your ladies"

He looked thoughtful for a few minutes, "Limited details only"

"Very well"

"Her name, it's Susan" he smiled, staring into the horizon dreamily. Gross. Does that really happen when you're in love?

I scrunched my eyebrows, searching my brain for any people with the name Susan that I know. Well, unless it's the old crazy bat down the street who throws half-cooked meat at people, I don't seem to know this Susan of his.

"Susan what?"

Uncle Caspian smirked, "Limited details, didn't I say so, Eddie?"

I scowled. It's fine to call me Ed, but Eddie? Too childish for me. "Don't call me that" I grumbled.

Suddenly, we heard the galloping of a horse coming near us, I turned around and saw a white horse with a boy riding on it. Uncle Caspian stood up and went forward, he seemed to know the boy.

When the boy reached us, he quickly dismounted and went directly to Uncle. They had a hushed conversation, my uncle looking distressed as every second went by. Soon, the boy left, riding away.

Uncle Caspian turned to me, his face was a mask, "I must go, can you take Emma apple-picking? I'm afraid I can't go"

I stared at him confused, "Why? What's wrong?"

"None of your business, Ed" Uncle Caspian's voice seemed to be a bit on the hysterical side. Translation: Not a good sign.

He mounted Destrier, "I'll be back soon" he then galloped off.

Strange. What could be wrong? I sighed. I didn't want to go apple-picking, but Emma would tell Grandmother, who'd force me to go. Obviously, I don't have a choice in that matter.

If I only knew what happened – and how it would change my life.

Okay. I think this is a horrible chapter ._. I don't think I caught Edmund's personality quite well. Opinions? Constructive critiscm is welcome JReview! And you'll get cookies :D