isclaimer: Don't sue me 'cuz I don't own the main characters. The only characters I own are from my creative imagination.
Chapter 4: proprieties
As the door to his study slammed open, the man sitting behind the desk frowned.
"Darien, I must speak to you."
Leaning back in his chair, Darien regarded his brother who was obviously not in a good mood. "You have a complaint to make about your weekly allowance?" He asked.
"My allowance is fine."
"Then what is it?"
"Your wife owes me an apology."
"For what?"
"For calling me an insolent bastard!"
Laughing out loud, Darien ceased immediately at the look on his brother's face. "Alright, alright, so it's not funny," he said solemnly. "Care to enlighten me on why she would call you an 'insolent bastard' out of the blue?"
"We had an argument, she overstepped. Does that satisfy you?"
"Not really."
"Just get her to apologise, Darien."
"Over the insult?"
"For the verbal slander!"
Sighing, Darien fiddled with the ink pot. "Has anyone ever told you how frivolous you are, brother mine?"
"I am not frivolous," Daniel hissed.
"Then don't take offence at whatever people say."
Scowling at his brother, Daniel gave him a mocking bow. "Sound words. I shall try my very best not to take offence," he said sarcastically. "So will you speak to her?" He demanded.
"Whenever I get the chance."
"Good." Then without another word, he left, leaving Darien to stare after his retreating form.
Setting aside the papers on the desk, Darien made a mental note to talk to his brother about his volatile moods.
Pulling out a dark blue walking dress, Serena smiled, stroking the fine material with her fingers. The dress had been a gift from her mother. After struggling into the dress, a knock sounded at the door. "In a minute!" she called as she hastily smoothed out the wrinkles. Pushing back the strands of stray hair from her face, she hurried to open it. Standing outside was the last person she wanted to see.
"Yes?" she asked, knowing exactly why he had come.
"I wish to speak to you," he said simply.
After minutes of silence, she stepped back. "Fine. Just don't waste too much of my time," she said as he entered the room.
"Oh, have no fear. This won't take five minutes," Darien drawled, as he made his way to the window. Closing the door behind him, Serena glared at his back.
"This is about your brother isn't it?" she asked. Surprised to find that she was not playing the clueless party, Darien turned to face her, nodding in affirmation.
"And you are here to?" She prompted.
"I am here to demand an apology for my brother," Darien said coldly, turning to stare out the window. "For your verbal slander."
Verbal slander? Swallowing the retort on the tip of her tongue, Serena clenched her hands. So the damn sod wanted her to apologize? Like hell she would.
"I am afraid that is not possible," she said calmly.
"I beg your pardon?" Darien demanded, turning to face her.
"You heard me."
"You refuse?"
"Quite frankly, your brother deserves a good kick up the backside. I take it he didn't tell you how he insulted one of the maids? Or how he raised a hand against me?"
"He what?"
"Has that bit of information shocked you?" Serena asked bitterly.
At a loss for words, Darien shook his head, a little overwhelmed. He should have known better. The little shit.
"What happened, exactly?"
"Why don't you go and ask him?" she snapped. Turning from him, she stalked towards the door. "Your five minutes are up. Please leave," she said irritably. "I find your presence rather vexing."
Feeling awkward, he stood rooted to the spot. With thoughts of an apology forming in his head, he tried the words on his tongue, only he didn't know how to say it. Forcing his feet to move, he made his way over to her. Opening his mouth to attempt an apology, he was outraged when she turned her head, dismissing him without even a glance.
Suddenly angry by the simple gesture, all thoughts of an apology evaporated. Clenching his teeth, he stalked out the door.
Closing the door behind him, Serena dragged in a long, deep breath as she waited for several long minutes. She needed to get out. Exiting her room and starting a brisk pace down the hallway with her eyes to the floor, she did not see the maid hurrying towards her. Colliding with a solid body, she let out a whoosh of breath as her shoulder throbbed from the impact. Rubbing the spot, she took a step back from the clumsy fool. "Watch where you're going!" she snapped. Instantly recognising the woman, her face softened.
"It's you," she said gently, watching the woman's eyes blink in reaction. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, thank you,"
Reaching out to touch the cut on her lip, Serena looked at her sympathetically. "Does it still hurt?"
"Not so much, now."
"Good. I'm glad to hear that."
As the two stood looking at one another awkwardly, Serena broke the silence and reached out to take the woman's hand. "Do you have a moment? I can do with some company and a little tour of the estate."
"Certainly, ma'am. I can't show you the entire estate but if we move quickly, I can show you where Lord Darien keeps his horses," she whispered mischeviously. "Prized they are. Lets no one touch them."
"Then by all means, lead the way..."
"Lydia."
"Lydia," Serena repeated with a smile. "I have a feeling we will get along famously."
A/N: Currently re-editing. New chappie is in the works!