Alright lovely readers, I'm really trying hard to update faster, especially because I am trying super hard to write the rest of this and my one-shot follow up to my other series before next week when I go back to school:/ KKTheFemaleBoss, thank you so so much for following and favoriting, it really means a lot!Also, a big thanks to pokeygirl2227 for the favorite! Risacf110, as I always, your support is so appreciated, I'm doing the best I can with updates, I'm excited to see what will happen with your story too :O randomdizzy, I'm glad you still liked it, you will have to see what happens with your predictions though! OceanBlueSeaEyes, thank you, I worked hard on the chapter. cruzguadalupe6, I'm doing the best I can with Jara, hopefully this will work for now! Guest, thanks for reviewing, I'm so happy you like it, and I don't ruin the story, but all of the couples you've requested won't end up together, as much as I would like for them to, I can't do it because of the way I've already chosen characters, hopefully you can forgive me. Rebecca Rene, I know Eddie is way different in this, I love normal Eddie and Peddie is my absolute favorite couple, I hope you'll understand why I made him the way he is coming up, there's an actual reason. lioningly, I hope this update was soon enough, but I'm sorry, this story will not have Peddie. For all of you Peddie shipping readers, I'm sorry, I know you kind of hate Eddie in this story and you might hate me since I'm not putting in Peddie, but I swear, I'm a loyal Peddie shipper though, if you want to check out my other stories, two of my other fics and parts of another one, plus the end of my One-Shot Day one-shot all have Peddie. And I know Eddie kind of seems like a sleaze bag, but he's also meant to be sort of the ridiculous character, like Mr. Collins in Jane Austen's story.
Anyway, sorry if I am upsetting you guys, but I hope you will still read:) Enjoy the chapter...well, maybe!
Disclaimer: I do not own House of Anubis or Pride and Prejudice, only my OCs and storylines.
"Mr. Lewis you did come after all!" Amber exclaimed, delighted when she saw him walk in the door with a large group of soldiers. Although the party at Netherfield Park had only begun a short time ago, the entire mansion felt crammed. Mr. Rutter had invited the entire school, their families, and the militia who were stationed at the base for a few weeks of training.
"Is Mr. Campbell with you?" I wondered, not even looking at Mr. Lewis, but rather standing on my tiptoes, checking each of the soldiers faces for Mick's.
"No Ms. Rodenmaar, I'm afraid that the unresolved issues between he and Mr. Clarke have left him preferring to stay at the base this evening," Mr. Lewis replied.
I simply nodded, my lips forming a flat frown of disappointment. Just then, the live band began to play, I sighed, knowing Mum would be here to fetch me soon. My heart sunk, I didn't even want to be here anymore and Mr. Rutter, I'm sure trying to upscale the party for the adults, had chosen a jazz band. The tempo of the current song dragged on, promising to make my dance with Mr. Miller even more miserable.
All I had to do was turn around and Mum was there, tugging me by the arm, pestering me with her reminders of "remember to smile, let him do the talking, no smart mouthing, just be a lady."
Unfortunately, I was rushed to Mr. Miller, who waited on the edge of the space being used as the dance floor, near the temporary stage. I curtseyed, politely, but my face showed my true disdain.
My two dances with Mr. Miller felt never ending, I'm sure the silence between us wasn't helping much either. I refused to listen to anything he was going to say though, glaring at him each and every time he opened his mouth to speak. I stepped away as soon as the second song ended, but Mr. Miller kept a firm grasp on both of my hands, as if he were still expecting me to stay. I'd begun to wonder what lies my mother had told him. "Let go!" I pleaded, trying to wriggle free.
"May I cut in?" someone asked, taking my hand. I couldn't see who it was, he took my hand from behind and I felt myself being spun under his arm to face him.
"Jerome?!" I gasped. Mr. Miller momentarily waited, I'm sure hoping I'd go back to him, but when I didn't he stomped away. As angry as I thought I was with Mr. Clarke, I couldn't even choose Mr. Miller over him, I studied him, dumb-founded, drawn in once again by his eerily blue eyes. I couldn't control my heart rate from racing.
"I would dare say you're the belle of the ball," Jerome complimented, smirking. I looked down, reminding myself that I'd chosen a simple strapless, black sheath with a sweetheart neckline that tied with a loose bow at my waist.
I then admired his light blue button up that brought out the matching specks in his eyes, two buttons left undone at the top, cuffed at his elbows and tucked into black slacks. "Thank you," I blushed. "You don't look bad yourself."
"Thank you," he replied. We both quieted, leaving only the music to be heard. "You seem distracted."
I was confused how he'd noticed and why he cared. "No not in the least," I lied, he raised his eyebrows, letting me know he knew otherwise. I looked away, then returned my glance directly into his eyes, "Do you know a Mick Campbell?"
I saw him hesitate, grinding his teeth. He was clearly hiding something. "I'm not sure this is the proper place to discuss this," he finally grumbled.
"Dinner is served!" Mr. Rutter announced, opening the doors to the buffet, laid out in the dining room.
"Jerome, we're not finished with this," I warned as he ducked away and into the dining room. I chased after him.
"Mara!" Fabian greeted, finding me just after I caught up to Jerome, "so lovely of you to come, you two seem to be getting along well."
He pointed to Jerome and I so I said, "Oh yes, we are, this is a great party, I'm glad I was able to make it. Please excuse me, I think I'll go wash my hands before dinner."
I walked to the doors on the opposite side of the room and was startled when none other than Cassie Rutter jumped in front of me. "Hello Cassie," I chimed, fake-smiling.
"There's no need for small talk Mara," she hissed, I'm sure I looked a bit appalled. "I know we are not exactly the best of friends, but I have one piece of advice for you."
"Fine, continue…" I urged, I couldn't hide the confusion in my tone.
"Don't be fooled by Mr. Campbell's charming demeanor Mara. He's not who you think…" she cautioned.
"Oh please! And let me guess, you want him too?" I snarled, allowing my shoulder to jab into hers as I brushed past.
"Mara no, really…" she begged, but I didn't turn around. I had no more time to waste on a girl who only did what brought her the things she wanted.
In the bathroom, I actually did wash my hands, but I watched myself in the mirror, trying to see beyond my brown eyes, contemplating what was beneath my sleek black hair. My thoughts jumbled around, What do I know? What don't I know? What do I actually believe?
A knock sounded on the door snapping me out of my momentary soul-searching. "S-Sorry, I'll be out in a moment," I stuttered, twisting the faucet off and patting my hands dry.
I strode back towards the dining room, seemingly confident, but dreading every step. I saw Nina deep in conversation with Cassie; upon seeing me she broke away, snagging me by the arm as I tried to slip past. "Mara, I think you need to let me talk to Mr. Rutter about Mr. Campbell, he might be able to let us know more."
"Just stop!" I snapped. "Anything Mr. Rutter would know about Mr. Campbell would be biased, coming through Mr. Clarke. Besides, you've been running away from Mr. Rutter all night, so I'd be surprised if he'd help you anyway." I stormed away, before Nina had a chance to defend herself. I could only imagine her face at the remark I'd made to her relationship insecurities. Tonight especially Nina was struggling with her feelings again, for some reason. Fabian made her the happiest girl on Earth, but her tendency has become pushing away those she truly cares about.
When I finally re-entered the dining room, I found Mr. Clarke, looking irritated as Mr. Miller talked his ear off. He nodded politely, but I recognized his expression as sheer contempt, while Mr. Miller was too pleased to notice. I avoided joining the conversation, by gathering a plate of food. I overheard Mr. Miller saying, "How lucky you are to be related to such a noble woman, as Lady Denby."
"Mm-hmm," Mr. Clarke agreed half-heartedly, cocking his right eyebrow. I chuckled quietly to myself.
I topped off my plate with a garnish of glazed carrots, finishing just in time to overhear Mum in the other room. "Yes Mr. Rutter will probably be proposing within the next week," Mum claimed. I blushed, realizing I wasn't the only one listening, now. I wondered how I could end up with such a mess of a family.
The night continued to go from bad to worse. I wasn't able to learn anymore about the looming issues between Mr. Clarke and Mr. Campbell and all of our continued conversations seemed only surface deep. Even Patricia managed to embarrass me, by attempting to play the grand piano for everyone, knowing she had no talent for it whatsoever. Mr. Miller also badgered the guests with his constant chattering about Lady Denby and Willow. By the time I made it to bed, the only thing I had to look forward to was Mr. Miller's impending departure the next day.
"Ms. Mara Rodenmaar, if you would, I'd like the privilege of speaking to you…alone," Mr. Miller requested before breakfast. He'd come to the upstairs bathroom, where all five of us sisters were getting ready for school together.
"To what would I owe a greater pleasure," I mocked, My sisters fought back laughter, as Eddie escorted me to the balcony above the stairs. I was certain, they were listening inside the stained glass door leading to the upstairs rooms, while Mum eavesdropped by the stairs.
"Mara, you know that you've got a wonderful home and family here and I'm sure you've realized that I've become quite taken with you," he mumbled, getting down on one knee. I couldn't keep a straight face. "Mara Rodenmaar, I'd like to ask you to become my wife."
"Excuse me?" I snorted, letting out my repressed laughter.
"Mara, I'm asking you to marry me," he repeated.
"Absolutely not!" I refuted, raising my voice. "No!"
"What do you mean no?" he gasped.
"I will not marry you," I reiterated.
"Mara, I'll be deported if you don't!" he shouted, the truth was out, without a wife, he'd be shipped back to America.
"So now I'm supposed to feel bad for you?" I spat, running my fingers through my still tangled hair. "Just go…"
"You're missing out!" he argued, flaring his nostrils and running away like always, slamming the front door on his way out.
"Mara, you insolent girl! I will never speak to you again if you do not marry Mr. Miller, how dare you turn down such a good man," she scolded over the howling laughter from behind the upstairs door.
I busted through the front door, past the mailman who had intended to ring the doorbell. I heard Mum yelling, "Victor, tell her she must marry him," behind me. I tried to escape her line of vision, but Mum caught up to me, lugging Dad behind her. "Tell her, you're her father."
"Mara, I don't think I would speak to you again if you did marry him," Dad told me, I beamed, wrapping him into a grateful hug for saving me from a life of torture.
"Ahh!" Mum screeched rushing away, muttering under her breath, as both dad and I chuckled at her absurdity.
Dad and I strolled back to the house, finding the door to Mum and Dad's room securely locked. We went into the kitchen hoping for a calm breakfast before school, but found Nina curled up on the sofa, bawling, as the others rubbed her back and stroked her hair. I also saw a crumpled letter in her left hand.
"What's happened?" I asked, concerned.
"He's gone," Nina cried, her cheeks dotted with red splotches.
"Cassie's written a letter, she, her brother, and Mr. Clarke are moving away from Netherfield Park. Something's happened with Jerome's sister, Poppy. Apparently, Mr. Rutter was even more concerned with the Clarkes than we'd originally thought, I'm afraid he and Poppy may be romantically linked." Joy explained.
The news spread like wildfire at school, I was infuriated not only with Mr. Clarke, but now the Rutters too. I knew I was right for disliking Cassie Rutter all along, but I couldn't believe that the once hopelessly in love Fabian could trample my poor sister's heart like that and leave his sister to do the explaining.
I managed to avoid everyone, including my family for the entire rest of the day and the goal was to do the same on Thursday, but KT insisted on meeting up before school the next morning. We met in the clearing in the woods. "Mara I have news," she blurted, something seemed off by the way she kept her hands deep in her pockets.
"What?" I asked, waiting. "Oh c'mon, it can't be worse than anything else that's happened in the last few days."
"Mara…I'm engaged," she blurted, barely audibly.
"You're hysterical, see, I know I can always count on you to cheer me up!" I replied, giggling.
Her stony, down-heartened, grimace, hinted that she wasn't kidding, she pulled out her left hand revealing a strikingly familiar ring. "Edison Miller," she informed, before I could ask. And I was wrong, things could still get worse.
"KT you wouldn't?!" I whined.
"My mom was going to kick me out! When he asked, I had to accept, I had no where to go!" she defended.
I was at a loss for words, I, uncharacteristically, kicked a tree stump with my foot, out of anger and disbelief, then trudged off to school. I couldn't wait for the earful I would get from Mum now that her dreams of both of her daughter's marriages crumbled away. I still couldn't understand how the idea of having her daughters married off in high school delighted her so much.
Yep, I pretty much already know you guys are going to hate me for most of this chapter, but I swear it gets better, don't give up on me yet…Pretty please *bats eyelashes and makes a sad puppy dog face*.