Ties That Bind 1.5 The Knot
Chapter 11
A New Proposition
Author's Note: Hi everyone and thank you so much for all the amazing reviews that I received on the last chapter. I am also happy to see some new readers along with all my loyal readers who come back each week for the next chapter update. I hope that you are enjoying the story so far and I am very interested in hearing all your thoughts on the characters development so please continue to send your thoughts and reviews. Also, for anyone who celebrates I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. Thanks Mars Light
Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!
The duke sat behind his desk and raised a small glass of chardonnay to his lips when he heard the expectant knock at the door of his study, he placed the glass down beside him and looked towards the closed door saying loudly "come in"
He watched the door slowly open and in walked the very suitable, obedient, and complacent Viscount Bradford as he bowed his head and respectfully addressed the duke asking "you wished to see me sir"
Pennsworth stood up from his seat with a slight gleam to his eyes as he looked the young man over seeing this was more the type of character that would be expected to be with someone like his granddaughter as he extended his hand towards the seat opposite his desk telling him "yes Viscount Bradford please come in and have a seat"
The viscount walked hesitantly into the room, unsure as to why he was being singled out among the other guests which were politely being asked to leave and escorted out for the evening as he took one of the seats in front of the duke's desk and looked to him asking unsure "was there reason you wished to speak with me sir?"
Pennsworth stood up from his chair and turned around to look up at the large portrait hanging on the wall behind him and knew he would do whatever it took to make sure that his only granddaughter would be well taken care of, and would not make the same errors in judgement her mother had as he turned back to the Viscount telling him swiftly "all in good time my boy, but first may I offer you something to drink?"
The Viscount sat uncomfortably in the chair while twisting his hands together, knowing that he was alone in the same room with the duke, after going against the dukes request and getting to know his granddaughter better, but did not get much of a chance to do so after the brush off she had given him earlier and was unsure what the duke wanted with him now as he shook his head replying back "no thank you sir"
Pennsworth nodded his head glad to see a man that would get right down to business as he sat back down in his chair, then picked up the glass of chardonnay once more in hand as he took another sip from it and simply held the glass in his hand a moment longer as he swirled the amber liquid around inside of it telling him "very well, I have a proposition to make with you Bradford"
The viscount looked to him curiously about what the duke could possibly be asking of him now when the evening had decidedly ended with a bang with the destruction of the girl's reputation, being linked together with the name Montgomery as he sat further back in his seat questioning "what kind of proposition?"
Pennsworth looked to him with a pleased smile seeing the interest in the boy in front of him and expecting as usual he would find a way of making things turn in his favor and hereby doing so protect the Pennsworth name from further any destruction while stating back "one that I think you will have a difficult time turning down"
The viscount leaned back in his chair as he looked towards the duke curiously expecting from the rumors, he had been told from others that any proposition that would come from Pennsworth would come with a substantial gold deposit, which had much to do with the reason he showed himself here this evening as the corners of his mouth turned up slightly telling him "I'm listening"
Pennsworth let out a long sigh expecting that she would be displeased as he turned and looked up at the portrait up on the wall once more and took a deep breath in knowing it was now up to him and out of her hands and he would do what he must done to see the incidents of this night corrected as he turned to face Bradford once more asking "how would you feel about becoming a very rich and powerful man and having a beautiful girl on your arm as well"
The viscount smile grew wider intrigued by what the duke was offering him as his apprehension lessoned and he grew more comfortable with where this conversation was headed telling him back "I like what I hear so far, go on"
Pennsworth nodded his head glad to see the viscount was being receptive to his plans as he continued on telling him "my granddaughter is in need of a proper gentleman to guide her"
Bradford cleared his throat at the mention of said girl with whom he found out, along with all the others guests here this evening that she did not have the proper upbringing of a lady as was expected of her class as he sat back uncomfortably in the chair feeling his voice go hoarse questioning back "your granddaughter?"
The duke nodded his head seeing the apprehension in Bradford's movements and expected a little encouragement could be needed here to brighten the deal telling him "yes as I am sure you are well aware Serena has many special qualities to offer the right man, but has since acquired a few well, shall we say undesirable's attention"
Bradford looked to him as he kept his tone calm and steady knowing that by the end of the week news of the ball would travel fast, but the gossip that unraveled itself here tonight would travel even faster and it would be no secret the new duchess has built herself an unreputable reputation as he nodded his head replying back guiltily "yes well I am honored that you would consider me a match for your granddaughter sir. Although it would appear that Montgomery has set his eyes upon her already and she was taken with him as well"
The duke slammed his fist down on the desk and stood up forcefully tired of hearing that name being mentioned again with relation to his granddaughter while telling him back strongly "Montgomery is not welcome here and his name will not be mentioned in my presence again"
Bradford let out a loud gulp knowing what would be expected to be with that of a girl who was found tainted and now with Montgomery out of this arrangement, the request the duke was giving to him was not truly a request at all as he thought of the girl he met tonight with the sharp tongue, who showed no interest in his advances at all, seeing as how her attention was turned by another sort of undesirable man, only now her grandfather sat here in front of him asking him to court her instead as he looked to the duke asking plainly "what exactly do you expect of me? Your granddaughter is an impeccable woman, but she is, I mean well there are certain aspects about her that others would find endearing, but I"
Pennsworth looked to him knowing what he was fumbling around to say that Serena now had a reputation which would be hard for anyone to overlook, but expected with the right amount of leverage the viscount would see the same vision as he.
He reached down and opened up his bottom draw from his desk and took out a large sack of gold coin and placed it down on the desk before him saying with a small grin "I think this will help sway your thoughts"
The viscount sat there amazed seeing first hand exactly how much his granddaughter was worth to him as he reached over and took the bag of coins in hand feeling how heavy it was as he opened it up and looked inside at the glittering gold coins waiting, then looked up to the duke with a nod of his head telling him pleased "indeed it will"
Pennsworth nodded his head glad to see that was handled easily enough, but now would come the rest as he sat back in his chair and looked to him stating plainly "there were certain comments mentioned this evening about my granddaughter's choice of company which she keeps, that need to be put to rest"
Bradford looked to him with a raised brow unsure how the duke planned on covering up what had been said and witnessed by an entire room full of people as he looked to him asking curiously "and how per say do you plan on alleviating these rumors"
The duke sat back in his chair with his arms folded knowing from here things could become rough and in a commanding tone he replied back "you will be the one they will associate my granddaughters time, and Montgomery will be forgotten once the news spreads that you will marry my granddaughter within two nights falls, the news of your upcoming nuptials should be enough to sway any further comments, while being carefully hidden behind a good name"
The viscount cleared his throat, after hearing this was worse than he expected, having her salted reputation tied to his family's good name as he looked to the duke carefully asking "and Ms. Serena she is in agreement with all of this?" while expecting a girl like her that she would not agree to such terms.
Pennsworth cleared his throat hearing the same challenge he was struggling with himself, but knew it could not change the end result as he reached down to his bottom draw and placed another larger bag of coins onto the desk for his reply as he looked to the viscount telling him with a devilish grin "I think in time that the two of you will come to a firm understanding of one another"
Bradford looked to him amazed with which how far the duke was willing to go to keep his granddaughter's fidelity a carefully hidden secret as he reached out and took the second bag of coins in hand feeling that it was even heavier than the first one as he nodded his head pleased telling him "I am sure we will"
Serena turned her head slightly and looked behind her after feeling a gentle warmth wrapped around her shoulders, she half expected it to be Darien having realized his error and returned, but knew it was only wishful thinking on her part as she saw her maid Emily look to her apologetically saying "miss it would be best that you come back inside before you catch a chill"
Serena turned her head to look away and focused her attention back down on the hard dirty ground, where she wanted to bury herself underneath it, so she would not to face anyone with their ridicule again as she quietly fell apart and wiped the few stray tears that escaped away from her eyes replying back "I can't, I can't go back in there"
Emily nodded her head expecting as much from the broken-hearted girl in front of her, she herself had never suffered from a broken heart, but could only imagine this would be what it would look like as she leaned down and wrapped a warm blanket carefully around her shoulders telling her "come miss most of the guests have already left for the evening"
Serena turned her head slightly and looked back up to the main house realizing the change that it had become quieter than before as she nodded her head expecting that somehow this too would be twisted around and her grandfather would find some way to demise this of being entirely her fault for the abrupt end of what was supposed to be a delightful evening as she slowly began to stand up from the ground
Emily watched her stumble up to her feet as she reached out and grabbed onto the duchess's arm for balance as she looked and saw in the shadows of the moonlight how pale her complexion had become and carefully put her arm around her waist telling her gently "this way"
They walked together slowly through the open brush and up to the main house again in complete silence except for the occasional sniffle from Serena as Emily turned to her charge asking softly "how about a nice cup of tea that might help calm your nerves a bit"
Serena nodded her head yes, but knew inside there was no amount of tea in this world that could fix the shattered pieces of her heart as she walked through the entrance doors glad to see the parlor was now left empty and took a seat on the sofa as she thought back to the night and all that had transpired.
She had been unwillingly dragged into a world she was not ready to become a part of just to be shuttered away as an outcast, only to find herself once again wrapped up in the warm embrace of his arms where she was foolish enough to believe that he really felt something for her, by having him say all those kind words, only to have him making her doubt his intentions by leaving her here alone as she put her head down in her hands and cried out "why Darien why?
Her attention was surprisingly thrown to the side when she heard another enter into the room, as she let out a soft sigh expecting it was Emily back so soon with the tea as she replied disinterested "that was quick" and turned her head to see it was not Emily at all, but her grandfather as she quickly sat up with her shoulders pushed back stubbornly, but the tears in her eyes were proof of how miserable she felt inside as she turned to face away from him stating stubbornly "we have nothing left to be said to each other"
Pennsworth looked to her knowing that she had a large amount of her mother's spirit within her, which meant she would be a bit of a handful for the Viscount, but believed that he could be just the right man to lead her on the right path for a proper future for a girl in her position as he walked over towards the fireplace mantle and took a cigar from inside his small cigar box as he looked to her stating calmly "tonight did not go as I expected it to for you"
Serena took a deep breath in and let it out, knowing that he had his own plans all along for her this evening which did not go accordingly to the direction that she wanted for herself and she was not entirely broken up about those that judged her without really knowing her at all as she nodded her head telling him back firmly "that is because I do not belong in this world. I was an imposter and they all saw right through me"
Pennsworth looked to her with a tried shake of his head hearing the same comments from her again without giving a real match with a proper gentleman a chance, while seeing within his own eyes that perhaps things would have turned out differently if Montgomery had not shown up as he did and ruin everything as he replied back disinterested "Serena not this again, if Montgomery had not shown up here this evening, I am certain that"
Serena shook her head hearing him once again finding blame in Darien, who was the only one to speak out this evening on her behalf and to not judge her falsely by her past actions as she stood up from her place on the sofa and dried up her remaining tears as she turned to face her grandfather telling him stubbornly "what would you know? You were busy hiding away in your study and weren't there, you weren't there when that horrible woman made her accusations about me, but he was and you had no right to treat him the way you did and send him away, he was being nothing but respectful"
The duke looked to her not sure which woman she spoke of, but knew enough that Montgomery's actions here this evening were what was truly to blame for the spectacle of this evening and he was anything, but being respectful and with a shake of his head he replied back condescendingly "I would hardly call taking you into the barn for intercourse respectful"
Serena looked to him with her mouth hanging open wide to hear her grandfather speak of the rumors that were circulating among those that felt they were better than she, when they did not know anything about what transpired with their secret interlude in the barn, which had not stayed much of a secret after all as she shook her head asking him "you know about that"
Pennsworth nodded his head angrily as he began repeatedly tapping his finger tips on the fireplace mantle thinking about earlier this evening after hearing of her behavior from one of his guards about how she was found running back up the steps to the terrace after clearly being used with none other than Darien Montgomery following closely behind as he turned to Serena stating firmly "yes and by the end of the evening I would say that everyone else was aware of it also"
Serena sunk her head lower at the reminder of the horrible way this night had ended for her with a fist fight taking place between Darien and another man and then having Darien actually expecting her to respond with his fake proposal which just pulled at her heart strings further only to see him then turn a cold shoulder to her while leaving her behind as she quietly spoke up saying "I do not need the reminder I was there and know exactly how horrible it all went"
The duke looked to her in dismay seeing her thoughts seemed to be match his own with how horrible this evening had progressed to, which left him with only the matter at hand, cleaning up the disorder she has created as he replied coldly "Serena you had one evening, one evening to forget everything that happened in your past and make a new name for yourself, but yet you still fell right back into his tricks again and now I have to clean up the mess that you have created"
Serena looked to him feeling already at her lowest point only to be stepped on further as she wiped a tear from her eyes replying back "I'm sorry, but you don't have to worry because I don't think Darien wants anything to do with me right now or possibly ever again"
The duke looked to her with a simple nod of his head hearing the best news to come from this terrible evening as he replied back pleased "well it is about time"
Serena looked back at him unsure how he could be so obtuse to her personal feelings and called out sharply "but I love him"
Pennsworth shook his head unsure why this conversation was still continuing on when he had already made it clear he would not accept a man of his caliber to be near his granddaughter as he told her back "that man is not worthy of your admiration"
Serena looked around her knowing no part of this place felt like home to her and once again she was trapped within the fancily decorated walls of a prison, but this time it was of her own making as she looked towards her grandfather saying coldly "who are you to tell me how I should or should not feel"
Pennsworth looked to her slightly taken back with her commanding tone, but also particularly proud with the powerful attitude she chose to show to him as he shook his head stating firmly "I am your grandfather and I am doing what I think is best for you"
Serena looked back at him with a shake of her head understanding now why her mother chose to leave this life far behind while replying stubbornly "yes, a grandfather who was missing for most of my life. You don't know me well enough to decide how I should or should not feel, nor should you decide who I am capable of loving"
Pennsworth shook his head needing to know all he needs to on his granddaughters less then worthy choices while stating factually "you are my granddaughter and the duchess of"
Serena looked to him with a sorrowful expression at the reminder of all he sees her as a title without ever taking the time to know who she is as a person as she asked him back "if you see me as your granddaughter then tell me do you know what my favorite book is or how skilled I am with playing a game of chess, or just sat and listened to me read or taken the time to see the beauty that can come with taking a walk outside after the rainfall or just taken the time to get to know me at all, all you have done since I have arrived is try to change me into something I am not"
Pennsworth looked to her hearing her over- zealous temper rising and with a shake of his head he replied back "why on earth would you want to go outside when the ground is still wet after it rains, that is a certain way to destroy your gowns and shoes with mud and not a proper behavior for a duchess"
Serena looked to him with a small shake of her head hearing only of what he considered important that of the proper actions of a duchess while replying sadly "if that is all you have to ask me, it shows that you don't understand me at all" as she began to turn to walk out of the room until she heard him call out from behind her "wait one moment, we are not through here there is something I wish to discuss with you"
Serena turned back to look at him with a shake of her head not interested in anything else he had to say this night or possibly any other because obviously he showed no care in her personal thoughts and feelings while telling him back "can it just wait until morning it has been a long evening and I am feeling rather tired"
Pennsworth looked to her with a shake of his head knowing he had to get out what he came in here to discuss in the first place which he felt certain she would not be receptive towards after her sudden outburst as he replied back with a strong presence instead of a caring grandfather telling her "no I am afraid it cannot wait any longer"
Serena let out a deep sigh as she began to question her decision on not leaving with Darien when she had the opportunity to do so as she walked back inside and sat down on the sofa and rested her head down on her hand while replying back half- heartedly "very well what is it?"
The duke stood firmly as he looked to the girl who refused to even keep eye contact with him and lifted his head up high in a regal manner telling her "one day you will understand why I have done what I have chosen to do, there is a legacy to keep that goes far beyond that of you or me and you may not have been born to this world Serena, but you are my soul heir and I will do what I feel is best to protect the Pennsworth name"
Serena turned her attention back to her grandfather while having a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach that she was not going to like what he was about to say as she looked to him with a shake of her head questioning "I don't understand"
The duke turned to look at her seeing she had made progress, but still had much to learn yet in the proper etiquette of being the next great Pennsworth, but felt he was taking the right first steps in putting her together with Bradford where she would learn her proper place by his side saying back "I have taken the necessary steps to guard your reputation and have arranged it so you will be married to Viscount Bradford. He is a fine upstanding gentleman and the two of you will be married as soon as possible, so some of the episodes of this evening hopefully will be over looked"
Serena stood up from the sofa hearing the final word on how he planned to take complete control of her life and choices, which she would have no part of and defiantly shouted out telling him "never, I won't do it"
The duke did not move from his spot as he crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head telling her coldly "you unfortunately have given me no other choice from your actions this evening"
Serena shook her head having a hard time processing all that she was dealing with as she tried to explain "grandfather I was not a, well Darien and I we have, this wasn't my first time if that is what this is all about. I am aware of the reputation which I hold and will live with my own decisions, but you cannot force me into a marriage because of that I am no longer a virgin"
Pennsworth stood firm hearing the way she spoke of her untimely manner as anything, but a complete adversity as he told her sharply "I am aware of that and would have taken the necessary steps to keep your condition hidden, but now you have gone and made your discretion public to everyone and to keep our families name in good social standings I will clean up your mess, before further word is spread of your disrespectful actions this night"
Serena shook her head now realizing why Darien had said what he did, he knew it would come to this with the duke forcing her into a marriage she did not want to protect his own reputation with having it known that she was used goods as she looked to her grandfather feeling the whole in her heart open wider telling him "no, I won't marry some stranger if you insist that I do this then let me be with Darien he said he would marry me. Let me marry him instead, he knows me, he at least can see the real me"
The duke looked to her angrily as he walked over and grabbed her by the shoulder give her a little shake while demanding "I have heard enough of that name, wake up Serena he is no good and you will not be speaking of him again within this household or any other is that understood"
Serena shook her head amazed that she was stuck having this conversation and having her hand forced to be with a stranger as she pleaded back "no, I don't care what you say I love him grandfather, don't you see and I know that he well, he would care for me more than any stranger would"
The duke looked to her with a shake of his head seeing she was being blinded by all of Montgomery's charms, but knew otherwise that the man she spoke of would bring nothing but dishonor telling her back "yes, I do I see you going down the same path your mother did and I will not let you make the same mistakes she did and I will do what is necessary by any means possible to prevent that from happening again"
Serena shook her head to hear him once again judging her by the choices that of which her mother made as she shouted back in frustration "I am not my mother, why can't you see this. I lived a different life then she did, which most of it was spent alone, but that all changed and I want to return back to Darien back to my home. I am tired of this life and having you tell me who and what I am supposed to be. I know what I am and where I belong"
The duke glared at her, hearing her comments of wanting to go back and remain Montgomery's love slave as he quickly slapped some sense across her cheek telling her "I told you, you will not see him again. You are my granddaughter and your place is here. You will forget all about Montgomery, he will never be mentioned in my presence again and you will be marrying the viscount in two days' time and I expect that you will be treating your betrothed when he comes and joins us for lunch tomorrow in a respectful manner and I do not want to hear another word spoken from your mouth in that of the name Montgomery"
Serena stood there in shock as she placed her hand up to her cheek never expecting that he would actually slap her face as she shook her head replying "you cannot possibly expect me to marry a man I do not know in two days' time. I couldn't, I wouldn't and if you force me to do so then I will run just as my mother did and you will never see me again either"
The duke looked to her showing no concern with her threat while saying back "your mother destroyed her own life and I will not have you making the same mistakes. I will make certain of that this time. Now get some rest you will be meeting your betrothed at 12 o'clock sharp and I do not expect to have another incident as we did earlier with you joining us after the hour has begun" as he turned away from her with a smooth nod saying "good evening Serena" and then slammed the door to the parlor shut behind him.
Serena stood there feeling her hands begin to tremble, shocked and appalled that he could expect her to marry someone she had barely spoken two words to in only two days. She looked around the grand room she was in and began to panic telling herself "I have to get out of here right now"
She looked down to her wrist and the silver bracelet she wore and knew her answer was with the one man with whom she was sure would not turn her away and that she had found her forever home with Darien and this time she would never leave him again as she ran to open up the door, only to find one of her grandfather's guards posted at the door looking to her with a slight bow of his head replying sternly "I don't believe you were going anywhere this evening now we're you miss"
Serena quickly stepped back with a shake of her head seeing that her grandfather meant what he said and had no intentions of letting her leave to go anywhere without his knowledge as she gave the man at the door a coy smile telling him "no I was just hoping to get some air" as she turned around and looked towards the opposite wall at door leading out to the veranda where Darien had left and knew she would find her exit that way.
She carefully closed the door with a slight tilt of her head to the guard and quickly made her way over to the veranda as she stepped outside to see since she had left the gardens there were now guards posted all over by every exit which would make it impossible to go anywhere undetected and knew that her grandfather had made every effort to see her clearly locked in.
She wrapped her arms tightly around herself as she began to breathe heavily knowing there was no escape that her grandfather had guards posted everywhere to be sure, she would not get far as she took a step back inside and looked out the window of the grand cage she was being kept locked within as she shook her head pleading "Darien where are you I need you" only this time she heard a reply as Constance's voice echoed in her head telling her sharply "well you have really done it this time haven't you"
She closed her eyes and shook her head knowing it was all in her head that Constance was not really here while telling herself over and over again "you're not here, you're not here" when Constance's voice was joined by her father's voice as he let out a loud mocking laugh telling her in a snidely tone "your nothing, all you will ever be is nothing"
She tried covering her ears to block out their voices, but it didn't work and only made the comments that much worse as she heard her aunt begin laughing along with them while asking coldly "love, do you honestly expect someone to actually love you? Why would anyone ever want to be near the likes of you"
She shook her head and began to sob wanting to get rid of all the hurtful comments while crying out "that's not true" as she started to sob louder feeling unsure with her own self-worth when she heard another voice only this time it was his voice telling her angrily "I hope you are happy with your choice"
She fell down to her knees and closed her eyes tight desperately wanting all the voices in her head to leave her be as she cried out loudly "make it stop" when she heard another voice enter the room asking concerned "miss are you alright?"
She took a deep breath in and slowly opened her eyes realizing the voices that were all in her head had all left her to be alone as looked up to see Emily standing in the room, holding a tray with a cup of hot tea on it as she looked around seeing that it was only the two of them left alone in this room as she shook her head telling her surprised "there all gone"
Emily looked around seeing it was just the two of them alone in this room as she walked over and placed the tray down on the small table beside her and then gently put her hand to Serena's shoulder as she felt her flinch from the simple contact as she questioned "who is gone?"
Serena looked to her and knew she must sound like a crazy person as she shook her head and quicky changed her statement as she spoke up gently telling her "I said he is gone" as she took a deep breath in and looked up with her own realization stating quietly "and it's all my fault"
Emily looked to her seeing the broken-hearted girl before her as she gently patted her on the shoulder telling her kindly "I would not worry about it too much miss, there are many other men for you to choose from, who would be interested in speaking to someone as kind and considerate as you are"
She felt her heart breaking in two not wanting to meet any other men and especially not to be stuck in a marriage with a complete stranger as she shook her head and stood back up onto her own two feet telling her back "not the way my grandfather sees it"
Emily looked to her and tried to find a brighter side as she shook her head telling her softly "I am certain that the duke only has your best interest at heart"
Serena let out a long sigh knowing he would not be forcing her into a marriage she did not want if he had only her best interests in mind as she looked to the young servant girl and envied her wishing that she could go back and be just another servant at Castle Hill, where things would be much easier as she shook her head telling her back "I would not be so sure about that"
Emily looked to the girl in front of her who was slowly falling apart and losing part of herself here each day piece by piece as she shook her head sadly and reached over to the tray lifting up the cup of tea in hand asking "would you like some tea miss"
Serena looked to her as she let out a small chuckle wishing it was only that easy and a cup of tea would somehow drown all her troubles away, but knew it never would as she shook her head telling her back "I am sorry to make you go through all the trouble, but I am suddenly feeling rather tired and would much prefer to be by myself"
Emily nodded her head seeing she seemed dazed and distracted tonight as she replied back kindly "of course miss, if you would like I can have a bath drawn for you so you can relax in the tub"
Serena looked to Emily the only actual person she would call a friend in this cold place with a little smile telling her "that would actually be perfect thank you" as she turned and let out a long sigh, then walked out the room and up the stairs with her one of her grandfather's guards following closely behind with each step.
Emily watched her walk out of the room and waited for her to head up the stairs and out of her sight as she reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a letter, she received the letter a few days prior addressed to Serena from a Lord Montgomery in which the duke had specifically ordered not to let Serena see or know about the letter as she let out a long sigh telling her "I'm sorry miss" and then walked over and dropped the letter into the fireplace as she watched it burn to cinder.