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CHAPTER EIGHT - Kiss and tell
Lady Justina sat on her large bed, a smile on her face.
"What are you smiling about?" Bethel snapped, scowling at her sister. Before the prince's welcome ball, she had been sure that she would marry the prince, but now, her mother wanted Justina to marry Prince Charles.
"Nothing," Justina said cheerfully.
"Yes there is something. I know it! You took the prince away from me! He was mine before you saw him! And he still is! Mine!" Bethel screeched.
"Really, Bethel, don't scream. It makes your face the most unflattering color," Justina frowned.
"He's MINE!"
"Justina! Bethel! What on earth is going on?" Lady Cornelia asked, bustling into the room.
"Mother, please. Why does Justina get the prince? I was promised to him before!" Bethel wailed.
"Bethel, darling, did you eat today?" Lady Cornelia asked.
"Yes. What does that-?"
"I have told you time and time again that you must have the same or smaller size waist that Justina. Hers is barely five hands around and you…you are not," Lady Cornelia cooed. She turned her attention to Justina and a smile graced her face. "Justina, we must get the dresses today or there won't be enough in time for the next ball." Justina nodded and followed her mother.
Now that I have Helen against the maid, soon Charles will follow and he will be mine! Then, I will get his money as soon as possible and convince him that he should leave me and his money behind, so as to protect it from the maid, Justina smirked.
As of today, there was nothing to do but relax until mid-morning to begin preparing lunch. Lilia took this as an opportunity and hurried outside to the orchard, holding pieces of charcoal and pieces of paper. She untied the kerchief around her hair and slid down to sit in the shade of an enormous willow tree. She titled her head back and smiled as a wind breezed across her face, gently slapping strands of her hair against her cheeks.
Finally. Free until I cook, Lilia thought, fingering the charcoal in her hand. She opened her eyes and took in the scene around her. Birds chirping, trees waving, grass rustling, wind whistling, and the soft chatter from the marketplace drifting in and out with the wind. She took out a piece of paper and began sketching the scene with charcoal. Slowly, a black and white replica began to form on the cream paper.
Charles strolled down lane towards the orchard and stopped when he saw Lilia bent over a piece of paper, her small hands gliding over the page. Her lovely hair rustled with the wind and her kerchief lay in the grass, forgotten. He walked softly towards her and sat down next to her.
"What are you drawing?" he asked.
"The orchard," Lilia answered demurely. "Isn't it beautiful?"
"Not quite as beautiful as you," Charles said softly. Lilia glanced at him, eyes wide. He cupped a hand around her cheek and brought her face towards his. She closed her eyes before their lips met.
Hattie stifled a gasp. Why that wicked maid! Seducing the prince - and in plain view! Surely Ella taught the wench how to do so. She narrowed her eyes. The engagement of the prince and Lady Justina was being planned already. Unfortunately, that meant that Lady Cornelia's younger daughter, Lady Bethel, would not have that chance - but anybody would be better that the maid! Hattie's fingers curled into a fist and her eyebrows shot up into a 'V' shape. She abruptly got up and walked back to the manor, scheming of how to get rid of the maid and keep the engagement with Lady Justina.
"ELLA!"
Ella started and looked up from the book she was reading. A sigh escaped her lips as Hattie strode into the parlor, her face twisted into an angry mask.
"What is it, Hattie?" Ella asked.
"The maid kissed Charles!" Hattie shrieked.
"Hattie-" Ella began.
"You have stretched my patience when you forced Charmont to marry you, but now, you have gone over that line! How could you force Charles and a lowly…girl together when Lady Justina is head over heels in love with Charles?" Hattie demanded.
"Hattie-"
"No! I will not have it! Get rid of the maid! Get rid of her!" Hattie screamed.
"Hattie," Ella said softly, rising up from the chair. "This is Char's manor. You do not have a say in anything that concerns our son or daughter. I let you into here because Dame Olga and Olive would not keep you and I made sure you had anything, everything, you wanted, with nothing asked of you. But I ask you one thing. Leave my family out of your plans to win Char back or win a place in society. Otherwise, leave."
"Ella!" Hattie gasped. "You can't believe that my mother and sister abandoned me! That is just ridiculous. I came to you because I know you needed all the order you need. If it wasn't for me, why-"
"I wouldn't be miserable and always feel as if I am suffocated? God, Hattie, I haven't felt like this since I was a child! If you plan to marry Char off without my consent, then do it so that I will approve. He is not your son and you do not know anything about him," Ella said. "Lilia is a good girl for him and I am sure he will be happy with her."
"Like Char is happy with you? I can see he regrets the day he met you!" Hattie shouted.
"Don't say that."
Both Hattie and Ella whirled around to face Char.
"Ch-Charmont," Hattie breathed. She glanced back at Ella and threw herself at Char, sobbing. He frowned and moved out of the way. Hattie tumbled towards the ground, shock written on her face.
"Hattie, how can you say that?" Char asked, moving towards Ella.
"Because it's true," Hattie said haughtily.
"I love Ella and I don't regret meeting her," Char said.
"How can you say that? She's nothing! She doesn't have a mother and she barely knows her father. I have both!" Hattie said tearfully.
