Wow thanks to everyone who has followed and left reviews. I really feel so honored.
Also the guest who mentioned they saw my story recommended on Tell It To The Dead, that is insanely cool. The era is set around the 1800s. :D
As always reviews, suggestions, and criticisms are always welcomed.
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Rick's eyes involuntarily traveled all over her form, clad in a light grey, corseted dress. Her hair swept into an elegant updo, little pearl accented pins held it in place. Rick noticed immediately that her sword wasn't with her.
So this is what Paul meant. This is the Michonne he always sees.
Michonne could assume any matter of dress and, to Rick, she was always beautiful.
"Michonne?" Rick spoke softly, noting her closed eyes, oblivious to her distress. Then Michonne opened her eyes and starred into his. Rick couldn't read her expression and it bothered him.
Michonne blinked rapidly "Mr. Grimes." She gave a small nod of greeting.
"No sword today?" Rick asked smiling, prolonging his time with her.
"I am afraid that sort of accoutrement doesn't go with this particular dress." Michonne said, giving him a small smile. Rick thought her smile seemed so sad but the words in his thoughts couldn't be stopped.
"You're so beautiful."
Rick turned bright red as soon the words escaped his lips. Michonne's eyes went down to the floor. She could tell that he hadn't meant to say those words, she didn't have time to think about how he must have been thinking those words. Rick certainly wasn't only the man to say them to her and now was not the time to be distracted.
"Excuse me."
"I mean your dress is very lovely, and you look, well you always look- "A flustered, Rick began to explain.
Michonne laughed then. Not the sweet, joyful laugh from their last meeting. It was a very sad, soft laugh that didn't light up her eyes as Rick had become accustomed to seeing. It was then he became aware that maybe she wasn't entirely pleased to see him, that something was wrong.
"No, Mr. Grimes. I am here to see Monsieur Beaumont." Michonne said gesturing toward the gentleman as he and his assistant discussed a document the assistant presented to him. Michonne was also trying to spare Rick embarrassment from his outburst and get on with the task she had come to Port Antonio for.
"Please forgive me." Rick said stepping aside a blush painting his cheeks.
Paul who stood just behind Rick, observing the exchange with amusement, greeted Michonne as she passed by.
"Ms. Moreau." Paul said with a nod of his head.
"Mr. Rovia. Michonne greeted, nodding her own head.
The men turned to leave, a still visibly embarrassed Rick made eye contact with Michonne. Something about the way he looked at her tugged fiercely at her heartstrings. "Mr. Grimes." Rick and Paul stopped, turning to Michonne.
"Thank you for your compliment. You…look very nice as well…very handsome today." Michonne said, giving him a genuine smile.
Henri Beaumont finished with his assistant and greeted Michonne, leading her into his office. Rick stared after her, his mouth slightly agape.
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"Clever, clever girl." Paul said breaking the silence in the carriage as they rode back to Hilltop. Rick was deep in a reverie about Michonne. He finally decided that he needed to explore what he felt for her. First thing is writing to his friend in India about sending Mangosteen to Jamaica and perhaps something else he had eyed when he was there. Rick's reverie was disrupted however by Paul.
"What are you speaking about? Rick asked turning to Paul.
"Henri Beaumont owns the only docks on the harbor Hilltop doesn't. The Beaumont Shipping Company transports goods for Hilltop as well The Kingdom." Paul said rubbing his fingers together, observing his nails, waiting for Rick to fully absorb the information.
Rick thought about the meeting they just had with Beaumont . "We'd ruin them." He said sighing heavily, he closed his eyes, finally realizing why Michonne had been so distant with him earlier.
"Not if she can offer Henri Beaumont a better deal." Paul said "I would say she can't but Henri is a family friend of the Moreaus. In due time, we will find out what's more important to him. His livelihood or his friends."
Rick felt ill as he sat back in the carriage, his own mind racing. Perhaps Henri Beaumont would choose his friends. Rick, despite whatever monetary gain he would loss, genuinely hoped Beaumont would choose Michonne.
When Rick and Paul arrived back to Hilltop, Rick quickly headed for his room.
"Rick," Paul called after him. "I thought you and I were playing billiards before supper?"
"Yes, Paul I need to write a letter to my friend in India and I shall join shortly." Rick stated and continued to his room.
Rick sat at his desk and wrote to his friend, Eugene Porter, an engineer and perhaps one of the smartest men he had ever met. Eugene was also loyal and Rick could count on him for assistance. Once the letter was completed Rick's valet took it to be delivered.
Rick found Paul setting up the pool table in the Rovias large billiard room. Dark, rich mahogany woods and dark upholstery dominated the room. A tropical breeze traveled through the French doors and the sounds of the sea lapping against the shore replaced music. Rick entered, removing his jacket, and rolling up his sleeves.
Paul wants to play games, then let the gaming commence.
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"Please have a sit, mon cher." Monsieur Beaumont said. Michonne continued to stand.
"L'oncle Henri, what did they offer you for your business and the docks?" Michonne asked
Monsieur Beaumont went and poured himself a scotch at his little drink cart near his desk. After taking a sip, he looked at Michonne.
"250,000 pounds." Henri Beaumont said, looking at the woman he had known since she was a baby.
"The Kingdom can do better than that." Michonne said smiling, exhaling with relief.
Henri Beaumont looked at Michonne then. "Plus 45% of sales from Hilltop distribution for the next 5 years." He stated quietly
Michonne's face fell and she all but collapsed into a chair in front of his desk. Michonne starred out the windows of his office, she could see the harbor in the distance. Large vessels pulling in and out, some simply docked while crews unloaded their wares, she could picture it all even though she wasn't close enough to see it.
Her hand pressed flat against her corseted midriff, feeling slightly nauseous, sick at the thought of losing her home, her land, and her business. Monsieur Beaumont handed her a glass of water. Michonne quietly thanked him as he kneeled down beside her.
"Don't fret, mon cher, I haven't accepted their offer yet." Henri stated trying to soothe Michonne as he patted her hand. "I told them I needed time."
"I am not certain what else is there I can do." Michonne said quietly, handing Henri her empty glass. She felt defeated, like a total failure, imagining the disappointment her father would feel.
Henri took the glass and placed it upside down on the drink cart. He took a sip from his scotch and turned toward Michonne again.
"There is actually something you can do." Henri said
Michonne pulled her eyes away from the window, looking inquiringly at Monsieur Beaumont.
"You can marry." Henri said. Michonne's eyes widen and her mouth dropped open.
"Oui, oui, mon cher." Henri said as he explained quickly "You are wealthy on your own, oui, but marriage to the right person will increase your wealth enough to secure this place, the vessels, and the docks. If it was just me Michonne, I would sell this place to your family, vous êtes ma famille, but I have Patricia and the children to consider."
Henri took another sip of his scotch. "De retour en France se traduira par l'argent."
Michonne nodded. Her father and Henri became friends many years before Michonne was born. Ezekiel owned 10 acres of land then. 5 of which was dedicated to farming. Henri inherited the shipping company in Jamaica but really didn't have much business. That is until Ezekiel walked into his life. Michonne had heard the story many times. They became like brothers.
Years later they were both married and started families. Henri's sons Allen and Thomas and Michonne's older brother Andre were best friends. Ezekiel and Henri had booming businesses, life in Jamaica was paradise. Tragedy struck, like it inevitably does, Henri and Ezekiel lost their wives, each lost a child, but business for Ezekiel was still good. The war between Spain and France hit Henri hard but thanks to business with Ezekiel he managed to survive. Finding love a few years later, Henri met his 2nd wife, Patricia while on holiday in France and they had 6 more children.
Patricia had a brother named Herschel and he had two daughters, Magdalene and Bethany, who Michonne became best friends with. They even attended the same boarding school in France. Herschel recently had fallen ill, he was a fighter, determined to be there for his girls, but he was in poor shape. Michonne nodded again. Moving back to France did mean Henri would need money, he had a family to take care of, so she could hardly fault him if he accepted the Rovias offer. Henri telling her to marry was his way of trying to help a family he loved nearly as much as his own.
Michonne didn't even know where to begin with getting married. Marriage hadn't been in her thoughts since Mike.
"I have just the suitor for you. Incroyablement wealthy, a Count, and he is desperate to marry." Henri said as if reading her thoughts.
"Is he French?" Michonne asked
"Oui, indeed mon cher." Henri said, raising his eyebrow. "Is that a problem?"
"No." Michonne said, smiling. "I just wonder who is he? Why isn't he already married? Surely with the situation in France he must have lots of families beating down his door to marry off their daughters."
"Ah well, Count Aaron Marquand, is his name. Due to private inclinations of his being made public, no good family in France will allow their daughters to marry him." Henri said with a sigh.
"What sort of private inclinations?" Michonne asked, frowning.
"Well…he… préfère les hommes sexuellement." Henri said as he poured another scotch "He was discovered with his lover at the Wiltshire gala a year ago."
Michonne vaguely remembered Bethany writing about the scandal in a letter. Bethany was the one privy to all of French society gossip.
"Well why he is desperate to marry?" Michonne asked.
If he didn't fancy women what would being married to one do for him? Michonne thought to herself.
"Every man needs an heir." Henri answered as he swallowed the last of his scotch.
Silence fell over the room as Michonne looked again toward the harbor in the distance.
"May I have a scotch?" Michonne asked, turning back to Henri, thumping her fingers against the arm of her chair.
Henri poured her the drink and handed it to her. Michonne swallowed it in one gulp. The burn of the liquid caused her to gasp, pressing her hand to her breast.
"I can contact him for you. I have a vessel going to France today." Henri took the glass from Michonne and refilled it with scotch. "I will send the letter with my captain."
Henri handed the glass of scotch back to Michonne. Once again her gaze was drawn back to the harbor. Before she left home that morning she had seen crates of sugar and textiles, stamped with The Kingdom Inc insignia, on a cart being taken to the harbor. Somewhere in the harbor it was being placed on a vessel bound for France, Spain, or perhaps even London. Pride swelled in Michonne.
Michonne took a sip of the scotch. Looking up at Henri, she simply nodded. He sat down and began to write the letter.
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"Rick, you really must calm down." Paul said as he walked around the billiard table to line up his shot.
'You're trying to trap them." Rick said exasperated, holding tightly to his pool cue, pointing at Paul.
"We haven't, Mr. Beaumont could very well take whatever offer his friends present." Paul said as he leaned over the table to take his shot, his ball hitting Rick's into the corner pocket. Paul grimaced and stood back to let Rick take his shot.
"Besides whose side are you on anyway? It would benefit our merger if we owned their land. It makes no sense to pay to use something we could outright own."
Rick moved to the billiard table and lined up his shot, shooting two of his stripped balls into the left corner pocket.
"It's her…their home, they spent their lives building it. It means more to them than just profit." Rick said, walking away from the table as Paul lined up his next shot.
"Well Rick, your father said you were an excellent negotiator. We need you to find a price." Paul took his shot, the ball hit another one but didn't get anywhere near a pocket. Paul stood up and looked at Rick.
"Everyone has a price."
Rick put down his pool cue, putting on his jacket and then grabbing the pool cue once again.
"Where are you going?" Paul asked him.
Rick walked over to the pool table. Eyeing his shot, he lined them up perfectly, the balls ricocheted off one another, sending Rick's balls into various pockets on the table. Paul's were the only ones still left and that meant Rick won the game. Paul crossed his arms, a slight frown affixed his face.
"To negotiate." Rick said with a smile as he sauntered out of the room.
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Michonne sat in the drawing room of her home. She was trying to read a work by Thomas Day but her eyes merely stared at the page. She couldn't help contemplating the decision she had made today.
Dear Count Marquand,
It pleases me to inform you that the affluent and prosperous, owner of The Kingdom Inc, Michonne Moreau is open to courtship. Ms. Moreau believes your families can accomplish great things together. She would very much like a martial union between your two families. Please send word post haste if you are so inclined to the idea.
Signed your friend, Monsieur Beaumont
Michonne nodded in approval after Henri read the letter. Monsieur Beaumont sealed the letter and addressed it to Count Marquand. Henri sent for his valet, who took the letter with instructions for the captain of his vessel going to France. It was done. Michonne sat numb, paralyzed through the whole process. She felt like this was happening to someone else.
Henri stood and poured them both another scotch. "I am beyond grateful for what you've just done, L'oncle Henri." Michonne said, sipping her 3rd scotch of the day.
"I am grateful to your father and you are like my own daughter. I would do whatever I can for your family." Henri said as he began to drink his own scotch.
Michonne nodded and continued to drink hers as well. She was in a slight drunken, daze as she left Beaumont Shipping. Noah tried to speak with her about his day but the Michonne he left there this afternoon was certainly not the same woman he was picking up. Noah asked if she was ok and Michonne quietly insisted that she was.
Michonne doesn't remember the carriage ride home or when her lady's maid helped her remove her corseted garment in lieu of another French garment, a long, empire waist, dress. The flowy, lavender muslin dress finally allowed her to breathe. She sat now holding the book in her drawing room, the words a blur on the page, her thoughts taking precedent over the task.
Michonne hadn't given marriage much thought in a long time. For most of her life Michonne believed she would wed marry Michael Reid. He was the affluent son of a sugar cane farm owner, the 2nd largest producer of sugar on the island, 2nd to The Kingdom. Michonne and Mike grew up together. Even though Michonne was sent to boarding school in France during the fall, Mike and she spent almost every summer together.
When Michonne finished her education in boarding school she went into an apprenticeship with her father. Ezekiel was teaching her everything she needed to know about running a business. Although Michael hadn't officially asked Michonne to be his wife it was all but certain. At least that was what Michonne had believed.
"Why must you do an apprenticeship? When we marry I will run The Kingdom." Michael asked Michonne one summer, their last summer. They were taking a stroll around Port Antonio just in the twilight of evening. Michonne would spend the day under her father's tutelage and then would meet Mike. The lack of time he got to spend with her clearly bothering him. The reason why more so.
"My papa is leaving The Kingdom to me. It's important I know how to run our business as his daughter, as his only living child." Michonne said, trying to reach for Mike's hand.
Mike frowned throwing his hands up, exasperated. "I don't see why."
Michonne stopped walking and turned to Mike. "Mike just because we will one day wed doesn't mean you'll be the sole caretaker of The Kingdom." Michonne reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his. "We will do it together." Michonne said as she smiled at Mike. Mike had smiled back.
A whole week had passed and Michonne hadn't seen or heard from Mike, which was unusual. At the end of the week Mike's father came to visit hers. Michonne knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, as she walked to her father's study she tried to find a good reason to interrupt. When she arrived however her grandmother Jacqui was already there, she waved Michonne over. Together they peered through the cracked door of his study.
"I was of the understanding that my son would run The Kingdom once he married your daughter." Mr. Reid stated as he stood over Ezekiel's desk.
"Mike can run The Kingdom with my daughter if she so chooses to oversee the operations here." Ezekiel informed him, leaning back in his chair.
"Michonne shouldn't be troubling herself with that." Mr. Reid stated. "My son needs a wife not a business partner."
Michonne's breathing seemed to stop and her eyes filled with tears.
"How unfortunate for Mike. Michonne's mother was the best business partner I ever had. Granted, I never remarried, I can safely say she was the best wife and mother too."
Ezekiel stood, making eye contact with Michonne through the crack in the door her grandmother and she spied from, before turning back to Mr. Reid.
"This is my daughter's decision."
Michonne blinked back her tears and pushed open the door. Michonne stepped into the room and squared her shoulders.
"Mr. Reid, you should know I have no intention if not being a part of overseeing The Kingdom."
"Well then I am sorry madam there will be no marriage between our families." Mr. Reid stated as he headed for the door.
"And is that what Mike wants?! He won't want this!" Michonne called after him, tears fell slowly down her cheeks.
Mr. Reid paused at the door and looked into Michonne's eyes.
"It was Mike who sent me."
Michonne gasped and burst into tears.
"You better be leaving now Mr. Reid." Ezekiel said as he went to embrace his daughter, the large man glaring at him. Mr. Reid turned and left the room quickly. Jacqui also glared at him as he passed. Ezekiel held his child close and her grandmother gently rubbed her back.
"I meant it when I said overseeing this place was your decision." Ezekiel said looking down at his child.
Michonne looked up at him "I want to be a part of growing our business, papa." Ezekiel simply smiled and pulled her close.
Michonne let the book rest in her lap, remembering her heartache and her determination to not only oversee The Kingdom but to make it even more prosperous. She put her entire heart and soul in to making The Kingdom what it is today.
Love, while not her priority, was still something Michonne believed she could attain. Now she was considering marrying a man she did not love to protect The Kingdom. Michonne took a deep breath and leaned back in her chair.
Maybe love isn't for everyone. This marriage, if the Count will have me, will ensure my home remains mine and will preserve the Moreau legacy. I can do this. I will do this. Michonne thought to herself.
Michonne began to feel a bit better about her decision and she again tried to read Thomas Day. A knock sounded at the door.
"Please come in." Michonne called, placing the book once again in her lap.
The housekeeper entered the drawing room. "Ma'am you have a visitor."
"A visitor? It's nearly time for supper." Michonne said frowning, perhaps it was one of the farm hands informing her of a problem with a crop.
"Yes ma'am, Lord Richard Grimes."
Michonne's breathing hitched.
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*Nerd note: 18th century era pool was played with 3 balls. I couldn't wrap my mind around that so I wrote it as pool is played today. also here are some 18th century pool tables. history-of-pool-and-billiards
Inspirational Image: search?q=pool+table+1800s&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiHv57E_4DOAhVM2oMKHVL7CYEQ7AkIKA&biw=1366&bih=659#imgrc=xCt0CBIDFKG3gM%3A