Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.
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I heard the grand oak doors of Foxworth Hall being opened and Corrine's high-pitched flirtatious laugh. I was almost happy to see her marry that oaf Bart since he kept her so busy with trying to appear youthful. She had been gone these last three months since she discovered her daughter's pregnancy. No doubt she wanted one last fling around the world before becoming a "first-time mother". I sighed with disgust, forcing myself to walk down the winding staircase to the bottom floor.
"Oh hello mother!" Corrine said walking towards me, her face flushed with excitement.
"Bart and I bought you some porcelain for your dish collection."
I looked behind her to see our servants carrying all of her luggage and items she had brought from her vacation.
I ignored her, walking past her to look at her purchases.
"You really are trying to make a dent in your father's fortune, aren't you Corrine?" I asked eyeing the many jewelry boxes and other items that looked very expensive.
"Oh don't be that way, mother. After all I just got home, aren't you happy to see me?"
Thankfully I was saved from answering.
"Oh hello, Olivia." It was Bart, he seemed to be carrying another one of Corrine's numerous packages.
"Dinner will be ready at 6:00."
As I walked out of the room I caught Corrine's arm.
"We have things that need to be...discussed. Meet me in your father's office... immediately after dinner."
As I walked into the dinning room I noticed neither Bart nor Corrine were there. Not surprising for them to be late. I sat down at the head of the table, the seat that Malcolm had occupied for so many years. Corrine retained her seat at his right, and Bart sat across from her. I would not be eating alone tonight, I had grown quite accustomed to the practice and started dreading the couples presence before they even arrived.
Carol, the head kitchen maid, brought out the first course, soup as usual. As she set it down she asked,
"Shall I serve the Mrs. and her husband now, or wait until they arrive?"
"No, just serve it now, along with mine. What they are not here to eat you may throw out."
"Yes, Ma'm." She nodded and hurriedly left, bringing out two other bowls of soup."
Ten minutes later Corrine and Bart walked into the dinning room. As they sat down to their soup I saw them frown slightly. That's the least they deserve is cold soup for being late I thought. The main course arrived. Half way through Carol came back into the dinning room.
"Excuse me, Sir." She started out timidly.
"You have a call from Mr. Mills."
"Oh yes, thank you, Carol. Please excuse me." Bart continued as he rose to get the call from his office desk.
Minutes later he returned, a large smile plastered on his face.
"What is it darling?" Corrine asked.
"Oh, I have wonderful news, dear. You know, Mr. Mills, right. I think you've met him, he's a good friend of mine, we go back, yes we do. Went to Harvard Law school together, you know."
Bart talked on as he sat down. I wanted to shout for him to get to the point.
"Anyways, Molly, his wife, talked him into a much needed vacation. A very exclusive cruise trip around the world. And he wanted to know if we would like to go along. It would be much more fun with friends, I'm sure you'll love Molly. So what do you say, we can leave the day after tomorrow."
It was obvious that Bart was very excited about this prospect and expected no hesitation from Corrine, who under usual circumstances would have jumped at the chance to go on another one of her long vacations.
When Corrine didn't responded with that high-pitched squeal of delight she had used so often, Bart immediately became suspicious.
"Don't you want to go, dear?"
"Oh, of course, but. Well, how long is the trip again?"
"Three months, not too terribly long. And we're making several stops along the way."
I smiled inwardly. The last time I saw Cathy I guessed that she was about 4 months pregnant. Hardly even noticeable then. It was only her similarity to Corrine's mother during her stay in the attic that alerted me to her secret. Now she must be around 7 months pregnant. If Corrine were to leave now she would never get the baby. I wonder how she was going to explain this away...
"Oh Bart, well I wanted to wait and tell you this later, but I guess this is as good a time as any. You too, mother, you will be influenced by this as much as any of us."
I raised my eyebrow. What was she planning now, I wondered.
"Yes, Corrine, do tell us." I asked, eager to see her fall over her own web of lies.
"A couple of months ago I received a letter from, Miranda, my grandfather's second wife's grandchild. As you know, after my grandfather died she left this house and ran off with some man. She had two children, Tracy and...Chris. Well Tracy's child is now a teenager. She foolishly got pregnant, and unwilling to abort it or give it to a stranger, she contacted me as her last hope. She's due in a couple of months, so you see I can't go along on this trip."
Corrine finished lamely.
"Just when were you planning on telling me this, Corrine?!" Bart was looking especially disgruntled. I smirked, it was nice to see him showing his backbone for once. I looked toward Corrine to see what she would do. And of course she resorted to what she did best...her feminine wiles.
"Oh Bart, I only wanted to surprise you. I know you always wanted to be a father, and since I am unable to, I thought you would be delighted with this prospect." She batted her eyelashes. I looked away with disgust.
"Mr. Winslow, I believe Corrine can discuss this issue with you later. However, I need her attention, Now. Please excuse us."
I stood up abruptly wanting to end this dinner as soon as possible.
"Meet you upstairs, Bart darling."
Corrine said as she too got up and followed me to her father's old office. As soon as the thick oak doors closed I rounded on her.
"What do you think you're doing? You leave for three months and then come back with this scheme. How do you even plan on getting the child?! Everyday, I have to go up there and listen to your boy's questions. I'm sick of it Corrine, if you had just went ahead with the agreed plan they'd be dead now, but No. It's always what you want, well from now on you can get what you want on your own!"
"Feel better, mother?"
Corrine asked with that damn smile on her face. I glared at her and went over to the desk and sat down behind it. I tried to calm myself, it seemed like a futile effort. Corrine walked towards me, a supplicant pleading their case.
"Mother, I know that I often don't think things through, that I act too much on impulse. But with this child, I am doing everything I can to ensure that everything goes according to plan. And I do have a plan."
Corrine finished.
"Which is?" I asked, still doubtful of her new found determination.
"I'll show you." She got up and I followed her out of the office.
We walked up the long stairs, but instead of walking towards the main family wing we walked towards the guest room area. I followed her up a second flight of stairs. I had made this walk at least once everyday and was upset that her big secret was only going to be leading me back to that damn room I had to bring food to every morning.
She unlocked the door leading the hall, I followed her and locked the door behind me quickly. I expected her to stop at the door to her children's room but she kept walking down the hall. Now I was actually interested in what she might know. Almost at the end of the hall she stopped in front of the last door. She turned to me with smile on her face.
"You didn't think that was the only entrance in to the attic, did you?"
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Sorry for the cliffhanger, hehe. I'll try to write the next chapter soon. As always, reviews are appreciated. I really like to know what you guys are thinking of where the story is going. So thanks for reading!!