I don't know if anyone reads this anymore. I'm really bad at updating :T Anyway, here's the next chapter.
In the morning, when I got the mail, I saw that we got a letter from some of our relatives. It was from my Uncle Martin and his family. I showed it to my father, and he read it out loud at breakfast time.
Dear James,
It had been so long since I have seen you dear brother, and since I've been to the family home. The last time I stayed in your home must have been when Francis decided to walk out of the family because of your little disagreement. I have spoken to him, and I wanted him to join me, but it does not look like he wants anything to do with either of us. I , however, have decided to come for a visit, and I hope that you don't mind. My family will be coming as well. It will be good to see you and your stepdaughter Elinor. It seems like a millennium since I've seen that little rascal of yours. It is likely that we will be staying a week. It will good to catch up with you. If I find that you have gotten married and not invited me to your wedding I will be very upset. I cannot wait to see you again brother.
Sincerely,
George Penvellyn
Father sighed and set down the letter.
"Are you not happy to see your brother?" I asked.
"No, I'm not. Though he is my brother, he is very obnoxious. He is always foisting himself on others. You most likely don't remember him, but he visited once while you were small." Father explained.
"His children are little devils; they've had no proper breeding." Charlotte scoffed.
"Well it's only a week." I reasoned.
"That's if he keeps to his plan. Last time he only wanted to stay three days, he stayed two and a half weeks." Father said, fatigue sounded in his voice
"Then the fun starts tomorrow." Charlotte smiled.
The rest of the day was very low key, we stayed around the house reading and such but the next day was very different.
I was sound asleep when I was awakened by a clamor downstairs. It sounded like a herd of cattle had trampled into the Great Hall. I heard father's door open and I swung my legs over the bed and padded down the hallway, noticing that it was still dark outside. I descended down the stairs and noticed seven people standing, with their luggage, in the room.
"Elinor!" The oldest man exclaimed, walking over and shaking my hand. "My how you've blossomed!"
"Elinor, this is your uncle George." Father said. "This is Daniel and Paul ' he pointed at the two little boys brawling on the floor ' This is Matilda ' he pointed at a little girl hiding behind her mother 'This is Martha ' father said, gesturing to a tall blonde girl, who did not seem happy to see me at all.
"And I'm Charles." The tall dark haired boy said, extending his hand to me. I shook it.
"Dolores, I'm your aunt." the elegant blonde woman that Matilda was hiding behind spoke.
"We would have come later, but our carriage went faster than we had expected." Uncle George explained.
The look on my father's face spelled out murder. "We were sleeping." an edge was in his voice.
"Well then, we'll go to our rooms quickly so that you can get back to your beds." Uncle George said matter of factly, picking up his suitcase.
My cousins began climbing up the stairs.
"If only they had servants instead of forcing us to trudge up the stairs dragging our bags like pack mules." Aunt Delores mumbled to her husband. I headed up to my room, and was confronted with Martha and Charles.
"Could we get any room service?" Martha said snottily.
"I'm sorry, but our cook will be asleep at this time of night." I said unimpressed. What was I to them, another servant?
"I would really like some room service" Charles said. I rolled my eyes.
"I already told you that our cook doesn't offer room service." I snipped, very annoyed. Charles took a step towards me.
"I wasn't talking about food." Charles replied, his voice smooth and smokey.
"Ewww, Charles, she's our cousin!" Martha squealed.
"Uncle John found her on his doorstep; she's not really our cousin. And that's good enough for me." He smiled. Great. I was stuck with a man who loved any girl that had a heartbeat, even if she was considered his family. Absolutely disgusting.
"No thank you." I said politely.
"Someday Elinor, someday you will" Charles called out as I quickly slipped past him into my room and locked the door immediately for safe measures. I finally understood why father didn't like his brother; his son was just like him
For the second time that morning, I was rudely awakened by a clamor. A frustrated scream echoed through the halls "Moooother, Paul did it again, he's ruined my things!" Martha's voice roared. I stumbled out of my bedroom to see what the fuss was about. Martha stood in the hallway, her face bright red, and in her hands was a string of pearls.
"What has he done?" I mumbled, stifling a yawn.
"He has hopelessly tangled my favourite necklace, that's what he has done!" Martha wailed, holding up the necklace which, in her defense, was knotted in many different places. Though it was utterly childish of her to scream like that.
"What is your mother going to be able to do about it?" I asked.
"Punish him, that's what she is going to do, or at least she better!" Martha spluttered. Aunt Delores came rushing down the hall and Martha ran over to her, sobbing and carrying on. If this was what the whole week was going to be like I would personally kick them out myself if they dared to stay a minute longer than planned. I trudged back into my room and shut the door with a sigh. Even through my solid wooden door I could hear Martha wailing over her stupid necklace.
The whole day Martha wouldn't be quiet about her necklace, and Paul never said sorry. So all day Uncle and Aunt were trying to appease each of them periodically as well as begging them to make up at the same time. By the time darkness fell over the house, I was sick and tired of my cousins. Uncle George let them become spoiled, and now the devils were running rampant in the manor, a path of destruction left in their wake. I flopped down on my bed, exhausted and tired of hearing incessant pranks from the boys. And that shy little Matilda would pinch me whenever her parents weren't looking. Then a knock came at my door. I groaned, pulled myself up and lazily opened the door.
"Hello Elinor."
I slammed the door shut.
And then there was that menace.
"Please open the door Elinor, I mean you no harm." Charles' muffled voice pleaded. I cracked it open a sliver.
"Of course you don't" I retorted sarcastically. From the look of him Charles wasn't threatening at all. But I knew what lay behind that innocent face.
"Honestly Elinor, I am only trying to be your friend and -
"I don't believe you" I answered, and shut the door again.
"Does he treat you well?" The small voice came from behind the door.
I leaned against the door frame. "Who?"
"Your beau, he treats you well doesn't he?"
"Very much so." I had no sympathy for Charles.
"Hmph, I'm sure he does." Charles sniffed.
"What did you come here for" I snapped, wishing he would go away. Why didn't he stop bothering me and go play with one of the maids.
"I just wanted to apologize for my behavior, what I said was extremely inappropriate." Charles said.
"Yes, it was." I snapped back.
"Also, I was just wondering if you think that Charlotte is too old for me."
I swung open the door. "Yes! Yes she is much too old for you! First you make suggestive comments towards me, and now are asking me about Charlotte? I cannot believe you! I am ashamed to even be related to someone like you!" I yelled.
"Someone like me." The words were spoken as if Charles had to choke them out. "Not even good enough to be called your cousin, is that so?" He murmured. Charles slowly walked to his room. "That's some pretty harsh words. Someone like me." I heard him say, as if my damning words were absolute truth. Had he never realized what an obnoxious person he was? Charles quietly closed the door behind himself.
My irritation towards Charles had disappeared, and I wished that I had shut my mouth. Yet again I didn't know when to stop talking. Though he wasn't the most agreeable person, and I still didn't like him, it was clear that he was a troubled individual. And what I said had troubled him more. I walked into the hallway and stood outside of Charles' door for a few minutes unsure whether or not to knock. What would I say? Should I say anything, or would it be better to walk away? I decided it would be best to not let him wallow in misery, so I gave a smart knock. When he opened the door I saw that his eyes were red.
It was my turn to have the door shut in my face.
I sighed "Please open the door Charles."
"Why should I? I figure you wouldn't want to be with a person like me." He said angrily, almost yelling. I paused, trying to find the right words to say.
"I'm sorry Charles, I didn't mean-
"Yes you did!" he cried.
I started again, softer this time."Yes, I did mean it but I don't mean it now." I said.
There was silence. "Charles?" More silence.
"And now you expect me to forgive you, just like that?" His face was red and his veins throbbed.
"No but I expect you to be civil and understand that I am sorry!" I yelled, frustrated again.
"You don't deserve that." Charles growled.
My jaw clenched. How could he say that to me, he was the one who bothered me first, he was the one who was insulting me. And now, because he had been slighted he snubs me.
"Fine! Sulk in there for all I care, but that won't change how I feel about you! You're still a spoiled brat like all the rest of your siblings!" I yelled, and then loudly stomped away since there weren't any doors to slam. I couldn't believe how stubborn he was and how quickly Charles changed from decent to horrible. None of Uncle George's family would be welcomed to the home when I took ownership.
When I woke up and started down the stairs to breakfast I passed Charles on the steps. He glared at me and then went into the dining room. His stare had told me that today was not going to be good day for me. His eyes never left me as he sat across the table. The phrase "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" kept running through my head. He was so upset by what I had said to him earlier that he completely forgot he was the one who had caused the conflict in the first place.
"Please pass the water Uncle James." Charles asked. As father passed the water to Charles, Charles let go and the water splashed over the table and onto my lap. The ice cold water began to seep through my night dress. "I am so sorry Elinor; I lost my grip on the jug. I didn't mean to spill water on you, really." Charles apologized, sounding very sincere.
"That's alright." I sighed, shaking water off of my hands, and getting up to change my dress. I heard Martha snicker, then lean over to her brother to whisper "Good one Charles." So now they were all in on my torture. This week was getting worse and worse. And it was only Monday.
The next day Charlotte was teaching me Latin in the library, when Daniel and Paul came running in.
"Take that! And that, and this, savage!" Daniel yelled, thrusting a wooden sword at his brother's heart.
Paul parried well "Taste my steel!" he said, swiped at his brother's head.
"Please read the first phrase on your page." Charlotte asked over the clanging of the wooden swords. Trying to concentrate on the words in front of me I said-
"Bis vivat qui bene vivat, twice live, who live well."
"Very good." Charlotte praised. "Now try the next one."
Daniel gave a roar and lunged at his brother, knocking him down with crash.
" Pulch-
"Get off me before I slice you to ribbons!"
"Pulchritudo-
"Oww, you hit me. I'll tell mommy!"
"Pulchritudo in omnia, beauty in everything!" I yelled quickly, trying to get the words out before the two went at it again.
Daniel pushed his brother over, and Paul fell into Charlotte. Instead of waiting until Paul got up Daniel jumped him and they began wrestling in the folds of Charlotte's skirts. Charlotte glared down at them. If only they knew the trouble that was brewing behind those blue eyes.
"Will you kindly get off my dress!" Charlotte yelled, yanking her skirts from underneath them. They stopped fighting and stared worriedly up at her. "This is a library where people are learning, not a gladiator's arena!" Charlotte screamed.
"We were just playing." Paul said, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
Both boys flinched as Charlotte pinched an ear between both hands.
"Oww, let go of my ear lady!" Daniel complained. Charlotte stopped abruptly.
"I have a name. And when you address me call me Miss Bossiny or Ma'am!" ordered Charlotte. She dragged them towards the parlor "Now we're going to tell your parents what shenanigans you have been up to, understood?" She questioned menacingly.
"Yes Ma'am!" The boys winced. I followed Charlotte as she charged into the parlor. Aunt Delores and Uncle George quickly rose out of their seats, horror registering on their faces as they saw Charlotte waltzing into the parlor.
"What are you doing Miss Bossiny?!" Uncle Martin questioned, his voice raising an octave.
Charlotte drew herself up to her full height. "Your sons are running rampant around the next manor, creating a major disturbance. I am trying to teach Elinor and your sons are sword fighting in the library! And-
"Miss Bossiny!' Dolores yelled 'We do not use physical punishment on our children. Release them at once!" she scolded. Reluctantly Charlotte released Daniel and Paul, and they ran to their mother's open arms. "My poor babies." Dolores soothed her not so scared sons.
"You do realize that they were disturbing the quiet needed for proper learning Dolores." Charlotte snapped, not bothering to call my Aunt by her surname.
"I never asked you to use force on my boys Miss Bossiny. So can you kindly leave my family alone!" she asked sternly. Charlotte stared angrily at Aunt Delores of a few minutes, and then nodded.
"I understand." Charlotte said, smiling, but I could almost see the smoke billowing out of her ears. Charlotte exited the room, and let her go so that she could cool down a little bit.
"What a monster." Uncle George mumbled his wife. Yet another thing about my relatives to grate on my nerves.
At that moment a knock sounded at the door. "I'll get that!" Charles called. I rushed to the door, whoever it was would need some assistance with Charles.
"Hello lad. Is Elinor Penvellyn home?" I heard Randulf's voice ask.
I could see Charles' back muscles tense "Who are you to ask for her?"
"Randulf Dunst, Elinor's beau." Randulf answered.
"Well, isn't that smashing. Goodbye." Charles said, and went to close the door on Randulf. I intervened by quickly putting myself between the door.
"Sorry about him.' I apologized 'He was just being a twit." I said, pushing Charles out of the way and then closed the door behind myself. "That's my cousin Charles; he is here with my other obnoxious relatives." I groaned.
Randulf raised his eyebrows "Obnoxious, how so?"
"The children are brats who can get their parent's pity every time. They are disrespectful to everyone, not just me. I cannot wait for them to leave." I explained. Randulf nodded in understanding.
"Then I suppose you wouldn't be interested in going on a walk with me?" Randulf asked. I was about to agree when-
"Elinor!" Charlotte's voice called. "You're going to want to see this!" she yelled.
"I'm sorry Randulf; I had better see what's going on." I said.
"We can take that walk tomorrow." Randulf said, and I nodded before rushing back inside.
"Where are you Charlotte?" I called.
"I'm in your room." She said. I ran up the stairs to discover the contents of my room strewn around the hallway.
"Who has done this?" I yelled. As if my question brought her out of the room, Matilda trotted out of the mess, thumb in her mouth. "Why did you do this?" I asked her, in total disbelief that someone so small could create such a disaster. Matilda took her thumb out of her mouth and gave me a wide eyed stare. "Did you do this Matilda?" I asked softer, hoping that she would open up to a gentler approach. Matilda gave a small nod. "Why did you do this?"
"Because Charles told me to." She explained in a quiet voice. I frowned; of course Charles had his hand in this. I grabbed Matilda's wrist and took her over to Charles' room. He could pout if he wanted to, but throwing a tantrum of this scale was simply childish. I knocked on the door. There was no answer. I slammed my hand on the door.
"Charles Penvellyn, get out here! I have to speak with you!" I bellowed, still clutching his sister's hand.
"If you wanted to see me that badly, you didn't have to break down the door." I turned to see Charles, bemused.
"You sent your sister to destroy my room, why would you do that?" I yelled, putting Matilda in front of me, her thumb had gone back in her mouth.
An impish smile grew on Charles face. "Did she tell you that? And you believed her, she tells stories all the time." he scoffed.
"You've been plotting your revenge on me ever since I told you that you are a disgrace to the Penvellyn name. You simply can't understand that you really are a troll, so you're trying to get back at me for speaking the truth. I know she isn't lying. This temper tantrum of yours isn't funny." I shot back.
Charles put a hand on his hip. "So you've caught me, so what. What can you do about it?" he said, as if daring me to do my worst.
"I know that your pigeon liver parents won't punish you. So I suppose I'll have to get you out of the manor myself." I told him. Charles gave a small laugh.
"I'd like to see you try, my parents aren't leaving till the week is up." He said matter of factly.
I smiled, and replied, "We will see about that, now won't we?"
This was war.