The Forbidden Fruit

Eleven months after...
Many things had changed over the past few months. Darius had lied that he was going to send Albert and Gwendolyn to public schools, but in the end, Albert found himself going to a rather prestiguous boarding school in Buckinghamshire. Gwendolyn was also going to an expensive boarding school in Hampshire. Darius registered himself as their guardian so they were able to fit right in. I hardly ever saw them, unfortunately.
Our cottage in WInchester had been refurbished and sold to a newly wed couple, who were very nice. The wife reminded me so much of Mrs Fletcher, so for that reason, I always visited them when I could.
I had now turned nineteen. On my birthday, George took me out and brought me a new dress. We had become rather close. I spent my lunch times with him. He was everything I had dreamed he would be and so much more. I loved him so very much because he was the complete opposite of Darius.
Grace had just also recently announced her betrothal to the cook, Alejandro Ramirez. He was handsome and a great cook. She certainly had found herself a great man. Grace stopped working, because Ramirez forbade it. I personally thought it was a romantic gesture how he had told her that "he would not allow his wife to lift up a finger". Grace was delighted because lifting her finger was all she ever did. Since we had grown closer each day, she asked me to be her bridesmaid and I gladly agreed. I had never been one before.
My relationship with Darius was still as complicated as ever. I had not fully submitted to him, because my heart was in the hands of another. Each time we made love, I would be thinking of George, wishing that his hands were the ones touching me, defiling my body. I had been made his personal maid. I was in charge of his room and food as well as any kind of service he needed. He always tried his hardest to be close to me, but I would have none of it. I did not want to be anywhere near him.
I packed the tray with the freshly squeezed orange juice, bread that had been baked earlier that morning and a soft boiled egg. Reluctantly, I carried the tray up to the masters room, to find Darius changing. Turning my back at him I apologized, "I'm sorry say I did not mean to intrude. I can come back a little later."
I heard him walk towards me, his body behind me, "you truly are something Elise."
I felt his voice against the nape of my neck. I placed the tray on the floor, aware of what was coming next.
"I best be going," I said, as I started walking away from him.
"but you just got here," he whispered seductively into my ear, his hands round me as he lightly pecked my cheek.
"You have not smiled in a while Elise," he said, "it makes me upset to see you so unhappy."
"I'm happy," I lied. He had been right though. I was unhappy. My happiness was drained when I saw Darius, heard his name or even as much as smell his scent.
"Then smile Elise."
I looked at the food on the floor for a while before I responded, "I have no reason to do so."
"Let me be your reason," he swung me round and our lips touched. He was teasing me, but lately he had been like this. He was romantic and when I told him I did not want anything, he would stop. He was now more considerate of my feelings and many times I found myself being rescued by him. Is this what he did with all of his mistress'?
"I have to get back to work," I told him. My face was red. I knew it. I always blushed at contact. Just how pathetic was I? I resented him.
"Very well," he smiled, "I will be holding a ball here in a few days time and I was hoping you would be my partner."
"I couldn't," I said, "I am only but a peasant. I do not even know how to dance."
"I'll teach you everything you need to know Elise. It is settled then, I will not take no for an answer," he said as he picked up his tray, "thank you for the food."
I curtsied and left his sight. He wanted me to be his partner, but why? He could have any girl in the world, but he had chosen me. The past few months, he had been extremely kind to me as well, though only a quarter of the debt had been paid. At this right, I was going to grow old, paying back his debt. However, I was puzzled as to what he was up to. He also had a reason to his actions, so just what exactly were his hidden motives?