The Forbidden Fruit

I stared at the two letters before me. One was from George and the other from Darius. Both were informing me that they would be returning back soon with my brother. I wondered why he had to be brought back home since it was the middle of a school term, but I decided to wait for them. The letters got me thinking, however. Who was it going to be? Was I going to chose eternal happiness with George or carefree life filled with luxury and happiness for my siblings?
"I think I could be happy with Darius," I smiled as I looked at his neat handwriting. It was ever so beautiful. I had never seen a writing so exquisite before. Though it was quite the contrary to George's letter which was sweet and filled with respect.
"Hello there," Grace said as her head popped through my door. Since the day she had almost caught me and Darius, she had begun to enter without asking my permission. That way I could not say no to her. I feared that history would repeat itself though.
She was holding a rather large book, "may you help me with my wedding plans?"
I quickly hid the two letters and agreed to helping her. She was really excited about her wedding.
"Are you and George going to have a wedding as well?" she asked as she opened the book. It was filled with all her plans, from sitting arrangements to the people taking part. I shook my head.
"We have not talked much since he proposed," I lied.
The night of the ball, we had talked all night about everything. However, we had avoided the topic of our marriage completely. I was glad we had not discussed it as well. I was still unsure were I stood in our relationship.
"I have a question to ask you," I said to Grace who was now going through the book and making corrections. She just nodded, a gesture for me to carry on. Before I could do so, the door opened and Alejandro entered.
"We need to make haste of the plans dear one," he said as he sat by Grace's side. They began to talk as I watched them. Alejandro was nodding his head, his eyes glistening as he watched Grace explain the plans. This is what I wanted. This perfection. Just looking at them was enough to let me know that they were in love. Did I have this with George?
"I did promise my brother he would be partners with Rosemary," Alejandro argued.
"No, not a chance in hell," Grace protested.
"What is the matter?" I asked, wondering what all the commotion was about. They had been discussing the matter for a long time.
"Alejandro's brother cheated on Rosemary and now wants her back," Grace said, "he is an abnoxious baron."
"Do not speak ill of my brother," Alejandro warned Grace as he faced me, "but all Grace says is true. He did promise to be on his best behaviour for our wedding."
Grace let out a sigh of defeat and placed the two together. Just hearing this made me look forward to the wedding.
"As for Elise, we should pair her up with George," Grace said and Alejandro nodded. They began to talk again amongst themselves when Demelza entered the room.
"ALEJANDRO!" she shouted as he got up and gave Grace a pat on the head.
"I will come fetch you for our evening walk my love," he said as he walked out, "oh before I forget, Count D'Aubigne lost his title after his argument with the young master. He will soon be leaving for France with his wife. His house as well as workers now belong to the master. Many employees are going to be relocated and he was thinking of moving us to Essex. I said I would consult you about it. Do think about it and tell me your answer. If you do not wish to go, then we have no reason of leaving. However, the pay if we do move will be increased considerably."
My hand flew to my mouth at this piece of gossip I had just heard. Darius was truly a man to fear. I had not known he had the power to strip a Count of his title. Grace nodded and Demelza looked at my reaction. She knew exactly what was going on through my mind.
"I shall never be able to escape his grasp."
Alejandro walked out leaving us to continue planning the wedding. Demelza stood in the room and gave Grace some advice as well before leaving. She seemed more laid back when it came to dealing with Grace. Maybe it was because she was now truly a woman.