The Forbidden Fruit

George stood before Darius and I wondering what was going on. I, in turn, was staring at Darius, tears still streaming down. He was smiling. It was a triumphant smile, as if he knew my answer. The thought of what he said a week ago, was branded in my mind. I could not bring myself to forget the arrogant words he had spoken with certainty.
"Eventually you are going to sleep with me when you realize how futile this is. All women do in the end."
They made me want to prove him wrong, prove to him that I was not like all the other women. How could I also forget the words I had so foolishly spewed at him about how I held no respect for women who would sleep with a man for reasons other to consummate their marriage. There was no way I would sleep with this man. Not even for Gwendolyn. Society was against it and so was I. I loved my sister, but not enough to sleep with another man.
"No," I whispered. I had my principles and I was going to stand by them. I had respect for myself.
The smile immediately vanished from his face as he lifted my chin up to look at him. George just stood there, unsure what to make of the situation. Darius refused to acknowledge that George was even there.
"Is that your final answer?" he asked, with a hint of disappointment in his voice. I nodded my head reluctantly, trying to avoid eye contact.
"Well," he said, "in that case I guess.."
"Sister!" Albert said as he panted, running my way with Grace trying to keep up with him.
"I'm sorry master," she said as she curtsied, "he was quite persistent about meeting Elise."
"You need not be sorry dearest Grace," he smiled, "Albert, what perfect timing. I was telling Elise here that I could get your sister back."
My eyes widened. This could not be happening. Darius removed his hand from my chin and stood up to bow at my brother. It was a norm for a nobleman to bow to a peasant. My brother's eyes glistened as he saw this gesture and bowed back.
"What are you doing here?" I asked Albert. Travelling was expensive. Peasants hardly ever afforded it, yet here my brother stood, with his shabby outfit.
"I am delighted to see you too, sister" he continued panting, "I told you that Mr. Rutherford was a kind man. He sent me a carriage as soon as he heard that Gwendolyn had left to work for the Count. He explained everything to me when he visited my factory in Winchester. Mr. Rutherford, so you can get her back? You can get our Gwendolyn back?"
It all made sense now. He had been away, preparing for this moment. He had predicted that there was a possibility I would say no, so he involved my brother into it as well. He certainly knew a lot, but not everything. Darius had ommitted to tell him that Gwendolyn was going to recieve her freedom at the expense of mine. Darius nodded, a kind smile on his face.
"Please bring her back," he begged as he knelt before Darius, who lifted him up. Another norm. Darius had just laid is noble hands on a filthy peasant boy. George and Grace were also taken aback by their master's kindness.
"Only your sister can make that decision," Darius said as his eyes turned to me, "the carriage is ready. All I need is an answer from 'sister' here."
I froze.
"I, well I," I whispered as I choked back on my tears. Albert looked at me with disbelief.
"Do you not want sister back?" he questioned me, his eyes judging me, shocked at my hesitation, wondering why I had not been the one to kneel before Darius, "after Mr. Rutherford went into the trouble of sending a carriage home to come fetch me. State your reasons!"
"You shall not speak to me in such a tone. You do not understand anything," I retorted.
"I understand fully well that you do not want sister back," he growled.
"I do!" I shouted and before I could finish the sentence, Albert bowed at Darius the corners of his mouth stretched right up to his ears.
"You have heard her answer," he shrieked, "let us go fetch sister."
"Elise?" Darius asked. I knew that this was a fight I could not win, "look at me and beg."
I turned my eyes upon him, "may you please get Gwendolyn back."
He held my hand and ordered Albert and George to await us in the carriage as he led me to his chambers.

---

Being a businessman, Darius was a man of formalities. There was no way we were going to leave until I had signed the contract, which I did.
I gave it to him and he pulled me closer. I felt his finger tracing my lips.
"You're finally mine," he said as he kissed me. I tried to push him away, but his hold on me was strong, "I shall take you when we arrive in Essex, but now, we need to get your sister."
He kissed me again, his hand lowering down my waist before he finally pulled back.
"I do hope you will be as submissive as my last mistress," he whispered into my ear, "you put up a good fight Elise, but it was all in vain. Pitiful really, but it was fun whilst it lasted."