The Confrontation
“Papa, do not forget that you promised that I shall draw the horses when next time we ride. Well, I shall very well like to do so now. I may not be as good as my sister, but it is the only way I could get better. ” Afa said, as she handed her father his cane.
“Unfortunately, I must dash your hopes, for your mama insists we ride in the carriage and not a curricle.” Baron Davies responded to his younger daughter.
“Yes! That I did. You must arrive the palace in the most fashionable manner. Heaven forbids that a baron and his daughter would visit the palace in a lowly curricle.” Ese watched silently as her mother said this looking at Afa, as though daring her to object. As she expected, the ever-oblivious Afa did object.
“But mama, there is nothing unfashionable about a curricle. If you ask me, it is the most fashionable means of travelling. It is the only thing I am good at, where horses are concerned, and I wish to show papa what Ese has taught me.”
“Well, I am mighty glad I did not ask your opinion. Now, off you go, lest you make your papa late” The older woman responded with a sigh. “I do not know why that child could not be as compliant as you are,” she said to Ese, after she had seen the two off.
Ese resisted the urge to express how she hoped Afa never became anything like her miserable self. She instead smiled, kissed her mama on the cheek, and informed her she would be in her papa’s study, if she was needed.
It had been two weeks since she had seen Samuel and she was at a point where she had become numb to the emotions the pulled at her heart.
She had only been seated for less than an hour, staring blankly at the book before her, when suddenly, the door flew open, and her mama walked in, looking flustered. Ese rose abruptly, as her heart skipped in fear. She hoped to the heavens that Afa and her papa were well.
“Whatever is amiss mama? Is it papa and Afa?” she questioned, and watched her mama swallow hard.
“The Duchess Ecclesia desires an audience with you, my dear.” The woman said in a jittery manner.
Ese raised a brow at this, as she just could not understand why her mother was so intimidated by a woman just like herself.
“Very well, mama, I shall receive her in the guest salon.”
“That will not be necessary, girl. I am here, and You shall receive me here.” The cold voice of the Duchess insisted, as she walked into the library. She looked as elegant as ever, in a green dress that was exquisitely laced at the hems. Her hair was done so perfectly, swept to the back of her head, and not a strand was out of place. She had an air of unquestionable authority, as she walked gracefully with her head held high. Ese could at that moment, understand why her mother was intimidated. Whilst it was not her first meeting with the Duchess, it was the first time she was able to unreservedly observe the woman. Despite her age, she was undeniably beautiful.
“Well?” The Duchess said, raising a brow at her and Ese blinked in embarrassment, as she realised, she had been gazing upon the woman without reason.
“Pardon me, your grace.” She said giving a respectful curtsy. Duchess Ecclesia simply nodded and turned to her mama.
“Leave us!” She commanded in the most condescending manner. Ese felt anger rise within her, as she watched her mama scramble out of the room and shut the door as though she was the woman’s servant. She had to bite her tongue to keep from speaking the first words that came to her mind. Instead, she raised her head, and matched the woman’s attitude.
“To what do I owe this honour, your grace?” She asked in a tone that seemed to surprise the duchess for a second.
“I shall not mince words with you, young woman. I have come here today to let you know that I shall, against my better judgement, consent to the union between yourself and my son, Duke Ecclesia.”
Ese stared in utter disbelief at the woman’s words. She had never for once given the woman’s consent a thought. After all, she had been too occupied with ridding herself of the emotional attachment she had with Samuel. The Duchess must have misunderstood her silence, for she continued speaking.
“I am much aware of the differences in our ranks and even… physical attributes, but I am willing to overlook all of that and honour you with the privilege of becoming the next Duchess of Ecclesia. This however comes at a cost. You must play according to my rules and I shall refine you to become worthy of the name. I shall also see to it that your lowly mother, who I am aware was once a slave, has little to do with us, lest she taints our name. I have nothing against your father, as he advises the king…” The duchess was saying, but Ese could not bear anymore of her words.
“Ma’am, it is for the honour of your position that I have withheld myself from freely speaking the vile thoughts on my mind towards you.” Ese said through gritted teeth. She had more than once resisted the urge to slap the woman across the Face, especially at the mention of her mother’s past. “It is because of the manners imparted in me by my so-called ‘lowly’ mother, that I resist the burning will to act in the most disrespectful manner towards you. I do not know whatever has given you the notion that I desire to be wed to your son, but I assure you that, far from it, I have no desire to set my eyes upon him, ever. You may happily bestow that privileged position upon whosoever you deem fit. For my part, I am more than happy to inform you that I do not envy whosoever may be so unfortunate.”
“You dare to speak to me in this manner, and have the audacity to reject my kind offer?” The Duchess thundered losing her composure as her eyes blazed with anger.
“I am in my home, and I assure you that I have spoken to you in the most polite way I have been raised to. Had I no manners, I should have called you the most odious and condescending creature I ever met, but my mama would be shocked into convulsions if I did, so I shall not.”
“You wretched child. You most certainly have bewitched my son, for I do not know whatever it is he sees in you. You have no qualities that a man should go out of his way to desire. If it were your sister, I could understand it, for despite her complexion, she is pleasing to the eyes. I do not know why I did not question it, for he has been behaving so odd, as though a portion has been cast on him. I should have known, when he told me his desire to drop his name and title, just so you could accept him. To think, I even left my dignified position, was willing to ignore the differences in our likeness and exalt you beyond your wildest dreams, but you have decided to…”
“I do not wish you hear any more of what you have to say. I should ask you to leave my house at once, but my mama shall accuse me of being impolite to a person of such high status, regardless of the questionable state of their mind. Instead, I shall take my leave of you, for I am in my home, and shall do as I please.” Ese said, and walked past the evidently shocked Duchess and to the doors. As she held the knob, she turned again to the woman. “This, I shall tell you, I loved your son when I believed he was a stable’s man. He once told me it was his dream to rid the world of unequal treatment and condescending nobles. I wonder whatever it was that gave him such a strong desire.” She said icily.
Ese was not too surprised to see her mother standing behind the door as she opened it. It was obvious she had been listening for she stood looking stunned. Ese was certain her words and actions towards the Duchess had shocked her Mama, since she was usually complaisant and never outspoken. She went past her and ran up to her room, fearing she would recover from her shock and force her to apologise to the Duchess. And that was the last thing she desired to do to such an odious woman.
Clap as much as you want
THE WRITTEN FAITH 
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