CW

“Do you read Jane Austen?”
“Just because I am a woman Mr. Ryder does not mean that I am compassionate for books that have to do with matters of the heart.”
He obviously saw the offence my face and tone of words projected and frowned.
“Sorry, I did not mean to insult you, believe me my curiosity in your choice of literature was on the bases of getting to know you better.”
“If you wish to get to know me sir I suggest you ask me which type of books I prefer instead of inquisitions based upon my female gender.”
“I can tell that I have hit a nerve in you and I sincerely apologize. It would mean to world to me if you were to give me another chance. I am afraid that you have already come to a conclusion about my character and your conclusion is not in my favor.”
I bit the inside of my cheek; I had to admit that I was being a bit unfair to Mr. Ryder. His questions were innocent and because my mind was made up so clearly about his disposition, I was twisting his words around.
“Alright, we could start over again; but I must give you fair warning, my mind does not change quickly.”
He gently squeezed my hand that held on to his arm.
“Then it is settled; how about breakfast.”
“Sounds great I’m starved.” My brother said as he came to walk beside us. I almost forgot his presence; Charles gave me a wink.
We were seated at a small round table in the dining hall. It was set up for breakfast with morning tea and scones. I sat down uncomfortably; I knew that I had lied to him and that my impression of him would never change. It is not the case that I am stubborn or have a hatred for man of his type; it was merely based on the fact that I was not alive when I talked to him. It was in figurative sense of course, it was just a strong feeling that our personalities would never mingle. I sighed and took a scone from the plate. My brother and Alec whispered something to one another. They went to the other two chairs, both of them staring at me as they slowly sat down.
“Why are you two staring at me so intently?”
They both looked at each other and then turned back to me.
“Alec wanted to know if you and I would like to spend the rest of the day here.”
I coughed on the piece of scone I had bitten and took a sip of water.
“What are we to do here?”
“I don’t know, we could look at more of my artwork or you could come and read in my library. I have all of the greatest novelists and play writes.” Alec said; his hands resting on his lap. I set my glass of water back on the table and cleared my throat.
“That is very kind of you to offer but I was going to tend to my horses today.”
“Don’t you have servants for that?”
“Yes, a very nice Irishman tends to my horses. But I enjoy helping him and spending time with the horses myself.”
“Pray tell how old is this ‘Irishman’?”
I looked at him with a curiosity as to why he asked me such a question.
“I do not know; he isn’t very old, maybe a couple of year older than me.”
Alec nodded slowly and took a sip of his tea. I didn’t like the way he was looking at me.
“What is that look for Mr. Ryder?”
He set his tea cup on the table calmly. His eyes flashed to mine, an accusatory expression plastered on his handsome face.
“Tell me Victoria; are you more eager to see your horses or your Irishman?”
“I love the horses Mr. Ryder and only them.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes I am positive enough to know where my heart stands.”
“A lady like you is far too young to know where her heart lies.”
I gently set the porcelain cup on the dish.
“You presume that since I am young that I am indifferent; is that correct?”
“Yes I do believe so.”
“Then let me enlighten you Mr. Ryder that I am perfectly aware of where I stand in matters of the heart.”
“How would you know that if you are not in love?”
“Because I know what I want in a man and there is nothing that will change where I stand.”
Alec gave me an amused smirk and looked down to his hand that was playing with the fork and then looked back to me.
“I highly doubt that you will ever find a man who will be worthy of your presence.”
“Is that sarcasm I hear Mr. Ryder?”
“Yes only because I believe that your qualifications for courtship are not as different form any other woman in your circumstances.”
“You insinuate that my ‘qualifications’ for a man to win my heart have to do with looks, wealth and materials, but you Mr. Ryder are dead wrong.”
“Now you have intrigued me.”
“I feel honored to have caught your interest.” I answered back in a sarcastic tone.
Mr. Ryder laughed and folded his arms over his chest.
“Pray tell, what are your qualifications?”
“I do not think it appropriate to speak of such matters publicly.”
“You tease me Miss. Mordret.”
“I could not be more sincere.”
“Please I must insist.”
“And I must reject your question Mr. Ryder.”
“And I am still insisting.”
“If you ask me again I will leave.”
“I highly doubt that you will.”
I stood up from the table abruptly; my brother had his face in his hands and shook his head. I threw the napkin on the table and straitened my red jacket out.
“Good day Mr. Ryder; I hope that I never have the pleasure of meeting you again!” I pushed the chair out of the way and walked to the exit. The butler opened the door for me to walk out. The rain was pouring down.
“Should I call a car Miss?”
I stopped and turned around to look at the butler.
“No thank you, I think I’ll walk.” I tried to be as polite as I could when talking to him. Somehow he sensed by bitterness and nodded his head slowly. I turned around and walked in to the rain. It was a warm rain so it did not bother me as much; I knew that I would be ruining my clothes but I could have cared less. I took my shoes off and stormed through the trees. Wet hair stuck to my face as my bun began to unravel; mud covered my legs as I walked quickly past the trees and the curious animals that inhabited it. When I finally reached my house I pushed the doors open forcibly. The noise echoed the hall and woke my mother in an instant. She ran out of bed to find out who slammed the doors.
“Victoria Ann!”
My mother said as she walked down the stairs. I knew that when she used my middle name it meant that I was in trouble. I waited for her to reach the bottom of the stairs. I was in disarray; my clothes were drenched and covered in dirt and my makeup ran down my face.
“I’m sorry that I ruined my outfit but that man is the most insolent man I have ever met!”
“Oh hush; do you think I care about that prissy outfit? What the bloody Christmas were you thinkin’ lass? You could’ve caught your death out there in the cold rain!” My mother’s Irish brogue was more noticeable when she was angry.
“Mum, I’ll be fine, I just need to go and change.”
“Alright darlin’ I’ll come with ya right now to get something nice and dry to put on.”
I nodded and we both went upstairs to my room. My saturated skirt left a trail of drops on the carpet leading to my room. When we stepped inside I immediately started removing my clothes, leaving them on my floor. The maid came in to pick them up; mother sat on the bed and as I went to change into something more comfortable.
“So who was this ‘frustrating man’ that has gotten you in such a state?”
“He is the most arrogant, rude and insufferable man that I’ve ever came across!”
My mother snorted as she traced the designs of my comforter on my bed with her index finger.
“Was he handsome?”
I poked my head out of my changing area and glared at her.
“Why do you always ask me that? I told you, looks are nice but a good personality is far better.”
I went back to changing. I put a simple white undershirt that I stole from my brother and a pair of jeans that he grew out long ago. I grabbed my pair of wellingtons and slipped them on. When I walked out of the changing area my mother smiled.
“Much better darlin’; it looks more natural.”
I sat at the foot of the bed and handed my mother a brush; she took it and ran it through my wet hair.
“Can you braid it for me?”
“Don’t I always; where are you headed today darlin’?”
“To the stables to help Gerard.”
My mother quirked a smirk.
“Ah you’ve taken a likin’ to young Kennedy I see.”
“Mother!”