Seeing the drama that was unfolding, Rufus smiled and said," I earlier thought that she is a servant."
Scarlett gave an awkward smile and said," Let's proceed with our conversation Mr Rufus."
"Oh yes. I was smitten by your beautiful daughter at the masquerade ball and there's no doubt that I want to make her my wife," he spoke and Scarlett smiled looking at her husband wondering why he wasn't saying anything.
"We are pleased to hear that Mr Rufus. Isn't it Pius?" she asked. "Yes but first, I want to hear Lilith's opinion on this," Pius replied.
"Of course. We would never force our beloved daughter. Allow me go get her," she said getting up.
"Of course," replied Rufus and when the lady left, his eyes went back to look in the direction where Hazel had disappeared to.
A while later, he looked at Pius who had been observing him and he said," I just remembered that I have to send my Coachman somewhere. I will be back shortly." "Please go ahead. I guess I should escort you outside," he said getting up.
"No need for that Mr Milbrand I know the way. I'm quite an observer," he said before getting up and left the place.
Hazel was in the kitchen warming the dishes one after the other while waiting for the moment when they were to be served. She wondered if things would change when Lilith gets married. She thought that they were going to change of course because that meant that she will be having one person to deal with. And maybe Scarlett will become less bitter if her daughter gets a rich husband as she had always wanted.
Having spent the entire time in the kitchen, she was feeling hot and needed a bath but she couldn't leave because she could be needed at anytime. She drank a glassful of water and sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. Just then, the kitchen door was opened and she stood up immediately when she saw that it was the visitor.
"Mr Rufus, what are you doing here?!" she asked, obviously surprised. It was not common for visitors to go to the host's kitchen after all. "I needed drinking water," he spoke, keenly looking at her. "You didn't have to come here. You could have summoned me," she said before adding," I will bring it right away." "There's no need for that. I will take it from here," he stated. "It is not appropriate- " "Please. I insist," he said and she nodded before walking towards the table and poured a glass of water for him.
Giving it to him, he took a few gulps with his eyes fixated on her the entire then handed back the glass to her.
Placing it back, she turned to see that he was still standing in the same spot and looking at her. "Is there anything else you wanted Mr Rufus?" she asked politely. She saw him take steps towards her and she gulped.
When he stood right in front of her, she held her breath. "Mr Rufus?" she called in an attempt to remind him of what he was doing.
"I want us to talk," he said. "Talk? About what?" she asked and she innocently bit the corner of her bottom lip but immediately let it go when his eyes settled on that spot. "Listen, I can give you a better life, the best one. I can give you everything, a luxurious life. Expensive clothes, jewelry, maids name it all," he said as his hands slipped into his breech pockets. Her eyebrows furrowed and she asked," What do you mean by that?"
"You know what I'm talking about. I believe you're not so naive to fail to understand my offer," he said. "I really don't understand," she whispered. "I want you to be my mistress," he deadpanned. Her eyes widened in absolute shock. Her? His mistress? She wondered what her aunt and cousin would think if they get to know about this conversation. She was absolutely sure that they would shift the blame to her.
"Uh, with all due respect Mr Rufus, get out of here. I don't want any trouble." "That's why you have to consider my offer. I'm offering you a life a thousand times better than this," he insisted.
"I'm sorry I can't do it. You're going to be my cousin's husband," she reminded him, in case he had forgotten. "I'm not asking you to be my wife," he said.
"I cannot be someone's mistress," she stated.
Even though she knew that she had little to no chances of gettingmarried, being a mistress was something she had vowed not to do. She knew the pain of being an outcast since she had gone through it herself, and she didn't want to get her children experience it.
"I'm giving you one last time to decide," Rufus spoke. "I will never be anybody's mistress," she gave her stand and he nodded before turning to walk away. Before she could sigh in relief, she saw him lock the door and her eyes widened in shock.
...
"Am I looking great mother?" Lilith asked as she checked herself out in the mirror for the last time. "Of course. You are undoubtedly the most beautiful girl in Hollowvale," said Scarlett and Lilith smiled in acknowledgement.
Making their way towards the stairs, she asked," Did he come alone?" "Yes," she replied examining her.
Reaching the living room, Lilith looked around for him and Scarlett asked," Where's Mr Rufus?" "He said he had errands to send his coachman to," replied Pius and the two took their seats. "Pius, what do you think about Mr Rufus? He is wealthy and has a high status in society." "More than wealth and fame, I'm more interested in knowing whether he will make our daughter happy," he said. "But of course. He is a reputable- What was that noise?!" she asked looking at them and sharpened her ears at the same time.
"I heard it too," replied Pius with a frown settling between his eyebrows. They heard a scream clearly this time and Pius stood up saying," It's in the kitchen! It's Hazel!"
___
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Matters Of The Heart
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