9 That's Him (2)

"This is the eldest, Seena."

"Greetings m'lord." Seena did an artful curtsy that displayed her bountiful assets as she dipped low. She didn't lift her head straight away, hoping to gain the most impact. With a soft smile she lifted her face for the young lord, Pieter Harfic, to see. And when he saw Seena's countenance, he all audibly sucked in his breath. It was a face that could start a war and destroy the kingdom if ever exposed, he thought.

Seena also now got a good look at Pieter. He looked dashing and handsome, although his nose and forehead seemed a bit large. But overall she was pleased. She was confident that she would be able to snatch this man from her sisters. She smiled happily at the thought of A-Narah and Bina being jealous of her good fortune.

"You may rise." Pieter coughed. He looked the girl over and was very satisfied with what he saw.

"Lord Talley you have such an outstanding daughter. No wonder you have been so guarded with them. There have been so many rumors…" he trailed off.

What a rude man, A-Narah harrumphed. What he meant was that there had been rumors that because father never disclosed anything about his daughters to his colleges people had begun to think that there was something wrong with them. Although, no one would ever say such things to father's face.

After just a few minutes being in the same room as Pieter, A-Narah dubbed him a pig as well.

"The next eldest is Ara." Father then spoke using A-Narah's small name.

Was he trying to hide my identity from this man? A-Narah thought to herself, not that she disagreed with him at the moment. She didn't want to marry this man now anyway.

"My lord." A-Narah spoke dully and made a short curtsy. It would be best to not let him take an interest in her. A-Narah lifted her head but refused to meet his eyes making herself look timid.

The man looked her over and then turned his attention away, uninterested. It was very clear that he was unimpressed with A-Narah's display.

"Bina." Father made for his final eligible daughter to step forward. Bina also curtsied but didn't strive for the man's attention as Seena had. Maybe she had the same thoughts as A-Narah. That marrying such a man would be a disaster.

After looking the three girls over some more Pieter's gaze kept wandering back to Seena. He then turned to Lord Talley, and feeling parched he cleared his throat, "I think it's time that we should have a private discussion."

"Of course, why don't you follow me to my study. We can talk about the arrangements there."

As the men left the large hall, all of the women curtsied and didn't rise until the door was shut behind them. Lady Talley then came forward to dismiss all the women and servants.

"The guests will now spend time with the Lord, in an important conversation which involves the young ladies of the household. It would be best for everyone to retire back to their courtyards and wait for fortuitous news."

All the ladies curtsied again and went on their way. But before leaving Seena's mother, Lady Klove, stopped before Lady Talley. "Such a shame that the young lord took no interest in traditional values, but those who are forward thinking are sure to make great waves in the future."

Lady Klove was taunting them, saying that the legal daughter was looked over in favor of her own daughter, and now her daughter would marry a superior man.

Lady Talley did not lower herself to give comment to the affront. A bit disappointed at not being able to get a rise out of Lady Talley, Lady Klove left, but quickly that disappointment passed as she thought of how much the young lord had favored her daughter. It was clear that the man fell in love at first sight with Seena, and she was sure that her daughter would be well loved and taken care of by him.

A-Narah and her mother could easily discern the thoughts of Lady Klove, she and her daughter were cut of the same cloth. A man so easily captured by a beautiful face, and ensnared by lust, was unlikely to love the person once the beauty faded. And with Seena's personality it would probably fade even quicker.

"Ara, dear, come here." A-Narah's mother quickly called her back before she could head off.

"We don't have much time to speak right now, but it's best if you follow Mera and stay in the back-guest house for the next couple of days. I will have maids send your things over." Her mother stopped her before she could reply. "Don't ask questions now. I will come soon to explain everything, I promise." Mother spoke in a hushed and rushed tone, and then pushed A-Narah to leave.

A-Narah tried to read her mother's expression, but was left with only confusion. But she was quick witted enough to curtsey lightly and speak like her sisters would have. "Thank you, Lady Mother."

Mera then came forward and escorted A-Narah out. A-Narah was dying to ask questions, but stayed calm. Mother had promised to come and answer all of her questions soon.

The back-guest house was normally used for the older children of extended family who came to stay. It was a nice and well decorated residence, but was out of the way from the main house and family rooms. The better guest houses were reserved for the more distinguished guests. It took Mera and A-Narah a long time to reach the out of the way place.

"Lady A-Narah, servants will soon come to help make your stay more comfortable. It is best that you don't move outside the house. If you need anything just send a servant with a message."

"And what about lessons?"

"My Lady, your mother has said that it is fine to skip lessons for the next couple days. For now, you are just to treat these next couple days as if you are recuperating your health. If that's all- then I will be going."

With that Mera turned and left. Soon after, like Mera said, some of mother's trusted servants came and delivered clothes, toiletries, and books that would make her stay here less like imprisonment and more like a vacation away from her routine way of life.