Bad guy (3)

Rachel sat up intrigued upon hearing their guest was none other than Seth Roberts. He was at the top of the list of young men mothers wanted their daughters to marry. Having him over was a prime opportunity for her to match Seth with Regina. She looked at her daughter's attire and wondered if they would have time for her to do a dress switch.

"Send him in," Nathaniel told the butler. He had also been waiting to have a chance to speak with this young man about his business. How could he miss up on an opportunity like this to have a new business partner? "Prepare a spot for our guest at the table," he ordered one of the maids standing on the sidelines.

"Goodnight everyone. Sorry to interrupt your family dinner. I was passing by an old friend and was told this is where the Hamiltons live. I only meant to say a quick hello before I took my leave," Seth said, greeting the entire family.

He looked around the table at everyone and Aurora swore his eyes lingered on herself more than they did on everyone else. Aurora hoped she was wrong as the man gave her a funny feeling. Not one of her having a crush on him but one to run away. She sensed there was something wrong with this man.

"If you don't mind, please have dinner with us. We would like to get to know you better," Rachel said, hoping the man would take the offer. If she had known such a rare moment for him to have a one on one with Regina would've come tonight, her daughter would've been dressed like a doll.

"If you insist," Seth replied, accepting the invitation. He followed the butler to a seat next to the youngest child of the Hamiltons. Their son sat right in front of him next to Nathaniel Hamilton. "It's nice to see you again, Miss Hamilton. You have certainly inherited your mother's beauty."

Minnie snorted, finding the compliment to be false. Her grandchildren inherited their looks from their father's side of the family. However, she'll allow his compliment to slide since he was trying to woo Regina. He wasn't a bad candidate to consider for her hand in marriage. The news was going around that his family owned many acres throughout the kingdom. Land as a proposal gift for asking to marry Regina wouldn't be bad.

"Thank you," Regina replied but she didn't like how her mother was blatantly trying to set her up with Seth when she knew nothing about the man. She made the mistake of looking her mother's way and the woman was pushing her to talk with the man more. Regina sighed and asked him, "Did you enjoy your time on this side of the town? The decorations for the festival are going up and our neighborhood becomes quite beautiful."

Rachel was pleased to see Regina did not rebel against the man and was engaging in a conversation. She briefly glanced at Aurora who had chosen to remain quiet in all of this. Back at Madame Eloise's shop, she thought Seth had a small interest in Aurora but it seemed like she had been wrong.

"Yes, I did enjoy my time here and I'm more than happy I have returned in time for the festival. Do you also like the Harvest festival Aurora?" Seth asked, making three heads look up at him.

Minnie, Rachel, and Samuel were all surprised to hear him mention Aurora. Samuel wasn't aware Aurora and their guest had conversed with each other. He looked at his sister who also did not like that he had called her name. Samuel knew that Aurora wasn't one to enjoy the attention being on her but what could their family do? Aurora was a rare beauty they had hidden away and many men would like to propose to her.

Samuel promised himself to keep the pest away from both of his sisters. He knew what many of the men in this town were truly like. Many of them weren't gentlemen behind closed doors and he had no idea whether Seth was a good or bad guy.

"I enjoy the festival each year. I'm sure your first experience will make you want to attend every year," Aurora spoke up then quietly went back to playing with her food. 'Why do I feel weary of this man?' She wondered to herself.

Aurora looked up from her plate to steal a glance at him but he had unfortunately caught her and smiled. For a second, Aurora was sure she saw something sharp in his mouth. Her mind was screaming danger to get away from him. She did not want Regina to be close to this man.

"I see. Then I shall take your word for it. I hope to see you at the festival Aurora."

"We aren't sure if she will be attending the festival and many of its activities. Regina on the other hand will be attending a handful of the parties which you might be attending. I would like to extend the invitation for you to go with my daughter Regina and my son of course," Rachel said. There was no way she was going to hand this man over to Aurora. Nothing could happen between the two anyway. Aurora's fate was sealed in this home and there was no way Minnie would allow her to get married.

"Aurora, it's getting late and there is a lot more for you to study. Return to your room," Ordered Minnie. She was coming around with this man but she did not take too kindly to someone trying to steal what belonged to her. No one was to ever ask for Aurora's hand in marriage because she would never give her to them. "Do I need to repeat myself?" She asked when Aurora had not moved.

"I finished my studying beforehand so that I could enjoy dinner to the fullest. I will stay some more grandmother," Aurora said, declining Minnie's request for her to leave. Why should she leave all because this man asked her a question?

"Aurora-" Minnie gasped when Aurora gave her a look that minded her of someone from the past.

The last look they had given her before they left and said to her, "You're too greedy Minnie. One day I will return and get rid of the things you cherish. That is your punishment for betraying me."