Chapter two

Seated at the dinning hall next to Caius, with the humongous amount of people partaking in jolly—good conversations, Jane couldn't help but wonder where Demetrius was. It bothered her brusquely, why would he have just left, just like that without a word. It disturbed her and gave her an unresting knot in between her lungs, that which restricted her from speaking during the entire feast. She'd concluded, she'd search through the book she'd been given to by Lady Garvie and find his name, his ancestry. Fitzherbert, she too had never heard of such a name. And that was why she had to find him, but one question remained unanswered, Why? Why was she troubling herself this way for another human, why? Why was she thinking about how incredibly handsome he was, why?

A hand pressed above hers, shook her into reality, 'You haven't had a bite, go on now',

At this point of time, Caius was a huge annoyance to her, but she needed not to be brusque or brutal. A faint smile brushed on her lips before her attention postrayed on the meal displayed in front of her. With a deep sigh, she picked up her cutlery and begun to dig in, into the fancy "Spotted Dick" that was served. From the finest loins of the East Western sheep to the best Scotch eggs, Trifle, Eton mess, shepherds pie and grand jam roly poly, every prestigious member present at the grand feast at that very day, ate their hearts out until there was no more than wine being passed around by the very fine maids employed to serve.

'Thank you', Jane held her glass up as it was filled by the dark haired maiden who was now serving Caius. Jane might have been distracted by her cloud of thoughts, but she saw past appearances this time, noticing the devilishly hidden grin tugging on Caius's lips as he silently flirted with the maid before she passed him by, his eyes never leaving her behind. Sex maniac, Jane's inner voice beseeched before her attention deviated towards Sir Alfred Winston, Her father, who was now clasping on his glass cup with a spoon, to grab the attention of the many at the feast.

'Attention?', he proclaimed. Everyone seated, focused on what he was about to otter, 'I'd like to make a toast', He paused, 'A toast to the engagement and future wedding of Wealthy English Aristocrat, and Heir to the Somerled's fortune, Sir Caius Somerled to my very own daughter, the beloved Jane Winston, hurray to that',

Jane's moment froze, froze as still as ice. Her mouth running dry, drumming of her own heart filled her ears, felt blood drain through her veins and the cold sweat tipping down wards. Engagement? wedding? Caius? No. there was no engagement, no wedding and it was definitely not with Caius. All her life she'd stayed put in her boundaries, read in between the lines, kept shut while she was dominated but she had had enough!

Rising up, she slammed a fist on the table, 'No', she abruptly said, the air forced out of her lungs, She had ceased the attention of all at the feast, many gasping, some whispering and few did not otter a word, 'There is no engagement, there is no wedding and there is never going to be one, at least not one with someone my heart does not desire', Her expression, sharp, her eyes as cold as lard. She braced her self for the unlimited scolding that was about commencing.

Her father sat, frozen in shock. His facial expression was cold but his eyes were blazing, burning. 'Jane', it sounded like a plea from her very tender mother, Beatrice Winston. Her bright green eyes bubbling with tears.

Alfred had now risen, the entire dinning hall left quiet. 'You do not make decisions in this hall, in this Mansion under my roof, my protection and my care. Let me rephrase that, you most certainly can not make decisions at all Jane because you are not given that power, that authority and that mindset to do so',

'So just because I am a woman, I'm incapable of making my own decisions?', Janes tone was brutally questioning.

'You are not a woman, you are a clueless young spoilt and insolent brat who I am trying to make a woman, as far as I am concerned you have no attributes of a woman, Not a spark of decency. You are rude, adamant, arrogant and hard headed. I will not, I will not tolerate that Jane', Alfred's arms were wrapped behind his back, his proud head held high as he ordered The male servant, 'The engagement is starting, Get the rings'.

'No, no! Father I can't live like this anymore', she challenged

'Enough!', he yelled, his cool face had snapped into one slightly insulted. The male servant emerged with the sapphire boxes serving as a case to the beautiful golden rings incrested with diamonds.

Jane didn't move her gaze from her father; she saw he was looking at her, He knew he had won this battle. But she didn't want him to see her defeat, didn't want him to see the tears glimmering—tears that had welled there as a great giant hand had squeezed her heart so that she could scarcely bear the pain. Pain that was caused by his brusquely spoken words, his harshly spoken words implying her uselessness as a female gender, this same words implied to her mother by this same man. Pain that had almost made her cry outloud, but fortunately she didn't, and she spoke, 'You are right father, I am not a woman, because clearly you do not have respect for that sex, but I am willing to defend my self, not my sex. Your discrimination and stereotype made me this Rude, Adamant, arrogant and hard headed person I am today and that is what I will forever be', She roughly pushed back her chair and whirled past the Caius who was now watching in pure shock. The audience, quiet waiting for the hat to fall, Her mother, tears uncontrollable rolling down her cheeks, Her father, completely fustrated and angered by her actions; She took the sapphire boxes from the male servant, handed a box to Caius and the other, placed infront of Alfred. She took her stance staring him straight in the eye, before turning around and graciously exiting the hall, her back to the population seated there and then. All stared in awe, she had done it, crossed the bridge when she came to it and she had no regrets afterwards.

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That night, as she was seated on her bed clothed with silky wool that matched the texture of her bright pink night gown, she thought hard and long, to the point that her head could no longer bear the pounding pain that was escaping her lips in moans of dispear. She bounced back on the bed, anticipating everything that overwhelmed her at that moment. She was hurt, angered, confused, but scared, she was not. And she was determined to lock that emotion of fear in her away. Could she imagine, she the wife of that boarish, brainless, before another thought was proclaimed, Her gaze veered towards the book that was given to her by Lady Garvie, suggesting she could find something about Demetrius—

'Dementrius', she gasped. This was the perfect time to find out about his ancestry. With a hurrid movement, she picked up the book and begun to run through it. She saw many acients of Bainbridge, Ardens, Swaringtons, Maverons, Somerleds, Ducans, Dubarns, Barnicus, Garvies, Youngs... So many, but she didn't find the one she was searching for, Fitzherbert. The skys became thicker and darker, the moonlight shone through darkness and the soft wind flew into her room through the window. The night was enchanting compare to the stressful evening she had encontered. The pale crescent Moon shone like a silvery claw. They occasionally barking of fare well dogs broke the overwhelming silence of Night.

And Suddenly she had fallen asleep.

The day dawned crisp and clear. The sun poured through the window. Another day had emerged with it, new hopes and aspirations. The light of the day had seeped through the arched vintage themed window. Jane stretched in bed, swinging her legs above the sheets, she rubbed her bleary eyes and took a stance as she walked towards the window. There was a pearly glow in the sky, the first ray of sunlight lit up the field of grasses leading to the Winston's inherited garden. The dawn chorus of melodic bird songs drifted in.

The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene, bringing with it a flurry of early morning activity. And taking her mornings bath was her favorite activity of them all.

Jane stepped under the steaming spray of the shower and uttered an ecstatic moan as the hot water streamed over her, enveloping her body with its warmth. Closing her eyes, she wandered into her thoughts.....

The memories of last evening flooded her mind and, she couldn't organize her mixed emotions. They were all scattered. She didn't feel remorse, she knew something had to be done, but they were her parents, the ones who sat and watched her grow, loved and cared for her, but also dominated her in so many ways.

A sigh escaped her lips as she turned off the shower, took out her towel robe and exited the bathroom.

Her damp hair fell slick above her head, some strands clinging to her neck and face. Folding it up with a silk white towel, she got dressed and decent. As she braided her hair into a short knot, she heard a knock on her polished wooden door.

'Hold on', she had said as she released her fingers From the tip of her hair and hurried to the door way. Standing by the pavement was none other than the auburn haired beauty, her mother. Who had a faint smile on as she held a tray of English tea in fine antique pots and cups, Jane almost forgot about their usual morning tea they'd had together when they were younger. She didn't think her mother would still carry on this tradition after the other evening.

'Good morning mother', Jane greeted before collecting the tray from her mother's still trembling hands and beckoning for her to come in. Closing the door behind her, Beatrice gave a small sigh under her breath, her soft, pityful voice beseeched, 'Jane darling', she forced a smile, 'How are you today?',

Jane had her back to her as she placed the tray of tea on the side desk. Noticing the unnatural jolliness in her mother's tone she hesitantly turned around.

she closed her eyes, 'Mother please don't',

Beatrice chocked down the jittery lump in her throat, 'I know, I'm not going to try. We have decided everything for you but we can't decide what your heart wants and deserves. But your father might not see it the same way I do, and is still insisting on the engagement',

'Is this the reason you're here mother', Jane's expression was harshly questioning, 'To try and convince me in order to please your husband?',

'Jane, he's your father',

'I'm very well aware of that mother, but no. I can not... will not get married to Caius Somerled',

Beatrice rested her shoulders in defeat, ' If you say so dear I won't go any further into persuading you, I know you deserve better than this',

Jane gave a smile as she took a seat on her bed. Her mother imitated and they begun to have their tea. Beatrice stirred up a conversation, 'You danced with Demetrius yesterday?', Her eyes focused on her steady movement of pouring the tea from the pot into the cup

'You know him mother, I'm guessing you do. He says he knows grandfather', Jane beamed and chattered hoping that her mother could help her find him.

'Yes he did know your grandfather. He worked for him, and still does. But now, for your father and I', she sipped her tea carefully, 'He's a fine gentleman, but not a Nobleman',

Jane paused, her expression unreadable, 'Not a Nobleman, I see', was her blunt, curt response to what her mother had said, 'Well neither am I vain, I do not cherish status and Nobility like this family does. I will search nook and cranny for what is necessary for me to find but not something completely useless',

Beatrice stared frozen for a while. Jane had become a completely different person now. She seemed stronger, more assertively determined. Beatrice was confused anticipating weather to be proud of her grown up daughter or not, taking another seep from her cup she ottered, 'I agree dear. But sometimes you can't escape the inevitable, and the inevitable is now. Caius has asked for a private walk with him through the gardens, he wants to speak with you', Beatrice expected Jane to explode in rage but she was so calm. A smile brushed her lips, 'Well I hope it's not to discuss a wedding I denied',

'I'm sure it's not, just walk with him okay darling', Beatrice beseeched

'Okay mother',

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Caius Somerled was a fine gentleman, very fine this morning with bright skin that outshone the ray of sunlight bouncing off the tip of the grasses in which he stood over. As soon as he noticed Jane standing by the porch pavement, he begun to strode towards her.

'Good morning Caius', she greeted forcing a smile

'Jane, Good morning. How was your night', Caius called, his unnatural tense, exited voice cutting through the blazes through his eyes.

'My night was good, and yours?',

'Esquisite', He responded

There was a long stern silence as Jane remembered Caius's insulted look the evening before.

'You said you have something to say to me?', Jane's voice broke the silence.

'I do', he paused, 'I managed to speak to your father concerning the engagement, and we decided to call it off',

'With all do respect Caius, that was not for anyone to decide but me', Jane ottered, her brows creased as Caius's face hardened

'You are right and I think you've already made that decision crystal clear in the face of the many who attended the grand feast', Jane could see he was still dreading the last night,but what had to be done, had to be done.

'I am sorry Caius for defiling you so publicly like that, you did not deserve it. But for the first time ever I led with my mind, and I did as it purposed', she sharply ottered before her gaze fell on the fields.

Caius placed his hands above her shoulders as she stirred her towards him. He stared at her with desire, his tongue teased is lower lip, 'there is nothing to apologise for Really, You did what you felt was right and I did exactly the same',

Jane winced, 'What do you mean?',

'I spoke to your father and requested for more time before our engagement is being arranged. Now there was no need to rush things, we must now get to know each Other, no better moment than the present right?', His words were innocently spoken, but had thrown daggers into her heart

'You still don't get it do you', she shrugged his hands away from her shoulders, 'I don't need time because there is nothing to decide for it has already been decided, We are not getting married Caius try to understand and—', her words were cut short the moment her gaze landed on him, On Demetrius. His sleek black hair fell over his white shirted collar, cloaked with a black vest. His back to her, but he looked crisp and clear, familiar even. There was no mistaking the dark thickness of his hair, his wide shoulders, the play of muscles over his back, his tapered waist and narrow hips, his legs long and muscular, his uncovered body deeply tanned. In his hard, muscular limbs held two buckets of different colors and by the looks of it, he was heading to the down towns well, nearest to the empty areas of Bainbridge.

She felt her body refilled with ecstasy and relief and knew immediately that she needed to speak with him, at least see him once more, his handsome, defined face. She shuttered noticing how oblivious she had been to Caius speaking for the past few while. She fluttered her eyes before ottering a polite, 'Excuse me, Caius. we will continue this conversation later on', she whirled past him and away she went, following hard aftet the broad back of Dementrius.