Free Reads!! Wednesday Briefs – Innocence & Carnality Part 5
Welcome to the next part in my Wednesday Briefs flash fiction serial, Innocence & Carnality! Each chapter has to be between 500 and 1,000 words and this week I chose the prompts, use “Listen to me carefully” and “Take it for what it’s worth.”
Lord Rother’s arrives.
Click here to start from the beginning
Part 5
“I can’t believe we’re sitting here waiting for your guest. I’m hungry and he’s late.” Finn stomped back and forth, fiddling with the gaslight knobs and edges of gilded portraits along the wall.
“Don’t be upset with me. I didn’t arrange any of this,” I said.
Father’s voice rose over mine. “Listen to me carefully. I will not accept any defiance from you tonight, Nathan. Present yourself as a dignified young man.”
“Yes, sir.”
I refrained from mentioning Finn’s boorish manners, but as the eldest, he held the privilege of speaking his thoughts without knowing the sting of reprimand. Mother shared the settee next to Father, making idle conversation, and Thomas looked bored with no new pretty girl to conquer. Everyone mingled dressed in regal earth tones within the lavish salon, designed to entertain the Victorian elite, except me in my virginal whites.
As much as it chaffed me, I understood Finn’s impatience. The wait wound me tighter with each passing second. If it lasted much longer, the dinner would be wasted with my stomach in such knots. Lord Rother was expected well over an hour ago. A small flutter of doubt spoke in my ear, whispering how my future husband changed his mind.
The timepiece on the mantle haunted me. Each mechanical tick pounded in my ears, making the whispers echo. Never had I known such distaste for clockworks in my life. It made me want to gut the device and bring an end to its teeth-rattling rhythm.
The door shifting open broke my awkward fascination. All of our attentions turned to the butler, Chivers, as he stepped into the salon. “May I present Lord Rother Marsh Delaga III.” My breath stalled as the tall stranger entered the room, lifting his brass goggles off his eyes and settling them above the brim of his top hat. “Will you be changing for dinner, sir?”
Lord Rother cast a curious look at Chivers as he removed his headgear and leather gloves. “No. Please be sure my man is fed. It’s been a long trip.” The butler dipped his head and glided away, leaving us all alone. “Forgive me for running so late, Arthur. The carriage from town was delayed.”
Our whole party stood to greet him, my father making first contact.
“Good to see you again, Rother.” Father shook his hand as, one by one, they greeted him with gracious platitudes without mentioning his wardrobe, while smartly dressed, was out of place for dining. If he knew, it didn’t show. He stood tall and proud, returning their pleasantries with his own. I stood rooted, unsure of how to proceed.
“And this is my son, Nathan.” Father’s introduction came with a flourish, reminding me of a carnival ringmaster, his prideful tone completely foreign to my ears. His praise did nothing to settle my nerves.
Lord Rother approached me with a polite nod. “Delighted.”
I had to tip my chin up to look him in the eye, only to watch him scan over me from top to bottom. It was impossible to tell if he approved, or found my attire too unusual for words. A curled lock of his dark hair fell forward, his loose waves giving him a wild appearance compared to our stringent standards. I envied his rich suit of dark grey and blood red which complimented his tanned skin and unshaven jaw. His collar lay open, devoid of a tie. Mother must have been beside herself, but hid it well.
I couldn’t read the man. Lord Rother didn’t touch me, or invade my personal space. His striking features were impassive, keeping an edge of mystery about him. Regardless, with Father present, I knew the proper response.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Rother.” With a trained nod, I granted deference to him, as would be expected. My father seemed to approve.
Finn sidled up behind me, placing his arm around my shoulders. “I imagine Nathan would be pleased with anyone who can relieve him of that chastity belt.”
I tried not to show it, but my face flamed so hot, it had to be scarlet. My stomach twisted with the heat rising in my chest. Insufferable cretin. Mother and Father scolded Finn, but with little teeth behind it. Lord Rother seemed rather unaffected, merely assessing me with his steely gaze. Even so, at our first meeting, this was beyond reprehensible. I’d been the subject of too many of my brother’s jibes and insults over the years. I would not be humiliated like this.
Without turning my head or raising my hand, I swung my arm behind me, striking Finn in the groin. He crumbled with a rather unmanly yelp.
“Nathan!” Mother shrieked, staging a swoon into my father’s arms. Her fan made a sudden appearance, bathing her with a breeze she didn’t really need. It was her practiced public reaction to all things “vulgar.” Lord Rother arched a brow and peered over at her theatrics and back to me.
I rolled my eyes and glanced down at my brother trying to recover on the floor. “I bet you’re wishing you were wearing that belt right now.”
Father was composed, yet simmered under the surface. “Forgive my son, Lord Rother. He’s simply nervous at meeting you. This is not his typical behavior at all.”
“Is this true?” Lord Rother asked me.
“Take it for what it’s worth.”
Lord Rother gave a faint snort and the corner of his mouth shifted. Was that a smirk?
Ignoring my father, his intense eyes never left mine. “I’m famished. Would you be so kind as to lead me to the dining room?”
“I’d be happy to.”
Taking my arm, Lord Rother looked down at my kneeling brother, who was still gasping in large, cleansing puffs. “Be sure to catch up.”
Stepping into the hall, my anxiety began to level out. I believed I could eat something now.
Check back next Wednesday for the next installation… Be sure to take a read at the other briefers free reads this week here: Wednesday Briefs
