Aromantic Desires

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Jack had kept his word. Some of the housemaids came to help Daisy freshen up following the aftermath of the night before. What circled in her head whilst getting dressed, was the voice of Jack saying something that she could not remember. Even if it was bothering her, she told herself that it must be something small.

Jack on the other hand was waiting for her to come to him, nearly jabbering about what he had told her. Telling his biggest secret to drunk Daisy was not entirely just. Fortunately for him, she would not. A breath of relief he released, as he packed for their departure later in the week.

Over the course of the week, Audrey and Daisy had been catching up together about events that occured. It was Thursday, the day when they would leave and Audrey told Daisy about Kenneth almost being beaten alive in broad daylight.

"Why did papa not come to my birthday ball?" Audrey interrogated, while fixing her curls.

"That is a strange thing. We did tell him about it. He got all jolly and wanted to go right away. That was until the next morning he said he had business to attend to." Daisy muffled, stuffing her face with a pancake.

"But he should have come. What is one evening with his daughter on her birthday?"

"I don't know what happened. It seemed important, I must say."

"I suppose."

"So, Kenneth got a good licken?" Daisy chuckled.

"Oh he did. And at that moment in time, I wanted to help him. Something came over me like I needed to protect him."

"Audrey, you weigh less than him and are shorter than anyone I know. Protect him, my foot!"

"Well, I did!"

"And then you got in his bed? You surely could not wait until you both are–"

"Hush! June and Kate are coming our way!"

Audrey silenced her sister as Kate and June got to them. Seated at the table, the girls talked about their experience at the ball. June said that she met a dashing man, who seemed very smart and enthralling. To Daisy's debate, there was not anyone at the ball who was eye candy. Kate agreed on Daisy's behalf. They all knew that Kate's attraction to the opposite s*x wasn't there. A secret they swore to keep.

Later, Kenneth had woken from his afternoon nap. A rest that his mother dictated he take, so that his body will recover faster. He could walk a bit. More like crawling and having to get someone to take up things for him. Exhausting as this was, he was happy. Happy that he had Audrey helping him recover. She would come to his study, to aid him practice with crutches. Nearly all the time, he fell and Audrey would make a mockery of him arguing with her. Times like this he knew that she would always be there for him.

??

"Have you packed everything?" Kenneth asked as he held on the door watching her.

"Yes I did mother!" Audrey giggled as she attempted to lift her suitcase.

It was Thursday afternoon. June, Jack, Daisy and Audrey were leaving the mansion to return to. Gathering all their luggages, a tenant made sure that it was all. Valerie came from the kitchen hugging Kenneth as she planted several kisses on his face. Audrey chuckled to see that his mother adored him even if he was a twenty-four year old man. To her surprise, Kate gasped disgustingly to the sight of it yet she hugged June, Audrey and Frisella goodbye.

"What am I? Chopped liver?" Jack exclaimed feeling left out.

"Goodbye Jack." Kate hugged him as the worry disappeared from his face.

They were seated in the carriage, waiting until the horseman came. On the road to the estate, they collided with busy families that carried bags and cases. They were not from Europe and seemed to be heading the other direction towards the border. The children looked tired as they held onto their mothers. Some families didn't have a father figure present which made the task of migrating even harder. This gave Audrey the thought of her own mother. Was this what she faced when she was younger? Will she have to face the same fate now?

"Don't be ridiculous, Audrey" she whispered to herself

"What was that dear?"

"Nothing, Kenneth."

"Alright. Hang on a bit more, darling we are almost there."

"How do you know? You're not the one steering," Daisy butted in, holding her clutch.

"I know, because I've been traveling to your family's estate since I was– nevermind "

"Oh."

"Yes." Kenneth glared with an unexpressed look, plastered on his face.

Soon after that misunderstanding, when they arrived at the estate, they were greeted by Indria and the other maids. Audrey gladly accepted the hugs and kind gestures that they had whereas Kenneth's patience was wearing thin. He wanted to spend time alone with her. All of their warm welcomes were cut short when Victoria asked to see her daughters in private.

Victoria quickly hurried to her room and told the girls to keep quiet. It was the only room where no one would disturb them. She shutted the door behind them and let out a deep sigh, as Audrey folded her arms.

"Girls. There will be a small change between…..us. This is no time to be joking so listen to me closely."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Please understand that it is not my intention to do the worst, but I know this will benefit us all."

"I don't understand, " Audrey confusingly replied as Daisy squinted her eyes against her mother.

"One of you will be staying here at the estate with your father and the other will come with me to London."

"Why in God's name would we split up?" Audrey asked, raising her voice a bit.

"Your father and I decided that being apart will be best. We're getting a divorce."

"Mama, what?" Daisy cried.

"Mama, you both can work this out. I'm sure-"

"No Audrey! No more meddling with my marriage. Your father has agreed and I have as well. This is between me and my husba-"

Victoria sighed as she realized that she won't be able to call Phillip that anymore. Her eyes glazed as she held her head up. It was as though she was trying to stop the tears from falling. The girls silently looked at her, trying to contain their sadness. Yet, A small tear trickled down Daisy's cheek.

"Did you tell anyone else," Daisy whispered.

"Well, your aunt has her own problems to deal with like Frisella."

"She told them I supposed." Audrey thought.

"Yes. Oh, smile my dear! All will be well" Valerie said as she walked her way out.

"Will it, Drey?" Daisy cried while latching on to her sister.

"Maybe. If not, it will be later on."