Contract Husband.

One Condition.

Rosalind rushed into the room and slammed the door behind her. She was breathing heavily which caused her chest to move up and down rhythmically. She clenched her fists hard and began to pace to and fro the room.

"Who the hell does that pompous windbag think he is?" She asked as she furiously continued to pace around.

"How dare him threaten me, Rosalind Blanco, is it because he is Duke of Madrid?" she asked again.

"Yes, it is because he is Duke of Madrid" a voice answered.

Rosalind turned back to see who it was, Lady Bertha slowly opened the door and gently walked into the room.

"Mama how long have you been there?" Rosalind asked.

"Oh child, I just got in" Bertha giggled, "Have a seat darling, we need to talk" she said as she gestured Rosalind towards the tea table, Rosalind sighed and took a seat at the tea table which was at the corner of the room, her mother joined her at the table too.

"Rosalind, I know Lord Victor Hernandez is not pleasant to you" Lady Bertha said.

"He isn't just unpleasant, he is arrogant, rude and domineering" Rosalind said swiftly, disgust ringing her tone. Lady Bertha smiled, it was a pale one. She drew herself closer to her daughter, stretched out her hands and grabbed Rosalind's.

"Listen to me Rosalind, I know this is not what you want, but please give this a try and make it work. We need you to marry him, this is the only chance we have to raise our heads above the waters and not sink, please" Lady Bertha pleaded, her eyes already looked heavy, her face was beginning to look paler than before. Rosalind couldn't bear the heart wrenching sight of her mother, she drew her hand away from her mother's, stood up and walked slowly towards the window.

"I'm going to make it work mama, but if he demeans me any further, I'll be forced to back down from this arrangement, but you have my word, I do what it takes to make it work" Rosalind said. Her mother smiled as she stood up from the seat she had been on.

"Very well my dear, do have some rest, dinner would be ready soon, you need all the rest you can get, tomorrow might be a long one for you" her mother said as she headed out of the room. Rosalind stood at the window and began scanning the whole environment around her, memories began to flood into her brain. She remembered when lavish balls were always held in the mansion, when her parents had a lot of influence in Spain and in the aristocratic circle. Now the mansion was now a shadow of itself, her father still had a little prestige, thanks to his upright and civil conducts while he still held power. Her heart broke at all she saw from her window despite their elegance. She sighed deeply, and there in then she made a resolution.

"Victor Hernandez, I will marry you, I will bear with everything till I become your wife, till I become Dutchess", she swore beneath her breath. "And I will show you how deep the depths of hell can be if you try to crush me" she smirked.

The morning came quickly, but it's swiftness didn't take away it's beauty. The weather was perfect and the air was crisp clear. Rosalind was awakened by the knock of the ladies-in-waiting.

"Come in" she muttered, quite audibly though.

Miss Miranda and a few other ladies came into the room, "it's time for your bath my lady" they announced.

"But it's too early" Rosalind muttered.

"You are to prepare for the meeting today with Lord Victor Hernandez" the women chorused.

"Oh right, I forgot" Rosalind responded as she rolled her eyes. "Okay let's get ready" she said and the women bowed.

"Are you sure you should pick a bride from the Blanco household? There are far more prestigious households in the whole of Spain" Madam Griselda said as she watched Lord Victor taking his fitting for his trip to the Blanco household.

"Oh mama, you worry so much" Lord Victor giggled.

"Of course I should be worried, the Blanco household has lost it's influence, they may be nobles but they are weak right now, they can't offer enough strength for our household" Madam Griselda continued. Her son let out a chuckle and shook his head.

"I guess this would do, thank you gentlemen" he announced, and the men who were with him, bowed and took their leave. "Mama I know you are concerned about the fate of our family and I appreciate it but you need to trust me, the Blanco household may be weak but they have a good record, their loyalty is undying and that is what we need as this point, our threats are numerous, even amongst our strongest allies, we need a more dependable elite amongst us" Victor stated. His mother looked at him in keen interest, then he continued. "And to add it up, the young lady of the Blanco household is an exceptional asset, her intelligence and prowress in state affairs and military matters are immeasurable, a talent like that is going to be beneficial to me and the entire household".

"You have a fair point son, you really dug deep and found out the areas at which we are lacking, I am impressed" Madam Griselda smiled. "I wasn't keen on this arrangement, but I guess it is worth it" she continued as she gave her son a hug.

"I would be on my way to meet Lady Rosalind, we have an appointment" Victor announced to his mother.

"Go well my child, remember to be back before dusk, these thugs on the streets of Madrid do not take kindly to any nobility they find" Ma Griselda warned.

"I know mama, I'm a grown man and I know better than to engage in night trips outside of this vicinity" Victor laughed. Mother and son kissed each other goodbye and Lord Victor headed for his carriage which was waiting for him.

"My Lady, Lord Victor has arrived" announced a maid to Rosalind, Rosalind took her eyes off the mirror she stared blankly at and turned to the maid with a smile.

"Tell him I will join him right away" she said, the maid bowed and made her way out of the room. Rosalind took a deep breath and took one last look into the mirror. "It's time" she whispered.

Rosalind walked gracefully into the living room and was greeted with the sight of not only Lord Victor, but also the sight of lavish looking presents all wrapped up.

"Lord Victor brought all these for you my dear" Rosalind's father announced. Rosalind looked at the gifts and let out a smile.

"My lord is certainly generous to have graced my home with such wonderful gifts" she said, all smiles.

"Oh don't be so modest my lady, you are my future wife, this is just the beginning" Victor said as he smiled amusingly. "And least I forget, I brought gifts for my future in-laws as well" Victor chuckled as he signalled to the men he was with, they left the room and headed to get the other presents.

"Oh you are so kind my lord, my warmest thanks" Lady Bertha said as she bowed. Victor smiled as usual.

"If my lord accepts, I would love us to have some tea at the tea garden" Rosalind said, still beaming in smiles.

"Of course my lady, that would be delightful" Victor smiled, then he turned to Sir Alberto and his wife. "If you don't mind, can we?" He asked.

"Yes of course" the elderly couple answered with all gladness, Victor smirked. He stretched his hand towards Rosalind and she responded my placing her palm on he's and the two headed out of the living room.

"I must say the Blanco's have a very good taste" Victor said as he looked at the design on the small roof over the years table, "and I must say, the garden is well tended to as well" he giggled as he looked across the flowered but we'll trimmed garden.

"Thank you my Lord" Rosalind answered simply, just then two maids came into the tea garden with trays in their hands and walked towards Rosalind and Victor.

"My lord, my lady, these are your teas and biscuits" one of the maid's announced as the two bowed.

"Thank you very much, place them accordingly" Rosalind said as she smiled to the two women.

"Is that all my lady?"asked one of the maid.

"Yes that will be all, thank you" Rosalind answered. The maids laid the snacks and tea in front of them and took their leave.

"So my lady, did you think about what I told you yesterday?" Victor asked as he sipped his tea, Rosalind smiled and turned to him.

"I thought about it my lord, and I have come to a conclusion" she said.

"And what may that be?" Victor asked again.

"I have decided to do anything that pleases my lord" Rosalind answered, Victor smiled in triumph.

"I knew you will come around" he said as he bit on a biscuit.

"But you will grant me one request, that request is my only condition" Rosalind said, Victor's smile disappeared, his cat like eyes list it's mildness, he sat up from his comfortable posture and looked at Rosalind who in turn, stared right back at him.

"I would be your wife soon and all my allegiance and that of my family belongs to you, you have it all but I have nothing to myself" Rosalind said.

"So what do you imply my lady?" Victor asked curiously.

"I would submit to you if you give me my own space, I love to study, be creative and meet people, especially people of higher standing, my condition is that I would be able to pursue what I please" Rosalind said as she lifted the tea cup to her mouth and took a sip of tea from it. Victor paused and stared at her long and hard.

"What if this is a trap for you and your family to try to ride over my family and take Power for yourselves?" He asked, breaking the silence.

"You could monitor my activities, besides I would tell you whatever I'm up to and you could decide if it is alright with you, all I want is my own space and privacy" Rosalind said. Victor stared at her long and hard once again and likewise Rosalind.

"Alright I accept the condition, as long as you are still subject to my authority, I think it's only fair to grant your little wish, you are quite good at making deals" Victor said as he returned to sipping his tea.

"Thank you my lord" Rosalind smiled as she picked a biscuit.

"The wedding should be holding in about six days, so do you have anything special in mind for the wedding? Or perhaps any special dignitaries you would love to invite?" Victor asked, "you know I could arrange all that for you, you know" Victor continued.

"No my lord, I do not want an extravagant wedding, a simple wedding would be okay by me" Rosalind answered. Victor laughed loud and long, his histerical laughter put Rosalind at the edge, her anger brewed inside her with every sound of that histerical laughter but she held it in, and smiled it off.

"No way my lady, a man of my caliber cannot have a simple wedding, I guess you are scared and probably you don't know any influential people and honestly based on your family's status, I don't blame you" Victor said, after he was done laughing.

"So what do you suggest my lord?" Rosalind asked.

"Don't worry my dear, my family would plan the wedding, don't worry, it won't be too intimidating for you" Victor chuckled as he sipped his tea. Rosalind was furious, he didn't just disregard her request, he had subtly insulted her and her family.

"Victor Hernandez, I would get even" Rosalind though as she sipped her tea and stared at Victor.