Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane, Chapter 12, By Ruth Nalio

Autumn…

Trystan and I were made to sit next to one another in the seat across from our parents. I didn’t so much as look at Trystan. I was trying my best to calm down but for the life of me, I was infuriated at Trystan’s attempt to intimidate me, not to mention for calling me stupid for simply telling him I wasn’t afraid. I could tell he wasn’t the kind of person to hit me. I had a feeling for those kinds of things, and he didn’t know it.

“Autumn, I’m sorry for the way I acted. I shouldn’t have called you stupid.”

I snapped my head around and looked Trystan square in the face. The apology was far from sincere. “You don’t have to say you’re sorry for that. You don’t mean it.”

“I still shouldn’t have said it, even if I believe it or not.”

I took a deep breath. “Thank you for your apology.” I looked at our parents, “When does it become easy to get along?”

Trystan laughed, “Autumn, don’t ask them questions that will upset them. Just do as they say and get it over with.”

“I suppose they want me to say ‘yes dear’ but I’m just going to say if I must.” Father rolled his eyes in exasperation and Jude stifled a laugh.

“Autumn, let's go back to working well together to get out of this, I think it has potential.”

I looked at Trystan and wondered if he was nuts saying such in front of our parents. Then again it might just work to go about this in a matter-of-fact way. I sighed, “I guess neither of us has any better ideas unless you can get another woman pregnant?”

“Autumn,” Father said in his warning voice.

“Sorry, I’m not looking forward to being a father any more than I am looking forward to being a husband.”

“Trystan, don’t encourage her!”

“Would you rather me tell her that it sounds like a good idea?”

“Yes, that would be encouraging me, before he was politely telling me that I had a bad idea.”

“Autumn, don’t argue with Jude!” Father scolded.

“I’m sorry, Jude,” I said as sweetly as possible. Somehow I was feeling less angry. This was actually like a game to me; it was fun to get under their skin. I wondered if Trystan found it as much fun as I did.

“I would like to point out that we are getting along now and that I got her out of her bad mood,” Trystan said informatively.

“You see, that smugness is one of the things that makes me not want to marry him.”

“Stop it now! The both of you!” Jude said as he looked at the both of us.

We pulled up to my father’s estate and I happily got out without the assistance of Trystan. Just as we reached the front steps I got an idea, “Trystan, I think we should start arguing with a smile on our face.”

“Would that be considered teasing?”

“I’m not sure, but I do know that I would have to force myself to hold a smile unless, of course, the argument is going in my favor.”

“I thought Jude told the two of you to stop,” Father said as he opened the door.

“Sorry, Father.”

“I was thinking since we all like to play cards that we could play until dinner.” Father changed the subject.

“I bet I’ll win,” I said as I walked in behind Father.

“We’ll just see about that.” Brain patted my cheek as he walked by me.

We all sat down in the dining room and Father had the cards brought to us and shuffled. A six of diamonds was turned up and the game began. Father, Jude, and I all tied with only five points less than Trystan in just the first hand. The next hand was better, I pulled ahead of Trystan by ten points and Jude was only five points behind me. By the third hand, we were halfway finished. In the end, Trystan and I tied with 500 while Father had 470 and Jude had 485.

Dinner was served not long after that. We had a roast off of Trystan’s deer with carrots, potatoes, and cabbage. The roast was deliciously juicy. We also had buttered corn and bread. There was jam for the bread. Then a cherry pie was brought out for us.

There had been little conversation throughout dinner and we hadn’t talked at all during cards aside from the usual banter that goes with cards. Now we all went to the sitting room for drinks. This was going to be fun.

“What would you like, Jude?” Father asked.

“A brandy or a scotch?” Jude said in a questioning tone.

Father smiled, “Which would you like first?” I had to roll my eyes.

“I’ll start with a brandy, to get warmed up.” Jude winked at my father. It was disgusting how well they got along.

“Trystan?” Father asked.

“I’ll jump right into the scotch if you’ll not be offended.” Trystan smiled a wicked smile.

“So I’m going to guess our house will never have enough scotch for you will it?” I found my opportunity to start something with a smile and I jumped on it.

“Autumn,” Father said in a warning voice.

“I’m not that much of a drinker all the time but when I want a drink, I don’t want to get warmed up first,” Trystan said with one brow arched. “What will you be having?”

“She’ll be drinking a brandy,” Father answered for me. “Autumn, will you help me make the drinks? Do make yourselves comfortable.” I followed Father to the alcohol and waited for it. Sure enough, he whispered, “You’ll be sipping yours like a lady and no more than one or two.”

“It's not like they don’t already know I’m not ladylike,” I whispered in response as I filled up a brandy.

“Autumn.” It was another warning.

I sighed, “Yes father.” I took Jude his drink and smiled politely, “Here you are Jude, enjoy.” I went to sit down in the farthest seat from Trystan, but Father cleared his throat and looked at the seat next to Trystan so I sat there.

“So Autumn, what do you do with the time you're not spending in the woods?” Jude asked.

“Well, I like to dance, so I try to go to a ball or celebration here and there. I also like to practice my aim. When I’m not doing that. I’m swimming to escape the heat.”

“Do you bite the heads off of the men you dance with as well?” Trystan asked.

“No, not all of them,” I answered before Jude or Father could say anything.

“I’m guessing that the swimming is why you’re not as pale as most women?” Trystan said as he took a healthy drink of his scotch.

“Trystan.” Jude got onto him in a warning voice.

“Well, actually, it’s that and the fact that I like to sit out by the pond in the back when I’m not doing anything else.”

“You forgot to mention that hobby when my father asked you.”

“How rude of me. Jude, I also like to sit by the pond off the back of the estate. I also like to go for walks now and then. Oh yes, and sometimes I even like to help in the kitchen just so that I may learn something new.”

“Well, well, well, it seems you forgot quite a few things.”

“What do you like to do Trystan? Besides, drink your scotch first and your brandy later.” I asked pointedly.

“I like to go hunting, play cards, and think of new ways to torment you as of late.”

“Trystan!” Jude scolded.

“What a coincidence! I seem to be spending most of my time thinking of new ways to torment you! That, and thinking of new ways to try and get out of this engagement.”

“Well of course, that goes without saying.”

“Would you like me to refresh that for you?” I asked as I noticed that his scotch was empty.

“Why thank you, I’ll have a brandy this time though.”

“Was the scotch too much for you?” I asked as I got up and refilled his glass.

“No, I just think I should pace myself.”

“Well, that makes sense.”

“Can you believe the way the two of them are arguing?” Father asked Jude.

“I don’t know if it’s a good sign or not.”

“Trust me, it's not,” Trystan informed them before downing the entire brandy I had just given him.

“Don’t bother getting me another one, I can get it myself.”

“How nice of you not to run my legs off going back and forth.”

“Well, I don’t think you would have any time to get drunk if I didn’t get my drinks myself.”

“What a gentleman,” I said with all the sarcasm I could muster.

“Well, in my company you surely do wish to become drunk.”

“It's amazing how close you are to the truth. I would love to drink without you even more, though.”

“Autumn, Trystan stop that.” Father scolded.

“Trystan, I think we should talk about something other than drinking since it seems to upset my father.”

“Yes, well, let’s see.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Has any man ever asked for your attentions?”

“Trystan!” Jude looked positively astounded.

“Plenty, I’ll have you know. Has any woman ever asked for your attentions without asking about your purse size before?”

“Autumn!” Father scolded me again. Brain and I continued to find ways to make the subjects un-agreeable as Father and Jude continued to change them and get onto us. Finally, they gave up even talking to us and began talking to each other.

“Mason, when will we be visiting next week?”

“I was just thinking about that. I have a friend who is getting married and has invited Autumn and me to the celebration, and I was just wondering if we should get together before or after then.”

Jude looked thoughtful for a moment then smiled, “Autumn, if you’re father doesn’t mind, Trystan will escort you to the party.” Jude said calmly as he took a drink of Father’s brandy.

“Do you think it’s appropriate for me to escort her when I don’t know this couple?” Trystan questioned smoothly. Damn, he was smooth considering he should be drunk by now. He was on what, his fifth glass of scotch? Not to mention he’s had two brandies!

“Trystan, don’t try to wiggle your way out of this. The two of you are betrothed and need to make a public appearance.”

“Would a public appearance be wise when neither of us wishes to be married?” I asked as I sipped my drink. Damn, it was hard to sip the thing when all I wanted to do was down the glass!

“Autumn!” Father scolded me, again. All I did was shrug. It seemed that was all he was doing as of late. Then again, I was being rotten.

“She has a point. What happens if we are successful in talking the two of you out of this and we’ve been seen together?”

“Trystan, I’ve heard enough of that. Now the two of you will get married, and that’s that.” Jude was allowing the anger into his voice for once and it surprised me. He had seemed half amused through this entire engagement with the way Trystan and I bickered. “If you don’t mind, I think it's time Trystan and I head to our own home now, Mason. Good night, Autumn.” Jude nodded his head to Father, and without another word walked out of the room.