Escaping Her Curse—Completed

Chapter Four

As soon as Jessie made her way back into the party from the kitchen, she watched the prince carefully from her peripheral vision. He was currently animatedly talking with the duke, and Jessie inwardly cringed at what he was discussing. She didn’t want to leave the duke’s household. It was finally starting to feel familiar and though she didn’t actually like working within the duke’s household, it was safer than being near the prince.

A cough startled Jessie from her thoughts, and she pulled her eyes from the prince’s back only to meet the eyes of a rather notorious bachelor. His deep, chocolate eyes had flecks of gold that sparkled when he found something he wanted, and in this moment, the gentleman had certainly found something interesting.

“Is it true?” he asked, a light annoyance seeping into his tone.

Jessie deduced that that hadn’t been the first time he’d asked her the question, and before answering, she quickly dropped into an apologetic curtsy.

“I’m so sorry, Duke Ponce,” she began sheepishly. “Is what true?”

Duke Simon Ponce grinned wolfishly at Jessie as she sat in her curtsy, waiting for him to allow her to rise. He already liked this trait about the girl because it was apparent that she knew her place. He towered over her smaller frame and crossed his arms to show off his muscles, knowing that it was making the noble women peering at him swoon. Simon was extremely pleased with himself for making the unannounced trip to this party. It had already been worth it to see John be put in his place. It was a well-known fact that John was spineless and unscrupulous when it came to climbing up the social ladder.

“All right, I forgive you for ignoring me,” he continued to smile as Jessie rose out of her curtsy beautifully. Simon found himself marveling at her and quickly cleared his throat again. “Is it true that John was altering the books? Stealing from the duchy?”

“Yes, m’lord,” Jessie stated quietly, feeling uneasy.

Simon let out a bellowing laugh. “Whitman was one of my candidates for steward. How lucky I am that he came here and was caught by you. What a remarkable, little maid you are,” he then teased, his eyes filled with mirth.

Jessie shifted her weight from one foot to the other uncomfortably. “Well, if that’s all, m’lord, then I should continue my duty of serving. Please, excuse me.”

Simon reached out a hand to grab her arm in order to stop her. “Wait,” he said, taking one of the appetizers from her tray. “Why are you in such a rush to leave me? Are you not interested in my company? Do I smell? Am I so ugly?”

“N–no, m’lord,” Jessie stammered, searching for the right response. “I, uh, just need to continue working. It has nothing to do with you, sir. My place is serving the guests, not chatting with high society.”

“And I think that’s why I like you so much,” Simon grinned back at her. He then ate the extravagant cheese-filled date, licking the honey from his fingers. “You’d rather do your job, do what’s expected of you, than flaunt yourself in front of everyone because you got a little attention from some high ranking nobleman. It’s very honorable. And, it’s intriguing.”

Jessie crept back as noticeably as possible. She recognized the glint in Simon’s eyes. It always meant trouble for the poor girl trapped in his gaze. Jessie wasn’t going to live that life, though. She had worked too hard to get here, and she had avoided all the other attempts made by other men. Simon would be no different, so she would do whatever it took to escape his advances.

Taking a step closer to Jessie, Simon closed the distance between them. He wedged her into a corner with no way out. He liked this maid very much. He didn’t necessarily care about her name or where she came from. The way she spoke and held herself was remarkable for a maid, and he wanted her for it. Simon had never been refused in his entire life. Women often threw themselves at him, and he loved it. He loved knowing he could have any woman he chose. Gazing at the maid, Simon’s lust for her grew. He wanted to tear her little outfit from her body and taste her.

“Pl–please, sir,” Jessie whimpered, seeing her exits disappear as she hit the wall.

She raised a hand to stop him, placing it on his chest. She knew what would happen if this went poorly, but she had to try. Her touch, however, only ignited Simon’s desire even more. He wrapped his own hand over hers, basking in her soft skin and gentle warmth.

“Please what?” he purred, drawing closer to her face and inhaling her scent.

“Please stop. I don’t want this,” Jessie pleaded breathlessly.

Simon instinctively drew back and peered into her eyes. There was terror. She was shaking. He frowned at both himself and at her. This was certainly not the response he had anticipated. He certainly didn’t want her scared of him. Simon understood what his reputation was, but he certainly wouldn't ever force his will upon the woman. Taking a step back, he visibly saw the maid relax. This wasn’t how he imagined this moment to go.

“You…don’t want this?” he asked slowly, removing his hand and watching her snatch it away from him.

“No,” she replied quietly. “Sir, please don’t do this.”

Simon swallowed uneasily. “Of course. I’m sorry for– I, uh, think I misread the situation. I will not bother you further. I do apologize.”

Jessie’s eyes widened in shock. “A–apologize? M-lord, I’m the one who–”

Simon held up a hand. “No, this was on me. I take full responsibility. I would never want you to feel as though you had no choice in the matter. Women don’t say ‘no’ to me, well, um, ever. So, I just assumed, which was wrong of me to do.”

Opening her mouth to answer, Simon stopped her by continuing, “Actually, I must thank you for this reality check. I suppose my ego got out of hand. You just interest me as no woman ever has. If you’d allow it, I’d like to get to know you better. I know it probably isn’t proper, but will you please accept my invitation to tea? Of course, I’ll confirm it with Duke Laroche. I’m sure he won’t be able to say ‘no’ to me, but it would mean a lot if you would accept. As an apology for this blunder I’ve committed.”

“Um, it truly isn’t necessary, m’lord.”

“It is, and I must insist.”

Jessie briefly met his eyes before answering, “If Duke Laroche agrees, then I will accept.”

Simon smiled triumphantly. “Wonderful. Once I confirm it with me, I’ll have someone deliver the invitation. And again, I am truly sorry. Would you do the honor of giving me your name?”

“Jessie, m’lord. My name is Jessie.”

“Well, it was very nice to meet you, Jessie.”

Dipping his head, Simon then turned back towards the party and weaved his way into the mess of nobles. Jessie stared at his diminishing figure in utter confusion. She found herself wondering what had just happened. The situation had gone from her almost being forced to bed the duke, to him apologizing, and then asking her to join him for tea.

“Stop gawking and get back to work,” Mallory hissed in Jessie’s ear. “You’re not here to stare.”

Nodding, Jessie promptly pushed all thoughts of the prince and the duke from her mind. It had been an eventual and unusual ball, and Jessie couldn’t wait for it to end. She began serving the attendees once more until her platter was empty. Jessie then hid in the kitchen until dinner was announced.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she knew that the night was almost over. She didn’t want to think about what had transpired earlier. She didn’t want to think at all.

Jessie expertly stuck to the shadows through dinner. She watched the party from afar and did exactly as she was told by the head maid. She didn’t want to encounter anyone else who may make her life difficult. The hours ticked by more slowly than she would have wanted, but soon, it was an hour past midnight. Jessie knew that she only had to stay one more hour, and then she could retire to her bed. The servants worked in shifts, and she was grateful to be almost done with hers. The ball was still in full swing, and Jessie grew tired just watching everyone dance, talk, and mingle. How draining a life of nobility must be, Jessie thought to herself more than once that evening. Everything was pre-planned and fake.

As the clock chimed twice, Jessie smiled to herself. She could practically hear her bed calling out to her. Making her way outside, she breathed in a huge breath of fresh air. The coldness felt nice on her skin and dried up the beads of sweat she’d acquired from being inside all night. The moon shone brightly overhead, and she took in the beautiful sight of the garden.

Turning the corner, Jessie stopped in her tracks. Duke Laroche and a masked man were heatedly whispering to one another. Frowning, Jessie pressed herself against the wall and watched earnestly. Suddenly, Jessie watched the masked person take out a knife and stab the duke several times in the chest. Covering her mouth, Jessie froze. Her heart and mind raced as she decided what to do.

She then let out a piercing scream, which caught the attention of the masked person, who then ran straight towards her.