By the River

CHAPTER NINE

Chapter 9:

Enrique slumped in his chair as he ran a hand once again through his unkempt hair from too much tussling while working. This was his least favorite thing in the world. He sat back and looked at the missives he had been writing all day and decided it was time for a break. He glanced outside and noticed how the sky had darkened from day to early evening. He snorted and stood up to ring for a light super since he knew that he would not be leaving his study for a few more hours.

“Yes milord?” enquired Giles.

“Can you please have a light super brought to my study? I fear I have much too much work to get done and will not be able to join the family for dinner. Could you also inform them of my plans, so they are not kept waiting for me?” Enrique replied.

Giles nodded his head and left the study to let the family know of the dukes’ plans for the evening. Enrique walked back to his desk and stood looking out the window admiring the light as it disappeared into the sky. He smiled to himself as his thoughts began to wander over the past few months. His family had arrived a few nights ago and he was thrilled to see them but knew he would have to tell them of his plans soon.

His mind began to wander back to the night of his all-time destruction. He could not believe how foolish he was and how much he had changed since then. He knew he was a fool and had behaved in the worst conceivable way, but he was determined to find the young lady in question. Though he was starting to have doubts that he would find her or that she was even nobility for that matter. She had been helping with the party and she had left and not returned. He wondered why she would not have tried to find him and marry him if she was not smart.

He turned back to his desk and sat down while steepling his fingers and leaning his chin on them while he thought some more on it. Her family had rushed her from London so as not to create a scandal and was being hidden away. Did he have a child on the way? Was he going to be a parent? Or was the child taken care of? These were the constant thoughts running through his head as he sat in his chair.

He was so deep in thought he did not hear Giles when he first knocked on the door. After the second and third knock he was brought back to reality. “Enter,” he called out.

He looked towards the door and smiled as the delicious smell wafted towards his nose. His stomach gave a large grumble and the housekeeper laughed when she heard it. “It looks like someone is hungry since ‘he skipped lunch today. I have made you some of your favorites. I made Corn and beans, along with seasoned pork.”

He smiled at his housekeeper Angie and stood to help her. Together they set out the food for supper. “Thank you, Angie. It looks lovely like always. I will try to be better at eating when I am supposed to. I am starved and fear I will waste away.”

Angie laughed and shook her dark curls that were peppered with grey. Her brown eyes sparkled at her merriment. “You best make sure ye do. Or I will come find ye myself and you will not like it.” She pointed her finger at him as she walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

He sat down once again enjoying his meal. After a few minutes he finished off the rest of his meat then sat back and relaxed in his chair. He must remember not to forget to skip meals again because he was ravenous. After a moment or two he let his mind wander back over the past two months.

He had set out early the next morning to discover who the woman was down by the water without giving out too much information. It was a plus having his sister on his side to help introduce him to other ladies and listen to see if she could catch any gossip or even a hint of a scandal that might be brewing. It had not been successful so far.

Thus far he had caught the attention of many husbands hungry hunting mamas and he almost wanted to go into hiding for a spell. But he knew he could not until he had found the girl. Even though his sister was beginning to grow weary of trying to find a mystery woman that seemed to have vanished into thin air he was not ready to give up just yet.

He did not understand what it was about her that had got him so caught and could not seem to shake her from his thoughts. He knew he had to find her and fix the problem and perhaps then he could marry her and get her out of his system then go back to his peaceful life. He began to think that it was the chase that was making her more appealing than if she had simply stayed and talked to him.

He was someone who did love a good chase. He was a man. He stood up and walked back to his desk to finish his missives and then call it a night once he was done.

After a few more hours of constant work, he lifted his head when there was a small knock on the door, and he called for whoever was to enter. He watched his sister poke her head around the door and smile at him. “How goes it brother? You have been holed up in this room all day long and I fear for your sanity. Would you care for a break for a stroll around the garden?”

“I suppose a break would be good. I have been here all day and have not truly been out of the room since I entered it earlier this morning. Give me a moment and I will join you in the foyer shortly.” Enrique replied.

He stood from his chair and stretched out his limbs that had become very cramped with all the sitting he had done. After a good minute of stretching, he grabbed his overcoat and walked out of his study and joined his sister in the foyer.

“Are you ready Isa?” he asked.

“But of course, brother. I am ready for our walk. It is a very lovely evening for a stroll. It reminds me of the one from a few months past.” She glanced at him as she moved towards the door leading to the patio.

Enrique nodded his head in agreement as he followed his sister out to the patio, moving towards the gardens. “Yes, it does indeed remind me of that night as well. Though there is sure to be a much different outcome. Tomorrow I am going to venture to the estate in the countryside. Would you like to join me? I know how loath you are to adventure away from the season as it is still early.”

Isa laughed and shook her head, “You know I think I can manage to drag myself away for a fortnight. I am sure that I will hardly be missed. Though in truth surely, I will miss my friends.” She rolled her eyes and smiled at the mention of her new friends.

“I am glad to see you have made some new friends and are enjoying your time with them. Though I notice you all tend to stick to yourselves away from the rest of the town. You know Madre y Padres are going to make you mingle more if you are caught doing it while they are in attendance you know?” he said.

She sighed and dropped her shoulders. “I know you are right brother, but I hate these social gatherings. They are so droll. You know how I would rather be outside or reading a wonderful book. It is a tedious task of always having to do everything correctly at all times. It really becomes tiresome. I truly do not know how they do this all the time every season. It gives me a headache.”

“I know sister but tis the way. You just have been spoiled and not made to do as you should have. Though I must say I am the same in that regard. We must both learn to do our duty and understand we cannot be spoiled forever.” He replied.

“Fie on us brothers!” she laughed. He joined in her laughter as they walked around the garden enjoying the evening.

“So, what is your next move in this chest game we have been started in on?” Isa inquired.

“To be honest I have not a clue. I feel like I am getting nowhere. I do not know where to keep looking and what to ask to find her. I am almost to the point that it was a drunken delusion. It cannot be that bad, can it?” he said.

“Brother I am positive that was not a dream or a delusion. You were too detailed and so adamant there is no way it can be anything other than what it was but reality. Perhaps it is time you talk to your friends and see if they might be able to help you.” Isa said.

“I do not know if that is a promising idea. I do not want to accidentally drag her through the mud if I can help it. She does not deserve the ridicule that will follow her if any of the towns get wind of this. That will totally and completely ruin the point of keeping things under lock and key. I do not want to truly create more damage than I have already done.” He replied.

“You are right. The unfortunate thing would be devastated and ruined. You are a good man brother” Isa said.

“It’s still out for debate at the moment.” He spoke. “Let us head back before it becomes too cold, and we can get some rest before our journey tomorrow morning. Make sure to pack warm. The weather can be rather finicky, and we do not want to be caught up a creek without a paddle.” “Good point brother. We will let us be off. Good night big brother.” Isa said as they moved back into the house.