By the River

CHAPTER FIVE

Chapter 5:

Enrique walked up the steps escorting his sister into the large home. He got her settled and quickly made his way to the other men joining them as they stood drinking and smoking. He smiled as he was handed a glass of brandy. He tried to feign interest in what was being said but he was more there for the drink. After three or four more drinks he excused himself claiming he needed to check on his sister. He slowly made his way into the ballroom and searched for his sister. He soon found her among a small group. He sighed seeing her with their friend Lord Nicholas.

After making sure his sister was in good hands and was being looked after he eased his way slowly towards the door, needed air to calm his swimming head. He stepped outside and leaned against the wall in the shadows away from prying eyes. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to keep himself from being sick. After several long moments, his head calmed, and his stomach settled.

He opened his eyes slowly and looked around. He saw he was in the gardens and stood up straight as he began moving around the garden observing the couples taking a stroll through out. He grimaced realizing that soon he would have to suck it up and become the gentleman or start acting like one so he could find his bride. He shook his head and looked up into the sky staring at the stars. He wished he could be back home sitting on his balcony staring at the stars there instead of here where hell surely awaited him.

He slowly started becoming angry and decided it was best that he continued his walk possibly away from people so as not to create any drama and end up making a fool of himself. He looked around hoping to find an opening to lead away from the house. After several failed attempts he found the exit, he desperately wanted.

He slipped through and began walking towards the trees. There he was able to look back at the house and watch the people from afar from the others. He listened to the music and smiled at the tune playing. It was a song he had much enjoyed while back at home. It was his mother’s favorite tune and he smiled in fondness thinking of his parents back home.

He pictured his mother with her raven hair swept to the side in a half coffer. She was a small woman barely reaching his and his father’s shoulders. She was small but a very formidable woman. No one ever wanted to get in her way when she had her mind set on something. He chuckled softly as he thought of the look his father would get when he knew she was on the war path, most of the time because of him and his siblings or those occasions when his father ruffled her feather and made her temper peak.

His father was a stern man but never cruel, he was always a kind gentle father and husband. When it came to business his father was one who could meet his wife’s attitude when she was miffed. He always made sure his family was taken care of and that is what brought him to the current predicament he was placed in.

He shook his head not wanting to think about why he was listening to the song playing. He went back to thinking of his parents and how they would dance in the parlor among laughter as his father twirled his mother to and fro while his children would sit laughing and very much enjoying the love and laughter his parents created.

He wished he could have a woman like that, but his parents were putting the pressure on him not giving him anytime to find that special someone. He sighed annoyed at himself that he had come full circle back to where his thoughts had been previously and felt his temper slowly rising again.

He decided it was better to just keep moving away from the house and music so he would not have to think of the situation. He turned on his heel and slowly stumbled his way through the woods. He kept moving until the sounds kept fading away and soon was a nonexistent sound. Soon he could hear the sounds of water coming through the trees. He stopped for a moment trying to get his bearings and see if perhaps he could find the source of the water.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath while trying to hear the direction to take. After a few moments he could hear the sounds to his left. He turned and headed towards the river. After a few more minutes he came to the water. He moved towards the bank, looked down at the water, and stood staring enjoying the moment of peace. He let the sounds slowly move over him letting it sooth him and ease away the stress he had been feeling since arriving back in England.

He knew he was overreacting, but he could not help himself. He hated being told what to and even more being threatened to do it. He was a reasonable man but being pushed into something went against everything he stood for. He knew his parents did not mean to disturb him or even upset him but that is exactly what they had done.

It was his duty to beget an heir and he knew it, but he was loath to give up his bachelor lifestyle so soon. He thought he had at least two more years to do as he pleased, but it looked like fate was not going to let him have his way and threw his plans out the window and to the four winds. It was as if they wanted him to have a different path that where he wanted to go in life. He shook his head and knew that what was done was done and needed to man up and face reality and stop sulking like a child.

With that thought he turned and started heading back towards the house into the trees. He paused when he thought he heard a sound coming through the trees. He turned his head and listened. He heard it again and stood watching through the trees to see what in the world the mysterious sound was. After a few moments he saw a figure come through the trees and move towards where he had been standing.

He watched as the figure took her shoes and dipped them in the cool water. After a moment of him watching her, she took her glorious golden curls down and closed her eyes. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He moved a little closer watching her enjoy the water as it slid over her toys.

He felt his heart begin to pound as slow desire began to fill his blood. In his drunken mind he thought fates must have sent him an angel to ease the night away. For whom else would come to the river alone while a party was going on.

He looked around waiting to see if any other person joined her. For surely an angel like her would not be here alone unless it was to meet a companion and have an evening tryst. After a few minutes he realized that no one was coming forward to join her. He smiled on his good fortune as he walked out of the trees and stood watching her before speaking.

“Well, well well what do we have here? A sweet siren calling to me to join her?” He spoke gently to her.

The maidens shocked eyes shot open, and she flipped her head towards the voice coming from the trees. Her beautiful lips parted in a gasp when her eyes locked onto him.