The Witch's Daughter

Chapter3(William)

I watch as Leith hurries out of the ballroom and wish I could do the same thing. I realized as soon as those words left my father’s mouth that she had been told nothing of this arrangement. I thought her mother would have told her, as my father told me this morning. If she had read the note I had sent with the jewelry, then she would have found out that way. I turn toward my father and Lady Douglas.

“Why did she not know this was happening?”

“I was not planning to do the announcement like this. I wanted to wait until after her birthday, but your father insisted and since we have had no say- “

She cuts herself off in case anyone is listening to her. I turn and walk out of the ballroom in the direction that Leith went, but she is long gone by the time I make it out. Everyone kept stopping to congratulate me. Arabella almost runs into me as she rushes out of the ballroom.

“Where did she go??”

“I am not sure I just got out here.”

“She probably went to her room.”

“Perfect, I will go up there.”

“I think not! Not only is it wildly inappropriate, but you are more than likely the last person she wants to see or talk to at the moment.”

“I did not know this was happening until this morning. I do not have any say in this either, you know.”

“Still, I will go up and speak with her.” She turns and heads up the stairs. I go back into the ballroom because she is right, it would be inappropriate for me to be in her bedroom, and she does not want to speak with me right now. I rejoin my father and Leith’s mother in the ballroom as everyone gathers for some cake.

“So, Lady Douglas, when should we get together to discuss the wedding details?”

“Well, Lord Adair, I think it best that we reach out to you when it is time.” She says coldly as she turns around and heads out of the ballroom.

“Did you have to announce it tonight, father? It surely could have waited a day or two.”

“You do not get to question me, William. Nor should you feel bad for the Douglas family. Lord Douglas had secrets that his wife and daughter did not know of.”

“So, we should punish his wife and daughter for his secrets?”

“That is not what this is. Carlise owed me when he passed. Now Valerie and Leith are the ones that have to pay us back.”

“Father, please…”

“Do not question me again” he says in a raised voice. Some people give us a look, so he gives me a stern look as he turns to walk away. I stroll around the ballroom when I see Arabella again.

“Is she okay?” she gives me a glare.

“Of course she isn’t, but she is talking with her mother now, so hopefully that helps.”

“You must know- “

“It does not matter if you have no say in it, because neither does she. Everyone is going to respond differently to shock and Leith likes to isolate herself in her room until she can process it.”

I nod my understanding as I look at the almost gone chocolate cake. I grab a piece and offer it to her and then grab the last piece for myself.

“Mmm, this is the chocolate cake from the café.”

“I have never had it. It's Leith's favorite, is it not?”

“It is, how did you know that?”

“I overheard her telling you about it at some ball or another.”

“Hmm...interesting.” she gives me a nod as she walks towards a group of her friends.

I stare down at the cake and realize Leith has not even had a piece as she ran off right as they brought the cake out. I head out of the ballroom once again and head up the stairs. I remember where her room is from when we used to play together as kids. I suppose they could have moved her from her childhood room, but I guess I will find out soon enough. As I approach her door, I can see it is not shut all the way, and I can hear voices from inside.

“Why?! Why would you do this to me?

“Leith, I told you I had no choice.”

“You always have a choice, mother.”

“No, we do not. Not in this. I realize now that I have not fully prepared you for the real world. As women, this is something we must do. I have also been keeping you in the dark about it, but your father owed Lord Adair, and this is what he asked for in return.”

“What kind of favor could Papa possibly have owed him that is equivalent to this?”

“I do not know the full extent- “

“Then how the hell do you know that Papa even owed him this favor?”

“Leith! Language! As I was saying, I do not know the full extent of it, but your father did write in his journals about owing him a great favor.”

“So, this is it? I have to just give in and become a little homemaker and pop out babies?”

“I know it is not ideal, but just think, you will have more freedom than you do now. I know it does not feel like it, but you will be running your own household. You will be able to go into town whenever you like with no chaperone. You will be able to have your friends over whenever you would like.”

It gets quiet, and I realize I should not be listening to their conversation, so I set the cake down on the ground in front of the door and head back downstairs.