The Witch's Daughter

Chapter 4(Leith)

I sit there in silence with Mama for a bit when I hear quick footsteps going down the hall. I rush over and swing the door open and almost step right onto a plate of chocolate cake. I look down the hallway and see the top of William’s golden-brown head going down the stairs. I reach down and pick up the plate and inspect it.

“Who was it?”

“William… he set this outside the door.”

“Well, that was very thoughtful of him. Was it not?” she gives me a knowing look.

I roll my eyes at her before taking a bite. I close my eyes as I savor it. Mother laughs at me but I eat the whole thing with eyes closed and when I am finished I look at my mother.

“I truly am sorry, my lily.”

“I am sure you are, but I am still upset and would like to be left alone, please.” I say coldly. I immediately regret it once I see the look on her face as she turns to leave.

“Mama,” she turns again to look at me. “I will see you in the morning for breakfast?”

“Of course, my dear.” She says with a smirk as she heads out the door.

Once she has left, I turn toward my wardrobe and change into my nightgown. I grab my hairbrush from my vanity after taking my hair down and step out onto my balcony. I watch the guests leave as I brush out my hair. My balcony faces the side of the house, but I can see the carriages as they leave. Once I am done brushing my hair, I blow the candles out and climb into bed. I stare at the ceiling or the wall as I toss and turn before finally drifting off to sleep.

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I am awoken in the morning by Willow throwing my blankets off of me. I sit straight up still half asleep.

“What is happening??”

“It is mid-morning already and your mother has asked me to wake you up.”

I groan as I get out of bed. Willow draws me a bath as I did not get one last night before I went to sleep. Once that is done, I sit in front of my vanity while Willow puts my wavy hair into an updo. Once I am dressed in a simple sage green dress, I make my way downstairs and into the dining room.

“Oh, there you are finally. I was beginning to think you had run away in the middle of the night and poor Willow was trying to produce a good excuse.”

“That’s very funny and something that definitely did not cross my mind at all.” My voice is full of sarcasm as I sit down and start loading my plate with food.

“After you are done eating, we must discuss a date and time to get together with the Adairs to start wedding planning.”

“Ooh, I know how about the 13th of never?”

“My, you certainly have a mouth on you today. I know it is a lot to take in, but I have made sure that you are able to have a few days to process everything, but they are expecting a date and time to be given today.”

I keep eating as she lists off all the reasons why this will be a good thing. She finally stops talking about the engagement and asks Willow if the mail is here yet. I stare into my half-eaten plate and listen to her talk about upcoming events this week.

“Are you done? You have just been pushing your food around your plate.”

“I am done. Tell the Adairs we can meet in a week. I am going to go meet Bella now,” I tell her as I get up.

“But- “

“No buts,” I cut her off, “I will be doing what I like today as my birthday party was completely ruined last night.” She does not argue as Willow follows me out to the carriage.

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Willow and I step out of the carriage into the hot afternoon. They are having a little market of sorts in the park today, so that is where we decided to go. We walk along and stop at any tables that catch our eye, but nothing seems to jump out at me enough for me to purchase.

“Leith! I was not expecting you here today. I figured you would be canceling due to everything that happened last night.” Bella says as she comes up to us. She gives me a hug before we start our way back around towards the pond.

“Yes, well, I told my mother that I get to do whatever I please today since my party got ruined last night.”

“Oh my goodness, I am surprised she let you.”

“She really does feel bad, I think.”

“Did she tell you why the sudden engagement?”

I indicate for her to follow me, and we go under the huge willow tree right next to the pond for some privacy.

“Apparently, Papa owed Lord Adair something of immense value before he passed. Mother either does not wish to tell me or does not know what it is, but my marrying William will be sufficient payment, I guess.”

“How does she know he is telling the truth?”

“Exactly what I asked her, and she said she read it in my father’s journals, but he never spoke of what it was.”

“If I were you, I would ask to see the journals.”

“I thought about it. I believe Mama when she said it is in the journals, but I feel like she is hiding something.”

“I would ask and if she does not let you, she is hiding something. I would also go through your father’s office since it has not been touched since he passed. You are sure to find something there.”

“That is a genius idea, Bella. I shall ask her tonight and if I learn anything I will tell you immediately.”

“Excellent.” Her smile fades. “I suppose if all else fails you could just ask William if he knows anything as well.”

“I certainly will not be speaking to him until I absolutely have to. We are scheduled to meet next week to start making wedding plans.” I tell her with an eye roll.

“I know it is not an ideal situation for you, Leith, but William does not have a say in this as well.”

“He has more of a say than I do, Bella.”

“He does, but not in this. You know how his father is, plus he is the first-born son, he must marry a respectable lady and take over as Lord Adair. You are lucky that you had a brother old enough to take over the Dukedom or you and your family may have been replaced.”

“Just because he is taking over as the Marquess does not mean he does not have a say in who he marries, in fact, it gives him more power to choose to marry anyone else.”

“It is hard to see any other perspective when you are still angry. Just think about it more once you have calmed down a bit, okay?”

“I will try but I can not promise anything.” I stick my tongue out at her as we emerge from under the Willow tree. We chat and laugh as we make our way back to our carriages and I realize she may be right about me being too angry to think straight on certain matters, but she has also given me an excellent idea. I shall write to my brother as soon as possible and hope that he sees things through my eyes and tells mother this is unacceptable. Arabella wishes me luck in my search for the real reason for this engagement, and I promise to keep her in the loop. Willow and I climb back into the carriage and make our way home in silence.