Second Thoughts
1165 Words
Charles was pacing the foyer when the front door flung open with a bang. Startled, he stared wide-eyed as Ida stomped past him, her eyes blazing and face flushed.
Charles watched as she raced by and up the stairs without a word as if he didn’t exist. He looked out the window and the car she took was parked half-hazardly in front of the house. He tsked and muttered, “Women…” but immediately clapped a hand to his mouth and looked around furtively. Tapping his fingers to his lips in self-reproach he walked back to the sitting room to rest his weary legs.
His granddaughter was angry about something but at least she didn’t run away. That’s one victory for the books.
***
In her room, Ida looked at her finger. The phantom sensation of Kensley’s hot tongue and that playful nip on the joint lingered and she shuddered recalling his playful provocation. Ida ran towards her bed leaping high into the air and landing face-first into her pillows. Her voice was stifled in the soft cushions.
Plagued by a rollercoaster of emotions, she vented her frustration into the cushions until she mentally recovered from the embarrassing moment. She couldn’t remember what transpired but somehow arrived home in one piece.
A sudden burst of inspiration hit her and she lept off her bed and raced to her makeshift atelier in her room. Since she kept her identity a secret from her family, she only kept a corner of her room for her “hobby”. But in times like these, the standard sized blank canvas on a studio easel was perfect to flesh out her thoughts.
Squeezing out dollops of oil paint onto a palette, she began her work. Little did she know that one day this sketch would transform into a masterpiece handed down as a prized heirloom.
***
Come dinner time, Charles, at the head of the table, stared at Ida’s empty seat. He eyed Fern suspiciously.
“Are you absolutely sure she hasn’t hightailed it out of here?”
Fern sighed. “Yes, Father. Ida is wholly focused on painting something right now and can’t be bothered to eat.”
“That won’t do,” Thomas said, “it’s just a silly hobby. She should focus on her health first and foremost.”
He signaled to a servant. “Call her down for dinner. Tell her everyone is waiting for her to get started.”
The maid nodded and left the room. After five minutes, a haggard-looking Ida emerged shocking her parents.
“Good heavens! What happened to you!?” Fern exclaimed, rushing out of her chair to inspect Ida.
Ida’s soulless eyes settled on her grandfather and in a pleading tone, she drawled, “Grandpa… please may I go home!? I need more space to paint!!”
Charles scowled and shook his head resolutely. “Absolutely not! Until I see you married to that Hendricks boy you are not to leave my line of sight!”
Ida rolled her eyes, “How come you let me go out for an hour?“
Charles harrumphed and patted his chest in exaggeration. “Yes, and I nearly had a heart attack so if you love me, stay home until your marriage.”
Ida pouted but Charles was not giving any room for negotiation. Fern pressed on Ida’s hand and shook her head slightly. Ida could only swallow her words and sit down to eat.
The one good thing about coming back to the estate was to enjoy the sumptuous fare. Tonight was roast lamb, herb-roasted potatoes, and an array of freshly baked bread.
Ida took a scoop of garlic butter and spread it over her bread generously before taking a large mouthful. She turned to the chef and gave him a thumbs up.
The older man smiled broadly and jutted his chin towards her plate of lamb before heading back into the kitchen. Ida took a fork to the meat and it slipped off the bone with ease. Ida stopped thinking and just slipped into a zen mode, focusing on the deep flavor profile exploding in her mouth.
Charles looked at his granddaughter over the top of the wine glass. With the impending wedding underway, he suddenly felt a surge of guilt. It was a dream for the two families to have a marriage alliance but if it was at the cost of his granddaughter's happiness, was it worth it?
He sighed into his wine glass making a burbling noise. Thomas looked up with a frown.
“Something on your mind, father?”
Charles placed his cup on the table and picked up a napkin to dab his lips. With another long sigh, he dismissed himself.
“I’m feeling a little tired. Ida, would you help this old man to the study?”
Ida stuffed the last piece of meat into her mouth and got up dutifully. Linking arms, she walked with Charles out of the dining room.
Once inside the stoic space, Charles sat down on the sofa and motioned for Ida to sit next to him.
“Do you have someone you fancy?”
Ida was taken aback. Raising a brow she spoke slowly, “Would it matter?”
Charles leaned into the backrest and closed his old eyes. “As much as I want the families to unite, I realize it isn’t fair to you. The two Hendricks boys are good matches and I know either one will treat you right but if you already have someone you love… then maybe this alliance just isn’t meant to be.”
Ida looked at her frail grandfather. He was once a proud strong man but time didn’t play favorites and Charles was reduced to a haunched wrinkled form of his glorious younger self. This was as good a chance to get out of the wedding but the words were lodged in the back of her throat. She just couldn’t bear to lie.
“No, granddad. I don’t like anyone.”
Charles' eyes shot open and he smiled brightly. “Truly?”
Ida nodded.
Charles sighed in relief and clutched his chest with one hand. “That’s good. I was worried you would be unhappy. I can tell that Kensley boy likes you. Maybe you will come to love him too.”
Ida snorted. “That pea-brained peacock?! Who will ever love him?!”
Charles shook his head. “He’s much smarter than he lets on. Don’t be fooled. I know he won’t hurt you but he could potentially drive you crazy. When you are married, treat him nicely and he’ll do the same but if you aggravate him, don’t expect him to take it lying down.”
Ida let her grandfather’s words enter one ear and exit the other. She just had to live with Kensley for three years— then she would be free. At least Kensley was handsome, it could have been worse.
Ida gave a perfunctory smile.
- Writer
