His Wicked Revenge

Chapter 6

"My lady, all the women from the reputed families are gathering in the garden. Why don't you meet up with them? You might even make some acquaintances, if possible, friends." Taking a careful look at Iris who was dressed in nothing but thin velvet nightgown with her head drowning into the thick book, Josephine suggested.

"I find the book far more fascinating than the idle gossips of the ladies." Not taking away her eyes from the William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet─ the masterpiece in tragedy, Iris answered in a low voice.

Josephine couldn't understand why her lady is so fascinated with the Romeo and Juliet, if at all, she finds the hurried romance to be rather unsuited to her taste. But, that was just her opinion. There are many who love the story and as opinions vary from person to person, Josephine didn't dare voice out her negation. She did not have the mood for a debate in which she was destined to lose. She never stood a chance against her lady in verbal wars, her lady was too intelligent for her own good.

Out of the corner of her eyes, Iris found her little maid's constipated expression rather amusing. How could she not know the woman's aversion to this particular literary masterpiece? Iris knew that everyone had different opinions on love and she did not press further on the issue.

Humming a tune, she turned to the next page, savoring the beauty of the poetic writing.

Sighing to herself, Josephine resigned herself to eating lemon cakes. Just like that the room fell into a comfortable silence.

A while later, series of knocks interrupted them.

Dusting her hands off the crumbs, Josephine opened the door to find the familiar strict face of the old maid who had showed them to their room.

Straightening her spine, Josephine hurriedly curtsied to the woman who seemed to dissect her with a sharp knife like gaze.

"No need to panic girl." Freda, the old maid smiled kindly. A smile spread on her wrinkled face as she spoke "I'm here to deliver the invitation to your lady. Today in the evening, the opening ball will be held in the honor of all the guests who came to attend the royal wedding."

Iris who was lying on the bed got up, draping the coat which was hung on the stand to cover her exposed body, she walked to the door in light but hurried steps.

"A ball you say?, hmm..." Iris rubbed her chin in contemplation as she studied the invitation embossed in gold.

On seeing the Queen's favored niece, Freda's smile grew wider. " My lady, the Queen is awaiting to see you in person. Our Queen is truly waiting for the ball to commence."

This time Iris smiled genuinely. The old maid was not fawning over her, she was truly relaying the wishes of Queen Rosemary.

With a breathtaking smile of her own, Iris replied "Madam, please tell my aunt to endure till the evening. I would definitely not disappoint her."

"I certainly take your word for that, my lady. I will be leaving now."

After closing the door, Josephine asked curiously "My lady, are you ready for the evening?"

"I was always the type to stay away from the gatherings of any sorts. Now, I'm to launch myself into the circle of popularity. I'm not all ready to face the practiced smiles and superficial words." Iris confessed, lifting her head from the invite, she sighed "Truth be told, I'm nervous."

Josephine was flustered on hearing Iris speak like that; the girl had always thought of her lady as a woman of confidence. But, she forgot that even the bravest of the men have moments where they falter. Wanting to instill fighting spirit in her lady, Josephine waved her balled fists in the air, in a resolute tone she said "My lady, I'm going to be your chamberlain. You can be at ease, I will swat away any sticky flies away from your side."

At the sight of her adorable maid, Iris felt all fears vanish away. With people who are willing to support her, is there any need for her to be scared?

No, there is no need to be afraid.

Letting out a chuckle, Iris flicked Josephine's forehead "My little maid, I'm truly grateful for your protection. With your presence by my side, I can be confident."

Maybe, the thoughts of her first time appearance in these high society parties are making her jittery. To clear her mind off, Iris decided to go for a ride.

"Josephine, could you take out my riding robes?"

...

After buttoning the last button of the coat which reached her knees, Iris adjusted the hat on her head. Dressed in cream trousers and a black velvet coat which were paired with black leather riding boots, Iris stepped out of the room as her legs traced the familiar passages which played in her memory, those to which entry had long been banned to all, except her. Josephine stayed back in the room to prepare the dress for the evening ball.

Knowing her penchant to riding and archery and given her rather boyish attire, her aunt Rosemary had taken necessary precautions to prevent the judgemental eyes of the society on her. She gave Iris the map containing secret passages to the back of the palace which leads to the woods. Iris had long committed to the image to her mind long back.

As she neared the exit to the backyard of the palace, the smell of dry hay wafted through the air.

Hearing the sound of the boots, Georgie, who had been feeding the horse with water turned around. A wide smile spread across his freckled face as he saw the person walking towards him.

"Lady Iris, it's been a long time. I see that you are still sneaking out of the palace." Georgie chortled, in an factual voice he said, "Old habits never die."

"Old Georgie, I never expected you to recognize me!" Iris exclaimed, her tone pleased.

Taking a few steps forward, he swept his eyes over the towering figure of Iris. Aged forty five and at a height of five feet and two inches, Georgie had to look up at the girl who he had seen since she was a kid. The little clumsy girl had now grown up into a lady.

"I've literally seen you grown up. I could spot you out of thousands in a heartbeat." Georgie patted his chest, his face acting as a mirror of his pride. Before Iris could further speak, the man prompted "Knowing you, I think that you better go for a ride. Unless you are troubled with something, you would never come here."

Handing the reins of the horse to Iris he urged her "Get on quickly, you better go soon so that you would return early. You wouldn't want to miss the ball."

Patting the horse, he spoke "Your horse is a strong one, he is beautiful too. This boy had his fill, so give him a good run."

Iris had originally wanted to speak with Georgie, but, the man seemed adamant on driving her away. Well, there was always a next time.

Shaking her head helplessly, Iris mounted onto the horse.

"I'll be back in a jiffy!" Sending a gentle kick to the horse, Iris galloped forward with her horse Whirlwind as he dashed into the woods neighing happily, his shining black hair flowing with the wind.

...

Deep in the woods, Edward Ainsworth sighed for the umpteenth time as he was not able to find any preys for his hunt.

For the first time, he had brought a bow and arrows instead of a gun. All because of a bet with the most infuriating man of all times, Jeremy Hunter. It was as if there was invisible gunpowder between them as even a single misspoken word was enough to light an inferno.

At the same time his sigh had ended, a playful voice sounded from behind "It seems that the legendary skills of Lord Ainsworth are just rumors and nothing more. I've caught two birds and you have yet to catch a single prey. How about you accept the defeat? It would save us time~"

"Shut that mouth of yours, Hunter!" Edward Ainsworth snarled, in a tone laced with both anger and arrogance, he said "There's still an hour remaining for the competition to end, so why are you getting all worked up for? If I were you, I would concentrate on catching preys so as to not suffer a bitter defeat in the end."

Listening to such prideful and mocking words, Jeremy Hunter did not lash out as expected. In a rather cool tone, he spoke "I'm rather tired now. I would rather observe your skills and note some pointers so that I can use them later on."

Not able to hear more of the nonsense coming from Hunter's mouth, Edward Ainsworth gave a kick to his horse and ventured deep into the woods, with Hunter and the rest of the group following him at a leisurely pace.

Though Edward Ainsworth was maintaining a nonchalant expression on the outside, inwardly he was seething in anger.

How dare the Hunter fellow mock him?

Even the lady luck had abandoned him?

Why was he performing so bad today?

Just when his mind was bombarding his heart with a myriad of thoughts, he heard a soft rustling sound in the woods. Coming to a halt, Edward Ainsworth trained his ears in the direction of the noise.

The sound seemed to increase and based on the soft sound, he decided that it must be either a deer or some wild animal.

Hah! A single wild animal is equivalent to at least five birds!

This must be my chance!

After affirming himself, he placed an arrow on his brow. Drawing the string, he released the arrow with a whoosh!

"Ah!" A cry of pain pierced the silent atmosphere sending a tremor down Edward Ainsworth's spine.

The cry of pain was followed by a thump sound, as if a body had hit the ground.

Jeremy Hunter and the others had arrived just at the moment when they heard sound of a person. They then stared at Edward Ainsworth who seemed to have frozen with time.

An understanding dawned on them and even the playful Jeremy Hunter had turned serious this time.

In a reprimanding tone, he shouted "Ainsworth, what are you doing there standing like a statue? If it's a person that you have shot, then you are in deep trouble. Let's see if the person is alive or not?"

Jeremy's shout acted as a wake up call, pulling him from his trance.

How could he be so reckless? It was a life!

Cursing himself, Edward Ainsworth rode in the direction where the sound came from, with Jeremy and others in tow.