CHAPTER TEN - A SPECIAL VISIT
1075 Words
Liverpool 1902
After Akpan and I arrived home, I had drafted a letter for Ezebunafor in London. I wrote about the events that transpired at the earl's ball. It was for our own good that we could get rid of the Baron before the gods forbid something inauspicious happened that would make us lose our heads. Although we could not celebrate the fact that we had dealt with the threat, because we knew that there were others like the Baron who knew our plans. What I couldn't understand was that why haven't we been exposed by now. What did they want from us.
"My lord a letter has just arrived for you." the maid said.
"Thank you, you can leave." I replied.
I took the letter from the maid and began reading the contents. What I saw made me weak in the knees.
Your Royal Highness
So you got rid of the Baron when you found out that he knew about your conspiracy against the empire. This is far from over, I had thought that maybe I should leave your little company for a while but after you murdered the Baron at the ball, you've just proven how desperate you all are. I plan to reveal your secrets to the crown. Although I do believe we can come to some kind of conclusion. I will send you another letter telling you where and when we should meet.
Yours truly
Charles Tyndale
I tore the letter to pieces as soon as I read. Part of me was scared about what would happen if our secret was exposed, but the other part of me felt relieve.
"At least now we know who it is." I whispered to myself, "just when I was thinking about why we didn't receive a letter of this sort earlier."
I burnt the first letter I planned to send initially and wrote another one now adding the fact that a letter was received from a particular Charles Tyndale who it seems wants something from us.
"The good news is that at least he's open to discussion." I said to Akpan after he also read the letter.
"Yes my lord," Akpan said, "he isn't exposing us he knows that there's a lot he could gain from us."
"But what in the world might that be." Akpan continued.
"We'll just have to wait to find out and that will be after he sends the second letter.
Two weeks later
It was a fine day, and there I was sitting in the garden as usual when the maid informed me of a visitor.
"My lord, you have a visitor."
"Is it one of my friends?" I asked.
"No, my lord, it is a lady." she replied.
"Tell her I'll be there soon."
The maid left.
"A lady coming to visit me, but who might it be?" I asked myself.
I went to my room, put on some decent outfit and went to the parlour to receive the guest. It was the Duke's daughter.
"My lady, what brings you to my humble home" I said.
"I just wanted to...she trailed off as she noticed the number of servants in the parlour.
"Come my lady, walk with me." I said as offered her my hand. She placed her hand in mine as I walked her to the garden.
"Mr Ndaeyo, you have a beautiful garden." she said as we stopped at the garden.
"Thank you my lady." I replied.
"Call me Elizabeth at least when were alone." she said.
I plucked a blue rose from the bush and made sure I pricked my fingers on the thorns.
"Mr Ndaeyo.....
"Akaninyene or Akan for short, of course only when were alone." I chuckled.
I put the flower in her hair.
"It looks so beautiful on you Elizabeth." I said.
"And what about your wound?" she asked.
"It's just a small injury besides I wouldn't mind getting hurt if it means I get to see you smile, it's worth it dearest Elizabeth." I said clearly flirting with her.
She was blushing.
"But you still haven't told me, to what do I owe this visit?" I asked.
I knew why she came to visit me, of course, I wasn't dumb, but I wanted her to say it.
"That evening in the ball, I wanted us to get meet each other often and get to know each other, but after that incident, I wasn't myself, I was so distraught for days. I tried to find you but I didn't know where you lived back then. A few days ago I heard you lived in Birkenhead."
"You went through all that trouble for me?" I asked.
"I just wanted to see you." she said.
"Is that all."
"Yes."
"You're lying, you don't go through so much trouble just because you want to see someone." I said.
I closed the distance between us, held her chin up and looked into her eyes.
"Tell me." I said.
"I- I like you." she said lowering her eyes in embarrassment.
"Look at me."
Her eyes were still on the floor
"Look at me."
She finally lifted her face up.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of Elizabeth, everyone gets to feel like this at least once in their lifetime." I said.
"Thank you." she said.
"You're welcome."
"I have to leave now." she said.
"Come I'll walk you to the door."
We walked back to the parlour only this time there weren't any servants.
"Where did they all go?" she asked.
"They wanted to see how we interracted with each other, you're the first woman they've seen me with, they were curious."
"You mean to say that I'm the first woman in here since you came to our country?" she asked.
"Yes, you're the first women to step foot in my house apart from the maids of course, you see I always avoid women."
"Why?"
"They make me do crazy things."
"Like?"
"Like this."
I kissed her on the cheek and moved my finger on her face to her neck, she was trembling
"Akan, please I won't be able to control myself.
"I'm sorry, that was unwise of me." I said
I walked her to her carriage
"Can we meet sometime?" she asked.
"I don't see why not."
She blew me a kiss as the carriage pulled away. I stared at the carriage until it disappeared out of sight.
"It's too early for that my darling." I laughed.
- Writer
