Rebirth: Revenge of the Abused Daughter

The Duke of Devonshire

“I could set you up to meet the king but I should warn you that if you want to have a title you have to find yourself a suitable…”

“Husband.” I utter and I feel so frustrated.

Why have I forgotten how the law works in this era? It is basically no rights for us women and we depend on males every time. The reason why the mayor freely sold the house property to me is that it is just a small chunk of property and it doesn’t need any approval of those in position.

“Yes, the young miss is exceptionally smart as they all had said. You must find yourself a suitable husband before you turn 18 then I can talk to the King for him to give you a title and some properties for you to own. But then, by the looks of you, many suitable men will come crowding at your door. I am sure you will be married sooner.” the Duke said making me smile and hide my disappointment.

“Thank you Your Grace for that. I will surely remember.” I said and they continue talking while I feel so frustrated since I can’t get a position on my own without a husband of some sort.

I was as silent as I stand there as the 3 gentlemen start talking on their own. I pick another glass of wine and drink it without even thinking if I will get drunk for I will have a class the next day. I walk away from the three gentlemen and went to another side taking a glass of wine with me. I am silently watching when some three women walk towards me with a smile as the 2 hold their fans over their faces.

“Miss Witman right?” the woman who looks in her 30’s holding a fan over her face said as they stop in front of me.

I take a deep breath before I face them and smile at them. I curtsy and then smile again at them.

“Yes, what can I do for the madams?” I said with a smile and I can see how they look as if they liked me instantly, seems like my charm had bewitched them as well.

“Good evening Miss Witman, I am Lady Wildena Holland this is Baroness Addington and this is her daughter Rowena. We are so fascinated with your dress. Where might you have bought that?” the woman asks as I smile and then look at my dress.

“Good Evening to you dear madams, it is nice to meet you. This dress…… my mother made this for me as I ask her to. I thought people will laugh at us with our dress since it is different. I am glad you liked it” I said with a smile.

“We don’t think it is laughable. It is rather unique and beautiful. It only shows that you are different, that you are not from around here.” Lady Holland said as I look at them and they look at my dress.

“If it is not a bother, can we ask your mother to make us one? With of course what dress will look best on us.” the Baroness said making me smile and look in the direction of my mother.

“Certainly madam, I will ask her for you. You can come and see us at our home or at her work. She works in that shop just across the bakery. I know for sure that the shop sells the best dress in the city.” I said with a smile.

If I can’t get a position being single might as well make my mother and Elena successful first. As the party commences I stay on the side watching everyone. I am looking towards my mother and Elena who are dancing on the side with my mother partnering with the Lord Mayor and Elena partnering with a little boy I don’t know of.

“If Miss Witman permits can I have a dance with you?” I look at my side to see Alejandro looking at me with a smile and there it goes my heart again starts pounding as hard like some horses are running a race on my chest.

“Can I ask the young Miss for a dance?” I look at his back to see Captain Lawhitton smiling at me as he stands beside Alejandro with his smile.

‘Oh shoot, this is the reason why I am hiding here unnoticed but why do they keep on coming towards me. I guess I can’t really control my witch ability and it charms everyone without my control. Harsh.’ I mutter to myself as I look at the two males.

‘Does this mean I have to choose?’ I take a deep sigh.

It is so hard to choose since if I chose the captain he will think that I am giving his affection some hope. YET if I chose Alejandro I will surely fall because with his presence THIS body is acting really odd and annoying. BUT……

“Oh I am sorry to decline Captain Lawhitton but…… Sir Cotswold asked first. Perhaps later when I am done with Sir Cotswold.” I said with a kind smile as I reach my hand to Alejandro who smiles at me and takes my hand on his, he probably the safest choice because I still can act as normal as I am can be Zorenia but to the captain, I might just get annoyed to his constant advances in asking my hand for marriage.

I look at the captain and smile. I feel bad for him but I want him to stop pursuing me because I feel so annoyed at times. I mean, he is handsome and kind BUT…… he is the type of man who deserves someone who is not as pretentious as I am and who is ready to settle not like me who is still set for revenge.

“Well, sorry for this, you might as well wait for your turn, Captain.” Alejandro said as he nods to the Captain and guides me to the dance floor.

“May as well, please do enjoy the dance, Miss Witman. If it is okay, can I take the second dance after?” the captain said looking as unaware as ever that I am avoiding him.

“Yes of course Captain.” I said with my best fake smile.

The dance is so different for me because I was used to modern dances like hip hops and freestyle dancing. I am familiar with tango, cha-cha, swing, samba, and interpretative dances but the style in this era is rather slow and not my kind of dance. I don’t even know how it is done. This will be trouble.

“Uhmnm dear sir can I be honest with you?” I said looking at Alejandro as he guides me.

“Yes, and please Miss Witman. Stop calling me Sir, Alejandro will be just fine.” he said as he smiles at me and the pounding of my heart feels like everyone can hear its beating.

“I- I don’t know how to dance the dance, Alejandro.” I said with his name sounding soft because I feel my face burns just uttering his name.

“Don’t worry the dance is easier than you thought. Just follow like everyone else and you will get used to the dance.” he said with a smile, I lean closer to him taking him off guard.

“I have to warn you, I don’t really know how to dance and I might step on your foot.” I said earning a chuckle from him making me move back with a burning face that now I even feel.

“Don’t worry, I will not get angry.” he said as he pulls me and like the others, we are now lined on his side are 6 more men while on my side are 6 ladies who will be those male’s partner.

‘Darn it, I hope I won’t embarrass myself.’ I utter to myself feeling so frustrated as the music begins to play.

I watch and follow the ladies' movements and it seems like it is easy so I manage to follow with the dancing. One thing that I like about the dance is that the contact between partners is less with only touching hands and smiling at each other giving me relief. When the music ends I smile and we all bow to one another as everyone applauds at us from all sides. I look at Alejandro as he walks towards me placing his hand behind my back to guide me out of the dance floor.

“I am amazed you learn that fast Miss Witman.” Alejandro said making me smile because I am amazed myself.

“Thank you and please just call me Zorenia or Renia whatever fits you. Miss Witman is really… too formal.” I said with a smile and he looks at me.

“Zorenia it is. It is good to see you are finally joining in the celebration. Ever since you arrived you always stayed on the corner hiding.” he said making me truthfully smile at him.

I look around the room when someone caught my eyes and for some reason, I think he has seen me too. My heart is beating more franticly and too different when I am with Alejandro. This time it is full of fear and anger. I see him walking towards me as he keeps on looking as if checking. I look away immediately and take a deep breath.

“Are you okay Zorenia? You are cold and pale.” Alejandro asks as I grab my forehead when my head starts to pound and I lean on him holding into his arm that automatically wrap around my body for support.

“Wohh are you okay?” he asks worriedly.

“I- I think I should go and see my mother and Elena. I don’t feel well, we have to go back home.” I said as I let go of him and dizzily walk around the place almost stumbling.

“Hey, wait let me help you.” he asks and about to hold me but I sign him to stop as I shake my head.

“I need to go where my mother is.” I said.

“I’ll look for your sister and see you two out.” Alejandro said but I never cared rather I walk towards where I can clearly see my mother is.

I went directly to where my mother is talking with someone who left eventually while I almost bump into someone. I grab her arm and she looks at me worriedly.

“Zorenia are you okay?” my mother asks worriedly.

“Mo- Mother we have to leave. The Duke of Devonshire is here. I- I think he saw me.” I said making her eyes widen in shock.