Almost, Completely His

Chapter 1

Arthur

“Now, you boys will be on your best behavior.”

Our father, Gerald Harris, eyed us intently as we sat for breakfast.

Charles, my older brother of 17, nodded. His neat auburn hair, identical to my father’s ,glinted in the light from the large windows.

“Of course father.” He smiled at our father and at me too. I knew him far too well and knew that he meant “of course we’ll behave father... as long as you’re around.”

I let out a laugh and my father looked at me annoyed. At the same moment my mother sighed behind me as she took a seat for breakfast.

She shook her head, her butter blonde waves swaying on the side of her face.

“Arthur please behave. You and Charles are the son’s of an Earl. You are respected and observed... not to mention that our guest is a Viscount from Spain. And we are hosting him.”

“For how long mother?” Charles asked.

“A month or so. His oldest son Enrique and youngest daughter Celeste will be joining us.”

I groaned. “Why Celeste? She’s a child.”

Charles wrinkled his nose too. The last time we had seen Viscount Enrique II Cortez his son, Enrique III who was Charles’s age, was 3 years ago. They were both 14 and got along extremely well. They were both heirs in training but they let me tag along.

Celeste on the other hand, was 2 years old at the time, and a complete hurricane. She spoke loudly, ran around and was always wreaking havoc.

“No complaining Arthur, it’s impolite.” Mother lectured as she prepared her tea.

“Mother, she destroyed by riding boots last time she was here.”

Father laughed and my mom smiled.

“Serves you right for letting them lie about.”

Charles coughed to hide his laugh and I glared at him.

“Dear when will the Viscount arrive?”

My dad smiled adoringly at Mother. “In 2 hours time Theodora.”

“Perfect! Enough time to prepare them rooms. And enough time for the two of you,” she said looking at Charles and I, “to begin to behave yourselves.”

Later that day, my family and I sat for dinner along with the Cortez family.

The viscount was an intimidating man with jet black hair and dark black eyes. He had a sharp jawline and long face that was covered in a neat black beard.

He smiled often and father always said he was a kind and patient man, but we all knew he was not a man to mess with either.

His son Enrique took after him. He too was tall and muscular and had a long face with sharp jawline. He had smooth jet black hair and black, almond shaped eyes. I had seen him joke and laugh with Charles and like his father, had a sense of peace and lightheartedness.

His sister however, was a different story.

She was small five year old who had a chaotic energy. She had her father’s black eyes but they were larger and full of eagerness. The Viscountess Maria Cortez had died during Celeste’s birth but mother had told us that Celeste deeply resembled Maria.

Maria had large dark eyes, long eyelashes, pale skin and curly brown hair that gleamed red in the sun. Celeste had inherited all of that and even Maria’s beauty mark on her right cheek.

Dinner was quiet for the most part. Father and the Viscount talked about trading, politics and included my mother in the conversation, which was not usually seen in other households.

Charles and Enrique stole glances at one another during the conversations, probably both overwhelmed with the knowledge that they’d be taking up the mantle in time.

And I eyed Celeste, making sure she was at a distance and wasn’t making a mess. For the most part she stayed still, eating her food and looking around the room. She swayed her feet and didn’t throw anything which surprised me.

After dinner, Charles, Enrique and I went outside to practice fencing with fake swords. Father and the Viscount chatted in his study while mom too joined us outside with Celeste. They both walked around the garden and mother would hand Celeste flowers and tell her the names.

“She’s calmer now.” Charles brought up.

“Father hired a woman who’s helping. He thinks a female figure will help guide Celeste in the right direction.” Enrique said shrugging.

“You don’t agree?” I asked.

“I know my sister. And while she is going to grow up and raised to be a skilled, kind and loyal wife, she is full of fire and untamed energy.” Enrique smirked and laughed.

“Won’t it be harder for her to find a husband if she doesn’t tame herself?” I asked again. I had female friends who were being polished to be wives, many already had proposals or were betrothed. It was a woman’s purpose to marry.

Enrique shrugged again. “She’s my sister. I know she’ll have to marry one day but I hope she stays true to herself.”

Charles laughed. “I don’t think any man in the world will be able to achieve otherwise.”

Enrique looked at me directly and smiled. “The right man won’t want to.”