Chapter 16
1780 Words
It was unbearably hot one morning when Amanda decided to take a walk at the park. Their daily regimen is strictly followed and the woman never dares miss any activities scheduled.
Amelia was already sweating profusely and her tight corset was not helping. Jane was beside her, trying to shade her with the parasol but the poor abigail can also feel the heat. Amanda was holding her own parasol, rested on her shoulder. Though she wants to take the parasol from Jane, Amanda forbids it. Saying that the abigail is there to serve her.
“We should take a seat for a moment,” Amanda said, finally feeling the exhaustion.
There is a lone bench not far from them. Amanda seated first and she has already occupied half of the seat. Amelia looked at Jane, the latter merely nodded.
“Come,” Amanda called. “And you girl—” pertaining to Jane. “—stand behind us and shade us with the parasols.”
“Yes, Miss,” Jane said and Amelia stayed still, trying to let Amanda’s behavior pass.
She seated and observed her surroundings. There are only a few people at the park. Every one of them glances in their direction and shook their heads in disapproval. When their eyes moved towards her, they would smile slightly and move on their way.
They are not in favor of Amanda as her companion and they are suspicious. Why would an ill-repute woman be hired as a companion of the daughter of the most respected man in town? There is something about it and if ever they knew, they refuse to speak of it.
“These people are so full of themselves,” Amanda said beside her.
“May I ask why, Miss?”
Amanda shot her a look. “I don’t think you have not heard stories about me. It’s all over town.”
“I know all about it, Miss. I know more, in fact.”
Amanda smirked. “It’s not like I’m a bad person. Those men wanted something their wives cannot give them. I’m just being generous with my skills.”
“But you are intruding. You’re destroying a family.”
"And I am having fun while doing it." Amanda moved over her upper body towards her. “However, they should blame the men. If they cannot be easily tempted then there’s no problem, right?”
Amelia did not speak and the other woman did not like her silence. Amanda pulled her chin so she could look at her.
“Didn’t your last governess tell you that not replying is rude?”
“She taught me to identify if the conversation is worth engaging or not.”
“Is that so?” Amanda tilted her head more then moved it side by side as if inspecting her every feature. “You think this conversation is pointless? Then, let me enlighten you. In this society we live in, men are always exempted from their own faults. As for when they cheat, they blamed it on the other woman. They gamble, they drink, they experience all the things that give them pleasure and vigor. While women? They stay home. They watch the children. They are expected to be genteel, prim, and proper. They follow their husband or their father’s bidding. Well, I refuse to be like them. I already told you, dear, your body is your asset. It is your weapon in this unfair and cruel world. Use it and let men be the one to follow you.”
“No,” she spoke.
Amanda finally lets her go. “You want to be a puppet? You want to live a meaningless life?”
“I refuse to use my body,” Amelia looked straight. “Instead, I will use my intellect. For when you know things and you know how to execute your actions. You can destroy a life in a snap.”
Amanda let out a boisterous laugh. That’s how Lance caught them. He stopped in front, riding a chaise with a smile and curious eyes. He looks so laid back with the open few upper buttons of his shirt and his hair untied.
“Lance!” Amanda exclaimed then stood up. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“You are not the only one who likes the outdoors, Amanda.”
“What have you been doing? You told us you would be back last time you came but you didn’t. You made Amelia expect your visit.”
“Did you, Miss Amelia?” he asked, looking at her now.
Amelia shook her head. “Your time is not mine to take. We all have things to do and we are not obligated to see each other.”
Lance smirked. “That’s right. No matter I badly want to see you, unfortunately, I was occupied.”
“Occupied?” Amanda asked.
“The Relvon’s had asked for my expertise in a specific business matter.”
“Relvon,” Amanda repeated. “Did father allow you?”
“What I do is none of our father’s business. Besides, he has many things to handle that he has completely forgotten he has another son.”
Amelia glanced at Jane who is still holding the parasols. She nodded and the abigail puts them down with a sigh. She stood up and walked closer to Lance. His little smile widens upon seeing her advancement.
But it wasn’t him she wants to go to, it’s the horse. Inspecting the animal, she inched more to it and the horse immediately turned his head to her.
“You fancy horses, Miss?”
“I haven’t ridden one in my entire life,” she answered Lance without looking away from the animal.
“But would you like to?”
“If my father would allow it.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw him shaking his head. “Always asking for his permission. When will you try and decide for yourself?”
“Lance,” Amanda called. “Do not talk to the Miss like that.”
Lance ignored his sister and said, “I assume you still haven’t decided on what I suggested before.”
“My answer is still the same. I shall wait for my father’s permission.”
“Coward.”
“Lance!” Amanda hissed.
“You’re living a very boring life, Miss. Explore it before you regret it,” he lastly said and urged the horse to move.
“At least it is safe,” she whispered to herself.
~~~~~~~
“No, lift your head higher.”
She did as she is told.
“Spread your fingers a little more and smile. Heavens! You look like you’re being forced to do this.”
Amanda moved back and forth in the room while the hired painter did his work. The woman surprised her early in the morning by bombarding orders to dress and made up her hair for a painter has arrived to capture her likeness.
“Is my father responsible for this?”
“Dear,” Amanda said. “Your father does not know what a young lady needs. Besides, this is my job and he is out of it.”
Amelia stayed silent and maintained her difficult pose. She is wearing a cream off-shoulder gown, the same color as her skin. Her hair was tied in a half updo, the untied part was falling on her shoulders in soft curls.
“Let’s have a break. You, girl—” Amanda called Jane. “—give your Miss something to drink. Don’t just stand there.”
Jane bowed and hurriedly went to the table where the beverages were laid out.
“She has a lovely face but I don’t think I can get the likeness of her eyes.”
“What do you mean?” Amanda leaned closer to the painter. “Sergio, you’re the best painter in town. Surely, you can handle it.”
Amelia glanced at the two, slightly hidden behind the canvass. Jane gave her a cup of tea and biscuits. She took them without a word.
“If I can’t, I will ask for somebody else to do it.”
“Do whatever you think is best. I just want the result to be outstanding.”
“Why are you even making such an effort for the girl?”
“Because I want to impress them. Small efforts may bring you to brilliant places, dear.”
Sergio chuckled. “Very well. However, I expect more for the payment.”
Amanda laughed. “You will get it. In time.”
They get back to work after she finished her tea. From where she is, she can see Amanda constantly going to the painter from her seat on the back. From those instances, she sees the woman repeatedly leaning on the man. Then they would share a smile as if they have a secret.
They had a few more breaks before Sergio called it a day.
“I will be back by a fortnight and continue the portrait. And I will ask if the person I am thinking of painting the eyes would be available.”
Amanda nodded. “That would be fine, right Amelia?”
“Yes, Miss,” she answered.
"If there is nothing more, I will walk Sergio out,” Amanda said then clasped her hand on the man’s waiting arm.
They walked side by side towards the door. Their bodies are so close.
“Did you bring our handiwork?” she asked Jane.
“No, Miss. I thought you would be occupied so I left it in your room. Would you like me to fetch it?”
“No,” she said. “I’ll get it.”
Jane nodded, knowing what her intentions are.
She walked out of the parlor silently. Her steps were light. Her breathing measured. The house was never been bright. Only the parts where the windows are have light. Her father likes the darkness. And she learned to like it too.
She roamed her eyes around before walking again in a certain direction that is not to her room. She passed down doors and corridors.
Then she heard it.
The moans.
The rustles.
The sounds of kisses.
“Sergio,” Amanda begged.
“Ever so impatient woman.” Sergio gathered the woman's skirt and grabbed one of her legs, resting it on his shoulder.
“Just give it to me.”
Sergio pulled down his trousers hurriedly. “And you shall.”
They both moaned loudly when he entered her at that darkened room, against a wall with an audience they never knew they had.
#DTSOAM
- Writer
