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Carte blanche

On that night, Tom had dressed up as planned and they went to the party hall where the celebration was still going on without the celebrants but that seemed not to be a problem since there was food, drinks and music. There were lots of couples catching fun so it seemed they did not really take note of their absence.

Isabella had appeared with Tom, smiling and receiving congratulatory salutations. Tom saw her calmness, even when she knew her husband was in a hole a few kilometers from here.

She had danced with a few of Wellington’s friends where she would ask of her husband and they would tell her he would be back soon.

When she danced with Tom, she whispered that the night was not her wedding anniversary with Tom but their engagement party.

She felt blissful and satisfied. This was her dream and she was on her way to live it. That night, she summoned the guards and ask if anyone had seen her husband. She sent some to the king to tell him that Wellington had gone out and had not come back.

That same night, as she pretended to be perturbed, she spent the night with Tom as part of the celebration and libration.

“Just a few hours ago, you were scared of being with me, or scared of dying tomorrow but now, we are sure that there is no more fear. Wellington is gone and gone for life and you are taking the position of the richest man in Europe. Can’t you see the irony of life?”

The law men began to get more reports that Wellington and his men were seen riding towards his farm. The search was now channeled towards his farm and it took just two days to discover the holes.

Isabella had cried and argued that it was a set up. Her husband would never kill his friend. She had even threatened to report anyone who dare say that.

That was when a panel was set up by the king and Isabella realized that people knew about the relationship between Wellington and Rita.

A lot said they were always seen on the way to his farm. Then the most overwhelming evidences were Wellington’s shirt that was found buried with John, the slaves, and the tools used.

The news spread like wild fire throughout Europe. Wellington was a very famous and influential man and even those men at the top who had secret dirty deals with him denied him openly. The king of England who was his close ally openly said Wellington was a good man who died after making a mistake.

These events made Tom remember that he watched a movie titles The Inglorious Holes. Oh no! Tom had felt exited. He was seeing the real holes and how it happened.

Isabella had claimed to have fainted, fallen sick and as planned, she had to leave the town for a while.

She had series of meetings with the managers, where she officially handed the affairs of the whole Wellington empire to Tom.

He was to lead both companies and farms, oversee the affairs of the house. A lot of them did not like this, feeling that they had been there for long but some argued that Tom was Wellington’s nephew and about the only known relative of his that is known. Wellington was a very mysterious man.

Arrangements began on Isabella’s trip and this called for series of meetings. She was travelling with one hundred guards, six cooks, ten servants, a ship varying her clothes, food, wines and luxury items. Wellington had over fifty big ship used for slave trade and could accommodate two thousand people each. He also had luxury ship like the one Isabella was using now. She was going to Fishtown and had made arrangement already. She had a very large castle in Fishtown and quarters to accommodate her staff. Even when Wellington was alive and she would travel there, she always made sure she went with lots of guards and servants.

Tom was active in taking part in her journey plans, while he began to look into Wellington’s business empire. Meanwhile, he continued to see Rose secretly, making sure they were so careful because Isabella was a very sensitive and dangerous woman.

“She made you wear a ring on her?” Rose had asked.

“Yes and she plans to get married to me immediately she comes back.”

Rose bowed her head.

“I am afraid she would get what she wants. That woman is scary my love. I am loosing you.”

“No, don’t say such a thing. You will never loose me. I have plans.”

“What plan do you have that can avert this? She has given you so much power. She has my family in her pocket. She did not revoke what Wellington allocated to us. My father is avaricious and would not sacrifice anything for money. He will never leave this place for our love. And if we run away, she will get at them. She will sack them and I will not be happy wherever we are.”

“I know my love. She is leaving in a few days time. When she goes, I will have enough resources and use it to trade so I will have enough money that will make us leave..including your family but we will not give them details until we are out of here.”

“That won’t be easy? How much will you make that can make father earn as much as he will earn here?”

“I hope he understands that sooner or later, Isabella would revoke the money Wellington gives to him and having said that. I think that is the first step to take. I will revoke the money by giving an order that all non-wage payments must stop because there is a need for an audit.”

“He will hate you.”

“He won’t know it is me. It will be the board and not me. When this is done, his love for this place will reduce and our chances of having him on our side will increase. I am not just thinking of you and your family.”

She gave him an askance glance.

“I want to move with the slaves and workers.”

She laughed shortly.

“Are you crazy? You are talking about ten thousand people.”

“They will suffer if we leave them here. I see what they go through and I am sure Isabella only accepted my proposals just because she loves me..”

Rose grimaced. “You don’t have to tell me that.”

“She loves me but I do not love her. It does not matter who loves me, my love. What matters is who I love and you know that person.”

She blushed and smiled.

“I have plans my love. I don’t want us to escape to just any place…’ He looked into her eyes, “I want to build a new kingdom.”

On the eve of Isabella’s departure, she read a list and said, “Wellington recruited some of the members of the Yorkshire family without my consent. He brought in the girl to this house and employed the brother. You told me about it when you found out and I confronted him. He said he did it for your sake and that meant doing it for my sake.” She smirked. “My dirty Wellington. I spent juts ten years with him but I knew him more than he knew himself. He liked the girl but it seems she did not give in. I think the girl is an intending nun. Anyways, I will like her name on this list. She is coming with me.”

Tom felt his heart!

Later that day, Tom had sent a letter via Gaius to Rose and told her of Isabella’s plans. There was only one way out. She had get missing for a while. Rose had being so scared she cried. What would she do? Her father would not let her hide in their house and Isabella may find out she was there. Tom could not come to her because Isabella was very watchful.

Then she approached Gaius. She told him that she did not want to go. Gaius was scared of losing his job and did not want to keep her in his room. He said the only reason he was not on the list was he needed to guide Timothy on the household modus operandi.

Rose had to hide in the store where food was being kept. She did not leave until the next day.

Isabella left and could not wait until rose was found.

“Make sure is punished for leaving the house without permission.” Isabella had said. “Do not be sentimental. What if I wanted an emergency food for a guest? She will lose a quarter of her monthly wage.”

Tom nodded. He had accompanied them to the shore where the ship waited. Isabella was like a queen. Money was royalty, Tom decided.

He could not wait for her to but not before his drama in the house before they came out. She had made sure she spent most of the last days with him, saying she was going to be away for three months. When she kissed him for the last time, tom broke into tears.

“Three months my love.” He said. “You are going away from me, taking away your voice that smoothens me, your lips that wet me, and your body which satisfy me. Now I am like an orphan stranded in the middle of the ocean. I will miss you my love.”

“Do not make me change my mind. Now I feel like cancelling the trip..”

Tom cursed himself for saying the things he said. He only wanted to a little drama to cover his joy as she left.

“I will glad if you say behind.” He said, praying under his breath. He had wanted to say she should leave since it was their good but he come to realize that Isabella was so smart and observant.

“I wish I could but it is for our good.” She showed him the ring.” We will get married immediately I return.”

After her departure, Tom and his guards rode back home and he noticed that all the respects and sycophancies were directed towards him now.

He summoned a meeting which included the servants, cooks and guards except the guards by the exits.

They all gathered on the vast space before the main building. Tom was on the balcony with guards behind him and he realized that power was intoxicating.

He caught sight of Rose standing amongst them. They exchanged glances.

“I- Timothy Peter the chairman and CEO of Wellington’s, FT Farms and the head and general overseer of this great castle hereby call you here to make some things clear. The duties will be redefined and changes will be made. But after your years of dedication, I hereby announce a 50% increase in your wages.”

They clapped and jubilated.

“I will like to reaffirm the position of these gentle men behind me as my personal body guards.”

Applaud.

“The gallant and amiable soldier, Shaft Boher is hereby elate to a rank called The Knight of Wellington Empire. He is the highest ranking soldiers who heads all arms of security, including those of the companies and farms.”

Shaft had not expected this. Tom presented to him a new specially designed sword which originally belonged to Wellington.”

Shaft was so happy he swore loyalty to Tom. Wellington never recognized him like this. Instead it was Drood he recognized.

“The following soldiers are sentimental and incapable of their jobs: Farmon Aaron and Gabriel Pertson…..”

Farmon felt his heart banging. He knew this day would come. He never knew Timothy would rise to this level. What would happen if he lost his job? He earned three hundred pounds monthly and with the rise now, it would have increased to four hundred and fifty pounds. He was not ready to be out of job again. His love for Rose caused him this!

“But I will tamper justice with mercy.” Tom continued and both men felt a big relief. “Your ineptitude is unforgivable so you are hereby removed from the house security system and would work in the stables and work with the diligent men taking care of the horses…”

People laughed and Farmon grimaced. He glanced at Rose and saw her giggle. No! He could not take this! This was humiliation. He would rather quit the job than be subjected to just taking care of the horses. That made him an ordinary employee and not a soldier. He would not have swords or interrogate coming into the house. But if he quit, what else would he do? He had no choice other than accept the job.

“I hereby announce Gauis as the new Home  Management Head..”

They applauded and Gauis was amazed, elated and happy.

“And a form will go round, just like we will do with all the workers. You will fill in your details, your full names, town, skills, past experience and hobbies. We have better packages for you. I also promote Miss Stephanie to the post of the chief Cook…”

Applaud. Stephanie did not see this coming. Her eyes were filled with tears of joy. “And Rose becomes my personal cook because I have had the privilege of enjoying her meals in Yorkshire when I was stranded. She saved my life and I will forever be appreciative.”

Tobias stood still. So that was it. They had been lovers for years. He was going t p put this down in his diary. The day he lost the love of his life.

After the meeting, and a few minutes later, Rose moved her things into the main building and she walked into the big living room where Tom was alone.

“The world in our pocket.” He said and brought out his phone. “Isabella is in a ship so far away and here is my Rose so close to me..” he began to make some funny steps. “This calls for celebration so I am going to raise you up and throw you into the pool with your clothes.”

She laughed.

“You can’t do that.”

“Let’s see..”

“It’s just you and I sire so I am not taking orders from you and mind you, we will cook the meals together.”

“Did you just say I can’t” who is even talking about orders. I am talking about force. I am the pirate of the high sea, on a mission to kidnap the charming princess into the ocean of love…” he said dramatically and began to move towards her.

“I am armed you pirate...” she was moving backwards, “and I have the invisible sword.”

“Your invisible sword can’t harm me because I am fortified with the love of Rose…”

She laughed

“My prince charming will come for you. Have you heard of the great Tom-bible?”

“I will be long gone by the time he comes..”  He ran towards her and she creamed, laughing as she ran away from him. He chased her round the vast living-room, they laughed and as she tried to run towards the door, he grabbed her and caught her. She was hitting him slightly, laughing and he carried her on his shoulder.

“Drop me you pirate.”

“Nahhhhhh.”

He took her to Wellington’s luxury pool and threw her into the water. She screamed. She was still laughing when he jumped into the warm water and joined her.

“Now you got me wet you monster.’ She said splashing water on his face.

“I am yet to complete my job. I have to punish you ...” He also splashed water on her and they began splashing water on each other. He submerged and she looked round the swimming pool made out of rocks.

Then she felt him grab her from under and she screamed. He emerged and they laughed. He drew her closer to him and smiled.

“You are a naughty pirate.” She said softly, “And I feel ashamed to enjoy been kidnapped by you.”

“This is my best mission ever and probably my last because I have the biggest catch. The heart knows when to stop searching.”

“I love you Tom.”

“I love you Rose and yes, call me Tom. You are the only one who calls me that and I love it.”

They kissed.

“I think we need to get off these clothes. We need a warm swimming and bath.”

“And we cook, right?”

“What are we going to cook, madam?”

“Fresh fish soup, vegetables, and sweetened wheat mold.”

“I can’t wait to learn...” he said as he pulled off her clothes.

“I wish we could ne this happy forever.” She said.

“We have two months my love. Two months to plan our leave...” He drew her closer, “And we will away before she comes back.”

“I am scared of her, Tom.”

“Let us forget about her for now. We got this castle to ourselves so let us enjoy the moment.”

*****