Young Writers Society

Chapter 3

It was night and the door to the balcony was slightly open. The wind blew in the curtains and John woke up, hearing the sound of a woman’s voice. The trees rustled loudly outside and there was a cool breeze.

“Who in the bloody…” John said as he stood and walked towards the door. Immediately he flung the curtains to the side. It was Violet and she was startled.

“Oh…hello Milord…Come, sit with me.”

“What are you doing here at this time of the night? Who let you in here?” he demanded.

“Larry, of course. You were asleep, so I sat out here” She then patted the bench for him to sit. He didn’t hesitate. He sat…

“I’ve been waiting for you…”

“You have? Why?”

“Because I’ve been waiting to see that handsome face of yours. Those light green eyes that glisten in the moonlight. I could drown in them, you know. John, my dear…”

Dear? What the devil was going on?

“Why are you here? And why are you calling me dear?”

“Simple question…because you are very dear to me than all these moonlit nights. Nothing matters to me…but you.”

John frowned and suddenly…he couldn’t think of anything to say or do.

“Do you remember our promise?”

“Promise? What promise?”

“It hurts me that you don’t remember…let me remind you.” Suddenly, she grabbed his collar and kissed him.

“Violet?!” John immediately shouted as his eyes flew open. It was just a dream and John was soaked in sweat. He was breathing heavily as Larry came in.

“Violet?” Larry asked, placing a cup of hot chocolate upon the coffee table. Larry smiled with delight. “I am not Violet, Milord.”

“I had a dream. It seemed so real.”

“I can see that. You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.” He laughed. They paused.

“Are you going to explain to me what it was about?”

“She was seductive and she kissed me…as if she were in love with me. Bloody hell, it was hell of dream.”

“Isn’t that intriguing?” Larry said.

John watched him and he knew something was going on. He saw it in the way Larry spoke.

“Larry?”

“Yes?” he said looking up abruptly.

“What are you up to?”

“Uh…I…”

“What?!” He snatched.

“Do you hear someone knocking?” Larry suddenly said, trying to change the subject.

“Larry, if you don’t--”

“Do you want to see Violet Williams?!”

John breathed and angrily jumped out of bed.

“She just came here. I didn’t want to send her away again. She is a delight, you know.” He sighed, “We need women in this house.”

“We have woman in this house.” John said sarcastically.

“Yes, but they…are limited.”

“And there is a reason for that.” Suddenly there was a knock upon the bedroom door and that sent another angry look towards Larry. Larry didn’t know what else to do, so he opened the door.

“Oh, hello Miss Williams.” As soon as John heard her name, he turned his painting around, feeling a complete rush. Why in heavens name did she come upstairs and to his room? Larry then opened the door, to which Violet had a glimpse of him.

***
Violet entered into Lord Manarte’s room and saw that it was utterly dark and deeply depressing. Larry welcomed her in and she entered. She knew very well that John detested the whole idea of her being in his room. She knew it was improper, but she was through with society and its rules. Violet took a good look at him and he was as always, charming…he had just woken up and he was frowning at her…

“What are you doing here?” he demanded.

“I came to say hello.” She replied calmly.

“You should know better than to come into a man’s bedchambers.”

“Well, I thought if you wouldn’t come down, I’d have to fetch you myself.” Violet lifted her head.

“Well Miss Violet, you’re just going to have to accept defeat. I am not your match.”

“I am not leaving if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Oh yes you are and you will do so because I won’t tolerate your rudeness.”

“Nor will I.”

“Listen, if you want to have a little meeting, all you have to do is send a note.”

“Why, so you can leave it under you rug, hoping no would know?”

“That’s the whole point. Now, please…with all due respect…leave.”

“No.” Violet said firmly.

Before he knew it, John was arguing with Violet and Larry was, as always, enjoying it.

“I don’t wish for your company. Why do you come here?” he demanded.
Although he didn’t feel like being so complicated, he did it anyway. She was invading his privacy and Larry had let her in for Pete‘s sake.

“You are invading my thoughts!” She suddenly said. “I can’t think of anything else. It’s disturbing not knowing who you are and it’s all your fault!”

“Pardon me! My fault? You are the one who insisted upon seeing me and I didn’t want it. So excuse the visions and thoughts you have of me…it’s nothing.”

“Nothing? If you weren’t so bloody suspenseful, I’d think less of you. But you make me wonder and I can’t take it!”

“Take what? There’s nothing to take in. I am a mere man, nothing more. I do not have powers; I don’t have anything to give you that would intrigue you, nothing. I didn’t mean to make you feel this way.”

“There is so much I wanted to say to you…but I don’t think you deserve it.”

“I don’t and it might as well not be said at all. I stay in my house, because the world isn’t a nice place.”

“I am sick with all this talk of indoor activities as you call them. It’s absurd.”

“Miss Williams, as much as I am an introvert, I do enjoy spending my days outdoors---alone!”

“You are heartless…when will you let anyone in?”

“Never…You know nothing.”

“I find you---stubborn, ill-mannered, and self centered!”
Just then, Larry strolled over to the door.

“Just where do you think you’re going, Larry?!” John demanded.

“I am going to assist the others.”

“They can handle it! You’re not leaving me alone with this---this woman!”
Larry then sat down with arms crossed. The room was silent. No one wanted to speak. There was just too much tension.

“I would have been nicer if you didn’t storm in on me like that.”

“You weren’t so nice the day we met.” She said coldly.

“If you weren’t so forceful, I’d have thrown you out long ago. Larry, escort Miss
Williams to the door.”

“No. I don’t want to leave…until I finally get to know you.”
“That is entirely up to me.” He raised his tone of voice, “I will not let my life be an open book for all to see! So kindly leave.” He pointed to the door.
Violet just ignored him and sat down upon his bed. John looked as if he was about to raise hell not realizing that Larry had left the room. John sighed and for the first time in years…he was exhausted.

Suddenly, thunder busted into the sky, frightening Violet and John. It then started to pour and John hurried toward the window, blasting the rain.

“I guess, I’m stuck here.” Violet said.

“Oh no you’re not…you’re leaving. I have a carriage…”

“Humph! I refuse.”

“Should you refuse…I shall---”

“Throw me out?”

“If need be.” John looked at her and shook his head, “Never have I met anyone so complicated.”

“And never have I met anyone as stubborn as I.”
John frowned and headed toward the door. “I have things to do…and where the hell is Larry?” John opened the door and looked at Violet. “I’ve said what I needed to say.”

“And I haven’t.”

“Apparently, you always have something to say…I’ve said enough.”

Finally John left and Violet knew that she was pushing it too far. Therefore, she decided to leave…and soon she found herself in the arms of another man. Violet stepped back exclaiming her apologies and found that the man was tall and handsome, almost resembling John. He smiled and if Violet ever saw a smile cross John’s face, she knew exactly what to expect.

“Hello.” He said.

“Hello…I’m terribly sorry, I must be leaving now.”

“No, wait…you must be the knew servant, am I right?”

“Oh, dear no. I am not a servant.” She laughed.

“Doctor?”

“No…”

“I…Are you with my brother?”

Brother? The count had a brother?

“Oh heavens no! I am just a friend…visiting, you know.”

“Odd…he never has visitors. Hmmm. I’m very much surprised, and you are?”

“I’m Violet Williams.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Joel Manley, as you probably know already.”

“No, I don’t know.”

“Really, now. Well” he sighed, “He never talks about us, so we’re not known much around here.”

“Us?”

“Yes, me and my two sisters. That fellow never mentions us that often. Never really said much either.”

“Oh about that. Do you know why he is such a shy sort of man?”

“No…well, he was always shy, but not always. He has his days when he is not so shy. Actually when we were kids, he never played with anyone. And when he did speak, they use to tease him about his lisp.”

“Oh dear.”

“I know…but one day he just started speaking as if he never had a lisp. Sometimes I wonder if he just did that on purpose.”
Violet laughed, “That’s a thought.”

“John is really a bold speaker…especially when he’s upset. I really enjoy the times he speaks like that.”

“I could see that. He practically denied me of riding in his carriage and told me to walk.”

“Usually that would get any lady to stay away from him. I’m surprised you still pursued him. He’s not such a nice person at times. I use to think he had two personalities.”

Violet just smiled.
“Well…It was nice speaking to you. Maybe you should come by some day…I’d love to talk to you.”

“I don’t know. He’s really persistent about me staying away from him.”

“I really have to talk to him about that.”

“I really must be leaving, but if you see him…could you send him my apologies?”

“I sure will, but why do you have to apologize? You are so very kind. It’s him who
should be sorry.”

“That’s very nice of you, but I did intrude.”

“If you did that to me…I would be the luckiest man on earth.” He smiled at her once more and started up the stairs. Violet in return smiled back and thought that he was very kind indeed…but still she thought of John, the mystery man…If only she could find out the real John…