Darcy

formally two aspiring authors from australia, we fangirl and sometimes rant etc. (a co-writer left) Masterlist

[fawnamber]

thank fuck people cant read minds

[ourghoststories]

I'm sure that's what Bella thought when Edward wanted to read her mind

[ourghoststories]

I wanna love you, but I don't know how | Edward Guinness x OC | House of Guinness | Part 2 |

I had fallen in love with the city, nothing could beat the beauty of the emerald green land, except it brought back so many awful memories that the landscape was more haunting than anything.

Except where I was from was bleak and dull, the people made up for it in character but there weren't many of us left now… not after everything that's happened.

Even then, those who did survive, who saw the horrors of the events play out with the starvation and pure carnality of humans fighting for food, as desperate as each other.

No one wanted to give birth or bring humans into the world after the famine, it was too horrendous and unspeakable, so our numbers dwindled more and more; it was survival of the fittest.

Even then, the fittest barely got through, no one got through unscathed, it was impossible - except the wealthy.

I ignored him and he ignored me, mostly, except for his ever watchful and nosey eyes watching and observing every little thing I did, monitoring me like a policeman would.

“Oh yeah… by the way, your tie is crooked” I said plainly, trying to seem as serious as possible, knowing it would irritate him.

He looked down and swore under his breath, “you definitely know what buttons to push, don't you Maeve?”.

As I walked past him he put his foot in front of me so I'd trip but before I could get close he moved it back, and raised his hands in surrender “I'm joking… I won't torment you even more than I already have. But that's what you get for the tie comment.” he laughed, chuckling like it was some kind of funny pun, which considering the circumstances, it very much wasn't.

He laughed though.

Actually laughed?

I hadn't heard him so vulnerable, especially since his mum died and then his dad was so hard on him and the rest of his siblings.

Using them as grinding gears, all cogs are a part of the machine, the machine being the brewery and the cogs being Guinness.

Before I grabbed the broom and had cleaned up the smashed glass, I shot him another dirty look to which he raised his hands again and chuckled “okay, okay. I can be a feebleminded dickhead sometimes” he admitted, still smirking.

He paused before he continued ”it's just a little bit of harmless fun, I do like you quite a lot Maeve… As a um, Maid I mean- like in a professional way “ he stammered.

“Yourereallygoodatyourjob.. Is uh… what i mean” he said awkwardly, slurring a little bit.

I was going to grab him another glass of something but I decided against it, knowing how far gone he was now and also noting how he'd get about it in the morning, especially when he has jobs to do.

Anne had opened the windows before she'd left as it was a nice time of night where the weather was temperate but also as it was getting a bit smokey from the fireplace inside.

She didn't want everyone to smell like burnt charcoal, especially before they got into bed.

Which reminded me: I needed to hurry up so I could go and help Anne get ready for bedtime and now as I was the only one of my rank here, to get and prepare her supper.

In the morning I needed to do a full health run through for Anne with the Doctor as she had some sort of mystery ailment that we cannot for the life of, figure out what it is; he has even send blood and done tests but it seems as for now she will have to just continue with it.

She had been through the hard yards, it hadn’t been easy for her, especially when she was in competition with her siblings, who were all males, and also therefore in a better position in society compared to her.

I didn’t know much in the medical field, as I only knew natural remedies and some basic western medicine, but apparently I was still an ‘asset to the household’, though they didn’t treat me as such.

“No more Master, the breeze has obviously hit you quite hard and you're realising the effect it is having on your body. Stand, and I shall escort you to your quarters” I ordered, making sure to try to balance him and his medium frame against my smaller one.

I'm so glad I'm not so impossibly thin for once, I should try to feel this way about everything I do.

He put his arm around me and was leaning slightly so I started the treacherous trek back to his room, but before I got too far I saw Potter.

Edward had a broad, muscley, figure and he was heavier than I'd expected, it was probably all the work he’d been doing at the brewery.

He worked day and night, passing the time at work, trying to learn every small detail he could about the brewing process, marketing, financing, manufacturing, etcetera. 

He looked so enticing as he was hard at work, and in a weird and strange way, my heart skipped a beat.

Seeing him work and his muscles as he worked hard to shovel the coals into the furnace that was boiling and then hopping.

There were several parts to the process: firstly, the brewing process, next, the packaging, then distribution and delivery, plus the expansion that he had been working so hard towards.

“Potter!” I whisper-shouted.

He looked startled and looked left and right to see if the coast was clear, “yes Maeve? Do you need some assistance?” He asked kindly.

I chuckled softly “yes please, I need help to escort him to his room”.

“As you wish” Potter winked, putting his arm around Edward, as we escorted him back to his room.

We started to undress him and take off his shoes, tie and suit before Potter almost got to his undergarments “I'll uh, excuse myself and give you two some privacy” I stammered, feeling my cheeks flush, before nodding to him.

I headed out and shut the doors, leant against the wall and kneeled down.

It had definitely been some sort of night, very eventful.

Oh fuck, I completely forgot about poor Anne, i needed to go.

I rushed up the large flight of stairs and headed to her room, knocked on her door and with a quick and tired “yes, come in”, I headed in.

Nodding my head, I bowed and then headed over to her as she was sat at her vanity looking at her reflection in the mirror and undoing her hair, the job that I was supposed to be doing “I'm so sorry ma’am” I apologised, fretting.

She chuckled softly “don't worry about it Maeve. I know you were busy attending to my brother… he has a soft spot for you, you know?”.

Since when? this was news to me, he was a pain and I couldn't ever see anything else, for good reason.

I laughed sarcastically “sorry” I quickly apologised, pausing before I continued.

“I just don't see it, Ben is the one who likes me. Edward antagonises me any chance he gets, just like your Dad, he's always been so careful. So distrustful of me. And I can't shake my reputation no matter how hard I try or work”.

I sighed loudly.

“You're one of the most hardworking people in this household, apart from us of course” she joked, “he recognises your work ethic and he knows and admires how hard you work, even if he doesn't show it. He's a strange one. Eddie has his own problems, as I'm sure you're aware. He's never been one for communicating his feelings and he certainly has never been good with women, so just… don't worry about it and keep doing what you're doing” she explained, looking at me through the reflection of the mirror and smiling softly.

Never been good with women? Well yes, I suppose, he hadn’t had a wife or someone he had courted before, he wasn’t the best, he always got too nervous and froze.

“Now please, if you don't mind… would you be able to help me with my hair? It's causing me a lot of pain, it's definitely a hassle. This is why we pay and employ you, you do a great job, especially tending to me. Even if you are late after chasing my brother around” Anne smiled, trying but failing to fiddle with the pins and let her hair down.

“Don't worry Anne, I've got it from here. You do not have to worry anymore” I said gently, starting to unpin and brush her long brown locks.

“I do wonder… What do you think is going on with me? I've been trying to wrack my mind and figure out some semblance of an idea but I cannot for the life of me, think of anything and it worries me greatly” she said sadly, tearing up and looking down.

“Hey, hey. It's okay. You'll - we'll get through it… you have your lovely husband and kind family to help you, even if they are dysfunctional and don't necessarily understand. Family is complex but they'll get you through, precious Anne” I smiled sadly, stroking her hair before helping her up onto the bed.

She sighed.

After I finished that I got her nightdress out and helped her change “do you require anything else for tonight m’lady?” I said politely, fluffing her pillows up.

“No thank you Maeve. Just… check in on my brother and make sure he's okay. Actually… check on both my brothers, Eddie and Ben, no doubt Arthur will be out at some sort of, well, ‘establishment’ at this hour “ she said tiredly, yawning before she checked the clock.

I would've notified Potter but he was nowhere to be found, I was guessing he was asleep in the maids quarters, after all, he was the most hardworking and had the longest days.

As I exited I heard her say goodnight, to which I smiled and shut the doors quietly and then headed to Benjamin's room, which was the closest to where I was.

I headed there to see his covers strewn and the floor and he had fallen asleep with a glass in his hand, sitting against the side of the bed with his head stopped down and his legs splayed on the floor.

He let out a light murmur before I made my way silently to his side, so as not to disturb him “hey… Master Ben… wake up and I'll get you into bed” I whispered.

He stirred, moving a bit and almost dropping his glass which I promptly took off him and put it on the nightstand.

His eyes rolled around before they flickered open ”oh… hey Maeve. I'm so sorry you-” he said, slurring a bit, before he paused, his voice cracking “I'm sorry you keep having to see me like this… i- I'm not well. I don't deserve to be here… I don't deserve your care… I'm much too laughable, too hare-brained, I could go on…” he gulped, slowly sitting up and straightening his back, before clumsily standing up, almost losing his balance and then sitting on his bed.

He looked down at his feet and wouldn't make eye contact with me “Ben, it's okay… let's get you up” I smiled gently, extending my hand for stability after I pulled the bedding back and fluffed his pillows.

He hesitantly grabbed it and sat on the edge of the bed “madness… I can't escape the madness, the voices…” he said sadly, rocking back and forth before he laid down and shut his eyes so tightly that they crinkled up.

“Hey, it'll be okay. Just try to get through… for me?” I gulped, my voice cracking.

I hated seeing him like this, and it was becoming more and more common, a habit that he couldn't kick, a dependency that he couldn't ever escape.

Ben brought his hands up to his head and grabbed it and started shaking as he rocked back and forth “shhh, it's gonna be okay” I soothed, pulling the blankets up around him and sat on the end of the bed with a watchful eye.

Just as he started to quiet down and I was about to get up, thinking he had started to rest and about to turn the light off, he grabbed my hand and I thought I was dreaming it as I had started to get tired from the eventful evening.

“Please, don't go… stay Maeve. I need someone… someone to help me with the demons… the demons that corrupt my mind. It never stops. They never leave, only when you're here, I need quiet… I need-” he sobbed, quivering, as he grabbed my hand tighter.

I had always stayed with him through his nightmares or bad nights, everyone knew he found peace with me but no one had any idea that I stayed until he calmed down, they couldn't know, they'd just make fun of him even more and he didn't need that.

He has always confided in me and trusted me with his heart but I had other jobs, I wanted to stay so bad, all the time… I just had to be discreet, like tonight, when everyone was asleep and no one was awake - well, except for Arthur but he would be out until God knows what time, having carnal relations with other men, just like he did in London when he fell in love.

The secrets they had, even Benjamin, haunted them and their family legacy… the only one without secrets, surprisingly, was Edward, and that's probably why he was so stubborn and pig-headed; even if he did have flashes of niceness, which was definitely rare.

“It's okay Ben. I'll stay tonight, just try to calm yourself, yes?” I said softly, bringing my hand up to his head and stroking his hair, before I started singing ‘The Rocky Road to Dublin’ quietly, his favourite song.

Sometimes I felt a spark that I couldn't let myself feel, a vulnerability that could ultimately be my weakness and used against me, but I had to fight it, just like he had to fight the terrors that plagued him.

Other times, even though he was older than me, I viewed him as a mere child, his inner child was always pushed down, made fun of or torn apart, he had never been good enough, not to anyone… well except his mother who passed and whom I never had the pleasure of meeting, as it was his dad from then on who raised him.

He was such a sweet soul beaten down by the gravity of life and hence his actions and he could never separate himself from it nor could his family, reminding him over and over of his turmoil and history and that he'd never repent or recover.

Ben has a strange infatuation with me, maybe it was love, but I could never give in even if I did care, he was too broken, as was I… and I had one mission that I came to complete and that was my goal, no matter what tales my heart spun.

Even though they did care about him it was odd… their love was strained sometimes, other times it was an assemblage of familial affection, although they all seemed to struggle with this, especially from what I had observed over the years.

Fights were more than commonplace now more than ever as their dad had passed and I was armed with more and more intelligent but I was irresolute as for what to do with the Intel, I knew for now at least that I had to keep my head down and work harder than before through the paramount tensions of the family that were becoming more and more commonplace.

If I was a weak link in the chain now, it would not only be noticeable, but it would be life ending and for God's sake I did not want Mr Rafferty knocking on my door and killing me slowly after he tortured me to an inch of my life.

I needed to hold it together for the family, and with Potter around, my most trusted friend and colleague - like a father figure to me, I could do that.

As soon as they made it through, I could make it through, though I trusted Potter, he had no idea of my true intent, no one did… as I had no one to love or share with, not even a lover or husband to dote on.

I was the age in which those things were arranged or talked about.

Most women had a dowry but I was too poor and at such a low-ranking level job that I was looked down upon and even if I had someone, Benjamin was quietly jealous and observant even through his drunken stupor and wanted to claim me for himself, but I would not give in, even for him.

It would destroy both of us naturally, but especially if anyone found out, in the family, let alone the public or the Fenians, it would be indescribably awful.

A maid, especially one from where I was from, sleeping, showing desire or infatuation for a mighty Business, would be a scandal that they couldn't avoid or cover up.

Like the other secrets that bound them to abject darkness, it would certainly be another nail in the coffin… and if anything happened to Ben, I fear that it would be the last thing he could ever cope with, especially with what terror was going on in his psyche.

I made sure he was asleep and I could hear his light snoring before I left, it didn't take long for him to sleep.

Apart from my singing, as soon as his head hit the pillow, the liquor overcame him and combined with my company, he was lulled to sleep.

Slowly, and carefully, I got up, moving incrementally, so as not to wake him up and I moved swiftly, turning the lights off before I headed out.

The door making a noise was what I feared would make a noise that would've awoken him, but alas, it all went to plan and he stayed asleep, in a peaceful dream state, the only time in which he wasn't haunted.

I quickly made my way to Edwards room, I opened the door quietly but it let out a scream and I thought it would've woken him up but he was sat on a chair, looking out into the black void of the night, a glass of some sort of spirit accompanying him.

“Don't you think you've had enough?” I questioned, raising an eyebrow and moving closer to him slowly, as not to be loud and awaken everyone in this damned household.

He turned around and chuckled softly, raising his eyebrows, somewhat copying me, although it obviously wasn't his intent.

“I've sobered up… I've been thinking… musing, ruminating… whatever you want to call it, and I needed a friend. Speaking of which, would you like some?” Edward asked, tilting the glass to the side and wistfully looking through the translucent object with a brooding look crossing his features, before he put it down on the table and I could see a slight smile briefly cross his features, before he went back to the usual straight-laced Edward, we all knew.

“Shouldn't I be pouring it for you Master Edward?” I asked politely.

“Nonsense, everyone should be able to have a break now and again even if they are getting handsomely compensated” he said directly, not lacing any of his words with dishonesty or untrue flattery.

“Even with the situation before? I thought you said-” I stammered.

“Yes, even so. I trust that no more ‘incidents’ shall happen again with my brother. Especially since he is a Guinness, and we have a bond thicker than blood that flows through us. If you want money we can compensate you, you can't let this get out otherwise there will be consequences. Don't take advantage of the disadvantaged” he scorned, placing his glass down on the table and lighting a cigarette.

He took a puff.

“Coming from you, that's rich” I said wryly, rolling my eyes and then making direct eye contact with him.

“Always the brave one, aren't you Maeve? That mouth will get you in trouble one day, if not today” he warned me, focusing back on what he was doing, before looking out the window and breathing out the nicotine that then filled the room, making me feel a bit dizzy.

Edward noticed “you've never had one?” He asked, taking another puff “here” he said, handing it to me.

Not knowing what to do, I fumbled with it before I took a puff, it made the room spin even more “woah” I said in shock, feeling quite light-headed, I could get used to this.

Sharing a cigarette with someone was quite intimate behaviour and I was surprised he did so, I mean I had been his maid for years but even so, it was certainly unusual.

“Thank you. Um” I coughed, handing it back to him, fumbling again as he smirked, looking at me directly and causing me to feel a buzz, probably from the nicotine.

He moved closer to me.

“I think I should go” I smiled briefly, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the situation for whatever reason.

“No. I don't require your services anymore and yes, you can go” he permitted, looking down again.

If I didn't know any better, I would've thought he seemed lonely although I knew in general he was lacking companionship and I knew that I couldn't be that person.

Why was I even thinking that way?

I headed off, careful not to wake anyone up and headed to bed.

-------- A/N

Hey guys I'm so sorry it took so long! I'm actively editing and writing more of this story as we speak, I had a few inaccuracies I had to correct that I made when I was writing but tired aha 😅

I'm rewatching the series and writing at the same time so anyway, I hope you enjoy!

[ourghoststories]

Tom Holland was wearing his Sparta-man suit for the movie the Odyssey

I'm sorry I had to

[ourghoststories]

NOOOOOO

Feb 18 2028 is it's new release date!!!

[ourghoststories]

SEASON 2 OF HOUSE OF GUINNESS IS COMING!!! ITS BEEN RENEWED

More fanfic to write then I guess... Can't wait!!! 😍💓

[p1nk-lotus]

[lisaabunny]

i hate having a crush because why would someone ever like me back

[ourghoststories]

Lore accurate Robert Pattinson

Sorry for ratting you out ❤️🚬

(it's a vape)

Fun fact: Robert Pattinson put his vape in his Batman utility belt so between takes he could vape

[ourghoststories]

Louis Partridge is gonna be in the upcoming adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and I'm here for it! ❤️

[ourghoststories]

BRO HES SO CUTE WTF - also I haven't watched Enola Holmes but I'm giving it a watch BC he's in it.

Yes I messed up a bit of writing in my House of Guinness story, I ended up deleting some so I'm editing it again :/

[ourghoststories]

Very clever... "The onus is, on me, on us" made me laugh ngl - sorry very random

Anyway guys I'm back from my hiatus so hi 😄👋

[ourghoststories]

Carla's song is Satellite pt 2. change my mind

[ourghoststories]

I TOLD YALL

[ourghoststories]

i wanna love you, but i don't know how | Edward Guinness x OC | House of Guinness | Part 1 |

He moved closer, inch by inch, closing the distance that felt so far - between us.

It felt like everything was happening incrementally, I could feel his eyes scanning my face, as if to ask if it was okay, what he was doing.

His warm breath whispered across my cheek, making me feel hot and flustered, and causing me to flicker my eyes briefly away towards the fireplace.

The fireplace burning was a metaphor for how we, or certainly I was feeling, the smoke billowing just like a building fire.

Our lips hovered, mere centimetres from each other, wanting to act on the impulse we both felt.

I could feel the desire echoing from both of us just as we closed the divide and finally our lips met in an unspoken dance of tongues.

Our hands employed the task of tenderness and inclination, roaming each other like the Irish fields of emerald green.

Our eyes meeting each other once more as my breath hitched, seeing the flecks of green in the hazel hue of his eyes.

The fire between us wasn't stoked, even now. Not before not after, even if we walked away, there was something else, something more.

Before this I couldn't remember last we spoke, we were denying ourselves the incredulous freedom that we craved.

“I can’t do this Maeve” he admitted, pulling away agonisingly.

“Why? Because i’m just a ‘maid’” i spat furiously.

He didn’t respond, just stayed calm and quiet.

It fueled my anger even more, this was tedious, lust and frustration was rushing through my veins and i couldn’t handle it any longer.

“So fucking a Fenian is fine but when you want to fuck your old maid thats off limits to you and your morals? Or lack thereof... Huh, Edward?" I bit back, "dickhead”.

I stormed off but Edward cornered me again, walking slowly, first he had frustration on his face before he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration and uncertainty.

"Look... You're not just a maid and you know that, you've never been just a maid, Maeve. You know you're more than that, you've always meant more to me... I, God... I don't know how to do this, I've never known... I'm not good at this" he explained, sighing and looking off into the distance, pondering.

—-----

They don't know how my blood boils from the depths of Cloonboo that I came from.

I started working at the Guinness house when a job came up after I'd travelled into the city from the small dwelling from which I originated.

I had managed to get a job as a leech collector for my mother who helped with Guinness' household’s doctor’s treatments with the traditional medicine that they could only access from the small township.

It was a messy and tiring job but it's the only one that paid even a small amount, and got my mother and I through the famine, when the rest of our family had passed from sickness, fatigue and starvation from which I had never recovered.

After the Great Hunger, my mother got too sick to function, after the rest of my family had passed.

I had no idea what caused it but some said it was the grief that so many were struck down by, like a dagger to the heart after the events and their turmoil surpassed, leaving just me - so I was promoted to my mum's role.

The death of my siblings destroyed my mother to no end, she was haunted by the death of my siblings and father, that’s what i think ultimately killed her and i needed vengeance. 

Then with everything I had saved, and through the ‘charity’ of the Guinness’ I was able to have a formal schooling, but it was mostly of my own hard work.

What happened was my mother worked for them and all she wanted after everyone passed and she got sick, was wanting me to get a formal education.

Benjamin Guinness brought that dream to fruition, under the proviso that I stay as a maid, working for them to pay off my mother’s debt, and for that I hated them.

I think somewhere in his soul, this was his way of ‘repaying’ my mum and trying to be nice, but it hurt and I felt like some sort of slave. 

He was ruthless and there was no doubt about that, he was the richest man in Ireland of course.

His children were ruthless in their own ways too but one of them, Benjamin, or Ben, as i call him - was a sweetheart but the black sheep of the family.

He was troubled deeply, and was on ‘the bottle’ significantly, making financially ill decisions that cost him a lot, including his pride, image, freedom and sanity.

Ben didn’t let that stop him and he still went out and did god knows what, he would make a deal with the devil if it helped his cause, misguided he was.

Then there was Arthur, the eldest and by far the poshest.

He liked everything to go his way and if it didn’t there was hell to pay, you wouldn’t know what hit you if you crossed him.

Many people envied his power and wealth, but they didn’t know his secret, i didn’t have a problem with it, the rest of society would.

It would have dire consequences, especially his upcoming campaign for Parliament.

Unlike me, I would never purposely spill it, but it was good to have under my belt.

He liked the finer things in life, baths, exotic foods, arts, leisure sports, pins, the more than modest use of electricity, fur, etcetera and he got it when he wanted it.

Edward… He was different, he needed everything to be right and in its place, and if it wasn’t he would lose it, he was a brat, not as bad as Arthur, but he was very particular.

He was highly strung, blunt, fastidious and he annoyed me very much. 

More than the others, he was such an arrogant person, nothing got in his way.

Some say like his sister - that he had a kind-heart and would move the world for those he loved, 

There was Anne, she was strong willed, but more passive than her brothers, calmer and more charitable, intelligent and just nice… I didn’t mind her.

I was her head maid and I attended to her every need, which was alright because she didn’t yell at me like the other two, minus Ben.

They still completely had no idea the carnage that their family had caused, the mayhem, the grief.

They had brought hell to the inhabitants of Cloonboo, taxing them large amounts, evicting them, not providing them with any food or water.

My mother was trying to provide for the whole family, my two older brothers, my dad and my baby sister.

But unfortunately there was nothing that could be done and they passed on, not peacefully - but in agony.

Their frail and twisted bones, thin veins, barely pumping heart and their malnourished bodies.

We all tried eating anything we could, all the families nearby were gaunt and dying, no hope for any of us, but it was the luck of the draw who would live and who would die.

For some cruel reason I was left alive to suffer, suffer through my own mental anguish, the pain of losing my family and the sadness of losing my friends.

In my mind, they had to pay, it was the only fair option, nothing could change that, not even the niceties of Anne.

I was still filled with rage at the family, they treated others as if they were lesser than them and had no self-awareness, which made them ignorant to the problems of society, and the problems of today.

They thought I would be useful in the main house, but I still had to pass the interview to become a maid, mainly, but who had other knowledge, although I was shaky nonetheless, being at the ripe age of 17.

Working up through the ranks was hard and took a long time.

Most of my childhood, I had no fun, just lessons all the time, and then work.

It was agonising, but it was what I had to do for her, for my mother, for my family, for those who never made it.

Sir Benjamin didn't approve of me but respected my mother and her work, seeing her as hardworking, and had some sliver of compassion in his heart.

That compassion was somewhere, god knows where, to keep me on as a staff member; but he was overtly distrustful, to most of the staff... Especially me, even though he did favours to show he was grateful.

Only to counteract the evil he had done and to shut my mouth and pay me off in the form of more schooling so I wouldn't reveal the truth to anyone, it absolutely made my blood boil.

He said I was to work for the family forever, until I passed or got sick enough to the point that I couldn't work anymore.

That just added to the hatred, the burning feeling of anger that overtook me whenever I had a spare moment to think, I was enraged.

The theme of his was keep his friends close and his enemies even closer - and it worked, very well.

He had a habit of working people to the bone, or treating them as such so they couldn’t rise up against them because they had been pushed to death’s doorstep or further.

So many workers had been injured or killed but he had covered that up too, so now the men were working under more favourable conditions - it was like nobody knew, because no one would dare bring it up.

Coming from cloonboo he labelled me as a Fenian, as he was a Unionist, but really, I was neither.

They had a strong angelical faith, and practiced catholicism and they were also Unionists.

If they were truly Catholic then they would be so much kinder, they would follow Jesus’ footsteps and work and think in the image of God.

God would be ashamed, there were ten commandments and they broke more than all of them.

Doing what I needed to do to survive was paramount and my only goal... Other than purehearted revenge.

The only solace I had was my friends, Aisling and Finley.

I knew Aisling from the job and she had been my friend for years, more recently I had made friends with Finley and sometimes it had gotten to the stage that we appeared like more than friends but we had never done anything or acted on the urges - mainly because I was too scared or because I was being approached by Benjamin.

Benjamin always had a soft spot for me, looking after me when he could, although those times became few and far between when he turned to the drink... And the opium.

The sweet boy he was, almost vanished completely and taken over by a drunken, dependant and disheveled man, if you could even label him as such.

He acted like a little boy, so cruelly and attentively ripped apart by the bitterness of his dad, and his siblings, but his sister didn't help.

His sister Anne, was a lovely woman, forward thinking, selfless and kind, but dismissed by others as she wasn't one of the men, put down to just her marriage, childbearing abilities and nothing more, but has wit like a sly fox, although she wasn't.

She has time for everyone and everything, even at one point Mr. Rafferty, but no one brought that up unless they had a death wish, especially not in front of her brothers, especially not Edward.

I was the one who breached the subject, being forced into submission by the eldest, Arthur, against Benjamin's dismay and even Edward wasn't best pleased by my inquisition, but was even more displeased by the truth I spoke.

They debated punishing me for keeping it from them, Benjamin stayed as hushed as a mouse as he downed even more liquor, so as not to stir and provoke the situation.

But his sister Anne, came to my defence, begging and pleading that no harm would come to me as I was instructed to uphold the confidence by her…

Plus Mr. Rafferty naturally struck the fear of God into me.

Plus, she had convinced them that I was a trusted employee and one day they would make good of me with my ‘talents’ and whatnot, but even in that moment I was simply just a dispensable maid.

Ben rolled his eyes before infamously passing out, just as usual.

Anne was picking at the hem of her very well tailored dress and shaking as she downed a glass of poitín.

Trying not to make eye contact with the two more sensible of her remaining brothers as they decided what the next undertaking would be and if I would come to any penance.

I uttered a quick but polite “is there anything else Sir’s. I must go to light the fires in the main bedrooms and tend to the uh - um, to make sure Lady Anne is ready for bed” and bowed.

Arthur flew into a rage and stormed out, slamming the large double doors behind him “I guess that just leaves us then…” Edward mused, tapping on the crystal glass he held, with his fingers so it was making a ‘clinking’ noise.

He spun around, making direct eye contact with me, causing me to look down at the floor and awkwardly shuffle, before I realised his glass was empty, so fetched a crystal decanter that matched his glass, filled with, you guessed it - poitín and filled it for him “Sorry Master Edward” I bowed, before placing it back on the table.

I would always run around after him, I despised it and he knew exactly how to rile me up too, that’s why I always had a soft spot for Ben; he seemed more human, more mortal - with his mistakes.

He was the most honest one hare, and the others despised him for it.

“That's not what I was implying… but as you filled it, thank you. As the second eldest and therefore the second in charge” he announced, pausing to emphasize and likely find the words, he once again faced me and directed me to sit.

“Oh for fucks sake” Benjamin groaned, placing a pillow over his head, hearing Edward announce his prestige once too many times (again).

Not that he wasn't aware of it already.

I sat down awkwardly, looking over to Anne who had her head bowed and her eyes looking somewhere else completely in disdain, as if she didn't want to acknowledge her ‘little fault’.

Of course she didn't, and no one, including myself, did.

“it falls to me - as usual - to take the reins and announce… no - decide your punishment, and therefore your fate here, young Maeve” he smirked, seeming somewhat entertained by the power in which was vested in him, which certainly wasn't a new thing but the alcohol, it being his sixth glass, was definitely going to his head.

I'd been around them for years, I certainly knew when they were, sober or drunk… or anything in between - the in between was usually just them being retched pigs, but again, comes with the name and not in any way surprising.

Cloonboo, that's all I had to remind myself of, just work and you'll get your revenge, they'll get what's coming for them, as they all do.

Everyone gets toppled or usurped eventually, their time will come, and I can feel it in my veins for certain, the time is near.

“And my punishment is… Sir?” I over exaggerated purposely, addressing Edward, knowing how much he loved when someone saw through his ego and stood up to him.

“Ooohohohoh” Ben chuckled darkly, “it's definitely on now, ten pounds he'll fire her”, he bet, with money he didn't have.

He could be a real dickhead sometimes, especially with the drink.

“Shut up knucklehead. You don't have ten pounds” Anne scoffed, taking another sip of her drink, before lighting a cigarette.

Of course Ben would speak up now and hurt my feelings, he drove the knife in further by ‘betting’ on it, with his nonexistent money.

Edwards hazel eyes turned even darker than I thought possible, those thick eyebrows furrowed furiously and his jaw clenched, he looked as if he were about to say something but paused.

He gripped the back of the couch, gripping it until his knuckles turned white and then scoffed, before he smirked darkly and smashed his glass on the ground.

Knowing that even despite my nightly tasks, I'd still have to find the time to clean the liquor and smashed glass whilst also trying not to, but inevitably making Anne wait to go to bed.

“Edward you fuckwit!” Ben yelled, about to jump up and fight his brother, knowing that it was just more work I had to do, whilst being caring because he knew I could very well hurt myself.

I sighed, Anne rolled her eyes, “very mature… that's boys for you” she muttered under her breath.

None of them really cared about me and the work I had to do for them, that’d soon change.

Edward stood, smirking, waiting to see my next move “okay” I sighed.

“Everyone out… that includes you Benjamin! I'll quickly clean this mess up and then make my way to your room Lady Anne. Sorry for the untimely and feeble-minded disruption” I emphasized facetiously, looking innocently at Edward but with a smirk that put him back in his place.

He mumbled something before scoffing, and just as he was about to leave he slowed down his pace before he paused and then stopped completely.

By this time, everyone else has already cleared out of the room, even poor drunken Benjamin, even if he did have a tongue as sharp as the glass that I'd been instructed to pick up.

“I think… Miss Maeve. You should fetch me another glass of alcohol. You choose what, I'm not fussy. Then I'll just simply watch you clean up the mess that you made” he instructed me, chuckling, before dusting off his shoulders and sitting down.

Even if he was an arsehole, he’d always get me flustered by saying these sorts of things, he knew that too and played on it.

We had a fierce rivalry that no one could compete with - and they wouldn’t want to, it got ugly at the best of times.

“Yes Master Edward Guiness” I said tongue-in-cheek, knowing he had a fond dislike of his full title being used.

“Don't play smart with me Maeve. You know what I have the power to do. I could just simply fire you here and now” he smirked, raising his eyebrows.

I felt like yelling at him, ‘then do it, bitch’, but I knew my place, and stayed silent.

“Why aren’t you saying anything, come on, i know what you want to say” he grinned, looking up at me with those hauntingly charming, but devious, hazel eyes.

I took a breath, “Oh yeah, well why don't you just do it then and put everyone out of their misery” I mumbled sarcastically, obviously louder than I thought because as soon as I'd said it, I could immediately tell he'd heard me.

“Interesting, I guess we do have a predicament… then” he smiled mischievously.

I rolled my eyes, full well knowing if this was anyone else I would've already packed my bags and been on the next train out of this godforsaken city, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing.

_________________

Hey guys so this has been a long time coming and I really hope you enjoy it. I've put my heart and soul into it and there's a lot more to come!

[ourghoststories]

Just an update on life: I like fanfic more than real life romance okay bye

Also Bob is cute and I would do anything for him

Okay that's all 💗

[ourghoststories]

Hey guys so I'm writing a house of Guinness fanfic and I have no idea where to post it but I don't want to do it it on here because it's already 31,000 words

Where should I post it

It's Edward x OC

[ourghoststories]

Okay so I've gone part time to uni so I'm actively editing the story even though I haven't finished it yet so chapters should be up relatively soon

[ourghoststories]

I bring the pop to the cinema you pop when we get intimate (Cinema) = it's making me pop (Pop)

So he likes using pop as a double entendre

Is canonically the song that leads to pop on the next album, just saying.

[ourghoststories]

Harry riding the bike in American girls is just Harry from kiss you

*someone add the gifs please