(Ernest Sinclaire x MC*Catherine Mills) in a Choices Desire and Decorum drabble
Thirty Kisses in Thirty Days Challenge with the prompt: forbidden lovers sharing a kiss in the shadows
Not quite sure who to tag for this one since it has been so long since I last wrote a drabble for this pair. Plus in cleaning out my drafts folder I lost my permatag list 🤦🏻♀️Tagging some who won't be too angry at me for doing so, LOL! @hopelessromantic1352 @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @choicesficwriterscreations @krsnlove
Masterlist
"Enjoying yourself, my dear?"
Lady Catherine Mills stiffened at the sound of her fiancé's voice.
There was nothing that made her skin crawl quite like Tristan Richard's oily tone.
A scathing insult sat on the tip of her tongue to give the odious man the set down he so rightly deserved. One glance at her grandmother's stern demeanor instead had her forcing a smile.
"I am. Thank you, your grace."
The Duke of Karlington leered at her. He purposely moved closer and placed her hand within the bend of his arm. He enjoyed watching her suffer being trapped with him.
The Dowager Countess beamed at the pair. She was pleased beyond measure that her natural granddaughter had managed to capture such a prized suitor. There wasn't a young lady here who had done so well in such little time.
Nor with such a questionable background.
"You should dance and show her off, your grace." She prodded.
"What a marvelous notion." Tristan remarked.
He placed his hand over Catherine's, smiling all the more with her trying to avoid his touch.
"Shall we show them how it's done, my lady?"
Catherine knew she must say yes. It galled her to have to spend a single moment in this man's presence much less dance with him. The thought of his hands upon her body made her wish to find a chamber pot to wretch in.
If only she was allowed to marry the one man whom she so deeply loved. Mr. Ernest Sinclair was so many things to Catherine. He'd been her savior, her friend, and finally the one who stirred her soul like no other.
Why had they tarried so long that night before sharing the joyful news of their engagement? If they'd only found her grandmother sooner, Catherine would be eagerly taking a turn on the dance floor with her fiancé, Mr. Sinclair, instead of the fiend pretending to be a gentleman at her side.
Life seemed determined to be unfair for the young lady. Not only was she denied her true love, she also was denied even a glimpse of him. For reasons she assumed were because she was promised to another, Mr. Sinclair had yet to make an appearance this evening.
If it were not for Ms. Parsons and Prince Hamid being there to bolster her spirits, Catherine would most likely have dissolved into tears. Her heart ached for Ernest. She was near the point of throwing decorum out the window and running off to Gretna Green with him.
She no longer cared if her beloved father had intended to leave Edgewater to her instead of her stepbrother. Mr. Marlcaster wasn't a bad sort. Catherine could see that he truly had a kind heart when not under the thumb of his mother.
If her dear Briar believed he was all that was good in this world, then Catherine couldn't doubt it. Her friend had a way of seeing one's true nature. Mr. Marlcaster might fumble the finances and such, but he would be a good steward to the people of Edgewater.
She knew if she was to run away with Ernest, scandal would be forever associated with her name. Did it matter though? Her questionable birth already tainted her reputation, though she had no control over those circumstances. At least the new gossip would be something she could happily live with.
"Lady Catherine?" Tristan hissed. "Are you not paying attention?"
Catherine jerked her head away from the feeling of his breath on her ear.
The Dowager laughed at the notion.
"She is most likely lost in thought over the notion of marrying you, your grace."
Tristan's smile was one most ladies deemed charming.
Catherine found little to like in it.
"Is that true, my dear? Are you thinking about our wedding?" His voice lowered for her ears alone. "Or is your baseborn nature concentrating on our wedding night?"
Catherine jerked her hand from his. Trembling with suppressed rage, she pleaded for them to excuse her.
Blinded by angry tears, she wound her way through the crush of guests in search of an escape. Since the retiring room was filled with giggling ladies, she next hoped to find a quiet corner outside to try and calm down.
She shook her head when Prince Hamid asked if she needed him. After tripping her way to a side door, Catherine slipped outside and rushed deep into the shadows.
Her exit was halted by a pair of strong arms wrapping around her.
"Catherine?" Mr. Sinclair said softly to try and shush her cries.
"Ernest!" She twirled in his arms, her hands cupping his face as her lips immediately sought his.
Ernest deepened the kiss, holding her even closer within his embrace.
Catherine broke away to catch her breath. "I thought you were not coming."
"I could not stay away." He caressed her cheek. "I do not care what anyone thinks. I refuse to stand by and see you married to such a man as Duke Richards."
Though she couldn't see him well, his voice made her heart sing with his next words.
"You were created for me, Catherine. You are to be no one's wife but mine."
She sighed into the heat of his next kiss. Her hands moved along his broad shoulders, glorying in the fact that he was truly here and still wanted her for his own.
"My love," she breathed as his lips brushed kisses down her neck, "I want nothing more than to be Mrs. Sinclair."
"And so you shall." He fervently promised. "We will find a way out of your betrothal. The Duke of Karlington will not lay another finger on you."
The mention of her fiancé's name forced Catherine to reluctantly pull away.
"I should return before my grandmother sends the duke for me."
"I'll escort you back." Ernest pressed a kiss to the back of her hand before releasing her.
She took his arm, leaning closer than appropriate. She needed a few more moments near him if she was to endure the rest of the ball.
Once inside, notes were played to signal that the Allemande was about to begin.
"Would you do me the honor, my lady?" Mr. Sinclair asked in that proud proper tone of his.
Catherine looked up at him. Her eyes traced his handsome features in the nearby candlelight. Her first genuine smile of the night appeared upon her slightly kiss swollen lips. She could continue to play the part of a respectable noble as long as he was near.
"Thank you, Mr. Sinclair." She said with a polite tilt of her head. "I would love to."
As he took her in his arms to dance, Catherine felt both her hope and courage return.
She would find a way to freedom and celebrate it with the man at her side.
A Boy and His Horses - The Edgewater Siblings - Kids Au (part 2)
Tags: @ezekielbhandarivalleros @princess-geek
"LADY CLARA!!! WATCH OUT!!!"
"Oof--"
***
"That's NO excuse! You're always too quick to defend her! I knew you shouldn't have sent her out with that careless stable boy; now look at her! She's filthy! My Edmund would never have taken such risks, especially on occasion so great!"
*sighs* "Henrietta, please, it was an accident-"
Clara rubs her eyes, trying to concentrate. "...F...Father...?"
The Earl rushes to her side. "Clara, my dear! How are you feeling...?"
"A bit lightheaded...but fine. ..What happened..?"
"A riding accident- you fell off your horse, the rope still tied around your foot...and you were dragged in speed on the grass until you hit your head on a tree. We had to bring the staff to untie you; however, you were already under a dizzy spell and went unconscious..."
"Not to mention, you missed the ball! It was already too late to cancel, with the Queen arriving so your Father was wrongfully worried sick, deciding to stay with you while I tended to our guests! Your behaviour was utterly disgraceful for someone meant to heir Edgewater's legacy," the Countess sneers.
"Oh...I remember now..."
...
"Luke, I challenge you to a race!"
"We shouldn't-"
"Don't tell me you're afraid of a little competition~."
"Never, I just...I think it's best not to. I wouldn’t want us to get into trou-"
"GREAT GALLANT STEED OF EDGEWATER, IN MY COMMAND, LET'S CHARGE! HYAH!! LUKE, I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE SOUND OF MY AWAITING VICTORY!!!"
"LADY CLARA, APOLOGIES FOR BEING SO BOLD, BUT YOU'RE NOT EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO RIDE!! YOU MUST STOP-"
"WoOOAAAHUUGH- TOO FAST!! TOO FAST!! I CAN'T ST-"
"LADY CLARA!!! WATCH OUT!!!"
"Oof--"
...
"The stablehand's son insisted that he challenged you to a race. I had a word with his father; he won't be any trouble anymore."
"What? Father, what is your meaning?"
"He confessed to it all. I had it all handled. You must not fret, my dear" he kisses Clara's forehead and smiles. "Get some rest; all will be well."
"But I-"
"Clara, please... this is what's best."
...Next Morning...
Luke runs up to Clara, wrapping her in a firm hug, burying his head in her shoulder. As he pulls away, she notices heavy tears staining his soft cheeks.
"Lady Clara, I was so worried..." he breathes.
"Luke! I missed your face! I apologize for any trouble you've been put through on my behalf," Clara cries, smushing his face between two hands in pure relief.
"It's fine... I missed your face as well" He chuckles through a blush, then steps back in an appropriate distance, face falling.
"..What is amiss? It wasn't, father, was it? I heard you have taken the blame for my actions..."
Luke nods slowly, keeping his gaze firm on the grass. "Lady Clara...it's worse than I thought..." he furiously begins, wiping at his eyes and apologizing. "I just..."
Clara draws his hands away from his face with confusion, holding them up as his tears begin to flow freely. "I-I heard...th-he con-convers-sation...bet-ween *sniff* our- our- *sniff* fathers..we must move at once..."
At his words, time begins to stop. "...No..."
"Your Father told mine that we have no choice but to move back to the countryside with my Mother and my brother Ezra..."
"No, no, -no!! I cannot believe this is what father meant... To make you move away?! It's criminal! We were having so much fun here at the Estate... And...and..this is all my doing..." Her shoulders begin to shake. "I-I'm so sorry, Luke... There must be something we can do..."
"I-I'm not sure we should...but- I want to! I want to be here! I just..."
Then a realization hits her. "I think...I understand. Being away from your mother for so long... If I had a chance to see my mother again...I would go in a heartbeat! I apologize if I've brought any stress on the matter, Luke. You shall here not worry of me for any moment longer! I won't allow it!"
Luke moves a leg forward, opening his mouth in protest, then swings it back to place. "I'll miss you, m'lady..."
Clara takes a slow breath. "Well, there's no use for sorrowful thoughts! Let us join bands for one last moment of fun!"
"Luke! Luke!! Where is that boy..?"
"I'm afraid there's no time left..that's father.." He balls his fits, locking a gaze of determination with her for the first time. "Lady Clara, I think I'm in lo-"
"Luke, *pant*...*pant*...there you are!"
"My apologies for keeping you waiting, Father!"
"All is well, Son. I have news!"
"News..?"
"Is this young Luke Harper?! Last I've seen, he was less than a hair older than a babe! And now look at him! grown enough to lead an army!"
"Aunt Tabetha!" Luke lights up in a fit of giggles. Just then, the broad-shouldered yet modestly elegant woman lifts Luke up in the air and places him on her shoulder.
"Is there an occasion that's slipped my mind" Luke questions.
"An occasion? We're the occasion!"
"I fail to understand..."
"What my sister means to say is that I'm giving you the option of staying at Edgewater."
"But I overheard...with the Earl, he said we must take leave!"
"What are you on about, boy? The Earl merely informed me of how brave it was for you to stand up and take responsibility for Clara's accident, which I confess must apologize for as well..."
"It wasn't Luke's fault- or yours; I am to blame!"
"The Earl knew that you were the one to initiate the accident; however, it's my job to keep watch of the horses. I told him I would take leave for our family."
...
**what Luke hears**
"My Lord, ...I must apologize on behalf of my son's actions.."
"Come now, Mr.Harper. You came to Edgewater when we were young men. We're practically family now! You may call me Vincent. Besides, my daughter has her mother's firey spirit. Therefore, I know your son is not to blame."
"You humble me, My Lor-er-Vincent. I must, however, inform you that my wife has taken a missing to my son and me- Thus, I must take my leave."
"I understand. **You must take your son and move to the countryside.** ...However..."
"...Yes?"
"He could stay, pursue an education of the very brightest."
"But for us- education isn't possible? Unless..."
"I provide him with a tutor, here at Edgewater, alongside my daughter. I sense he's a good influence on her."
"This is...I can't.."
"Think nothing of it, old friend! All you have to do is agree."
"He'd love it here but to be alone... Unless..."
"Yes?"
"My Lord- Vincent, I would feel at ease if he could have someone closer to home with him."
"Such as?"
"My sister. You have a new opening for the position of the stablehand, and she may be a woman, yet there's no one I'd trust more to keep watch of the horses and my son as I take my leave, if I may be so bold, sir?"
"I'll get my staff prepared."
"Thank you! Vincent, this would mean the world to him and my family!"
"This is merely an appreciation of all your service. I wish you safe travels on your journey, Mr.Harper." Vincent smiles, clasping his shoulder.
Unable to contain his excitement, he smiles; "call me James!"
...
"I can't believe it..." Luke marvels.
"I take it, you're in agreement," Tabetha smirks.
"I-I yes- but Mother-"
"You can visit us whenever you wish, Son, as long as it doesn't interfere with your lessons."
"Lessons?"
"Did I slip the mention of you receiving your own private education alongside Lady Clara?"
His father reaches down and strokes his child's head before Clara finally explodes from silence.
"You're staying! You're staying! AHH!! I'm so overjoyed that I could burst!!" Clara awes and jumps up and down, then into his hug. "Although, it seems I already have."
Part 1:
Luke instantly heats up, hugging her back. "You need'nt worry. I'll always remain by your side, Lady Clara."
"As I will yours. By the great speeds of stallions we shall ride again!"
Luke's father raises an eyebrow.
"....But will the correct procautions, of course."
