The Duke's Masked Wife

373 [Bonus chapter] Familiar (2)

Four hours ago.

“What should I name this character?” Eleanor wondered out loud as she stared at the ceiling of her room. She was tortured for hours to think of the names for her new book which needed to be done soon.

Unknown to the many young women who turned their noses in the air at her, many of them had already bought her last book as it was filled with drama inspired by life in Lockwood. Some of them were reading about themselves but Eleanor had done well to mask the characters.

“I should visit Bryce so he can help me. I need to rest my creative mind,” she rubbed her temple.

“Eleanor!” The faint sound of her aunt’s voice calling her from downstairs was heard.

“Coming!” Eleanor called back, quickly gathering all of her papers before her aunt could visit her room.

Writing books to make money wasn’t accepted by her aunt who thought a young woman should spend her time trying to find a husband to take care of her. Eleanor didn’t want that kind of life especially when she found all the young men she grew up around to be annoying. She preferred to stay alone for as long as possible or until she found someone she liked.

Eleanor placed the papers in a box and pushed the box under her bed before going downstairs to find her aunt.

For as long as she could remember, Eleanor had lived with her aunt. It was no secret that her aunt disliked the business which her sister got tangled up in the red light district and took Eleanor to raise her into a fine young lady. Unfortunately, her aunt’s efforts to erase Eleanor’s connection to the red light district were all for nothing as everyone kept bringing it up.

.....

“Aunt Scarlet,” Eleanor said as she hurried down the stairs. She found her aunt putting away her coat. “I thought it would be a few more hours before you return home.”

“So you could continue writing in my absence? There is ink on your cheek, Eleanor. You are never able to hide when you write. If only you would put that same energy into going out and socializing with your peers to find yourself a husband. How long do you plan to be in my care?” Scarlet asked, closing the small closet door.

“I went through so much trouble to get you into the palace and be near the queen but you did not bring me any good news,” she sighed.

“I sat with the queen and got close to Alessandra Collins. That is far better than what anyone other young ladies there could say they did. I am not looking for a husband, Aunt Scarlet. You should stop wasting your time and let us think about what we will eat for dinner later,” Eleanor said while wiping her face to get rid of where there might be ink. “I am in the mood for fish. Should we go to the market together?”

“Eleanor,” Scarlet slowly approached her niece as there was some good news she needed to share. “I stumbled into Hayden today.”

“What does that annoying bastard want now?” Eleanor questioned, angered by just the name of the young boy who used to tease her. Only when she punched him did he finally shut up.

“Apparently he has not gotten married-”

“Not surprising. What poor fool would want to spend their days with someone so annoying?” Eleanor asked, sitting down on a small couch. “What?” She asked when she noticed the nervous expression on her aunt’s face.

“I told him you were also not married and suggested the two of-”

“I would rather die!” Eleanor exclaimed.

“Eleanor,” Scarlet placed her hands on her hips. “What did I say about cutting me off?”

“Sorry,” Eleanor apologized. “But I would rather die,” she stood firm on her words. “Get a dagger and I’ll show you.”

“Eleanor, don’t be so dramatic. He agreed to set up a meeting with you. The two of you are not children. You are now attractive young adults who will realize the two of you shared feelings for each in your youth. He is quite the handsome young man and a catch among his peers,” said Scarlet.

“Which makes it suspicious for someone who wants to get married to not already be married. I am not going to sit by and believe that someone who teased me in my youth is now somehow interested in marrying me. I am not falling for it and you should not entertain his chatter. Now, chicken or fish for dinner?” Eleanor asked, preferring to talk about food instead.

Scarlet wasn’t ready to let the conversation change so quickly. “Eleanor, you should meet with him just once. This is your first suitor around your age. I’d hate to think your only choices will be men far older than you.”

“My choice is to remain alone or if marriage is so needed I would just marry Bryce to silence you. I am not going to marry Hayden let alone meet with him so whatever plan you concocted and ran home to get started, please get rid of it immediately,” Eleanor said, standing up as she was too annoyed to remain seated.

“Eleanor, I am no longer asking you to meet with Hayden. I am telling you that you will meet with him. I am going to do your mother’s job to see you get married to a good- Where are you going?” Scarlet asked when Eleanor walked by her and opened the close to take out a coat.

Eleanor took out her coat from the small room and began to put it on. “To see my mother. You have taken me under your roof but she is still my mother and I am certain she will value my judgment to not entertain Hayden. I will be back for dinner.”

“You know I dislike when you visit that district. There are all sorts of men you can run into. Men who I am not sure your father can save you from if they desire you. Please stay and talk to me about this. I just want the best for you, Eleanor. You fail to see that spending your days writing will not end up with anything worthwhile. I admire your talent but it is time you focus on other things,” Scarlet said, pleading with Eleanor to listen.

“I will visit Bryce and have him escort me there so you do not have to worry. I am thankful you have taken care of me but I make my own choices for what I will do with my life. If I regret it later on then it is all my fault. I will pick up some fish on my way back,” Eleanor stated then walked out the front door to make her way to her mother in the red light district.