"Well its obvious isn't it? You don't love father anymore," Kasey Morgan screeched at her mother before as flying past her brother Jeffery who wore a puzzled expression as he entered the sitting room suffering from a hangover. His light brown eyes noted emotions that were passionately displayed on his sibling's face, hurt and anger. She disappeared down the corridor into the study. It slammed loudly behind her as she vented her anger. Jeffery turned to his mother, wincing as the sound seemed to echo in his head.
"Why is she running about the house and screaming like a banshee?" He asked slowly walking into the sitting room and sitting in the chair his sister had just vacated. He picked up an untouched sandwich in the plate on the tea table and began eating ravenously.
"I told her Arthur Willows asked me to marry him. And that I had said yes," Nancy Morgan sighed taking a seat opposite her son.
"Ah." Was all Jeffery said. He had already polished off the sandwich and was reaching for another.
"Oh Jeff what should I do? I haven't even told her about my plans to sell Kingsley manor," she moaned. She rose from her seat and began pacing. Nancy wrung at her handkerchief worriedly.
"Well what did you expect mother? Kasey was very close to our father. Just hearing that you've become fond of another, let alone wish to marry is enough to make her go berserk,"
"I know. But it's not like had I planned to fall in love with the family lawyer! It just happened!" his mother exclaimed turning around and pacing the other way.
"Do sit mother you're making my head spin," Jeffery said and watched as his mother sat before continuing, "You can't make everyone happy with the decisions you make. Kasey is a big girl, nineteen this winter coming. Why when she marries and leaves odes she expect you to remain in this large house pinning on memories? Don't worry mother, I'll go talk to her."
"Oh thank you so much Jeff but will you go change first? You seemed to have brought home an entire brewery with you!" Nancy said wrinkling her nose. She looked at her son's cravat which dangled limply at one corner of his shirt. His black riding breeches were dust covered and the boots he wore were badly in the need of a polish.
"That's not the only thing I brought home. A murderous headache has seemed to follow me over the threshold as well," he told her standing up.
"I'll have one of the maids run you a bath and I shall make you something myself to soothe that headache. Drinking really is not your forte you know," she chided.
"I know mother but you know what they say when in Rome, do what they do," he chuckled. Realizing the sound of his own laughter further increased his headache, he stopped. He followed her out of the room.
"Doing what the other bankers do will most certainly get you an ulcer." Nancy proclaimed.
"I don't think you understand just how difficult the job of a banker is mother," Jeffery began.
"Oh really? I should think being married to one for twenty seven years give me some insight on the entire situation," exclaimed Nancy. She headed towards the kitchen leaving him at the foot of the staircase.
"Oh this cannot be happening! It simply cannot! I will not let it. Mother's obviously not thinking clearly," Kasey cried before dropping into a large arm chair. Her pet tabby Mrs. Sobers sat lazily in the matching one.
"What can I do? Maybe I can somehow convince her that I am gravely ill and in need attention only a mother can give her child,' she thought aloud, "but that will only prolong the inevitable."
"Maybe I could pay Mr. Willows to leave mother alone," she began again placing her right index finger to her lips thoughtfully before frowning. "Only my inheritance isn't due until I turn twenty which is three months away and he knows that, he's our lawyer."
Pulling at the little green bows which trimmed her yellow dress she contemplated several other schemes before jumping from her chair angrily. Mrs. Sobers looked up startled. Swishing her large black tail she settled back down for her usual afternoon nap. Kasey walked along the shelves which were lined with hundreds of her late father's books. She stopped in front of the large oak desk in front of the window.
"Maybe if I ran away..."her voice trailed off as she sat in the chair behind the desk and began rummaging through the top drawers. They stilled smelled of the tobacco Richard Morgan used to smoke. She pulled out the stationary she needed and began writing.
"Dear mother due to certain circumstances (namely your decision to remarry), I have decided I can no longer live under the same roof as you. Please understand I still and always love you but due to our difference in opinion..." she wrote before crumpling it up.
"This is so ridiculous. I sound like a foolish, spoilt and inconsiderate child," she huffed.
Just then, there was a commotion outside. She got up and parted the heavy drapes.
Peter, the groom was attempting to tend to a carriage which had just arrived. Being small in stature this proved to be difficult as the two horses in question were of a rather large breed. Kasey laughed at how silly he looked before realizing how exhausted Peter must feel since her brother had arrived with his coach very late the night before. Just as she contemplated going out in the cold evening weather herself to help him, the owner of the carriage stepped out. Her breath caught. The owner of the coach and unruly horses was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. From her vantage point on the second floor of the house she could see he wore dark riding breeches and matching jacket. A white cravat was knotted fashionably around his neck. He was very tall, probably taller than Jeff and a bit younger as well. His dark hair was kept in a rather long style; it curled a little way past his ears. He looked just like one of the roguish princes in the books her maid Sophie read aloud at times and swooned over. Reaching out one of his gloved hands which were hidden under his coat he gently soothed one of the horses. As if by magic, the creature began to calm down. As if sensing he was being watched, he looked up and saw Kasey. He smiled and waved at her. Kasey returned a small wave and fled from the drapes, her face burning. She could not believe she had been caught openly gawking at the stranger, like some silly country girl. She may be from the country, but silly she was not.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door and her brother entered. He was dressed in clean clothes and smelled of the scented soaps her mother loved to purchase.
"Now listen carefully Kasey. You can't expect mother to spend the rest of her life grieving over our father. I appologise if you find I'm a bit harsh but when you are married and gone where will that leave her? I live two towns away and can only visit fortnightly and when ever the weather permits," be began pointing his finger. He made quite a show walking over to the desk and giving it a couple of thumps with his fist.
"You're not a little girl anymore. You're a lot more sensible than most girls I know, so quite frankly I am truly surprised you're acting this way. For heavens sake, be reasonable," he finished.
Kasey walked over to him with her arms folded.
"Okay," she said.
"Well, that was easier than I thought," he grinned sitting on the desk.
"Your speech wasn't necessary Jeff. I thought it over and was okay," she smiled.
"Oh. So mother was sitting outside all this time worrying for nothing,"
"Yes. I best go tell her so,"
Kasey looked at her brother again before leaving the room." Are you going out again tonight?"
"No I have a bit of entertaining to do. Old school friend dropped by," he explained.
