Page 27 of A Maid's Fateful Courtship
Cedric said nothing to the valet as the servant left the room and closed the door behind himself.
“Before we go, Ethan, I must have a private word with you, if I may,” Cedric spoke to him as he approached.
Ethan was standing looking out of the large window. The stewards and maids gathered together, sorting out all the picnic paraphernalia, had caught his eye. Was Josephine amongst them?
“Our sister has welcomed us home with some fine events, has she not?” Ethan murmured, not concentrating on what Cedric had said to him.
“You know Cynthia, ever the one for parties,” Cedric replied, taking a seat on a window chair.
“So, what’s this about, Cedric?” Ethan asked as he noticed Cedric settling down.
“I witnessed something quite concerning in the rose gardens, brother. I wondered if you could explain to me what is going on between you and one of our servants?” Cedric asked, leaving no room for procrastination.
Ethan only felt that what he had happened needed no explanation, to him it was clear what had occurred. But then again, he could not be sure how much his brother had seen.
“And what was that?” Ethan pushed, playing for time. He could not be altogether certain that Cedric had seen it was Josephine.
“You know exactly what I am talking about, Ethan,” Cedric snapped. “You must stop this dillydallying with Josephine. If anyone else had seen you trying to kiss her, we would have a terrible scandal on our hands. Or perhaps you only mean to use her as a mistress!”
Ethan did not reply immediately, for the insinuation had maddened him. He too seated himself in a chair by the window. His secret was now in the open and a part of him was quite relieved. Another part of him knew it could cause problems for Josephine, so he must take care. He did not want anyone thinking of her as a lord’s mistress.
“If you are referring to my encounter with Josephine, I had merely handed her a daisy out of brotherly love,” Ethan reasoned. “She is like a sister to me, and she was quite overcome with female emotions as we talked of days gone by.”
Cedric nodded his head, but it was clear to Ethan that his brother was not to be fooled. Though Ethan had a deep wish for everything to come out in the open, his caution remained, out of concern for Josephine.
“You know your responsibilities to the estate as Father’s heir. You must take these matters more seriously,” Cedric announced with harshness in his voice. “Father would be appalled if he knew you were risking our family status for a liaison with a maid.”
The two brothers sat in silence for a short time. Ethan’s mind had meandered to his encounter with Josephine, and he still wished they had kissed. He noted that Cedric shuffled in his seat. Was he annoyed at his brother’s weakness over a mere servant, as he would put it?
“At the end of the day, she is the daughter of a farmer,” Cedric broke the silence.
Ah, here it comes, my brother feeling that I need to hear the truth.
“You must put the past behind you, you were nothing but a boy and you owe this girl nothing,” Cedric spat with venom on his tongue. “Both myself and Anthony know her place is now balanced, and we accept it. She should count herself lucky that Father was so generous to her. She has good standing in the servant’s quarters, why is that not enough for you?”
“You make a big deal over nothing, Cedric, as usual,” Ethan snapped, hoping to crush Cedric’s notions.
“You see that which does not exist. Is my word not enough? It is true that I am fond of Josephine. I do not deny that. I have a feeling of protective brotherly affection for her. We happened upon one another and laughed together over times gone by. That was all you witnessed. Let this be the end of this absurdity.”
Ethan stood up in a huff, for he knew he was lying to his brother. The love he felt for Josephine was much more than brotherly affection. If he had his way, she would be treated with the respect she deserved.
“You fool yourself, brother!” Cedric raised his voice as he stood up to confront Ethan. “This must end, or you will take the entire family down with you.”
“Father should not have educated her if he only to wished to use her as a servant,” Ethan finally let slip his inner thoughts. “To see her as a mere servant pains me. At the very least she should have been trained in the position of a governess.”
“Then arrange for that to happen, Ethan,” Cedric counselled, a slight look of pity in his eyes. “But I beg you to end this foolish behaviour before it is too late for all of us.”
“Too late for what, Cedric?” Ethan glared with wide eyes as if daring his brother to a challenge.
“I want only the best for her. Does she not deserve that, after she spent a childhood in the bosom of a marquess? Father made a mistake by allowing her to grow up equal to his offspring. Because all he did then was belittle her into becoming a mere servant. A servant does not need to read or write. It is my belief that Josephine is far too clever for such a role."
Ethan’s glaring eyes reflected his true emotions as he glared at his brother, and he could see nothing but worry reflecting back at him. He was now certain that Cedric had not seen all that had transpired in the rose garden, but now he was hazarding a guess at what had taken place.
“Why do you care so much for her?” Cedric enquired.
“Can you not remember her as a girl?” Ethan questioned. “She was our equal and indeed, bettered us many times over.” He laughed as he recalled the tough little girl that she had been. “And now, we throw her aside as if she meant nothing to this family.”
“Both myself and Anthony lived the same childhood as you, Ethan. But that is my point, we were only children and status meant nothing. Now, we must accept that there are certain social boundaries that separate us from the working classes.”
