Self-preservation

Chapter Six

Self- preservation

   The counsel of Lady Elizabeth cleared his throat, "If everybody now is ready..." he looked at the Baroness. She nods. He cleared his throat and read in a monotonous voice. He rumbled on and on about Walden’s Edict that has not changed for decades then he paused, looked at her, and continue his reading" The stipulation of the contract is the following, that the ownership of the castle will be transferred to the firstborn, Agnes Daniel Walden only when she marries Chris Bennett Duvier."

  "That the Lady of Winshord Castle, Lady Elizabeth Charles Walden, will automatically give up her rights as the owner, of the castle and the land it was built and her title as the Lady will be pass on to the firstborn Agnes Daniel Walden if the marriage ceremony is performed by the priest. The priest is handpicked by the current owner of the castle. All parties should sign the marriage document to make the document binding and legal."

   "If you agreed to the terms Ms. Agnes kindly signed on this document." Mattie turned at her and put the document carefully in front of her. He pulled out his Parker pen and handed it to her. Agnes was sweating coldly. Her face was pale from trying to control herself.

   "No before anything else.... she stammered. "I have some conditions to the contract." 

    Everybody turned at her in surprise. Chris tried to hide his smile. Why was he not surprised that she comes prepared for her brand of bombshell?  She coached herself to steady herself while the paper that she prepared trembled in her hand. Her voice is trembling too. "I have my conditions and should be included in the revised contract before I signed the document. The condition is that my marriage is in name only, therefore, I will not be compelled to do my wifely duties such as ..." she blushed"... cooking and cleaning for him, taking care of him when he is sick, I have control of my freedom to do anything I want of my time and most of all ... no sex."

  Lady Elizabeth coughed so hard that her curly top almost toppled over her face. David covers his mouth to control himself, the old solicitor drops his pen, Ann who was silently listening, fans herself unnecessarily, and of Chris Duvier... nothing. He just stared at her for the first time. But there was nothing that shows his feeling. And why does she suddenly feel the need to be wary? From across the table, his unreadable face stared at her ... still and controlled.

  "If Chris Duvier and Aunt Liz agreed to my terms, then I will sign the contract." She said almost sighing with relief that at last, she aired out her side.

  "Well... I also have my demands before I agree to marry your niece." He addressed the old woman directly. He holds the ace close to his heart. From here, if everything works out, he will hit the home run. In his most unemotional voice, he said, "My lawyer has been reviewing everything. I have to make this very clear. The reason behind this demand is that I might one day wake up and find myself dupe again by Walden’s."

   "And what is your demand Duvier?" The Baroness inquired.

   "The word is consummate." 

     Consummate.

    The word hangs in the air. Agnes stood up and glared at the man she had been avoiding for the past days. Her face is red with embarrassment and anger. “Consummate!" Her voice laced with bitterness. She looked at her aunt. Her hands formed a fist. She was so mad that right now all she could think was walk out from this place. This man has the gall to propose such...she said in a very low hissing voice to Lady Elizabeth, "I am not going to bed with this man Auntie...no way!"

   "Well, in that case, I think it’s time for us to leave." Chris Duvier stood up. "David?" 

  "Both of you sit down. " She looked at her niece. She was surprised at her reaction. She thought her niece had been wanting to be his wife. Everybody knows that Agnes has a major feeling for Chris Duvier. Even before Lea, she already wanted him. She looked at the man who is the target of her niece's anger. Face and body that can make any woman swoon to oblivion. She is very much aware of the charm that this species holds. Any woman in her sane mind would like to bed Duvier if they have the chance, but why the sudden change of her niece? Gently, she said, "There is wisdom to Duvier’s demand Agnes. Marriage to be truly existent should be consummated."

   "I must say you studied this well Duvier. But you see, my niece vehemently disapproves of your demands. I cannot force her."

   "No one is forcing anybody.  Only one year with me...if I bide her to my bed she should come and please me. In return, your servants and the people working for you will be protected from being fired. They will have all the benefits that my employees enjoy and it is perpetual. Winshord Castle will have an heir but it should come from my bloodline. The castle will be passed down to the first heir, right? How do you expect a Walden bloodline and title would continue without an heir? " He said coldly. " She can do whatever she likes so long as we are on the same understanding on this part." 

  "Are you mad! I'm not some breeding horses ...In case you haven't noticed...I'm a person. I have my rights too. This goes beyond my demands of not being intimate with this …man!” Agnes’ tears came rolling from her eyes. She cannot take it anymore.

  Chris just smiled at her. " Well then, I'm giving you another three days to think it over. Lady Elizabeth, our agreement stands until she agreed to my terms." He walked out and left together with his trusted legal counsel without even saying goodbye.

    Smith gently arrange the pillows behind Lady Elizabeth’s back. She was lying in her bed. Her migraine has constantly hammered her after the eventful meeting. She doesn’t know how to untangle the mess she created. 

    "Smith, what am I going to do with this situation...I thought everything is on track but it seems I have derailed again."

    "Well--you can always sell the castle to him with no strings." 

    "You know I cannot do that. The tradition we hold dear to our hearts must remain intact. My sacrifice would have been wasted if I had just given it away to Duvier. This is Agnes' chance to have her own family. I cannot let her suffer the same fate as I have. She loves Duvier. I watched her sneaking on him every time Chris is on the stable. You and I know she will make a good wife to a decent man like Duvier."

    Smith sighed, "Lea is in the picture my Lady. Men when they fall in love tend to be stubborn. He has only eyes for Lea. Our Agnes would be hurt...she would suffer dearly if she learned that her sister and Duvier were in love."

   "Is he still in love with her after the pain she causes him?" Smith did not comment. She continued, “If we can arrange the two of them married without Lea on the side, I think it might work." She frowned, "He insisted on intimacy between them, you know...you should see that Smith, it was one of those moments...still, there might be a chance for our plan to work."

    Lady Elizabeth smiled, "I do like playing Lady Cupid ..."