The Damsel

Chapter 12

Sorry this took so long guys! But here it is, the newest chapter! 

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Sophie sat listening to gossip on the patio; she was not at all amused.

“Those who gossip with you, will gossip about you.” Mark had always told her.

“Now, James, I’ve heard a few rumours.”

James looked at Grandmother Elizabeth, “What about?”

“I’ve heard that Lady Victoria of Greenwood was in talks with you to arrange an engagement between Phillip and her daughter Jane.”

Duchess Marie scoffed, “That is simply not true.”

“Duchess Elizabeth that could not be more of a lie. I have met with Miss. Windsor several times and she is just such a- how do you say?- simpleton?” Phillip declared.

Grandmother Elizabeth patted the Duchess’s hand, “Oh, I am glad to hear it. That family isn’t as well to do as they like to pretend.”

Marie laughed in agreement.

Sophie was truly disgusted. She may not be close friends with Jane, but she felt bad that her grandmother and Marie were talking about her as if she was someone’s left over. The worst was Phillip, speaking so badly of Jane when he himself was a pervert. I will never dance with this dreadful boy again, let alone marry him, Sophie thought.  She needed a reason to leave this awful situation.

“I have to go to the bathroom” Sophie said, getting up and walking away.

Grandmother Elizabeth yelled at her to come back but Sophie just kept walking.

“The nerve of that girl.” Grandmother Elizabeth muttered.

“I’d say.” Marie agreed.

Mark furrowed his eyebrows then addressed the ladies, “I will ask both of you to kindly stop making comments about my daughter.” He then got up and followed Sophie

Sophie had made her way to a chair in the hallway.

Mark approached Sophie and asked her what was wrong.

“Papa, I will not marry Phillip. Not only is he a pervert, he is also extremely rude. How am I to know that he does not talk badly of me when I am not around! And even he did, it is worse that he talks badly of anyone. Poor Jane, she would be shattered if she knew what Phillip said. She thinks so highly of him.”

Mark smiled, “You’re so much like your mother sometimes Sophie Marie; always compassionate and caring. Listen Monkey, you will not marry Phillip, I promise you that but you will, however, have to put up with him while he is here..”

“Sophie took her father’s hand, “Could you not just kick him and his awful parents out Papa, you are the Prince of Caledonia after all.”

Mark chuckled, “Monkey, I am not the Prince of this household though. Get through the next week and then we will return home.”

“I will try Papa.”

“Thank you Monkey.”

Sophie looked at her father, “Do I have to go back Papa?”

“I’m afraid you do Monkey. Come now, we’ll make a big show of your arm hurting.”

Sophie laughed, “Papa that’s lying!”

They walked back to the patio as Mark said, “You can be truthful if you wish but you will feel the wrath of your grandmother.”

Sophie considered this for a second and then told her father that she would gladly lie.

Once the pair emerged on to the patio Sophie addressed the entire group,

“I am sorry I ran off, my arm was just paining me so much, I felt I must take a moment for myself.”

Marie’s face softened instantly, “Oh, Princess, I am sorry to hear that.”

Sophie gave a small curtsy, “Thank you Duchess.”

Sophie took her seat and remained quiet for the two hours that Grandmother Elizabeth and Marie gossiped for. Occasionally, Phillip or James would pipe up with some snide or condescending comment but Grandmother Elizabeth and Marie dominated the conversation.

As the clock struck eleven Grandmother Elizabeth suggested that everyone go and freshen up before dinner.

“Yes, that would be marvellous.” Marie agreed.

As Grandmother Elizabeth stood up she asked Phillip to escort Sophie to her chambers. Sophie looked at her father hoping that he would somehow be able to get her out of the situation but he only nodded at her to comply.

Grudgingly Sophie gave Phillip her arm. The pair was the last to leave the patio.

Phillip was silent but as they ascended the stairs Sophie felt his hand slide its’ way down to her bottom. Sophie flinched away.

“Stop it!” Sophie cried.

“I’m only having a little fun.” Phillip said. “What’s wrong with that?” Phillip snarled.

Sophie took a step back, “I think I’ll escort myself the rest of the way.”

Sophie tried to walk forward but Phillip caught her and pinned her against the wall. His hands crawled all over her body. His breath tickled Sophie’s neck. Soon his hands rested on her breasts. Sophie struggled  against him but he just pressed his body to hers. Sophie felt something hard hit her thigh.

“I will have you Princess. “ Phillip whispered. “One way or another, I will have you.”

Phillip used one hand to rub Sophie’s breast on stop of her dress, while the other struggled to find a way underneath the satin.

“Stop…please… stop!” Sophie whispered breathlessly.

Just then Colin was coming in to get a jug of water for the workers. He heard someone struggling around the corner. Who could that be? He thought. Colin rounded the corner and saw Phillip pressing himself against Sophie with his hands up her skirts. He met Sophie’s eyes for a moment. She was pleading for help.

Colin bolted up the stairs, ripped Phillip from Sophie and then threw him against the wall.

Right close to Phillip’s face, Colin snarled, “Don’t you touch Sophie! Don’t you ever touch again! Prince Mark will be hearing of this.”

Sophie reached for Colin’s hand, “Walk me up?”

Colin let go of Phillip, who fell to the ground, and took Sophie’s hand. She all but fell into him and whispered,

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Colin helped Sophie into her room and sat her down on her bed, “I’ll get Matilda okay?” He rubbed Sophie’s hand.

Sophie nodded and met his gaze, a smile breaking across her lips.

How is it that two touches can make you feel so different?