My Lover

Chapter 1

*amara pictured at the top*
Chapter 1

The early morning sun shone through my tinted drapes as I moved my hand to shield me from the light. Reluctantly swinging my feet down towards the floor, I drape a shawl over my shoulders. One breath in, two breaths out, that is what I tell myself as I prepare for the day ahead. Before I could even stretch my limbs to shake off the evening's slumber, I hear the voice of my aide:

" Miss Amara... it's time for me to assist you".
"Of course Sarah, come in". I reply, opening the wooden doors as I clutch the brass handle.

I perch on my dainty seat and stare at myself in the mirror. Behind me, Sarah is trying to overcome my thick, African curls. She struggles, losing the battle to my kinky locks. Meanwhile, I lather the lotion onto my melinated skin, casting my eyes downwards as I realise the day I have ahead of me. Finally, Sarah manages to fix my hair into a top bun, my hair barley contained in the weak hairband. After what seems like an hour, together, we have managed to squeeze my body into a corset and fit the dress over it. As usual, I had no energy to entertain the idea of having a choice over what I wore, so Sarah picked one out for me. Much to my liking, she picked out a teal gown, fitted with white lace embellishments accompanied by a silk shawl. I was now ready to face my grandmother.

Unlike me, my grandmother had skin as white as ivory, and she was grateful for it. She took pride in knowing I would be a constant reminder of her son's mishaps. Unfortunatley, my father had been captivated by my mother's beauty which lead to the creation of me. After I was born, they were both stolen from us by the treacherous waves out to sea. I never knew them, but grandmother Marie did. "Don't scowl", she would command, "unless you'll look like your mother the witch". She had no issues when it came to trying to hide my African heritage. If it weren't for society prompting her to be a good person, I have no doubts she would have sent me back to my 'motherland'.

Now as I approached her she attempted to ignore me, casting a sly glance my way. After she meticulously read the morning's paper she looked at me and began to recite her daily speech:

"I see you have woken Amara, rather late for an Englishman if you ask me. As you known, you will receive all meals in your chambers and only to be seen in the main building when you accompany me to the gardens; I need to be read to. The bell will ring if I have any guests. You are to introduce yourself and respectfully excuse yourself from the party, you know were your place is".

"Yes grandma" is all I could reply. It pains me that I wasn't worthy enough for her to want to get to know me. All she knows is my name is Amara and my mother was black. As requested, I returned to my chambers. For a women of my status, my room is a luxury. Rose drapes hang from the ceiling, covering the four gigantic windows. The fireplace is nestled between my bookshelf and my white wooden desk. My bed faces one of the many windows and is dressed with fine cream silk sheets courtesy of my aide Sarah. It is more than I should wish for.

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Curled up in my armchair beside the burning fireplace, I flipped through the tattered pages of my favourite novel. As my fingers toyed with the edges of another pages, I heard the bell ring. I wonder who the visitors may be, I though to myself, tucking my edges behind my hair and straightening out the folds in the gown. Briskly, I walked down the hallway, trying to avoid the noise my wooden flats made on the marble floor, knowing I would upset grandma Marie with the commotion. As I entered the grand foyer I saw two men in suits their backs facing me as they engaged in a conversation with my grandmother. Taking note of my arrival, grandmother Marie said "Gentlemen, I would like you to meet my granddaughter Amara, the only child of my late son, Marcus. Turning around, I was confronted with one of the most angelic men I had ever seen.

The first gentlemen had a look of shock, no doubt jarred by the darkness of my complexion. He quickly adopted a neutral expressions reaching out his hand to shake mine. " A pleasure to meet you Miss Amara" he said. Placing a hand to his chest he proclaimed he was" Lord Richard Chesterton".
Unlike Lord Richard, the second man did not seem confused by my presence, instead his gaze made me want to hide in a corner. His dark hair was swooped to one side, leaving to my view his sharp jawline. Similar to his hair, his auburn eyes held a warm expression, almost as if he wanted to embrace me. He was dressed in a black, tailored suit that fitted him very nicely. He stepped forward. I extended my hand to shake his but instead he took it and bowed, placing a tender kiss on my knuckles. Shocked I retracted my hand and hid it behind me. "Lord James Chesterton, my lady, delighted to meet you Miss Amara". He introduced himself, his eyes never leaving mine, trapping me in a playful staring contest.

Clearing her throat, Grandmother Marie stared at me, her lips tugged downwards in a scowl, shaking her head. Remembering my place I spoke up: "Have a good day, Lord Richard, Lord James." Lord Richard nodded. I turned to exit the main hall and begun to do so until I head Lord James protest.

|"Miss Amara, you presence her is much welcomed and I urge you not to depart so quickly. You too may be interested in my brother and I's voyage across the globe". With a look of uncertainty I looked between Lord James and Grandmother Marie. Grandmother Maire, cast her gaze away from mine letting me know that just this once I would be allowed to stay,

Delighted beyond belief, this being my first time in the presence of someone other than Sarah or Grandmother Marie, I sat down, leaning back into the velvet cushions. Lord James sat down next to me.

My breath hitched.