~Secret Date~
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As night turned into morning, Persephone woke up by the sunlight that was peeking through the curtains. The events of last night seemed to resurface as she stared up at the ceiling. From spending time with James to arguing with Robert, her night became a roller coaster.
"I'm glad you're up." Arabella announced as she walked into the room. "You have a busy day today."
This made Persephone sit up quickly. She didn't know she had any plans for today. In fact, she was sure she didn't have any plans.
"Bella, what are you talking about? I don't have plans today."
Arabella smiled, coming out of Persephone's closet with a dress in hand. "Of course you do. The Duke of Salisbury has personally asked me to get you ready to spend the day with him."
"How did this even happen? I was just with him last night?" Persephone had so many questions to ask her handmaiden.
"He was around the area this morning and asked me to get you ready. He didn't exactly tell me what you guys were going to do so don't ask me."
Persephone was thrilled to hear that she was going to spend some time with James. She didn't even have the chance to say goodbye.
"But Daniel's home. He won't let me leave if he sees him." As much as Persephone wanted to venture out and spend the day with James, she knew the moment Daniel would hear about this, he'd never let her leave the house.
"That's why we are doing this in secret." Arabella whispered, grabbing Persephone by the arm. "Now, let's get you ready. You don't want to keep the Duke waiting."
Persephone would probably spend a lifetime thanking Arabella for what she has done. She didn't need to do any of this. Arabella didn't need to stop James in the hallway. She didn't need to send Persephone's letter to James. Yet she did. Arabella wanted Persephone to be happy and she knew that happiness was James.
"You didn't tell me what happened last night." Arabella spoke as she combed through Persephone's hair.
Persephone sighed as she realized there were a lot of things Arabella didn't know. Very important things that she was sure to get annoyed about. "Everything was going great until Robert had shown up and ruined everything."
"Why? What happened?"
"I was spending time with James and everything felt right for once. Robert soon showed up wanting to talk privately and I agreed."
"Persephone Thornhart, are you crazy? You can't just talk to a guy alone, let alone him. Do you know what people would think about that?" Arabella couldn't help but scold the girl. They may have been the same age but Persephone did something very dumb. "What if that was his plan all along? To have people find out you guys were alone together or worse, he would have done something to you."
"I already got scolded by Athena, I don't need to be scolded again." Persephone waved her off. "Anyways, he spoke to me about wanting to marry me and I yelled at him. I was so angry, Arabella. Not only at him but at myself."
How stupid Persephone felt to be alone with a man and it was for nothing. She risked the talk of the town just to have a conversation with Robert. She felt naive. She should have known better.
"Don't be too hard on yourself now. Things happen. You live and you learn and hopefully there won't be a next time." As much as Arabella wanted to be angry at Persephone, she couldn't. Persephone was still young and had a lot to learn. "What happened after that?"
"I left. I was so angry and so scared of what might have happened that I grabbed Athena and immediately left. I just hope nobody saw anything."
"For your sake and for your future, I hope so too." The girls knew the minute word spread that Persephone and Robert were seen alone, she would have no choice but to marry the man. "But for now, let's think about other things like your date with a certain Duke."
"I wonder what we are going to do today."
Arabella shrugged as she finished doing Persephone's hair. "I'm not sure but I do hope you have fun and really get to know the guy without any interruptions."
"I agree. The last thing I need is for a certain someone to ruin our day."
As the girls descended down the stairs, Persephone couldn't help but feel excitement. This would be the first time she would be able to spend some time with James outside of balls. It didn't matter what they would do, Persephone was just glad she would be able to spend some time with him.
"And where are you going?" A voice was heard from behind the two girls, making them stop and turn around.
They sighed in relief in realizing it was only Athena.
"Nothing. I'm just going to go out for a walk." Persephone innocently responded, hoping Athena wouldn't ask too many questions.
"A walk? With who?"
"Someone."
Arabella looked between the two sisters, not really knowing what to do in this situation. Arabella knew that Athena knew about the letters but she still didn't trust the older woman.
"That someone being James?"
"Shh. Don't be so loud. Your husband might hear you." The last thing Persephone needed was for Daniel to walk in at any moment and hear what they were talking about.
"Persephone, are you out of your mind?" Athena questioned her as her eyes widened. "Are you seriously going out with him?"
Persephone rolled her eyes. "Yes and you won't tell anyone about this."
"I can't keep this a secret, Persephone. The whole town will talk about it once they see you out with him."
Athena knew the moment the two would be spotted together, the whole town would start talking about the new pair. Hell, even Lady Whistledown will hear about it and eventually talk about it. Daniel will know right away.
"Then let him find out with the public. Just please keep this secret for now." Persephone hated pleading but she knew she had to.
"Then what would I tell Daniel when he asks about you?"
"Tell him I went out with Naomi and later on you can say I lied to you. I don't care what excuse you give to that man but please let me go out." Persephone pouted, hoping that convinced her sister enough to let her leave the house.
Athena rolled her eyes, knowing how persistent her sister can get. "Fine. You can go but be safe and don't do anything stupid."
"Thank you. Love you." Persephone kissed her on sister's cheek and walked out of the house, barely giving her sister time to respond back to her.
Athena turned to Arabella who was still in the same spot. "What am I going to do with that girl?"
Arabella shrugged. "I have no idea but you're doing the right thing. Persephone seems a lot happier."
Arabella knew Persephone like the back of her hand. Persephone lost the majority of her happiness when her mother passed away. Margaret would tell her stories of how Persephone was and how quick she changed once her mother passed.
Now, she seemed a bit more happy. A bit more energetic and she hoped her happiness continued to grow but Arabella knew deep down that the Thornharts were a bunch of snakes and at any given moment they were going to ruin Persephone's happiness. The main question is, will Persephone let them?
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"You know...when I heard you were taking me out I didn't think of the park?" Persephone spoke as the two walked together side by side.
After abruptly leaving the Thornhart home, Persephone met up with James. After a long walk, they happened to be at the park. Persephone thought of many places to go with James but she didn't expect this.
"The weather is quite nice and I thought it would be a perfect day for a walk." James smiled down at her as they continued on their path.
"I mean for a nice weather, I could have gotten some ice cream." Persephone shrugged.
"That can be arranged for our next date."
"We'll see how well this date goes."
As the two continued their walk, Persephone took the time to glance at the scenery. The weather was quite nice. The sun shining above them. The light wind blowing through their hair. The small little birds flying, chirping around them. It was a very nice day.
"I wanted to bring you out to get to know you more. The letters were great but I feel like seeing you in person is way better." James spoke, taking a glance at the woman next to her.
After what happened last night, James wanted to spend more time with Persephone. The letters were great and private but James felt like it was time for people to see them. He wasn't going to let his talk with Robert ruin a possible relationship. Besides, he didn't know whether what Robert was saying was true or not.
"So what do you want to know about me?"
"Just tell me about your life. What you enjoy. What you don't like. Anything."
Persephone took a moment to think but her mind went blank. She was never really good with these types of questions. Persephone could think of a million things if she wasn't in the spot.
"There isn't much about me." Persephone shrugged, trying to think of something. "I enjoy freedom. Being able to do anything I want."
"In what sense?"
"I don't know. I've always had Naomi and Daphne with me but my relationship with my family wasn't perfect. In a way, when my mother passed away I kind of just felt isolated."
Persephone didn't want to open too much with James. She may have started to like him but that didn't mean she wanted him to know every single detail about her life just yet. Persephone had a hard time trusting people, especially if she had to become vulnerable. She didn't want people to think she was weak.
"I did hear about your mother's passing while I was aboard. I hope you're doing ok." James sincerely spoke. "I know what it is like to lose a parent but I can't imagine losing both of my parents at such a young age."
James' father passed away around the same time Rachel Thornhart passed away. Even when he was grieving the loss of his father, that didn't stop his mother from shipping him away to America.
"After my father passed away, more than ever my mother wanted me to stay in America for a while. She assumed I was rebelling and she was scared I would pull out of the social season like my brother did." James explained, looking deep in thought. "My brother didn't want to take the responsibility of becoming a Duke. To become the next heir in line. So my mother made sure that I would be the one to take it."
His mother was frightened. The idea of James pulling out of the social season wouldn't be a good idea. Salisbury needed a Duke and as much as his mother was trying her best, she knew one of her boys had to take that responsibility. Benjamin always ran away from those things while James had always dreamed of it. Having that type of power was something James always enjoyed but knew he could never have. Of course that all changed once Benjamin let his family know he didn't want anything to do with becoming a Duke.
"And do you think you're ready? You must have a lot of pressure on your hands."
Persephone couldn't imagine that pressure James must have. His mother expected so much from him when his brother was supposed to have it. She thought back on Athena. Her having the pressure of taking care of her little sister when she had her own family to take care of. Athena wasn't supposed to have the pressure of taking care of Persephone but when they didn't have any other family left, there wasn't much Athena could have done.
"I feel like you're never ready for something like that." James confessed, looking ahead. "But throughout my time in America, I was taught these things. I learned how to become a Duke and take care of everyone around me. Take on the responsibility."
"I'm sure you'll do an amazing job." Persephone glanced up at him. "Salisbury has an amazing Duke."
James smiled, looking at her. "With you on my side, I can do no wrong. I'm sure you'll tell me if I'm doing anything wrong. I think you'll be an amazing Duchess."
"Me? A Duchess?" Persephone felt her face turn slightly red at James' comment. Did he think there was a future for them?
"Of course. Who else will be by my side and tell me my wrongs and rights?" James knew he was straight forward but he couldn't help it. He actually did see a future with the brunette by his side.
Persephone smiled, looking down at her hands. "We'll see. But I'm sure if you keep this up, we can have a future together."
"And have lots of babies."
"Ok, now you're pushing it." Persephone laughed. She has heard her sister's screams when she gave birth to her three nephews. She has also heard tales from Margaret. "We can talk about that later on."
"I hope you know I'm being serious." James teased. "I can imagine six kids running in our backyard."
"Six? Bloody hell, you're going to kill me." Persephone couldn't imagine giving birth to six children. That sounded dreadful.
"Fine, I can drop it down to five."
"Four, take it or leave it."
"Fine, you win."
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While Persephone was enjoying her day with James, Daniel had other things in mind. He had been preoccupied in his office, having no time to even leave. He made sure people were aware that he would be busy but with Robert bursting through his office, he knew something must have happened.
"This better be urgent or I'll personally kick your ass." Daniel glared at him as he dropped the papers he had in his hands.
"We should speed up this arrangement."
"And why should we?"
Robert sighed. He knew the moment the words would fly out of his mouth, he would have issues with Daniel. "I told James Vronsky about the arrangement."
If looks could kill, Robert would drop dead with the way Daniel was glaring at him. "Are you bloody mad? Have you lost brain cells? Why would you tell the Duke of Salisbury about the bloody plan?"
Daniel was fuming. He knew how dumb Robert could get but he didn't think he was this dumb. This could literally change everything and make things ten times worse.
"You have to listen to me, Daniel. Persephone has her eyes out for him and vice versa. I just thought by telling him, he would back off." Robert tried to justify.
Daniel rubbed his hands on his face trying to calm himself down. "You do realize this just makes things worse. What if he tells Persephone, then what? What if word spreads around town? You just don't think, Robert."
"What's going on?" Athena walked in the room. "All I hear is yelling from you two."
"Where's Persephone?" Daniel asked his wife. The last thing he needed was for Persephone to hear their conversation.
"She went out with Naomi and Daphne. Why?" Athena easily lied with a straight face.
"Good." Daniel nodded his head. "She doesn't need to know how much of an idiot Robert has become."
Robert huffed. "It could be worse."
"You've already done worse. What more could you do? Tell her yourself about the blood plan?" Daniel ran a hand through his hair before turning to Athena. "Robert told the Duke of Salisbury about the plan in order for him to back off."
Athena felt her face turn pale. Not only did James know about the plan but he was currently with Persephone. Would he tell her or would he keep shut? So many thoughts were coursing through her mind.
"You did what?!? Are you insane? He could tell her everything."
"Exactly what I told him."
"I mean this is a good thing. If he ends up telling her, we can move forward and get married." Robert didn't understand why they were so upset. Who cares if people talk. Persephone knows about the plan then they can push forward.
"Robert, what you're not understanding is that Persephone does not like you—scratch that, she hates you. The moment she finds out she has an arranged marriage all hell will break loose." Athena tried to explain to him. But she knew when all hell broke loose, Persephone will know her involvement with the plan.
"That means she is going to try everything in her power to not marry you and that's not what we want. She's going to try and get people that can help her and people talk. News will spread and people will talk about the Thornharts and the Arringtons in a negative way. We don't want that." Daniel added, trying to get Robert to understand.
"So what do we do?" Robert looked between the two.
"All we can do is hope he doesn't tell her. There is a chance he may think you're lying." Athena stated, hoping that was the case.
"Athena's right. He may actually think you're lying and we can use that to our advantage." Daniel turned to Athena. "From this moment forward, I want you to be on top of Persephone, especially if she's near him. She has to trust you and at least give you some information. We don't need another fuck up."
"I'm sure if she were to find out about the plan she'll say something." Robert shrugged, crossing his arms.
"Well let's hope she doesn't." Daniel glared at him.
Everyone knew what they had to do. Athena knew she was playing with fire. Helping her sister but at the same time betraying her as she was also doing with Daniel. But everything that's done in the dark will soon come to light and for Athena's sake, let's hope she knows how to handle the fire that is close to brewing.
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! Author's Note !
─◌✰್ Lowkey wanted to apologize for the lack of updates. Blame laziness, procrastination, writer's block but I am back. Also, I don't know how I feel about this chapter but I did want to give you guys something.
─◌✰್ In other news, James knows about the plan but doesn't believe that it's true mostly because it came from Robert's mouth. But that doesn't mean James isn't suspicious about the whole thing and soon everything will be revealed.
─◌✰್ Thank you all for reading. Enjoy♡