Fate

Chapter 7

She woke in a panic about two hours later. Glancing out the widow, she saw it was midday, and flew in frenzy to get ready for her…date. Because that’s what it was. A date. She rubbed her body and hair vigorously with soap, and, gritting her teeth, washed it off with cold water. Then came the rough length of raw cotton, eagerly absorbing the wetness, until she just wrapped her hair in a towel, and pulled on her clothes. She had one mostly-decent dress, of dark brown cotton. Ella pulled on her petticoat, and expertly tied on her cheap corset. Pulling the dress over, the towel came undone, spilling her hair down her back.

“Shen-doa!” she cursed under her breath. Bending over, she rubbed her hair, soaking up most of the excess water. There was no time to fix it properly, so she pulled it into a ponytail, and tied a cream ribbon around it. She stuffed her money in a small purse, which she clipped to the special loop at the waist of her petticoat. There was no way any thief was getting to her money.

Ella was late when she left Sty’s house. She hurried to the park, trying to not act too unladylike, yet not caring at the same time. Breathless, she ran through the gates, to the bench where she and Sebastian had spent many an afternoon. She arrived from the back. Instantly, she knew he was there: alone, his beautiful figure elegantly arranged on the bench as though a captured image. She caught her breath, and calmly walked to him. Trailing a hand across his shoulders, she turned and faced him.

“Sorry I’m late,” she murmured.

“Not at all. I only just arrived myself,” He smiled up at her. She knew he was lying.

“So… Stevie talked about a surprise?” She let the corner of her mouth lift in a half-smile.

“Aww, he spilled the beans!” Sebastian chuckled, “No not really, I just needed to convince him I wanted to see you for other than your job.”

“Well… that’s very kind of you.”

He smiled, then unashamedly pulled her into a searing kiss. Ella’s breath caught, shivers rushing through her body.

“I want you,” he said against her lips.

“Sebastian…”

“Come back with me. Or we can go to Sty’s, hmm?”

“No Seb. We can’t, I can’t, I don’t want to. I do that for a living. This… this is different, and I want it to stay different.”

“You don’t desire me?”

“Of course I do you idiot. You have no idea! But we need to take the time to discover ourselves and each other before.”

“…you didn’t say anything yesterday.”

“I know. And I should’ve.”

Sebastian looked crestfallen. Ella felt so bad for upsetting him, so she snuggled deeper in his arms, resting her head on his chest. To her discontent, he didn’t acknowledge her change of position.

“I’m sorry,” she heard him utter so softly she wasn’t sure she had heard him, “I know your work. I need you to know that you are worth more to me than just a prostitute. I do feel undermined that many other men have been where I haven’t without taking the time to know you.”

“And that’s precisely why I don’t want to have sex with you until we both know it will only further our relationship rather than destroy it.” Ella felt him nod.

“Will you come to my house for dinner tonight?”

“I can’t.”

“Oh.”

Silence fell uncomfortably.

“Well, I guess I should get going.” He got up. Ella tried not to let the hurt show on her face. His reassuring kiss told her he had seen it.

“I’ll talk to you soon.”

Ella nodded, and sadly watched as he left the park.


He didn’t call for her the next day. Or the next one. She tried not to think about it as she got up on the third day. Stevie was not at her bedside. Kat was snoring softly. It was with a heavy heart that Ella got up and got ready. She needed to shop for some necessities. It was market day and she sadly walked to the square. Rows of stalls assaulted her with sounds and smells. Old women called her over to buy their produce. Detachedly, Ella made her way, heading for her usual stalls. She bought new white cloths, some fruit, and a candy-apple for old-times sake. For maybe an hour, she browsed, not listening to the gossip, and barely seeing the things she picked up.

She didn’t notice when someone began to shadow her steps. Nor when he called her name.

A hand tapped her shoulder. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice and kept sliding through the throng of people.

The same hand grabbed her shoulder, forcing her feet to stop. She looked dazedly around.

“Ella?” floated a warm voice above her head. She looked up.

“Ella, are you alright?” it was Sebastian.

“Yes. Yes, I’m fine.”

Sebastian sighed in relief.

“My mother wants to see you again. Lunch is being prepared.”

“Oh.” She looked helplessly at her basket of shopping.

“Don’t worry about it, bring it along. Ana can put it in my rooms.”

Ella didn’t miss the assumption that she would go there before she left.

“Well,” she hesitated.

Sebastian looked into her eyes, and she saw a bewildering amount of clashing feelings there: hope, love, frustration, confusion, to name but a few.

“…Alright,” she said with a sigh.

Sebastian beamed, and grabbed her wrist, practically dragging her out of the market.

“Seb… let me walk normally!”

“Oh… I’m sorry,” he slowed marginally.

They soon arrived within view of the sumptuous house. Ana met them at the back door, grabbed Ella and shot a look at Sebastian.

“Father wants to see you,”

Sebastian blanched, “Oh dear Goddess…” he murmured, and dashed off.

Ella turned to follow Ana up the stairs, “Why’d he react like that?” she asked, confused.

Ana bit her lip, “I’ll tell you like it is. I think Father is trying to arrange a marriage for Sebastian.”

Something in Ella broke. “But… you’re older than him, and you’re not married!”

“That won’t be for long. I’m betrothed. The date is set for in two months.”

“Oh Ana…” Ella said. What else could she say? She could hear the remorse in the older girl’s voice at being married and confined in a home. They were silent, as Ana pulled her into her room.

“Well! You certainly can’t wear that brown dress to lunch. And you can’t wear the red one because my parents have already seen it. So…” Ana dove into her closet once more, and came out with a beautiful dark green gown.

“What do you say? It’ll complement your skin amazingly.”

Ella looked at her friend, “Thank you so much Ana. I really appreciate everything you do for me. The gown is beautiful.”

“Right. I don’t think you’ll need another bath, for one we don’t have the time, and secondly, you look pretty darned clean. Did you wash this morning?” Ana raised an eyebrow. She had no shame in asking blunt questions.

“Well, actually I did. My hair might still be damp though.”

“That’s not a problem, we’ll be putting it up again. And I have a pair of clip-on pearl earrings that’ll be perfect.” Ana beamed. Ella winced inwardly. Clip-on earrings had hurt a lot. She forced a smile and put down her basket of shopping.

“What are we waiting for? Noon is arriving quickly.”


An hour later, she was dressed and ready. It was halfway the eleventh hour. Her hair was once more securely held in a hair net, silver this time, with a pearl resting on her forehead. The small pearl clip-on’s were securely pinching her earlobes. Pale lip paint had been applied, as well as a thin kohl outline around her eyes. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she hardly recognized herself: she looked like a noble.

At noon, she was led down by Sebastian. Ana was already in the dining room. The doors were open, and the scene was much like the last time. And just like then, Ella and the others worked their way through a five-course meal, drinking freely. It was two hours in the afternoon when they finished. Feeling slightly drunk and daring, Ella excused herself and Sebastian from tea. When they were out of earshot, they ran up to Sebastian’s room. Ella was kissing him before the door was securely closed. She fumbled with his clothes, her fingers slightly shaky from the wine. She placed kisses everywhere, whispering words of desire.

But Sebastian couldn’t get their conversation out of his mind. He knew these were Ella’s true feelings that were showing, made bold by the wine. And though he was thoroughly enjoying this treatment, he would not have her do something she would regret. And so, with his clothes half off, he gently grasped Ella’s shoulders and held her at arm’s length.

“But Seb! I thought you wanted this!” Her eyebrows knotted confusedly.

“Oh Ella… Of course I want this, but I want you to be completely ready for it.”

“But I am!” she cried.

“Shh, not so loud. It’s the wine that’s speaking, not the real you.”

“But… but…” she was at loss for words. So she had drunk a little wine. So what? It wasn’t controlling her actions. At least, she didn’t think it was.

“Seb…”

“Yes sweetheart?”

“I’m tired,” she cocked her head, “Can I sleep on your bed?”

“Yes love, of course.” He smiled, picked her up and laid her gently on the bed, “Allow me just to take this beautiful gown off. You wouldn’t want to ruin it.”

Ella giggled, “You’re right! Take it off.” She grinned.

He kissed her body as he unbuttoned the gown, but once it was off, he left her alone in her petticoat, in the middle of his bed. She didn’t notice, because she was already asleep.


Sebastian went and talked to Ana for a little while, explaining the situation. An hour later, he went back to check on his charge. She was at peace. Another hour, and he went to wake her up. He wasn’t sure what her financial situation was, and although he would be prepared to give her everything she needed and more, he knew she would never accept it. He gently kissed her forehead, eyelids, nose, and finally, mouth. With his free hand, he stroked her collarbone, marveling at the smoothness of her skin. Her eyes fluttered.

“Seb…?”

“Yes love, it’s me.”

“Ooh, my head hurts.”

“Mhmm” he noised as he kissed her shoulder.

“Is it time to go?” she murmured.

“I hate to say that it is,”

“Then don’t,”

He smiled against her neck, “You know I have nothing against you staying here.”

She smiled softly, “Yes, I know… But I have work.” She pushed herself upright on the bed, cradling his head.

“Aww,” he groaned and kissed her.

“Walk me home?” she asked.

“Sure,”

“Where are my other clothes? The ones I arrived in?”

“Ana’s folded them. They’re on the couch, with your basket.”

“Thank her for me, will you?”

“Yes.”

Ella unashamedly stripped her body of Ana’s generous petticoat and under-gown. Sebastian relished at the sight of her slightly too thin body. Within seconds, her brown dress was on again. She picked up her basket and turned to face Sebastian.

“Shall we go?” She smiled.

He grinned back, “Lead the way.”