As a way to bring a different style of entertainment to Moniqueblog, each Sunday will be Polite Society day, where I post a chapter, soap-opera style. If you want to read more, click the link above to go to the website, or, if you want to download part of the book, click on the merch page to download chapters 1-6.
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Joshua Shaw huffed out of annoyance. With drooped eyelids, he said, “What do you want me to do again?”
“Talk to your cousin, Joshua,” Alexander said. “I have tried talking to her on more than one occasion about this Emilio matter, but she won’t listen to a word I say. I thought that perhaps if someone more her age were to speak with her—”
“I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t listen to me either, Uncle.”
“She looks up to you, Joshua. I may be her father, but what I say would just sound like I’m an old, outdated person. If you spoke to her, she might understand better. Just try.”
“Okay, but just be mindful that I can’t stay long. I have to start packing for London.”
“Do what you can.”
Joshua sighed again, trying to collect his thoughts before going to talk with Amelie, who was sitting outside near the garden. Her face lit up when she saw him coming through the doors.
“Joshee!” She yelped, running up to meet him, hugging him tightly.
“Hello, Amy,” Joshua said, his voice being cut off due to Amelie’s vice grip.
“I’m so glad you decided to surprise me,” Amelie said. “Here I was just the other day, thinking about how I wouldn’t be able to see you for a really long time. I know you’ll have fun in London, though.”
“How much fun I have will be according to how much Gray’s Inn allows,” Joshua said, smiling in a paternal way.
“Well, Joshee, I hope you can stay for tea,” Amelie said, flouncing back to her chair. “Stephanie makes the most exquisite cakes.”
“I wish I could,” Joshua said, carefully sitting down opposite her, “but I only have enough time for a small chat.” He stared out at the garden. “Lovely flowers this year, don’t you think? The grass all around the estate looks greener. It must be due to all of the unnaturally bright sunlight this year. I’m sure the horses are having a field day eating it.”
Amelie looked at Joshua, growing suspicious.
“Speaking of horses, how is…ah…Emilio, is it?”
“You know very well who it is, Josh. Did Daddy put you up to this?”
“He thought it would do you better to hear it from me than him.”
“Well, I already know what you’re going to say, and you can forget it.”
“Amelie, please! Your parents are highly concerned about your relationship with this man, your father most of all! They want to know you’ll be secure, well taken care of—”
“And I wouldn’t if I married Emilio? He’ll take care of me. He’ll always make me feel secure!”
“Not monetarily. That is the real reason for concern. That and his complete lack of manners, decorum—”
“You hardly know him! You don’t even speak to him! I can tell you that he’s one of the most well-mannered people in all of Petworth!”
“Amy,” Joshua said, sighing. “You’re missing the point. Think of your dear father. He frets so much about your welfare. Do you want him to worry about your future?”
“He doesn’t have to worry about it anyway. It’s not my life he’s living. He got to marry who he wanted; I should be able to get married to who I want to, whether he’s rich or not.”
Joshua looked with earnest eyes. “Well, I guess there’s nothing more I can say, then.”
Amelie frowned slightly, her eyes showing tiredness. “No, there isn’t.”
Joshua sighed, got up. “Well, I suppose I shall be on my way.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for tea?” Amelie said, a pleading look in her eyes.
“No, thanks. I really must get back. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.”
Amelie’s round eyes made his resolve waver.
“Well, maybe just for one cup of tea.”
*****
Although it was night when Joshua made it back to Lewes, he decided to have the coachman stop by the red brick terrace his friend Daniel Stewart resided in. Joshua needed to talk about his long, fruitless day to someone, but he didn’t want to have to do it at the expense of hearing his mother’s prattle.
After a few knocks, Daniel finally came to the door, dressed in his robe. “Joshua? You know I’m always glad to see you, but why are you here so late at night?”
“I’ve had a rough day. I need to wind down before I go home.”
Daniel took pity on him and let him in. “Let me get some coffee on the boil…”
*****
“I knew I should’ve just told Uncle Alex ‘No’ from the start,” Joshua said. “I know as well as he does that when Amy’s mind is set, it’s set. There’s no arguing with her. And besides, he’s her father. He should know how to talk to her, not divert to me!”
“I suppose he thought you’d be able to get through to her,” Daniel said. “She looks up to you like an older brother.”
“He told me that already,” Joshua said. “I mean, I realize his line of thinking, but honestly, Amelie’s botched-up love affair isn’t necessarily my problem. It’s his for letting it happen. If he had separated them when they were kids, he wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“Well, hindsight is much clearer, you know.”
“I know.” Joshua sipped his coffee. He winced. “This is really hot.”
“It’s best that way,” Daniel retorted playfully, smiling. Joshua cracked a grin.
“You think you’re so clever.”
“Well, I’ve got to use my head for more than a hat rack, now, haven’t I?” Daniel said as he went to the kitchen. “Besides, how else would I have built a beer empire without smarts?”
“It really is amazing that you built something from nothing like that,” Joshua said. “I still don’t understand why your parents wouldn’t want you with them in Horsham.”
Daniel came back into the room with some slices of fruitcake. “Let’s just say that it’s been a learning experience on both accounts.” He sat down again. “They just…you know…want to make me see what the world is like.”
“Well, there’s got to be a much easier way to teach you about life than throw you out to fend for yourself,” Joshua said as Daniel offered him some cake.
“What can I say? It’s doing me just fine, and I’m sure they’re just fine without me in the house, lousing up their time.” A touch of bitterness had come into Daniel’s tone, which made Joshua disturbed, but he decided not to address the subject any further.
*****
When Joshua finally got home, he was relieved to find that his parents were asleep. The butler had stayed up to let him in quietly.
Joshua made his way to his room, where his large trunk sat, open and waiting on him. He had pulled it out earlier that day, expecting to have enough energy to do some late-night packing. Now that the time had finally arrived, he didn’t have the energy. But he pushed himself to take out some of his clothes and begin folding them.
He had put a lot of hope and expectations on this trip. This would be the first time he left Sussex, the first time he’d be completely out on his own, without his mother nagging him about something or his father giving him stern lectures about what it takes to be a successful man in life. Even his uncle had expectations for him to fulfill; he figured he didn’t match up to Alexander’s thoughts of him since he couldn’t get Amelie to change her mind. He figured nobody close to him understood the rage and confusion he felt inside. He felt that, by being away from his family, he could be able to have the chance to understand himself and to become comfortable in his own skin.
At least, he figured that even if he didn’t understand himself any better after the trip, at least he would have had some breathing room; probably the only breathing room he’d have until his next trip to London.
