She had her eyes pinned to the floor and couldn't bear to look at me. I couldn't bear to look at myself either. My jaw tightened as I watched fat tears roll down her cheeks.“What nonsense." Her father huffed. “Wipe those crocodile tears before I do them for you!" Her mother yelled.“Stop it!" I interrupted, feeling the veins in my neck pop up as I stomped my cane on the ground. Out of breath, I hobbled towards her tiny frame but stopped in my tracks when she took a step back from me.“What do you think you are doing?" I snapped my head towards her father's red face. He had his hands on his waist as he glared down at her. “Go closer and give him a hug, he is your husband to be." Her mother snarled.I looked back at the lady who still refused to meet my eyes and began to shake my head slowly. No, I can't do this.I am above this. “No!" I let the already squeezed envelope drop from my hand. For the first time since I saw her, she snapped her head up to meet my eyes. “I won't be

I loosened my hold on Tessa and she shoved me away only for me to turn and watch Conrad march into the hallway with his wife after hearing their daughter's cry.“What is it, Blair?" Her mother asked, the concern visible in her eyes.Tessa took three steps away from me, not daring to meet my eyes while I watched her intensely, waiting for her to spill the tea. "I caught them making out right here." Blair cried again and I sneered. "Oh my God!” Her mother shrieked, clapping a hand over her mouth. “What insolence." She proceeded to cast a dirty look at us. "Come with me boy.” Her father ordered and walked past us, down the hallway and into an open door by the right. Tessa hurried ahead, walking right behind him like I would eat her up if she was left with me.I started to move towards the door. "So disgusting." I stopped in my tracks after hearing Blair's comment."What, beggar? Want to hit me or something?" She provoked but I swallowed down the words hanging at the tip of my tong

"I'll divorce you if you as much as move!" I paused, the loud ringing in my ear reducing till I could hear the fast thumping of their hearts. I looked at her puffy red eyes and straightened my lips. She was stretched in-between two muscular men. “Fine." I let go of the governor's hand and watched him struggle to get away from me. “You can hit me." I said, letting my cane drop to the floor but held the edge of the table for support.“Who says we will hit you?" Dax asked arrogantly. My brows pinched. “We will lash you with a whip." He declared, spreading his hand wide apart and Emma cheered from where she sat. No, they can't do that to a man of my caliber.I moved to speak but Tessa shook her head at me, her pleading eyes made me swallow back my words. I allowed myself to be laid on the table after the books and papers were swept away. “Get the whip." Maximus ordered. I balled my fist and clenched my teeth. “Fifty lashes for hitting my in-law.” Dax declared. I shut my eyes

I slammed the door shut and the main door burst open. “I am not taking my bath in there." “But there is nothing wrong with it." She argued meekly behind me. “I can't fit in there." I held my cane tight. Has she been bathing there all her life? Now I really wish I could snap the necks of those suckers. She sighed and I turned to look at her. Her shoulders had dropped and her head hung low. “I need to hurry back to complete the chores, the engagement party will start in an hour." “What engagement party?" “Blair's engagement party." She peeked up at me. My lips curled in distaste. “I'll find a way to sneak you into the visitor's bathroom but you have to hurry." She said with a sense of urgency. I nodded once at her and watched her pick up the bag and hurry out while I followed after her.In twenty minutes I was done with her standing watch as I changed into one of the nasty old clothes given to me. “Done." I called out from behind her and she turned to observe me before givi

"Mum!" The brat called and hurried past me towards the red faced middle aged woman by the door. “How dare you bump into the first lady? Are you blind?" He yelled at the old lady from earlier. As if that was not enough, he raised his hand and brought it down on her face making her head swing violently to the side. I held back a growl. How dare he hit a servant of the Royals? I found myself moving forward when a hand held me back. “Come with me." Conrad ordered and dragged me out of the sitting room, up the stairs and into another room.“Tessa?" I breathed the moment I saw her bent over Blair's legs buckling her shoes. She pursued her movement but got a knock on the head from Blair."Don't you dare try to ruin my party.” She ordered and I saw Tessa nod quickly. "Look here boy.” Conrad pulled me to face him.I frowned down at him. "You are nothing but a disabled beggar, living off my wealth so you must know your place.” He poked my chest. "After this party, you'll go back there