5 Lily, the maid
Only the Capell family was present on the Countess's death day. Joseph had everything planned before falling ill, and his consultant, Mr. Lancaster, only had to ensure all would be fulfilled with no complications. The nobles refused to attend the ceremony simply to deplore the succession that would soon take place.
The Capells were sitting in the big yard of the Mainwood mansion in chairs placed in a half circle. Mrs. Capell was sizing up the house with her eyes as she waved the fan on her neck. She had already done it a thousand times since they found out that they were the only relatives of Joseph Ford, but still, she couldn’t believe the future awaiting her family. She was thrilled beyond words.
It was a sunny day, and the Capells tried to enjoy it before the rain started pouring on them again.
“I wanted a lemonade a quarter of an hour ago,” Louisa, the young daughter of their family, said to his father while sitting by him. “Where are the servants?” she asked with her arms crossed on her chest and her legs separated while sitting.
“Louisa!” Mrs. Capell said as she darted her eyes at the young daughter.
Louisa immediately uncrossed her arms and sat properly. “I’m sorry, Mother,” she said, looking down at her hands.
Mrs. Capell continued fanning herself slowly. “Must I remind you how a lady’s behavior must be in public each time?” she said. “Please. Not now that we’re this close to being the center of all attention.”
Robert Capell ignited his pipe and took a drag while looking around the yard. “We’re close, you say,” he said lowly after emptying his lungs of the smoke. Robert was always cautious with his voice. He had grown up among many servants, so he knew how sharp their ears were and how they spent their time eavesdropping in any place they could. “Yet our son has not appeared after an hour and a half,” he continued and took another drag, waiting for his wife’s response.
Mrs. Capell’s fanning got faster, and her chin rose a little more. “It’s not Stewart to inherit the title,” she said in a lower tone. “At least not yet.”
Mr. Capell held the pipe with his lips. He chose to stay silent when he saw one of the maidens approaching with a lemonade.
“Your lemonade, Louisa,” said the maiden, who was only a couple of years older than Louisa.
Louisa smiled at her. They had become friends since the Capells arrived in Mainwood. Louisa took the glass and started drinking without hesitation.
“Miss Capell,” Robert corrected the young maiden with a hand on his knee. “It’s Miss Capell, not Louisa.”
The maiden’s smile disappeared. She straightened her height and nodded. “My apologies,” she said, holding the empty tray.
Robert took his pipe out of his mouth. “Miss Capell wanted the lemonade fifteen minutes ago.”
The maiden looked down at her shoes. “I’m sorry, Mr. Capell.”
“Not ‘Mister’,” Robert said, his eyes piercing through the maiden’s skin.
She knew how angry he would get for a simple mistake, but no one ever asked her to call him anything but Sir. She felt the crossness of his heavy gaze even though she wasn’t looking at him.
“It’s ‘My Lord’ now,” Robert said, and the maid didn’t do anything this time.
She hated how Robert and his family were so hungry for the title and how they acted before inheriting it. The current lord of Mainwood, Joseph, was still alive and breathing even in his worst state. No one could call Robert ‘My Lord’ yet.
“Are you deaf?” His voice interrupted the maiden’s thoughts, and she looked up at him with shock on her face. Her silence riked him more. He stood on his feet and approached the young girl. “How dare you remain silent when you’re asked a question?” he said while staying only a foot away from her.
Robert’s tall height and short temper terrified her. The maiden chose silence over saying something that would bring him more inconvenience. Robert leaned closer toward her and wanted to lash out as he always would, but Kathrine stepped in and cleared her throat.
“My lord,” Kathrine said, catching his attention. Robert's head turned slowly to his wife standing by his side. Finally, someone was calling him by the right term, he thought. “It’s the countess’s death day,” she reminded softly to prevent a scene. “We must make an exception today for our servant’s lacking. I’m sure they won’t repeat their mistakes.”
Robert looked back at the maiden, and she immediately glanced down. “Just today,” he murmured. “Just today.”
Kathrine waved the maiden off to dismiss her. She sat down again and watched the yard and everything that would soon become theirs. Robert put his pipe back in his mouth and started walking away.
“Where are you going, dear?” Kathrine asked out of curiosity. Robert turned around, and a simple glare was enough for Kathrine to shiver with fear. She fanned herself and didn’t utter another word. Robert continued and headed inside.
The house was still empty. The nobles had successfully disrespected the Capells by their absence. Robert passed each hallway and looked through all the doors to check for visitors. However, there was none. While striding on the pine planks of the second floor, Robert saw a maid exit Joseph’s room. It was Lily, the beautiful maid who had occupied his mind completely over the last few days.
Robert dusted off his clothes and stopped. It was rare of him to be nervous to see a woman. Lily closed the door and walked in his direction without noticing him.
“Mr. Capell,” she said when her eyes met his shoes. She stopped in her tracks, her face losing color as her gaze met his.
Robert inspected the room around them, and after ensuring their solitude, he stepped toward her. It had been a week, and he missed her. “What were you doing at the Earl’s bedchamber?” he asked quietly.
“I was changing his sheets, Mr. Capell,” the maid said, looking down to avoid his dominance.
“Not Mister,” Robert said. “It’s ‘My Lord’ now,” he reminded her.
She glanced at him again, looking shocked since Joseph was still alive. Robert took another step toward her. He seemed calmer than he should have been.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“Do you think Joseph’s getting any better?” he asked even lower. Robert cared about her opinion, which was odd. He never cared for a servant’s opinion, or anyone else’s, for that matter.
Lily gulped. “No, Mr. Capell. He looks worse each day.” Her answer was firm, and her body lacked the attraction Robert thought he had implanted in her.
He took another step toward her. “What did I say about Mister?” he asked, staying only a step away from her.
She looked down and said nothing. Not answering Robert's question made his blood boil. Why wasn’t she as excited as him for their reunion? He grabbed her chin aggressively and lifted her face upward. She didn’t flinch or move. Her gaze glued to his. There was something about her that challenged Robert. She was either too stupid to defy him and his wrath, or too brave. Robert was going to find out which it was.
“Do not forget who I am, girl,” he said, his tone jarring.
“It would be hard to do so, My Lord,” Lily replied, meaning to end that silly argument and leave immediately. Robert watched her pink lips. He focused only on the two words she said.
My Lord.
One foot stepped to the side to walk away from him, but Robert grabbed her by her arm and stopped her. His heart thumped in his chest. It was the first time a servant—not any servant, this rebelling maid who was too young and beautiful, said the two simple words. Her eyes were the dark shade of a bear’s fur, making her look brave and strong. Under the hideous garment over her head, Robert could see strands of dark blonde hair. Her skin was fair, and there were freckles on her face.
Robert moved his face closer to hers and stared at her as she watched him back. “Please,” she said with a low voice to bring him to his senses. “Someone could see us. I must leave.”
Robert’s lust had taken control of his logic and mind. Before Lily could protest, he devoured her mouth to feed his hunger. His hands grabbed her buttocks through her dress, and she screamed. Lily pushed him on his chest and broke the kiss.
“Mister Capell!” she said in shock and frustration.
Robert clenched his jaw. She shouldn’t have called him that. He tugged at her skirt and pulled Lily to himself again, his hands moving on her back to hold her still. She kept hitting and pushing him. Robert was afraid someone could see them or hear her voice, so he dragged her toward Joseph’s room. Lily tried to escape, but Robert’s grip was much stronger than hers. He opened the door in haste, not letting Lily part from him. After closing the door, he pressed her to it and locked it.
“Mr. Capell!” Lily pleaded, but Robert couldn’t see reason. He crashed his mouth on her neck, aggressively smooching. “Please,” she begged against his violent kisses. “I can’t do this.”
“Yes, you can,” Robert said, his touch getting stiffer and more painful.
His other hand pulled at her skirt enough for him to access her. He put his hand on her thighs and moved it further and further until he could feel her entrance. She stopped his hand with hers and pushed at his chest with all her force. Robert stumbled backward, not believing Lily’s refusal.
“No!” her voice rose. “I won’t do this! I don’t want this! Let go of me!”
Robert thought he could tame the little maid and have her to himself, but she turned out to be more resilient than he imagined. His seductive methods didn’t work, and Lily didn’t want him. The rejection hurt his fragile ego. So, he lost the bit of tenderness he had. Fear grew inside Lily as his eyes glared with a demonic intention. She knew Robert wasn’t gentle but never thought he would dare to assault her. Her feet moved, putting distance between them by going to the other side of the room.
Robert followed her steps slowly, knowing Lily had nowhere to escape. Lily circled the chair and again reached for the door, but it was locked. Robert grasped and caged her, grabbing her as she fought. She managed to escape him again and ran toward Joseph’s bed, but he caught her near the table.
“Mr. Capell,” Lily begged again. “What are you doing? This is wrong and sinful!”
Robert’s mind didn’t work. He didn’t want to be too fast, but he was hungry and needed it to happen before something or someone would interrupt. In a swift move, he turned Lily around and pulled her skirt up her waist. He pushed her head to make her bend over the table. Lily fought his hold and tried to escape him, but Robert kept her still like a sheep about to be beheaded.
He lost all control with the sight in front of him and pressed his groin on her bare bottom, grinding her and hissing through his teeth.
“Mister Capell!” Lily said as she felt the rigid fabric of his trousers on her private parts. She was no longer brave or strong. Terror had taken control of her body, and she was shaking vividly. “Mister Capell, please!” she begged.
Robert removed his trousers, putting his member out, and in a fast movement, he slid in her. Lily’s hands were clutched onto the surface of the table. Tears streamed down her face. Her voice and resilience faded along with her innocence as Robert thrust into her continuously.
“Where did Papa go?” Louisa asked her mother as they were still sitting in the yard. John and Stewart left to find some activity that wouldn’t bore them to death.
Kathrine took a deep breath. “How do I know?” she mumbled, drinking her tea and looking around, hoping to see a new face.
The day ended as the darkness took over Mainwood, and everyone retired to their rooms. The absence of the nobles no longer upset Robert since he had what he wanted; the maid and her body. He was proud of himself for owning her. After violating her, he ordered her to leave the room with fixed clothes. Lily didn’t speak. She only obliged. Robert had managed to break her soul just like any other soul that he touched.
Later at night, he returned to Joseph’s bedchamber to inspect his condition and noticed the young valet by his unconscious body. He realized that just like his son, Stewart, had mentioned, Robert could accelerate the process of inheriting the title by killing the earl himself. No one would find out since Joseph was already dying. He looked at Joseph’s unconscious body and sighed deeply as his hands were on his back, wondering when all that misery would end for his own sake and Joseph’s. After Joseph’s death, Robert would discipline the servants, and everything would fall into order.
A cough brought him to reality, and he looked at morbidly pale man on the bed. He was coughing lowly. The valet hurried to his side and sat next to him. Robert didn’t know what to do. Anytime he entered the bedchamber, Joseph was asleep. They hadn’t thoroughly met each other.
He watched as the valet gently put a piece of cloth on Joseph’s mouth. Robert approached the bed and stared at him. After a few short coughs, the valet removed the fabric from Joseph’s mouth. The red sight of the off-white handkerchief shocked him. Joseph was bleeding internally. The valet tried to wipe his mouth with another piece of cloth.
“We need to call for a physician,” he said, putting the red cloth on the table to get on his feet, but Robert planted his hands on his shoulder to stop him. The valet looked up at him in confusion. Robert held the valet and prevented him from getting up.
“Don’t you see it, boy?” He said, staring at Joseph’s bloody mouth. “He wants to say goodbye. You would only torture him more if you brought a healer.”
“But—”
“There’s no but. I am the Earl’s cousin. I know what’s best for him. We shall wait for this night to pass. Tomorrow may be the day he finally rests in peace.”
The young valet ground his teeth. He pushed Robert’s hands away from his shoulders and stood. “We must save His Lordship,” the valet said, only a step away from Robert. “I won’t let him die.”
Robert grabbed the young valet by his neck and pressed his fingers tightly around his throat. No matter how hard he tried to hide his true self, his actions exposed him. The valet started to cough as Robert’s tight grip stifled him. He wanted to free himself, but Robert wouldn't loosen his hold.
“I will kill you,” Robert hissed through his teeth with an anger he hadn’t surfaced before. “I will kill and bury you in the gardens, do you hear me?”
The valet’s face turned purple. He nodded finally and agreed to keep quiet. Robert released him and dragged the valet out with himself. Then he locked the door and kept the key to himself. That night was Joseph’s last night; Robert would ensure of that. He threatened the young valet that if he told anyone about Joseph’s current state or tried to save him, he would kill him.
The ruthless rain catalyzed the midnight’s numbing cold. Robert lay beside his wife, but he couldn’t get Joseph out of his mind. He had finally done it. Joseph would die, and everything would be Robert's. He expected to feel guilty about it—maybe a little angry and disappointed with himself for doing such a horrible thing to leave Joseph to die, but he didn’t. The only feeling he had was anticipation. He longed for the power that was his to possess. He had to obtain it tomorrow, or he couldn’t live any longer. After becoming the Earl, Robert wanted to claim Lily as his mistress. He almost drooled as he thought of her.
Kathrine pretended to be asleep when Robert lay by his side. Everyone except the young valet and Robert closed their eyes and fell asleep without knowing Joseph's fate that night.
Who should end Robert Capell?
