DAMSEL IN DISTRESS (Posh and Poor, royalty and servant, love and heartbreak)

Chapter 2- Duke Charles

I'm ushered out of my room, my ballerina shoes clip clopping against the smooth tiled floor. Gracefully, I glide down the arched stairs, greeting my parents and a cocky looking man of about 20, with corn-blonde hair and vivid blue eyes. He flashes me a smirk, baring me a pair of pearl-white teeth. God he looks arrogant. "Hello, m'lady Clara," he says in a deep, husky voice. "Um, hi?" "Duke Charles to you" My parents give me a prod, and a look that says 'behave!' before trotting off.

Duke Charles slips his hand into mine and whispers into my ear, "I'd much like it if you took your gloves off, so I can feel your hands... skin to skin..." I flash him an irritated look, "I don't remember asking for your opinion!" He looks taken a back, but flashes me another cocky smile, "Fiery temper, goes well with your flaming hair." "WHAT? So you don't like my hair!" I hiss at him through gritted teeth. He smirks, "You want me to, don't you?" "Why would I care? You're a stereotype!" He pretends to be hurt, "Oh the pain! Although, I do like a challenge!" I perk up at this, "Want to challenge me in a game of golf? I'm great-" He puts his finger to my lips, "Not that kind of challenge, silly. And how can a GIRL, beat me at a game of golf?" My fists clench, "STEREOTY-" "Oh do calm down, I hate to see my dear wife-to-be upset." He places a gentle kiss right in-between my neck and shoulder. I will never marry him. "I don't remember asking for leeches to suck at my skin." He raises an eyebrow, "Are you comparing my kissing to one of a leeches?" Yes.

We walk outside into the huge garden, well more like meadow, and make our way towards the pristine, white table placed on the patio. My stomach rumbles at the thought of demolishing that entire seedcake poured with honey from that china saucer. I sit down and he pulls my chair in for me. "You do know I can do that for myself!" "Oh I do, a strong girl like you would be able to do anything. I'm just sparing you the energy, wouldn't want my dear Clara to get tired." He flashes me a killer smile which makes me want to gag. "You mean, You think I'll get tired from tucking my chair in?" Changing the subject and not really answering my question, he cuts a slice of sticky seedcake and puts it onto a plate. I take this as a que to eat my seedcake, and attack the sweet bundle of joy with much enthusiasm. The duke raises an eyebrow, "I mean, it's cute and all, you eating like a man..." My cheeks flare with anger, "How am I eating like a man? Oh so a girl can't finish her slice of seedcake now?" He smirks, and brushes a few seedcake crumbs off my cheek. I resent the touch of his skin. "Don't worry, I'm not put off. As I said, I rather like a challenge." He looks at me with
amusement. "You might not be put off me, but I'm put off you!" He scoffs, "Don't be ridiculous. I take it you've taken my 'I like a challenge' words to heart." I stare at the sparkling lake in front of me.


"Let's go for a walk." Duke Charles nods in agreement and holds my hand. We walk arm in arm, but in an opposite direction from the lake. "No, that way, the views much better!" I tug him in the direction of the pool. Charles starts to yatter on about himself, as we get closer to the lake. "It's very hot isn't it, Charles?" "Yes, it quit is-" "Well, why don't I help you cool down?" With a firm shove, I push him head-first into the lake. He falls in with a girly shriek, and rises to the surface spluttering with seaweed tangled in his hair and
ducks quaking all around him.

"CLARA!"

Time to run.