Castle In The Clouds, Chapters Seventeen and Eighteen (standard:drama, 5330 words) [9/21] show all parts
Author: Brian Cross	Added: Nov 20 2009	Views/Reads: 2438/1772	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A butler departs and Llewellyn envisages a wedding in the latest two chapters of my drama.

Chapter Seventeen 

Llewellyn made up his mind the moment Veronica left the dining room to
get it over with. Dorothea had to be told of her acceptance of a 
permanent room at the castle. Bracing himself for a stern encounter he 
stiffened, before marching upstairs to her quarters. 

She wasn't in, or otherwise wasn't answering his knock, and with a sense
of anti-climax he continued towards his own room. 

'Were you wanting me, Thomas?' Dorothea's sharp voice penetrated the
silence only his own footsteps intruded. 'Yes,' he said, coming to an 
abrupt halt. 'I've something to tell you-' 

'Have you now.' She raised her head, fixing him with her dark eyes, 'Can
it wait, I'm rather tired.' 

Llewellyn took in her appearance, the shawl covering her dark dress was
ruffled and her complexion was coloured. 'You do seem a trifle 
windswept, however I'd prefer it didn't wait, shall we go inside?' 

'Oh very well.' Dorothea pushed open the door, walked through to the
annexe she used as an office, slumped down on the couch, hand on head, 
'But get straight to the point, I'm not in the best frame of mind.' 

'Are you ever?' Llewellyn ignored Dorothea's glare, stared down at his
interlocked fingers then back to her. 'I made Veronica the offer of a 
permanent room here -' 

'You did what?' 

'I think you heard what I said -' Llewellyn watched his sister's eyes
reduce to slits, saw her look of disbelief. 

'Oh my God.' She sprung off the couch, flounced to the window, arms
thrust across her chest and then swung to face him. 'What inspired such 
an act of crass stupidity, your craving for her I -' 

'Keep your voice down, Dorothea.' 

'Don't dare address me in that tone.' Dorothea's breath whistled through
her teeth. 'I cannot believe your obsession for her Thomas.' She turned 
her back on him, placed her hands on the window ledge, 'No doubt she's 
accepted.' 

'As a matter of fact she has, - look try to see reason -' 

'There is no reason in this, only pure lunacy.' Dorothea glowered at him
over her shoulder. 'How often can I expect her infernal presence?' 

'Whenever her time allows,' Llewellyn said, grinding his teeth. 

'Do not think I will make her welcome, Thomas.' 

'I do not expect you to become friends, that would only be wishful
thinking. I only ask that you accommodate her.' 

'Huh, do I have a choice?' Dorothea snarled. 'Time will see you regret
the stupidity of this decision, now please leave my room.' 

'With pleasure.' Llewellyn turned and strode out, passed through the
gallery to his room, more determined than ever to effect a deal with 
his associates that would un-tie the hold Dorothea had on the castle. 
With Veronica's presence and Dorothea's absence, what a pleasant place 
it would become. 

*                                *                              * 

Dorothea rose early, poured herself a whisky to calm her shattered
nerves, lit a cigarette and rang the bell for Hambleton; there was 
still a chance that her brother could be persuaded out of his foolish 
fascination for Veronica Day. 

'Hambleton come in, close the door,' she said pacing the floor in her
dark robe. 'I've told you I have not finished with the matter of my 


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