Now, I think I mentioned a few days ago there might be another chapter of Lady’s Mareena and Her Torrid Troubles on the way. However, although you all have been undoubtedly on the edge of your seat waiting, I wasn’t at first planning to write this chapter so quickly. I thought that Lady Mareena was in a sort immobile place– surely nothing really worth reporting would happen for a few weeks at least. I mean, of course there would be more moping, more sad poetry, more lonely autumal walks– but, hey, nothing really novel worthy. Well, I guess I was wrong. A plot twist arrives on the scene! So, please enjoy the newest episode in my, ahem, I mean Lady Mareena’s life.
Chapter Two
It was early morning and Lardy Mareena had decided to take a walk in the park. The park was always lovely in the morning mist. Sitting at her favourite bench, Mareena breathed deeply, catching the sweet smell of lavender from a nearby hedge. Everything was so lovely here—if only she could share this moment… If only she could share it with one man: Herman.
Mareena sighed, trying to ease her aching heart. Maybe someday Herman would come for her, maybe he would give up his dreams of a monastic life. Deep in thoughts like these, Mareena hardly noticed when a couple approached her bench. Hidden behind the hedge she could barley see their outline but their voices pierced the night.
‘My dear, your eyes are lovely—like the stars shinning in a black sky, and your cheeks, they are like rosebuds yet unopened.’
The lady giggled, obviously pleased with his flattery. Her dress swished as they stepped closer around the hedge. Mareena arose quickly, wishing to spare her aching heart any reminders of love. Fleeing her compromised sanctuary, she stole a quick glance over her shoulder at the approaching couple.
She stared in astonishment: did her eyes deceive her, or was it Herman standing there holding a fashionable lady’s hand. Alas! She was not wrong, for she caught the eyes of the young man standing there and they were Herman’s own chocolate ones.
Fleeing the garden, Mareena took swift steps to her chamber where she could be alone. She felt shock and sadness. But surely, Herman loves me? She thought—how could he love anyone but me? Would this mysterious lady share his love of pharmacy with him? Would she understand his quirky jokes? Would she, ever, if she dared, be able to beat him in an argument? Thoughts like these battled inside Lady Mareena’s chest, and she wept tears of betrayal. Oh cruel life that delves such hard blows!
Soon, however, when her tears began to ebb, her grief began to blossom into something new—a feeling of anger rose in her chest. Herman had lied to her—he had claimed that nothing besides his own purest desires could separate them. And she, fool that she was, had believed! So often she had listened to Herman, so often they had bent together over their beloved books—he knew of her innocence and yet still he deceived her. Yet as she raged against Herman, she raged against herself. Oh the time she had wasted, oh the tears she had spilled—for what? An undeserving knave. One unworthy to be called a friend.
Oh sweet fate, what a dish you have served this unknowing maiden! A bitter brew has been set before her. Yet will she learn from this experience and go forth a stronger and wiser lady? Or will she subcome to the madness and the folly of her grief? Is Herman truly the traitor he seems, or was she too hasty in her judgement? And what, after all, has become of the Duke? These questions and more will be answered in Chapter 3 of Lady Mareena and her Torrid Troubles.