A New Beginning

Disclaimer: Please see the prologue

A New Beginning
Chapter 13
Betrayal and New Bonds
Not Censored

The day started out peacefully enough, but it was not to end that way. Two weeks had passed since Madison's embarrassing encounter with Erik, two weeks filled with curious glances that stopped when the other noticed, accidental brushings that may not have been so accidental, and an unspoken burning desire.

Madison was confused; a month ago if Ummi had asked her what she thought of the architect she would have replied that he was egotistical and rude. Now she wasn't sure what she would reply. When they sat together to create the blueprints he would on occasion lower his voice so that she was forced to lean closer to him. After the third time in two days she was convinced that he was doing it on purpose, she just could not figure out why.

She was too distracted by the sultry sounds of his voice, which was more sensuous when he spoke softly. Just the sound of his voice or catching his quick glance was enough to make parts of her body come to attention. The constant ebb of hot and cold was driving her slowly mad. Her thoughts were consumed by him, waking and dreaming.

Little did she know that he was also experiencing the same turmoil.

All thoughts and hurts of Christine had been replaced by Madison and the hopes that she created within him. He found himself resorting to simple tricks like throwing his voice to distract her and sneak a glance at her luscious, womanly frame, or to soften it when they sat side by side so that she leaned closer and he could smell her subtle perfume.

She awakened a need in him that he never thought he would feel again, the need for companionship, and possibly love.

The blueprints were almost finished now, all he needed to add were a few last details and then construction would begin. While he knew that the house would take months to gather the supplies and build this thought saddened him. He resigned himself to enjoy his remaining time.

--------------------------------------------That Evening-----------------------------------------------

Madison was walking from the library where she had chosen a new book to read, a thick tome of ancient mythology, when she passed by her father's study and saw that the light was on. She stepped closer to the cracked door to say good night to her father and paused when she heard soft voices deep in conversation.

She wavered, not knowing if she should interrupt or leave quietly and was contemplating this when she recognized the voices; it was her father and the architect, Erik.

Madison crept closer to the door, her need to hear this conversation overpowering her need to respect her father's privacy.

"So it's done, we can move forward now?" Johnathan asked. She moved closer until she could see some of the room and observed Erik as he nodded and added "yes, I finished the designs this morning. It will take two, possibly three months to complete depending on the weather and the number of men."

A feeling of dread settled in the bottom of Madison's stomach that only deeped with the rest of the conversation.

"I am glad that it will be finished before the worst of winter, I was beginning to grow worried that it would have to be delayed until spring," her father said.

"As soon as I find enough competent workers and the needed materials we can begin to lay the foundation."

Madison could not hold herself back any longer, she burst into the room letting the door bang forcefully against the wall. She looked at her father, her face contorted into utter dismay, "I can not believe that you are actually going through with this nonsensical scheme. Are you really going to sell me off to the highest bidder like a bushel of corn?" her voice wavered as she asked the question that she did not really want the answer to.

"Madison! You know better than to eavesdrop on a private conversation," her father scolded. Her face seemed to crumple, tears welling in her eyes. She looked at Erik with a look of utter disappointment and resentment, turned, and fled.

Erik's shoulders sank in remorse, the way that she had looked at him had spoken volumes more than any hurtful word. He feared that what little seed of hope had grown between them was now shriveled to nothing.

"Oh dear," Jonathan said with a sigh, "I think I should go after her." He made to move to the door but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.

"She is very hurt at the moment and may say something that she will later come to regret. If you do not mind I think it would be best if I go and try to calm her down," Erik stated.

Johnathan was uneasy with another man, practically a stranger, comforting his daughter but the thought of dealing with his crying daughter scared him. This was something that a wife was supposed to do, what his wife would be doing if she had not died of infection shorty after childbirth.

Madison was just like her mother, strong in convictions and spirit, and Jonathan simply could not bring himself to cause his daughter any more turmoil. And so he conceded to the architect who seemed to have formed a strange connection to his daughter over their weeks together.

Johnathan nodded and Erik left the study.

It took Erik a while to find her, and even then he only managed with the help of a maid. She was outside under the tall oak tree, sobbing into her hands. He approached carefully and slowly, wary of startling her.

But even though he was careful in his approach the sun had set, the skies had darkened and his approach was given away by the snapping of a twig.

Madison looked up at him with tear stained cheeks and reddened eyes, a few fat tears rolling down her face. She was leaning against the large tree, the forgotten book in her lap. "Please go away, I would like to be alone," she said softly. When he did not leave she looked at him with sad eyes and the last piece of wariness and fear melted from his heart. She did not look at him with hatred.

He approached her until he was at her side and lowered himself onto the ground beside her, not close enough to touch but not far away enough that she would forget his presence. He was silent and contemplative, staring at the ground between them.

Without words he gave her a sign that he was there to listen if she felt the need to talk, but that he would not pry if she wanted to weep privately.

"My father is not a bad man, nor is he cruel," she said quietly. Erik raised his eyes to her face but stayed silent. She continued, "which makes this even worse because I know that he does it out of love. It is hard for him to raise a daughter on his own, especially when I act so ungrateful. But I can't help wishing that I did not need to hide behind a husband or a father in order to be successful in business."

Madison looked at him with eyes that betrayed a certain wisdom beyond her peers that he had not seen before. "I am an intelligent woman, I can balance an account, keep a plantation running, and so much more. So why do I need to hide behind a man?"

Erik contemplated her question and answered it truthfully for anything less would have been perceived as condescending and therefore unwelcome, "because the world is not yet ready for young women such as yourself."

She turned her gaze back to the book in her lap, the last of her tears rolling down her cheeks. "No," she replied, "men are not ready; women have waited too long."

"In that you are most likely correct," he stated, "but would marriage be so horrible an institution to enter?"

This remark caused her to pause and think a moment, "no, but eventually he would want children and that is something I do not think that I could ever do."

He looked at her curiously, "you do not want children of your own one day?" he asked.

She shook her head, "I do, but it is too easy for a woman to die from complications. By being born I killed my mother, and while my father did his best to raise me I do not think that he ever completely forgave me for taking away the love of his life. He tried very hard to raise me on his own. And Ummi truly is like a mother to me, but it is not the same. I do not think that I could ever do that to a child."

Erik was dumbfounded and shocked. A little voice whispered in the back of his mind a question, had he finally found a kindred soul? It was true that Christine had lost her parents but that had never stopped her from dreaming of the perfect family. Madison, however, was consumed by guilt and worry, just like him.

He was unsure of himself at first but he reached a hand out and laid it on her shoulder and when she did not refuse his calming touch the last of Christine's hold on him broke away.



Authors Note: Thanks to everyone who read the last chapter, even though it was so incredibly late. I have already outlined the next few chapters so writing should be easier. I hope to post a chapter every week, possibly on Sundays. Since I didn't lose as many readers as I thought I would I am rewarding you guys with another post so soon, sort of to make up for past post delays. I hope that Madison didn't come off as too spoiled, she has a good heart and is really a big softy but she is a little spoiled and too used to getting her way. I think that she and Erik will be perfect for each other other in the end, and that they will be better people for meeting.