{"id":27760,"date":"2022-05-06T13:21:55","date_gmt":"2022-05-06T18:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=27760"},"modified":"2022-05-06T13:21:55","modified_gmt":"2022-05-06T18:21:55","slug":"forest-brook-chapter-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2022\/05\/06\/forest-brook-chapter-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Forest Brook: Chapter 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cIt <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> getting late,\u201d Dietrich murmured as they strolled down the park promenade in the twilight. \u201cI should take you home. Despite what your father thinks, my intentions are honorable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m an adult,\u201d Caprice said staunchly. \u201cYou said so yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven so\u2026\u201d Dietrich sighed, putting some distance between them. \u201cYou owe it to them to let them know you\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re trying to get rid of me,\u201d Caprice said, narrowing her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Never,\u201d Dietrich said with a smile. \u201cBut let me walk you home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, you musn\u2019t go near,\u201d she protested. \u201cWho knows what my father would do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m not going to skulk around in the shadows,\u201d Dietrich said indignantly. \u201cWe’ve done nothing wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy father is on the warpath,\u201d Caprice noted morosely.<\/span><\/p>\n

They were lost in quiet contemplation for a moment. \u201cWhat future do you see for us, Caprice?\u201d Dietrich asked softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how we could get my parents\u2019 blessing, let alone yours,\u201d Caprice said with a searching, beseeching glance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me worry about that,\u201d Dietrich insisted. \u201cI can take you away from this small-mindedness. You can go to school, be a doctor, whatever you want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you saying, Dietrich?\u201d she asked shyly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m saying\u2026\u201d Pausing in the walk, he dropped down to one knee in front of her. \u201c…start your life over with me. Marry me, Caprice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Caprice\u2019s eyes were shining with tears. “You would take me on as your responsibility?”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe would be each other’s responsibility.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Yes, I will marry you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoof-in-hoof, the couple approached the palatial Monk home. The yard was flooded with light.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you want to do this?\u201d Caprice fretted as they stood in front of the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would do anything for you,\u201d Dietrich assured her, squeezing her hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

Caprice took a key out of her reticule and they slipped inside the house. Cecil and Cecelia were in the living room off the foyer, and had jumped to their hooves and come running to the door.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMother! Father!\u201d Caprice exclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere were you thinking? We\u2019ve been worried sick!\u201d Cecilia cried, wringing her hooves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why have you brought HIM into my house?\u201d Cecil growled, eyeing Dietrich menacingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like you to meet Dietrich Fairfax,\u201d Caprice stated, leaning into him possessively<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, we know who he is, and I want him out!\u201d Cecil shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would ask that you hear me out,\u201d Dietrich said, stepping forward. \u201cThough my acquaintance with your daughter is of short duration, we\u2019re convinced of our feelings for each other and I would ask your permission to pay court to Caprice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely not, you insolent young pup!\u201d Cecil yelled, turning red with rage. \u201cWhat kind of a joke is this! Unhoof my daughter and get off my property immediately!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I’m serious!\u201d Dietrich did not move from his place at Caprice\u2019s side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s true, Papa!\u201d Caprice clung to her partner. \u201cWe love each other!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCaprice, you’re too young to be in love,\u201d Cecilia protested, \u201cand besides–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, this conversation is preposterous,\u201d Cecil seethed. \u201cCaprice, step away from him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d she declared.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think you can just swoop in and abduct my daughter, turn her against us?\u201d Cecil glared at the interloper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m here asking your permission, aren’t I?\u201d Dietrich said through clenched teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you know the answer! Now go!\u201d Cecil pointed to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don’t own me!\u201d Caprice insisted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat has gotten into you, Caprice?\u201d fretted Cecilia, going to her daughter and trying to coax her away. \u201cYou’ve always been such a biddable child.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou, <\/span>sir<\/span><\/i>, have filled her head with nonsense!\u201d Cecil said in an accusatory tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf that’s what you call freedom to follow her dreams–then yes!\u201d Dietrich said, impassioned. \u201cDid you even know she wanted to go to medical school?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy daughter? Medical school?\u201d Cecil was taken aback. \u201cNo, ridiculous! No child of mine need ply a trade. She’ll be well-provided for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPapa, please!\u201d Caprice begged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe can make her own decisions!\u201d Dietrich declared.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor that matter\u2026 even setting aside the matter of your family\u2026\u201d Cecil frowned. \u201cYou\u2019re old enough to be her father!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not that old!\u201d Dietrich said in exasperation. \u201cI\u2019m only twenty-eight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou and Mother are eight years apart yourself,\u201d Caprice pointed out, keeping a level head. \u201cThat can\u2019t be a serious objection.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow long has this been going on?\u201d Cecil demanded fiercely. \u201cHow long have you been meeting?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe helped me once with Thomas when he got away from me at Tanzy\u2019s house,\u201d Caprice supplied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019ve kept up correspondence with a child?\u201d Cecelia asked reproachfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we haven\u2019t spoken since,\u201d Dietrich said quietly, \u201cnot until tonight at the assembly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo it’s been a matter of hours, and you\u2019re so sure of your compatibility?\u201d Cecil said, glowering.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u201d they said in unison.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPreposterous! Enough of this! Out with him!\u201d blustered Cecil.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf he goes, so do I!\u201d Caprice raised her voice shrilly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou stay with him, you will never be welcome here again,\u201d Cecil warned. \u201cChoose your next actions carefully.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you won\u2019t accept Dietrich, then I have no choice but to go with him!\u201d Caprice stubbornly maintained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re both fools,\u201d Cecil said bitterly. \u201cGo, then! Get out of my sight! Both of you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCecil,\u201d his wife said pleadingly, clutching at his hoof. \u201cCaprice, darling–no–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mother\u2026 Father. I have to do this,\u201d Caprice said sadly. She turned to the door, Dietrich at her side.<\/span><\/p>\n

He turned back while Caprice turned the door knob. \u201cIt\u2019s a shame you didn\u2019t give her a chance to blossom. She\u2019s a treasure, and you would have locked her up to waste away in obscurity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Silently, the couple walked away down the sidewalk, slowly coming down from the adrenaline rush.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m sorry,\u201d Dietrich said quietly after they had walked a block or so.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat for?\u201d Caprice asked with a tremulous smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn’t intend for you to leave on bad terms with your family,\u201d Dietrich said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFather will come around,\u201d Caprice stated. \u201cHe\u2019s just not used to having his will questioned.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you\u2019re right.\u201d Dietrich sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026 what are we going to do now?\u201d Caprice asked hesitantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe’ll have to trust that my parents will see reason,\u201d Dietrich said grimly.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShelter the Monk girl!\u201d Reginald thundered from behind his study desk once the story had been laid at his hooves. \u201cThis is the outside of enough!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe love each other!\u201d Dietrich insisted, holding Caprice close.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, we don’t always get the luxury of marrying for love!\u201d said Helga, standing next to her husband.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly because you were forced into an arranged marriage–\u201d Dietrich rounded on his mother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t presume to understand my motivations!\u201d Helga cut him off, turning white.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you feel any love for your son at all?\u201d Caprice cried out in an unusual fit of temper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStay out of this, missy!\u201d snapped Helga.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you pursue this path, there will be no home for you here,\u201d Reginald said with deadly calm, leaning back in his chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt hasn’t been that in many years,\u201d his son spat. \u201cYou never supported me in my career; and it’s no surprise you won’t support my wife, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s all very nice to dream,\u201d Reginald said coolly, \u201cbut what do you have waiting for you in New Pony? Your wife–if you succeed in that endeavor–will no longer have her life of luxury. Can you support her in the style she’s accustomed to, on a reporter’s salary?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI could do it,\u201d Dietrich said stubbornly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suspect the Monks are no happier about this than us,\u201d Reginald observed. \u201cDon\u2019t expect any monetary assistance from that quarter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s none of your business!\u201d Caprice cried, not wanting to give up on her parents so soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut you want to make it my business, don’t you,\u201d Reginald said grimly, \u201cby this unholy union!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t talk to her like that!\u201d Dietrich fumed. \u201cWe’re leaving, if that’s how it’s going to be.\u201d He ushered Caprice to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re both fools!\u201d Reginald shouted after them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn that, you and the Monks are in agreement!\u201d Dietrich said before slamming the door behind them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Outside, he turned to Caprice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was right, you know,\u201d Dietrich stated. \u201cI don’t live on the same means you’re accustomed to. There will be a budget to adhere to for groceries, household goods, maintenance–things that you’ve probably never thought of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut we’ll be together,\u201d Caprice said stalwartly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c \u2018Thus we never see the true state of our condition till it is illustrated to us by its contraries,\u2019 \u201c Dietrich quoted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d She looked at him curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind,\u201d Dietrich said, smiling thoughtfully. \u201cI’m just happy we’re together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens next?\u201d she asked with a piquant look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have any friends, anyone you would trust to shelter you?\u201d Dietrich looked at her seriously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut I have you,\u201d she said with a brilliant smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll in good time, little one. We\u2019re not married yet, and you will need somewhere to stay in the interim.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTanzy is the only friend I would trust,\u201d she considered, \u201cbut she\u2019s on a cruise with her parents. All the other girls\u2026 well, their parents work for my father, and I would be found out.\u201d She paused. \u201cWhat about Agatha?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAgatha? Do you know her?\u201d Dietrich looked surprised.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA little,\u201d she admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know she\u2019s the one my parents want me to marry, don\u2019t you?\u201d he asked cautiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and that\u2019s why I think she\u2019ll understand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cIt is getting late,\u201d Dietrich murmured as they strolled down the park promenade in the twilight. \u201cI should take you home. Despite what…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27760"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27760\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27761,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27760\/revisions\/27761"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}