Chapter 20 ~ You're In My Chair ~

• ~ You're in my chair ~
• The group of four stood and lingered at the entrance. Lady Isabella took an intake of air the moment she spotted her mother and the girl who was seated beside her. Earl of Lancashire's gaze had landed on the person who was sitting in his chair beside his mother. His lips turned into a sneer, "She is in my chair!" he hissed. "How dare she ... my chair ... in my chair!" He scoffed as he looked at his sisters, then Aiden. Disbelief was written all over William's face as his siblings did not know what to do. Aiden stood there with the deer in the headlight's expression.
• Isabella sarcastically giggled at her brother's reaction to finding his spot occupied. "Oh, this is going to be fun!" She said more to herself than to the others. Moving her feet gracefully over the floor. "Mam!" She opened her arms to embrace her mother.
• They all watched as Isabella began gushing over Rosa. It could not be denied; Rosa and Isabella could have been mistaken for twins if it had not been for the age difference. "I can't believe you have my face!" She had placed her hand under Rosa's chin, moving her head from side to side. "Oh, Mam!" Her eyes widened with excitement. "Can we keep her?" She asked as if Rosa were a lost dog.
• "Bella, dear, do sit down!" Lady Mother pointed to the chair and chuckled. Turning to Rosa, she said, "You must forgive my child! Isabella has the tendency to get overzealous from time to time." She prayed that Rosa would leave things as they were.
• Rosa found herself tongue-tied. Struggling to find the right words to say. Faced with the unexpected scene, she couldn't help but smile. Her laughter bubbled up out of her mouth nervously. It was one of those moments where she could not respond appropriately and froze. Memories of her happiest moments with her Mimi and parents drifted into her mind. Forcing the tears back to where they belonged and the warmth and love that mother and daughter displayed. It was like watching herself with her grandmother all over again. "I have to admit, this is kind of weird ... to see my face looking back at me without a mirror!" She went with the second thought that was floating in her mind.
• Isabella glanced over her shoulder to see several sets of eyes looking at them. Whispering, "You're not part of that group are you?" She wrinkled her nose.
• "How could she be!" Lady Mother intervened, "Rosa here has explained to me that she was born a Lancashire but changed her name a few years back." Her eyes landed on Rosa as she patted her arm. "There is an issue that Travis will have to rectify promptly!" She breathed in and out harshly, "Very promptly indeed!"
• Lady Delilah patted William on the arm, "What are you going to do now ... big brother?"
• Stomping his feet, "Getting her out of my chair, that is what I am going to do!" William spotted his sister weaving her body to take the seat on the opposite side of his mother. 'I don't think so!' He narrowed his eyes on Rosa. Clearing his throat, once he was beside Rosa, "You're in my chair!" He said through clenched teeth.
• "That she is!" Lady Mother glared at her son. "Next time, don't keep me waiting!" She took a sip of the liquid in her glass. "Everything is prepared?"
• Not answering his mother's question, "but I always sit here!" William pouted.
• "Aiden, dear, would you be so kind as to get William a chair to sit on? We seem to be one chair short!" Lady Mother asked, keeping her sight locked on her son. Next time, don't keep me waiting!" She smiled, showing off her white teeth, daring her son to make his next move.
• William was about to sit beside Rosa when Charles quickly got up. Smoothly sliding into the seat beside Rosa, Charles smirked as he sat down. "This seat is taken!"
• "Wow!" Rosa kept the shape of an O for a few seconds. "You moved fast!"
• The group glanced at each other and chuckled nervously. To break the tension, Lady Mother asked William, "Where are your brothers?"
• "Uncle Leif had last-minute things for them to do. Once they are finished, they should be here!" William responded to his mother's question as he glared at Rosa, contemplating whether he should physically move her or just let things go.
• "I wouldn't if I were you!" Lady Mother gave her final warning.
• Aiden placed the chair down and said, "From what I’ve heard, the Lords of Lancashire hould be arriving shortly." He stood to the side of Charles, casting a nervous glance at Rosa, hoping she hadn’t picked up on anything she shouldn't have.
• "Mommy's boy!" Rosa teased as William continued to scowl at her while the others snickered at what she had said.