The Victoria Era

The Return of Enemies

My wary eyes were split apart by the sound of sobs. In my flimsy nightgown, I rushed downstairs to find Caleb embracing a shaking Raven. "Caleb? Raven? Is everything alright?"
"Okay, that would be splendid." She said answering something Caleb asked. "And good morning to you, Clarissa." She said wiping tears from her eyes. With a sudden realization, she cried, "Oh, today is the ball! How glorious!" she walked to the dining area.
I looked at Caleb confused but he only dismisses it with a wave of his hand. "Alright, Raven. Here is the breakfast room and Anita will bring us breakfast shortly."
"Good morning, everybody!" Our good maid, Anita entered the room carrying platters of food and saw Raven. "Raven, I take it! I am so glad to meet you! It will be lovely to have a bit of a hand during the day!"
"Anita! Find your place in your words. I am sorry, Raven, but I admit I told Anita of you coming here to help us." I said apologetically.
"Oh, no worries! I'm excited! I shall send my cousin, Milly, some money to help with her baby. Ooh, he is so adorable!" She politely placed on a napkin on her lap and started to eat. "It's been wonderful living with you so far." Her cat, who was apparently named Beatrix, jumped onto the table. Raven's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Oh, I am so sorry."
Anita yelped then smoothed back her frizzy orange hair. "OH a cat! I will have to grow accustomed to an animal in the house." She waddled away quickly muttering to herself.
Trying to change the subject I said, "So tonight we are all attending the ball as a family so if you would like to present yourself with us or just as Caleb's date we would be fine with either."
She looked to her cat which she had placed on the floor and fed little pieces of sardine. She looked to my brother and blushed. "Uhh...err...I...I don't know what to say! Thank you so much for everything. I shall attend as family."
Caleb looked to himself and realized he was wearing only clothes a wife or close family should see, if even. "Oh, I should get into something a little more proper. Excuse me a moment." He stood, bowed, and left.
"Haha, he seems to never be prepared."
Raven laughed a little. "I am so happy! I must work on my dress, putting it together. You will find someone at the ball for you. Oh, my cousin Joshua is coming to town, maybe you can meet him?"
"My lady, you aren't thinking of matching me and your cousin now are you?" I laughed.
She blushed embarrassed. "Raven: Well, maybe you could just try." Beatrix meowed and left to find my little sister.
"Well, that's very kind but I have my eye on another." I said quietly blushing.
"Maybe Caleb and Liam would like to know him. I just miss my cousin." Raven smiled but a loud knock rattled both of us.
"Oh my, who is that?" I said standing and opening the door. My eyes widened as the face of a hairy pig was thrust in front of me.
"Give me my girl back! And I would like to talk to the foolish boy who stole her from me!" Harriet screamed slobbering. Roughly she threw me aside and I saw Raven shudder.
"Now, how did you escape, my fair princess?" Alistar cooed letting the words drip from his lips like vile poison.
"Excuse me." I said asking for the intruders attention. Tightly, I held my father's rifle in my hands and aimed it at Harriet's stomach. "Get. Out. Now."
"You wouldn't dare." Harriet's beady eyes narrowed.
In a quick move, Alistair pulled out pocketknife and held it to Raven's throat. "Shoot her and she is as good as dead. Now put the gun down."
My hands faltered but then I saw Caleb returning. "What if I just shot you? Then this pig?" I said trying to be brave.
Swiftly, Caleb held a cooking knife to Alistar's throat. "Excuse me, that's my date and my sister, you're disturbing."
"Get away from me, you fool! I'll kill her before you can kill me. Now, let me take my bride and leave." Alistar growled.
"How dare you call me a pig!" Harriet screeched. Out of nowhere, Beatrix bit Alistar hard on the leg.
"Yipe! Once we get married, we're getting rid of that thing." Alistar roared.
"NO!" Raven screamed struggling.
Caleb heroically moved in front of Alistar and pressed the knife into his skin drawing a thin line of blood. "Drop the knife or I'll set the cat upon you."
"No! I'm allergic to cats!" Alistar yelped jumping back a little giving Raven just enough room to wriggle to the floor.
"Aunt Harriet! Leave!" Raven cried. Her loud demand was accompanied with the sound of a hissing cat. Caleb pounced on the opportunity and quickly punched and tackled Alistar.
I held the gun level with Harriet's heart. "Let me make myself very clear. Do not move."
"I will set the police upon you for kidnapping!" Harriet yelled at which I just laughed. She sprinted out the door followed by Alistar who threw off Caleb with a push.
"Thank you so much, Caleb, Clarissa." Raven said staring out the open door. She sat on the floor and hugged her cat, worried.
"Hello, what has happened here?" A boy said standing in the door.