Author's note:
Cruel Deception is Walter and Vivian's story. It is companion to In Name Only-The Journal of Margret Ford. Characters involved in sexual activity are 18 years and older. This is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real persons are purely coincidental. Enjoy!
Awakenings-Oaksberth, 1946
It is not precisely known to him when he became aware of it. Perhaps it had always been there, waiting to emerge from the depths of his subconscious. He considered himself to be a normal man with the usual hopes and dreams. He suffered no secret emotional traumas during childhood, and could not lay claim to lax or emotionally deficient parents. His life is, and has been, in every respect, untroubled and reasonably content, until now.
How does a perfectly normal man find himself in a situation of this nature? How does a man of sound intellect become consumed with forbidden desires? Is it because the light scent of jasmine and musk twists his stomach in knots every time she walks into a room, or maybe the soft cadence of her voice which sends tingles down his spine whenever she spoke to him, or the way her smile animated her exquisite features, or can it be the way his temperature rose whenever they innocently embrace. It's all of that and more...much, much more.
Of course, he understood what he was up against. Society shuns the very idea of such illicit behavior. And what of his father's reaction when it is made known to him? Will he disown him and turn him out of his life? And what of her, will she refuse him? Can he convince her to receive him? After suffering through the anguish of reasoning, Walter accepted that none of that mattered. She is what he wanted. She is what he'll have.
The difficulty of remaining quiet has become worse now that his heart is settled. He spends his nights tossing and turning, his mind trapped in hot erotic dreams. Night after night, he awakens with her name on his lips and his loins aflame and needing release. And night and after night, he gets out of bed, leaves his room and walks determinedly to hers only to turn away before his hand touches the door knob.
It's impossible to contain this emotional bomb inside him any longer. He didn't choose this love, he wouldn't have chosen it. It chose him. He was irrevocably in love with her, and he intended to make it known.
But first he had to get rid of his father's latest discovery for Vivian's hand. The man was well versed in idle conversation. He was smooth and entertaining and she was clearly taken with him. Her delighted laughter incited his jealousy, and urged him to interrupt their little tête•-à-tête before it developed into something he'd be forced to destroy.
Walter's sudden appearance caused a sudden lull in the lunching couple's laughter. His imposing presence captured their immediate attention.
Vivian welcomed her brother's unexpected appearance. "Walter...you're home." She said with a warm smile. "Have you met Roland Mitchell?" She pointed toward the young man sitting opposite of her.
Roland was not so pleased by the intrusion, but he retained a polite mask. Confident of his welcome, he stood and offered a hand in greeting. "I say, Walter—"
Walter deliberately ignored the man's hand. He sauntered over the bar to pour a drink. "So... you're Roland Mitchell."
"I am." Roland responded pompously.
"Are you, perhaps, of the New York Mitchells?" Walter eyed him suspiciously.
Roland's chest puffed out. "Indeed, I am—although, occasionally, I am sure, my mother wishes I were not." He grinned, winking playfully at Vivian.
Walter observed him coolly. He detested the man's easy charm. "The same Mitchells who lost their fortune in the crash?" He asked, smiling sardonically. He enjoyed watching his rival's smile fall flat. He wanted Roland to brag about his family's many accomplishments. He welcomed the opportunity to divulge all he knows about the lofty Mitchells.
Roland blushed scarlet. "Well, yes, but not all of our assets were lost
...
and we've recovered since then." He said, casting a nervous glance at Vivian. "We've thrown our hat into textiles now. Mitchell's Textiles is now the largest supplier of cloth to our brave soldiers in uniform." He glanced at Vivian, a smug smile pasted to his face. "War is exceedingly profitable, my dear."
"Is it?" Vivian responded, not at all certain she cared for the way the Mitchells made their fortune.
"Why, yes, we've—"
"I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to add the Ellison fortune to your recovery efforts, would it?" Walter threw in.
Roland stiffened. "Pardon me?" he said in an injured tone.
"Walter, behave yourself," Vivian admonished, embarrassed for her guest, "I'm certain Mr. Mitchell is above such dishonest behavior. "
"Are you?" Walter sipped his drink, his hard gaze still on his quarry.
"Of course he is." Vivian said, facing her guest for confirmation. "Isn't that right, Roland?"
Roland fidgeted with his collar, he face and neck felt uncomfortably warm. "Uh, I-I, yes, of course, I wouldn't dream—"
Walter recognized a fortune hunter when he saw one. This puffed up bastard won't get a cent of his sister's fortune. "Vivian's inheritance is controlled by my father. He will only release it when he is confident of her intended?"
Roland was slightly taken aback. "I don't understand—"
"I guess he didn't tell you." Walter studied the golden colored liquid in his glass. "Simply put, Roland Mitchell of the New York Mitchells, Vivian will marry without her fortune in tow. Whoever wins her hand will have to support her until such time as father and I are comfortable with her choice."
A brief flash of anger crossed the other man's face, but he recovered quickly. Smiling tightly he said. "That's unusual isn't it, an heiress without a fortune."
"Is it?" He was sick of this game. "Perhaps you should run along now, Mitchell," Walter said rudely. "There's nothing here for you."
Vivian cast a shocked glance at her brother. "Walter that isn't necessary... Roland has posed a legitimate question—"
"Oh, but it is necessary, isn't Mitchell?" Walter's voice held a thinly veiled threat.
Roland stared at him for long moments. He'd like nothing more than to take the bastard down for humiliating him in front of Vivian. Walter cobalt eyes glittered back at him, hard and calculating, ready to strike. Vivian's gaze swung between the two men, baffled by their instantaneous animosity.