A/N: Hey guys, this is my newest story. For anyone who reads 'A Gypsy Tale' don't fear! The last chapter will be up some time this week. PLEASE read and review. Your thoughts mean so much to me.
Muchos luv, Silverpistola
Society Ties
Chapter 1
Moving back to London had been a nightmare. Of course, it was only a temporary matter until Aryll's wedding was over. Still, a wedding in my family was not a two week affair. Say more six months.
And she didn't even have a groom yet.
My mother met me at the airport.
"Oh Link, darling, you're looking so pale!"
"Hello Mother," I greeted, kissing her cheek.
"It's so good to see you. Though I don't know why you insist upon living in that godforsaken city. I bet you haven't seen the sun in months."
"Well, I've come to the right place, haven't I?" I quipped, with a grimace as I glanced out the window. Rain.
"April showers, April showers," she insisted, following the direction of my gaze.
My Mother was an elegant woman, even in her older years. She was small, with blonde hair always swept up and commanded a surprising amount of authority. Of course, she'd had to after my Father passed away when Aryll was small. I knew it was comforting to her to have me home, a man around the house to help with the wedding arrangements.
If there was a wedding.
"Aryll is being as stubborn as a goat," Mother confided as we got into the car.
Franklin, our chauffeur since childhood, smiled.
"I would have expected nothing less," I answered, proudly.
"Oh Link, you are such a bad influence on her. She often refers to your escape from society, you know," Mother sighed, "of course, I keep telling her that that was a completely different matter. Still, she won't budge."
"She just needs to meet the right gentleman," Franklin assured her.
"I do hope so, Franklin."
I remained silent as we approached the motorway. Secretly, I couldn't see Aryll ever marrying, she was far too independent, but to tell my Mother that might be the end of her.
The familiar crunch of gravel as the Avensis slid up the driveway brought back a thousand memories. It had been two years since I'd returned to the manor, preferring for Mother and Aryll to visit me in New York rather than return to England. Of course, lately work had just been so hectic that there hadn't been time to go home.
That's what I'd told myself, anyway.
"Link!" Aryll squealed as I emerged from the car. She ran from the front doorstep, throwing her arms around me.
"Hey little sis," I answered, hugging her tightly.
She'd gotten taller since New Year. Her bright eyes sparkled and her pretty face was lit up in a smile.
"Come on, out of this rain," Mother ordered, leaving Franklin to collect my cases.
The first thing I noticed when I entered the house was flowers. Flowers in jugs, flowers in vases, flowers in baskets. On every surface and tabletop, some clustered on the floor, others forging a path into the parlour.
"Wow. Someone die?" I asked, coming to the only rational conclusion for the flowers.
"Of course not," Mother answered. "They're for Aryll," she added, matter-of-factly.
"Er, you might need to fill in a blank for me here," I told her, looking around at the flowers in disbelief.
"The flowers are from every man who wants to get his mits on the Hero fortune now I'm eligible," Aryll explained with a roll of her eyes.
"Aryll, don't be so vulgar," Mother snapped.
"I never knew you were so popular," I teased as we sat down in the parlor.
Aryll said nothing, preferring to fall into a sulk.
"Now, Link you of course know that you're here to fulfill your brotherly duty," Mother announced, ignoring Aryll who had her arms crossed and was pouting, slightly. "Over the summer and spring, Aryll is expected to attend many social events and as such she needs an escort."
"And it looks like I'm gonna need a stick," I answered, casting another glance at the flowers.
"Do I get any say in this?" Aryll demanded.
"No," Mother answered, bluntly. "Now, here is a calendar of events and indication of what you should wear to each one."
I glanced down the list. "Mother, I don't play tennis. And what exactly am I supposed to do at a garden party?"
"What am I supposed to do at a garden party?" Aryll countered.
"Socialise," Mother answered, simply, passing me another list. "These are potential suitors and other important people. You should make it your mission to make an impression upon each of them."
"Seems Aryll already has," I muttered.
Mother ignored my comment. "Should I have Liza move your things upstairs?"
"Er, no."
This caused wide stares from them both. Of course it would have been most practical to stay at home, but the thought of it made me nauseous. I'd become too accustomed to my own company and having my own space I just couldn't be thrust back into the hustle and bustle of the manor.
Which was why when Sheik offered me his flat to stay in, I'd jumped at the offer.
I met Sheik in Camden. He was wearing a long leather coat, despite the May warmth. He nodded as he saw me approach.
"How goes it with the American man?" He asked with a smirk.
"Save it. I'm hardly pleased to be back."
"It isn't like you're leaving anyone behind," he answered as we passed through the underground turnstiles and out onto the street.
There was no point denying the truth in that statement. My love life had been non-existent since… forever. I never seemed to have much luck with women. They were all so repelled by my obsession with work and a little too attracted when they found out about my family's money.
"So why exactly are you back? You weren't very clear about it."
"Aryll's first season. I'm her escort."
Sheik arched a brow. "I didn't think she was eighteen yet."
"Yeah," I answered, preferring not to discuss Aryll's reluctance to be paraded about at social functions.
Sheik had stopped in front of one of the newer blocks of private flats and was searching in his pocket for his keys. "I share the second floor with my new neighbour. I've only met her once, but she's pretty quiet so you shouldn't have a problem with her."
Sheik unlocked the door and I followed him into the foyer.
"Why aren't you staying here?"
Sheik snorted. "I hate Camden. I only bought this place to escape my Father once in a while."
As the lift doors were about to slide shut, a blonde figure ran across the foyer. I caught the doors and she smiled, gratefully, panting slightly.
"Thank you."
"Ah. This is my neighbour. Or should I say your neighbor."
Sheik's neighbor was very pretty, with a cute face and long blonde hair that was tumbling out of it's bun.
"Hi, I'm Link," I told her, with a nod, "I'm staying at Sheik's for a while."
"Oh," she pushed a strand of rebellious hair out of her face, revealing buttercup blue eyes. "I'm Zelda. Just ask if you need anything."
I smiled. "Thanks. I will."
Sheik jabbed at the button for the second floor and the lift jerked upwards.
"So you'll be at the Harrington's Garden Party tomorrow?" Sheik assumed with a smirk.
"Bright, fashionably late and dressed from head to toe in royal blue."
"Brings out your eyes," Sheik quipped.
I shot him a glare before glancing past him at Zelda, who was biting her lip as she checked the messages on her phone. She was dressed in a black suit coupled with a white shirt that made me think she must work in an office, but my eyes were drawn to her ankle where I could make out a tattoo. A daisy chain.
The lift doors slid open accompanied with a cheerful bing! and we stepped out onto the second floor landing. Zelda smiled, sweetly.
"See you around!"
I watched her fumble with her keys as Sheik opened the door to his apartment. It really was too bad every moment of my stay would be spent at garden parties and impromptu-planned-for-months-get-togethers.