#winnifred eaton | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

cowboykiszka · 3 years ago

Text

Dreams in Gold

In their prime, the Kiszkas were the most respected family. They were wealthy, talented, handsome, well-dressed, and well desired. They were a kind family, giving everything they could to the less fortunate and doing everything in their power to make sure everyone in their town were cared for. That is until the Duke and his Duchess were killed on an unfortunate trip overseas. Their three sons were set to fill their places, before their eldest son Joshua disappeared at the start of the courting season. Left with the burden of their dead parents and their missing brother, Jacob and Samuel must keep up their family's good name and hopefully wed by the end of the season.

!!I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR THE ODD SPACING IDK WHAT HAPPENED!!

Word Count: 6.9k+

Warnings: jealousy and sibling rivalry.

chapter 1 - people need people

The first morning of the courting season was a cold and damp one. The grass was still covered with it's morning dew when Lady Winifred Eaton was getting help from her lady's maids for the days festivities. This would be her first time back into courting season since her father's passing during her debut season, two years prior. In a way, this would be her second debut. She really didn't want to participate this season, but her mother insisted that it was what her father would've wanted. However, it will be difficult for Winnifred to find anyone to court at the ripe age of 19 as men try to find the most suitable and youngest woman to wed.

Winnie was undoubtedly nervous to make her return. She wasn't really even looking to get married. She wanted to simply fulfill her father's dying wishes so she could make him happy one last time. Her mother Victoria was even more anxious than she. She knew this season was going to be difficult for Winnifred not because she was considered too old, but simply because she was stubborn. She had always been that way. It was Winnie's way or no way.

Victoria knew that she would have to raise the stakes in order for her daughter to truly care about this courting season. So, when she forced her daughter to re-debut and Winnie disagreed, Victoria decided she would threaten to kick her final daughter out of the house. That was all it took. Winnie loved her mother, but she knew that her mother loved and cared for her more than she ever could. She could see the heartache in her mother's face as she informed her of the deal.

Winnie's eldest sister Rose, returned to help her get ready for the night's festivities. There was to be an introduction to the queen and there she would hopefully decide her diamond of the season. The diamond is considered the most eligible girl to be married. The one with the most spark and appeal. As aforementioned, Winnifred was about to be declared the diamond in the middle of the season, until she dropped out due to her father's passing. Her mother and her sister knew there was no way the queen could ever look at her the same way, but the two of them still had hope that Winnie could woo her over.

After being tied into her corset and several layers of dressing, Winnie was almost set to leave for the queen's castle. All that was left was her head piece and shoes. All of the girls wore the same gown and head piece and shoes to even the playing field. The main point of this evening was to wow the queen with their looks. This was Winnie's least favorite part. She didn't care what the queen thought and she didn't understand why exactly all the men cared about it either.

***

Winnie, her mother, and Rose loaded the carriage and made their way to the castle. Winnie was noticeably nervous about making her first public appearance in over a year.

"Winnifred, everything is going to go just fine. You're a lovely girl and the queen loved you before. Even if she does not crown you as the diamond of the season, she is sure to talk highly of you, I just know it." Victoria said, trying to calm her daughter.

That was not what Winnie was worried about. She was afraid that she would not find anyone worthy of her love. That she would be stuck in an endless cycle of courting seasons and it would be all her fault. Her brothers and sisters before her were all happily wed after their first season and she had not even made it through one full season. What would the men think of her? Would they respect her decision of leaving to be with her father? Or would they think there is something wrong with her?

As the horses pulled their carriage into the cul-de-sac in front of the castle, Winnie somehow felt at ease. Her mother was right. The queen had met her before and was in awe of her and her beauty. Why should anything be different this second time around?

As Winnie, her sister, and her mother entered the castle, they could feel all eyes on them. The people were baffled to see Winnie reentering the courting game. Some hadn't seen her since her disappearance from her debut. Others were simply shocked by her presence. Especially the queen.

When Lady Winnifred Eaton entered the queen's examination room for her re-debut, the queen's jaw practically fell on the floor. Winnie was a brand new woman and everyone in the room could tell that she meant business. No one else that day had been as poised and regal as Winnie. The room had gone silent. All eyes were on her.

"Entering for her re-debut, Lady Winnifred Eaton along with her mother and sister Lady Victoria Eaton and Duchess Rose Thorpe."

Winnie waltzed her way over to the queen, and every man in the room (including those already wed), wanted her. Winnifred still felt uneasy, but she played it off well. She'd always been an excellent actress and tonight was no different. She knew what she needed to do and how to get it done. She approached the queen with a curtsy and a cheeky smile upon her face.

Queen Margaret was simply shocked by Winnifred's stature. Even when she was declared the diamond, she was not half as regal as she was now. Winnifred truly stepped up her game physically, but Queen Margaret could see right through her.

"It is lovely to see you once again, Lady Eaton. I have seen all that I needed to see."

Winnie and her entourage left the queen's room and entered the common space with smiles on their faces and their heads held high. It was a good day to be an Eaton.

***

On the other side of town, brothers Jacob and Samuel are on a search for their eldest brother Joshua who had gone missing after their parents had passed. He had left his younger brothers notes, all saying that he was well, but never explaining to them where he was. Jacob and Samuel were worried about their brother and his whereabouts as he had never left before. Joshua had always been the foundation of the family. He had always made sure that everything went smoothly as he knew he would have to take his father's place as Duke one day. He just did not expect for it to happen so suddenly.

Jacob and Samuel were unprepared to take Joshua's place. Neither of them had been in charge of the household before, even though Jacob was only five minutes younger than Joshua. The past couple of months without him had been anything but easy and with courting season coming upon them, they knew that they would have to give up the search for Joshua in order to keep the good family name as well as continue the lineage.

It was difficult, especially for Jacob, to stop looking for Joshua. He had never really been out on his own before and none of them knew of anything outside their home town. Jacob was mostly worried that Joshua had gotten in some trouble and was on the run. However, both Samuel and Jacob were worried that he would never return.

In his absence, Jacob and Samuel filled in their parents places the best they could. They only knew so much as their mother and father only gave Joshua the family secrets. Families gave their condolences to the boys and helped in any way they could. The Eatons were family friends of the Kiszkas and when Victoria Eaton had heard of not only their mother and father, but the brother going missing as well, she knew she had to assist Jacob and Samuel in their treacherous journeys into becoming Dukes.

The two had agreed to share the title of Duke since neither of the understood the duties enough to be the sole person with the title. It worked well for them and they hoped it would work well with the ladies as well.

Jacob and Samuel had been in the courting game for a couple years now, Jacob longer than his younger brother. It was difficult to find a woman that would suit either of their wants and needs and especially when they're limited to such a short amount of time. Samuel had always wanted more in a woman than his older brothers did. He wanted a deep connection and an understanding between him and the woman he would marry. His brothers wanted to marry for the sex and the work their wives would do for them.

Samuel's heart was still set on that goal with this courting season in mind. He wanted a love like the one his parents shared. He wanted to love his wife for what made her her. He wanted to cherish her and love her undeniably until his dying days.

***

Jacob and Samuel arrived late to the queen's soirée. They both looked a mess with their hair tousled and their clothes practically destroyed. Their hunt for Joshua had ended, but their brains were not yet prepared to meet with the queen or any women for that matter. When they approached Queen Margaret she was quite disgusted by their appearances.

"You come to my party, that I invited you to, personally, and you're dressed like slobs?!" She shouts. "I am appalled by the both of you. I understand the circumstances you are both in so I will let this slide just this once. However, if you appear at any other gatherings this season looking a mess, I will make sure the both of you die alone. Understood?"

The brothers shook their heads and made their way to the nearest bathroom to tidy up and at least look half decent. Jacob sighed and he attempted to wipe some mud off his white button up with a clean cloth. He was obviously frustrated by the situation that he had just put him and his younger brother in. The queen was angry with them to say the least. She more than had the right to be so.

Samuel was upset for another reason. He missed his family. He missed going to those events with all five of them looking their absolute best. Their mother would always make sure that all four men in the house would match their suits and she would make sure they were all on their best behavior. He was upset because he knew their mother would be upset with them. All he ever wanted in life was for her to be proud of him. He was waiting for the day she would say that to him as she had already told his brothers when they made huge achievements. Samuel never got his turn.

On their way out of the bathroom, the two boys noticed the party was dying down and everyone was beginning to leave. It was pouring rain and it was best for everyone to get back to their homes and get warm. Jacob stood on the porch of the castle and stared at the rain trickled down onto the street. Samuel took the opportunity to run in the rain. He figured his clothes were already dirty, what was a little rain going to do? He ran around town like he was a little kid again and he felt free in doing so.

***

Winnifred had not had a good evening. Her eyes were set on Duke George Smith, but he had rejected her the entire night. Granted, flirting was not her forte, but she still thought she had a good chance with the Duke. Her mother and sister left her at the party a couple hours in as they needed to run some errands for the next night's ball. This left Winnie on her own to figure out who is the most eligible bachelor for her. She spent the entire night wandering around the party like a lost puppy. She had several men ask her to dance and of course she danced, but none of the men felt right to her.

When it began to rain, Winnie decided to walk home. She was too upset to take a carriage. She didn't even know why she was upset either, she was just hoping that the night would go well after impressing the queen earlier that day. Winnifred began thinking about her father. He was a great man and her mother met him during courting season. Why couldn't she meet someone like him?

"Rome wasn't built in a day," she said to herself.

Winnie often told herself this phrase when things weren't going her way. It helped her stay grounded and reminded her that things take time to develop. If Rome wasn't built in a day, then she doesn't have to be exactly perfect this courting season. If she doesn't find a husband this year, it is okay because Rome wasn't built in a day. It's the perfect anecdote to destress yourself in times of need.

"Excuse me!" She heard someone shout in the distance.

Winnie began to walk faster as she heard someone run after her in the pouring rain. She could feel her heartbeat growing faster as the person got closer. She tried her best to hide from them, but they eventually caught up to her.

"Hey! Are you okay?" They asked from a distance.

Winnie was not okay. She was terrified and upset and honestly, soaking wet. She couldn't see the person, but she just broke down sobbing. This day started poorly, went exceptionally in the middle, and then shot down at the end of the night. All she wanted was to be home with her mother and sister, but honestly, she didn't even know where she was.

The stranger approached her until she could see him. "I'm Jacob. I thought you were my younger brother Samuel, I lost him when he went running in the rain. To be honest, I'm afraid he's been taken."

Winnie rubbed her eyes clean of her tears and looked at Jacob. "I'm Winnifred Eaton. I can help you find him if you'd like."

"It would be greatly appreciated. I've already lost my eldest brother, I can't lose this one as well." He paused to get a better look at Winnie, "you're soaking wet and you look freezing. Are you all right?"

Winnie ignored her true feelings as she felt bad for Jacob. She can't imagine what it would feel like if she had lost any of her siblings, let alone two of them. "I'll be alright your grace," she grinned. "Let us find Samuel."

***

The two of them searched in the rain and the dark for Samuel, but there was no sign of him anywhere. They had even looked in the abandoned saloon near their house which was Samuel's favorite hiding spot as a child. Jacob didn't want to give up, but he was tired and wet and feeling what felt like every emotion at the same time. Winnie did her best to comfort him, but she didn't know what to do. She had never seen someone so upset in her life.

"Your grace? Maybe you should just head home? Hopefully Samuel will be there in the morning. Perhaps he found a woman to court on his run?"

Jacob chuckled, "Samuel wouldn't just talk to any woman, so I guess if there's someone out there crazy enough to be meandering in the rain, then she's meant to be with him."

Winnie flashed him a smile and the two of them walked back to the Kiszka home arm-in-arm. Jacob was happy to have met Winnie, not because he wanted to be with her, but because he felt like she understood him. It had finally stopped raining by the time they had gotten in the house and the two of them were relieved because if Samuel was still out there, at least he wouldn't be getting wet anymore.

Jacob fetched towels for him and Winnie and started a fire in the living room fireplace. He honestly didn't want to wake the housekeepers and he felt as if he could be more himself around Winnie. They sat down on the carpet in front of the fireplace and huddled for warmth as they were both on the verge of freezing.

"Thank you your grace for inviting me into your home, but I am afraid that my mother and sister are looking for me."

Jacob nodded his head, "I completely understand, but you're still freezing and I would hate for you to get ill at the beginning of courting season."

"I also don't think we should be this close together because of the courting rules. I barely know you and I would to hate to be betrothed because I accidentally touched you in your home or something."

Jacob chuckled and moved an inch away from Winnie, "the rules are a bit odd aren't they! You could look in the wrong direction and all of a sudden you're being wed to somebody you'd never met before."

Winnie decided to stay that night with Jacob and she eventually fell asleep in front of the fireplace. Jacob got up and threw a blanket over her and put the fire out before heading up to his room. On his way, he checked Samuel's room, and there he was, in bed, asleep. He felt a weight lift off of his shoulders knowing that he didn't lose his little brother. He even teared up a little to see his brother peacefully resting in his room. Jacob strolled into his room and plopped down onto his bed and finally fell asleep after what felt like the longest day of his life.

***

When Winnie woke up, she couldn't quite remember where she was until she saw a man with long brown hair. She felt relieved to see Jacob as he oddly made her feel at peace.

"Good morning Jacob," she grinned.

The man jumped a little and screamed after she spoke. "Who are you and what are you doing in my home?"

When Winnie got a good look at the man, she realized that it definitely was not Jacob, but simply someone who looked like him. "You must be Samuel? Your brother and I spent the entire night in the freezing rain looking for you. I'm glad you made it back here safely."

"Thank you?" Samuel said honestly confused. "I didn't know I was missing!"

Samuel finally got a good look at Winnie and he was in awe of her beauty. He'd never seen a woman who looked like her. It was that same comforting feeling that Jacob had when Samuel looked her. Like he'd known her his whole life.

"Your brother said you had ran off when it started raining and after you were gone for a while, he assumed you went missing."

Samuel chuckled a little, "my brother worries too much sometimes. I was having fun running around in the rain because I needed the break from society and he sends out a whole search team for me..."

Jacob comes from behind and smacks Samuel upside the head, "you idiot! Our brother has been missing for months now, of course I was worried about you. Don't act surprised either because you've done this before and I have responded in the same manner."

Winnie giggled, "maybe I should leave? I would hate to interrupt this clearly heartfelt family moment."

She got up and handed Jacob the towels and blankets that had been draped over her during the night. Jacob and Samuel escorted her out to their carriage and waved as she left their estate. When she arrived back home, her mother and sister were both worried sick about her, just as she had thought.

"I apologize for my absence. I met a man-"

"YOU MET A MAN?!" They both interrupted.

"You haven't let me finish... I met a man in distress because he had lost his brother amidst the party last night. I was already walking towards home and he was running after me. I was afraid he was going to harm me, but he honestly thought I was his brother because of our similar hair lengths."

"So, you helped a random man find his brother? Did you even find him?" Winnie's mother questioned.

"Not necessarily-"

"Winnifred! You could've been taken by this man! Why did you help him?!" She shouted.

Winnie shrugged, "he sounded quite upset, on the verge of tears. I could tell he wasn't acting either mother. He was genuinely concerned for the safety of his brother."

"What happened after your search because you clearly didn't come home after that?" Her sister asked.

"We went back to Jacob's home and warmed up by the fireplace. I'm pretty sure I fell asleep an hour after arriving there and then I woke up to a man standing in the corridor that I thought was Jacob."

"Thought?"

"It was Samuel. He returned home when his brother assumed he went missing. He and his brother look awfully alike."

Winnie explained this as her mother and sister and lady's maids began to prepare her for the ball that was happening that night. She was to wear a beautiful lilac gown that was covered in the most gorgeous beading that Winnie had ever seen. She was honestly quite excited for the ball as it meant she could have more conversations with both Jacob and Samuel. She also had the most ingenious plan for them.

Winnifred looked like a goddess by the time she was fully ready. Victoria and Rose were honestly impressed with their own handiwork and proud to see the young woman standing before them. Winnie had never felt more ready for a ball in her life. Even if she and her sister had practiced all the dances when they were little and continued as the got older and the trends had changed.

When they arrived at the ball, Winnie waltzed in, waited to be announced, and immediately looked around the giant room for both of the Kiszka brothers. She assumed they were late until she saw Samuel playing the pianoforte in the corner of the room with the rest of the orchestra. He was quite good at the instrument and it showed. Every eligible woman was fascinated in him, even the ones who were dancing with other men. He had talent to say the least.

Winnie found Jacob by the drinks. "Your grace," she said as she curtsied.

"You don't have to call me that," Jacob chuckled.

"But it's your title... You earned it."

Jacob ignored Winnie's comment, "would you like a drink?"

"I'm fine, thank you. Why is your brother playing the pianoforte and not out dancing?"

"He requested that he play to the host and they honestly couldn't turn him down as he's one of the best players here. I may not like my brother all the time, but I can't deny his talent."

Winnie chuckled, "Jacob, I had the most fabulous idea this morning as I was getting ready."

"And?"

"I'm going to help you and your brother find someone to wed! The queen isn't all too happy with you and if I could help you then I would be most satisfied."

Jacob laughed, "we don't need your help. We're plenty capable on our own."

"Does that explain your actions yesterday?" She said sarcastically. "It seems to me like you and your brother are a little rusty in courting rules. I'd simply be there as a guide."

"I'll consider it Winnifred," Jacob grinned.

"That's all I needed to hear."

As the night continued on, less and less people wanted to dance with Winnie. It wasn't that she wasn't a good dancer, it's just no one was interested. She tried to have conversations while she danced and honestly, no one wanted to listen to a woman talk during a long choreographed dance. She became increasingly upset the more men began to reject her. Winnie thought she was being charming and endearing, but all she was doing was annoying everyone.

Samuel started taking notice of Winnie during her 3rd dance with Andre Gusto. He noticed how she moved to the music, how beautiful she looked, she was truly breathtaking. He was mesmerized by her. He looked at her like she was the only person in the room.

"I think I'm going to dance for this one," Samuel announced to the band.

He darted straight through the middle of the dance floor as fast as he could so he could reach Winnie. Just as he was about to extend his hand and ask her to dance with him, some elderly man insisted she dance with him. She didn't even see Samuel coming towards her. She was too busy having a discussion with her family.

Frustrated, Samuel asked some random girl to dance with him. She was sitting alone and he kind of felt bad for her. He hadn't seen her dancing all night, so at least he made someone's night, even if it wasn't his own or Winnie's. There were still plenty of balls to come throughout the season so he figured he'll get at least one dance in with her.

The song the orchestra played was slower. There wasn't really choreography to this dance other than to sway along in tempo. Samuel despised this piece. It gave the musicians no creative freedom and it was quite boring to listen to. This showed in the lack of dancing and the talking getting louder in the hall. Samuel was not only upset by the music choice, but also by the fact that Winnifred looked absolutely miserable. The man she was dancing with was holding her too close and he looked like he could keel over and die at any moment.

By the time the song was over, Winnifred had already disappeared into the room with the drinks. Jacob had not left his spot since she last saw him. Frankly, he looked like a statue.

"Your grace, I would like to take you up on that drink offer now."

Jacob looked at her confused, "are you sure?"

Winnie nodded vigorously, "the elderly gentlemen I just spent 10 minutes dancing with reeked of cigarettes and decaying corpses."

Jacob chuckled at the way she phrased her sentence. "How about you and I have a dance instead," he stated and extended his hand out to her.

Winnie took his hand and he ushered her onto the dance floor. This was the first time that night that she was finally dancing with someone who's company she enjoyed. She knew that Jacob would not be annoyed by her commentary on the snooty elderly women or the way the food was over cooked. He would actually enjoy her presence.

As the two of them took their first steps together, Samuel immediately noticed his brother dancing with Winnie. He could tell that they were having a great time and he was sincerely jealous of his brother. If Samuel had not gone missing the night before, he could have met Winnifred at the Queen's room, and he would be the one sharing a dance with her, not his brother. Samuel's jealousy showed in his playing as the song progressively got faster and faster until Winnie tripped on Jacob's feet and they both took a tumble.

"Jacob! Your foot was in my way," Winnifred giggled through her words.

The two of them sat on the floor and just laughed as the masses continued to dance around them. It felt like they were the only two people in the room. Winnie had never felt this way with anyone, let alone a man she had just met yesterday. She could feel a strange connection between her and Jacob and she wasn't sure if it was love, or if she finally had made a friend.

Samuel gave up on playing the pianoforte for the night and decided to sit in the middle of the dance floor with his brother and Winnie. There was no doubt that Samuel was still jealous of Jacob, but he figured it was better to create his own memories with Winnifred than to wish for the memories his brother had with her. It may sound childish, but the three of them had more fun than anyone else at the ball and they spent most of the duration on the floor.

Winnie's mother was drunk and displeased with her behavior, "Winnifred Eaton!" She shouted loud enough that it made the room go silent.

"Your sister and I put so much hard work and time into making you look beautiful tonight and you've spent the past hour on the floor with these two idiots. Do you realize how bad you're making yourself look by doing this? I am so disappointed in you Winnifred and your father would be too."

Jacob and Samuel didn't look at Victoria the entire time she publicly scolded her daughter. They knew she was right though. They were idiots and they were making Winnie look bad, but the worst part was Winnie's reaction. Jacob watched Winnie's face as her mother yelled at her. Her ginormous, gorgeous smile quickly turned into a look of panic and then tears. The two boys were heartbroken for Winnie. She didn't deserve to be shamed for something that they did.

When her mother was done screaming and the party started up again, Winnie stormed outside with tears streaming down her face. Yet again, it was pouring rain. That was the worst part about courting season, the ever changing weather. Winnie stood in the middle of the street, in the pitch black darkness, and sobbed. The thought of her father being disappointed in her actions broke her heart more than her mother yelling at her in front of the entire court.

Jacob and Samuel gave Winnie a couple of minutes outside before coming out to rescue her. When they saw her standing in the middle of the street, they both paused to think before they acted.

Samuel spoke softly to hopefully not startle her, "Winnie? Are you alright?"

Winnie looked down at the ground and shook her head before she began to audibly sob. The boys didn't care if it was against the courting rule book, they pulled Winnie into a group hug and squeezed her as tight as they could without choking her to death. The hug betwixt the three of them helped put Winnie's mind at ease.

"Winnie we are so sorry. This is all our fault," Jacob stated.

Samuel sighed, "actually, it is only my fault. I was upset because I had wanted to dance with Winnie all night and when I finally had the chance, some elderly man took her out from under my nose. I ended up dancing with some poor girl who hadn't danced all night and the orchestra played this piece that I absolutely despise. So, when I saw the two of you dancing together, I was quite jealous because I wanted that to be me. I was so frustrated that I sped up the tune and then you both fell."

Winnie pulled out of the hug and looked into Samuel's eyes, "you wanted to dance with me? Why didn't you just say so?"

Samuel looked down at the ground to avoid the eye contact, "Well, I tried. Some gentleman got to you before I."

Winnie bent down so Samuel was forced to look at her, "there is no need for you to ever feel jealous Samuel. I like you both equally. I'm truly so sorry that you felt that way as well."

"I just- Ever since I met you this morning..."

Winnie looked at Samuel confused and giggled through her words, "when you scared me because I thought you were your brother?"

Samuel chuckled, "I just- wanted to get to know you better and I thought I could impress you with my impeccable dancing skills."

Jacob rolled his eyes at his brothers comment. He was honestly annoyed with the entire conversation because he felt as if he didn't need to be a part of it.

"Winnifred, why don't you come stay with us for another night?" Jacob asked.

Winnie sighed heavily, "I would love to but-"

"But what? Your mother just yelled at you in front of everyone? You would rather spend the night under her roof?"

"Jacob. It is not that simple. I cannot just leave my mother again. She was absolutely furious with me this morning because she was afraid I had been kidnapped. She is already mad enough."

Jacob rolled his eyes again, "so you would rather be scolded?"

"For something that you did rather than I? Oh yes. I would."

Jacob's expression went from dead serious to lightening up. He had completely forgotten that this entire thing was his fault. The yelling, the conversation with Samuel, even them meeting the night prior.

"I am so sorry Winnie. Truly. I was so furious with your mother for doing that to you and I completely forgot that this was all my doing. I put this on you."

Winnie eyes began watering again. Her mother had no right to be so cruel to her. She was simply having fun with her new friends. They were a little silly compared to the people her mother wanted her to spend her time with, but the two brothers reminded her so much of her father. They all acted identically to one another. Jacob and Samuel hadn't filled in a father shaped hole in her heart, but rather the kindness and goodness and simple joy that he brought into her life. For the first time since her father's passing, she was finally having fun and her mother wanted to bring her down off her high horse.

"I think I will come home with you both," Winnie stated. She knew it was wrong and she knew her mother would be angry with her, but she just needed the comfort for the night and she also felt the need to give her mother the time to realize her actions even if she did not deserve it.

Jacob and Samuel helped escort Winnifred out to their carriage. Her gown was quite heavy, but Winnie made it look so easy. After several long minutes of struggling, they all managed to get her dress in the carriage with barely enough space for all three of them. Once they were all packed in like sardines and quite honestly, out of breath, the three of them just giggled. They spent the entire ride to the Kiszka estate talking about how ridiculous the past 2 days had been.

***

"I can't believe you tripped over my feet!" Jacob shouted, "I thought women were supposed to be the better dancers."

Winnie rolled her eyes at Jacob and pushed him off of the sofa, "and I thought that men were not supposed to be idiots, I guess you two are the exceptions."

Jacob and Samuel were honestly startled by Winnie's comment. They had never heard a woman speak like that in the entirety of their lives. They weren't mad at Winnie about what she had said though. She was absolutely right. They did not know anything though, their brother Joshua was given all of the knowledge from their parents. They were not consciously stupid, it was honestly their parent's faults for how they were. They were raised knowing that they would never replace their father as Duke.

"Hey Winnie, can we talk about something serious with you?" Samuel asked.

Winnie immediately stopped laughing at her own joke and nodded, "of course."

Jacob looked at his brother confused as to what he might say.

"I don't know if Jacob told you, but our eldest brother has been missing for several months now."

Jacob looked at Samuel with a stern look in his eyes, "why would you bring this up Samuel?"

"I want her to know. Maybe she could help us?"

Jacob's eyes seemingly rolled to the back of his head, "I think it's time we give up. He clearly does not want to be found."

Winnie looked concerned for the way both brothers were acting, "why did he go missing?"

"We think he left because of our parents passing and he wasn't prepared to become Duke. He was more prepared than either of us are now", Samuel said.

"It doesn't matter, he doesn't want to be found or he would have told us already Samuel."

Winnie huffed a sigh, "sometimes people do not wish to be found, but need to be. I think adding me as fresh eyes could help you both in finding him."

Jacob practically jumped out of his seat and stormed off to his room. His twin brother did not want to be found. It was clear in his writings. It did not matter if someone else read the letters and tried to decipher them, Joshua was missing and he wanted it to stay that way. Samuel and Winnie were too childish to realize that fact.

Samuel and Winnie decided to leave Jacob alone. This was clearly a tough subject for him, especially considering Joshua was his twin brother and they had never been apart from each other for this long. Jacob just needed to realize that his little brother missed Joshua as well. As much as the two of them always left Samuel out of their fun, they always made sure to protect him from the people that actually wanted to hurt him. They were brothers after all. They loved each other, just in a different kind of way.

"I think I am going to go to sleep now Winnie. Is there anything you need before I head up the stairs?"

Winnie could tell that Samuel was still hurt by what Jacob had said to him. She did not want to break another rule, but he was clearly on the verge of tears. Winnie got up out of her seat and gave Samuel a hug. He was understandably confused, but wrapped his arms around her anyway. He had not hugged anyone in such a long time. Winnie rested her head on Samuel's chest and they both deepened the hug. They stood there for what had felt like forever, but neither of them wanted to leave. People need people and it was evident that the two of them needed each other in that moment more than anything.

Winnie was the one to end the hug, "I remembered that I do not have any clothes to sleep in and this dress is so incredibly uncomfortable and I cannot breathe."

Samuel nodded, "I will go fetch you some clothing. Stay here."

Winnie began untying the corset that was in the back of her gown. She grew extremely frustrated and overwhelmed when the string got tangled on itself. She did not want to rip the dress, but she also could not breathe as the dress got tighter the more she pulled on the strings. When Samuel made it down the stairs with more comfortable clothes for Winnie, he saw her struggling with her dress and immediately dropped everything to run to her.

"Winnie put the strings down, you're only making it worse", he said.

She continued to fumble with the strings until Samuel eventually just took them out of her hands. He gently began to untangle her corset, avoiding touching her at all costs. As much as he wanted to be with her, it was too soon for him to be so forward with her. His hands were cold to the touch and it made Winnie shiver every time his hand accidentally touched her back. He finally loosened the corset enough so it was no longer tangled and Winnie could finally breathe again.

He turned around and picked up the clothing that he had dropped on his way to meet her, "here you go Winnifred."

Winnie turned around to face Samuel and they both realized that their faces were beet red. Samuel handed the clothes to her and she set them down on the sofa.

"Thank you Samuel. I probably would have suffocated myself had you not stopped me."

Samuel grinned at her, "anything for you Winnie."

He turned around and headed back up the staircase and Winnie changed into the clothes he had given her. They all had his mother's name embroidered on the collars. He trusted and cared enough for her that he would let her borrow some of the only things left of his mother to her. Although Winnie had yearned for Jacob practically since she had met him, his younger brother sure had a way of sneaking into her heart.

#gvf fic #dreams in gold #gvf #greta van fleet #josh kiszka #sam kiszka #jake kiszka #fanfic

8 notes · View notes

cowboykiszka · 3 years ago

Text

Dreams in Gold

Summary: After a semi-romantic moment, Winnifred Eaton is rethinking all of her love decisions. Did she still like Jacob, or was his brother the one for her? Would a prince entering her life change all of that?

Warnings: jealousy, abuse

Word Count: 6.2k+

Chapter 2: a woman in a dream

When Winnifred woke up the next morning, she was confused, yet charmed to see Samuel asleep on the floor beneath her. He must've made his way there in the middle of the night because she did not remember hearing him coming down the stairs. She laid on the sofa and stared up at the ceiling. Winnie was still 100% concerned about what her mother was going to say to her. She had no doubt that her mother would still be furious with her, but how would she react to Winnie staying with the Kiszkas another night? That was her main worry. Why was she so against Winnie being friends with Jacob and Samuel?

A couple more minutes went by before Samuel woke up. He stretched out kind of like a cat would and rolled over to look at Winnie. The second he looked at her, his face lit up with the biggest smile. Winnifred still could not remember when he got down there, all she could remember was him helping her the night prior. How his hands felt against her skin. She had never been touched like that before. The two of them smiled at each other with the dopiest grins on their faces. Truly nothing happened between them, but they could both sense something going on.

"Samuel? When did you get down there?" Winnie asked.

Samuel chuckled, "I'm sorry if I frightened you dearest Winnifred. I was about to fall asleep last night when I heard noises coming from down here. So, I quietly walked down the stairs and you were shaking and sweating and crying. I decided not to wake you, but it got worse."

Winnie looked at Samuel with concern in her eyes, "I do not remember any of this happening."

"I am glad you do not remember. When I woke you, your eyes were bloodshot and you just looked terrified. I did not say a word to you and you didn't say a word to me. I just sat with you until you fell back asleep. I figured that I should stay with you incase it happened again."

Winnie didn't get a chance to respond as Jacob bolted down the stairs. He was very obviously in a hurry. He kept pacing back and forth in the kitchen and he looked extremely stressed. Neither Samuel nor Winnie knew what to do as they didn't want to disturb whatever was going on in his head.

"I have received a note", Jacob stated.

Samuel got up and walked over to Jacob, "for whomst is it from?"

Jacobs eyes began to well up with tears, "it is from our brother, Joshua."

"Well where is the letter Jacob?! You must read it aloud."

Winnifred got up and walked over to the boys. She stood with them as Jacob pulled the crumpled paper out of his pocket.

"It reads: Dearest twin brother, how I miss you so. I know I have been gone long, but I know in my heart that you and Samuel are doing just fine. I believe in both of you. I will not be gone much longer. I have had business to attend to. I needed to tie up loose ends for mother and father. I promise I will be back soon. I can't wait to see yours and Samuel's faces again. I love you both so very much - Joshua."

Jacob and Samuel stared at each other for a while before tears began to stream down their faces. The two of them had not received a letter from Joshua in months, but news that he would be coming home soon made them hopeful. However, the words that hurt them the most was that he missed them. He had been out in the world, alone for months now, and he missed his brothers. It was so obvious but Jacob and Samuel had never thought about how their brother had felt. They thought he just abandoned them because he needed to get away, but instead he was trapped by their mother and father's recklessness.

Winnie too began to tear up. She truly felt for her friends. Losing her father was a pain she had never felt before and Jacob and Samuel had lost not only their parents, but their brother as well. That was a pain that she found unimaginable. Her siblings were her best friends and she could not fathom losing them, and knowing that they were out in the world somewhere, helpless. She looked at her two friends lovingly as the tears began to trickle down her cheeks and joined their hug as Jacob and Samuel welcomed her with open arms.

Letting go is the only thing we will never understand. The three of them had gone through so much in their lives and that's honestly what brought them together. It was not the attraction the boys had towards Winnie, but the need to help one another. If Winnie had not decided to help Jacob the other night, she probably would have just seen the two of them how the rest of the court sees them - messy. The people of the court understood what Jacob and Samuel were going through, but they did not think that any of their actions were excusable in any way. In a way, that's how they viewed Winnifred as well. She may act calm and collected on the outside, but the second any man in the court attempted to speak to her, they could see what a mess she was.

Jacob, Samuel, and Winnie all stared at each other through their tears for a minute and just laughed. This was the second day in a row that they were hugging and crying and honestly, it was a little silly. Even though they were all sad, there was not really a need for them to cry. Jacob smiled and wiped a tear off of Winnie's cheek with his thumb and all three of them let go of the hug.

"I should probably head home now... There is a ball tonight, but I should probably get my argument with my mother over with now. Plus, I know she is worried about me."

The boys nodded and again, helped Winnie out to their carriage that took her home. When Winnifred arrived home, the house looked like it had gone through a tornado. Everything was absolutely everywhere and her sister was in the middle of all of it, and she looked extremely confused. Like she had not been there when the mess occurred.

"Rose, what happened here? It looks like we have been robbed!"

Rose stared at her sister with her mouth agape and her eyebrows tilted upward, "mother did this, but I did not recall it being this bad."

Winnie's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her head, "mother did this?!"

"Oh yes. She is simply furious with you. I am surprised you even came back! I will not lie, I would have gone with you last night after she yelled at you, but I am too afraid of her. You surely have courage Winnifred."

"She is so mad at me she destroyed our home?"

Rose nodded her head vigorously, "I am afraid so."

Winnie could hear her mother come down the stairs and ran over to hold onto her sister for protection. Rose held her sister tightly and braced for dear life. Neither of the girls knew what their mother was going to do. She was on a rampage and they had never seen her like this. She was not even this bad when their father passed.

"Oh Winnifred. You are home. I had not noticed", her mother scowled. "Did you enjoy your night being the town whore?"

Winnie's eyebrows scrunched towards the middle of her forehead, "mother, why would say that? Those boys are my friends."

"Winnifred do not kid yourself. Those boys want you for your body. I know them better than you."

Winnie rolled her eyes and scoffed. She left her sister's embrace and walked toward her mother, "I know you helped them when their parents passed, but you know nothing of Jacob and Samuel Kiszka. They are the two kindest gentlemen I have ever met and they would never do such a thing. They care about me and they have cared more for me in these past three days than you have in the past two years."

Her mother gave her a look that could kill, "those boys are nothing but trouble-"

"Perhaps I like trouble mother. You have always been standing over me like a hawk and I have never had any fun. I would rather be trouble than boring."

"Winnifred Daisy Eaton you kid yourself. I have known you your entire life. You are a good girl."

"That was before father passed. People change. You clearly have!"

Winnie's mother looked like she had seen a ghost. Her face went pale, "you must leave this house at once. You, once again, have gone too far. I am so extremely disappointed in you-"

"And I think father would be disappointed in you. Have a good day mother."

Winnie sauntered out of her newly destroyed childhood home. She truly had no remorse for her mother. Winnie was not about to publicly embarrassed by her own mother again. She knew it was either to stand up for herself or live in an endless cycle of torture. Thankfully, Jacob and Samuel's carriage had not left her home yet.

When Winnie arrived back at the Kiszka home, both boys seemed to be befuddled by her being back. Samuel helped Winnie up the stairs to the door and they walked to the kitchen together. Jacob and Samuel were anxious to hear how it all went.

"So..." Samuel said.

"So... what?" She asked.

"Your mother obviously did not kill you, so what happened?" Jacob insinuated.

Winnie giggled to herself, "my mother tore apart our home out of pure rage and then she proceeded to yell at me, but I have decided that I am done with her shenanigans."

Winnie continued to laugh so hard she was snorting, "and then she kicked me out of the house!"

Jacob and Samuel looked at her seriously concerned. She continued to laugh until she was practically out of breath. She walked over to one of the sofas and plopped herself down. The boys followed right behind her and sat on opposite sides of her.

"So, you have nowhere to live?" Samuel quietly asked.

Winnie shook her head as she finally stopped laughing, "no... I thought it would be a long while before my mother kicked me out, but I believe she is tired of me not listening to her or following her ridiculous rules."

Samuel gently rubbed her back, "I am so sorry Winnie."

"Me too. No one should ever treat you like that", Jacob agreed.

"I mean, you are the best thing that has happened to both of us these past couple of months."

Winnie smiled at Samuel, "thank you. That means the world to me."

Jacob practically jumped out of his seat, "you could live with us! Our parent's room is completely covered in furniture covers, but it will just collect dust if you do not live there."

"Are you sure? I do not want to push boundaries or make either of you uncomfortable."

Samuel and Jacob both stared at Winnie and smiled, "we would love to have you here."

***

The next couple of days consisted of Jacob and Samuel helping Winnie move her things out of her childhood home as her mother and sister watched all of it happen. They did nothing to stop Winnie from leaving. Her sister did shed a tear or two as she so dearly wanted to help Winnie. They had been best friends their entire lives and Rose had not realized how much she loved and needed her sister. When they finally loaded up the carriages with all of her things and left, Winnifred Eaton could feel a weight being lifted off of her shoulders. A weight that had been there for years. She was so afraid of her mother that she was not truly living.

She could not wait to finish this courting season with the Kiszkas at her side. She truly liked both of them, but she figured it would be better if she found another man to court instead. As much as she liked Jacob and Samuel, she did not want to ruin the beautiful friendship between all three of them.

She also could not wait to get to know them more. Winnie knew a couple things about the brothers, but she could not wait to know all of their deep, dark secrets. What kept them up at night. What they love the most. What their favorite meal was. All of it. She could not wait to know every detail about Jacob and Samuel Kiszka.

Her favorite part about setting up her new room in the Kiszka home was putting all of her clothing in the huge wardrobe. She did not even have enough clothes and jewelry and shoes to fill the whole thing. It was truly massive. And the bed had to be the most comfortable thing she had ever laid on. Definitely more comfortable than the couch that she had slept on the past couple of days.

"This bed is fabulous!" She said as she made snow angels in the blankets.

Samuel laughed and jumped onto the bed and laid next to her, "I am so glad that it is to your liking. It honestly would have gone to waste just sitting there for eternity."

Winnie smiled and turned her head to look at Samuel's face. He had the most beautiful side profile. She honestly wanted to kiss him in that moment, but she did not want to make advances on Samuel. She did want to, but again, she knew that her friendship with him was more important.

Jacob walked into her bedroom and joined her and Samuel on the bed, "I have not been in here in forever. I remember when Joshua, Samuel, and I were little, we would all wake on Sunday morning and lie in bed with our parents. We did not talk, we all just cuddled with each other until breakfast was ready."

"That sounds lovely! There were too many children in my household for us to all lie in bed with my parents", Winnie stated.

Samuel gasped after looking at his watch, "We completely forgot about the ball tonight."

Winnie sat straight up, "I do not have a dress for tonight."

She sat and thought for a minute before storming into her closet. She went right for a beautiful maroon silk gown that complimented her skin tone perfectly. It was gifted to her by her father before his passing and it was absolutely perfect for the night's ball. She began doing her own hair and makeup and she genuinely had never looked better. She threw her gown on as well as a pair of long velvet black gloves and velvet black heels that matched beautifully.

By the time she was heading down the stairs, the sun was setting and the sky was a beautiful pink hue. The boys were waiting for her by the carriage and were absolutely shocked when Winnie walked outside. She truly looked like a woman in a dream. They were both stunned.

"You look beautiful Winnifred", Jacob said sincerely.

Samuel was too speechless to say anything to her. All he did was grab her hand and guide her into the carriage while him and his brother followed suit. His heart was enveloped by her beauty, inside and out. This had to be the ball where Samuel made his first move on Winnie. He had to dance with her and just tell her how stunning she looked.

***

When the three of them arrived together for the first time, the entire court was simply appalled. Neither Kiszka brother had made any real moves on Winnifred Eaton, and yet, here they were at the second ball, all appearing together. Jacob and Samuel helped escort Winnie in and thankfully, they were all introduced separately. Winnie truly wanted this night to find the man she would wed. Little did she know, both of the men that brought her in wanted to be her husband.

Winnie immediately made her way to the dance floor. The masses of people parted like the red sea. Everyone was stunned by Winnie's appearance, and rightfully so. A prince caught her eye right away. It wasn't that she wanted a prince, but she thought he was handsome and she had heard of all of the wonderful things he had been doing in his country. Thankfully he was the one to ask her to dance because she was genuinely so nervous to even speak to him.

When they were dancing, it felt like time stood still. She had never felt this way for a man. They way he held her up while they flowed to the music. It felt magical. His eyes were only focused on her and her eyes and her lips and her gown. Everything about her.

Jacob and Samuel stood in the dining room that was attached the dance hall. They were upset to say the least. Jacob had not had a conversation with just Winnie in days because of his brother and now a prince has stepped in. How could either of them win Winnie's heart over a prince? They sat in the dining room the entire night, waiting for Winnie to be finished dancing with the prince, but it never ended. Women chatted with both of the boys, but neither of them were interested, they felt kind of dead and empty without Winnie.

Winnie finally stopped dancing with the prince about halfway through the ball. She walked up to Jacob and Samuel with the biggest grin on her face and sighed as she sat down on the chair in between them.

"I have had the most magical night", she said as she rested her head on Jacob's shoulder.

Samuel gave her a half smile, "I can tell. That prince must really fancy you if he danced with you for that long."

"He did not mind me talking either. He laughed at all of my jokes. He said such lovely things about me. He is just so kind and wonderful..."

Jacob couldn't help but stare at Winnie lovingly, "I am sure you are tired Winnie, but I would love to share a dance with you tonight if you do not mind."

Winnie jumped out of her seat and grabbed Jacob's hands, "I would absolutely love to Jacob!"

Samuel would have killed his brother if his Joshua were not already missing. He was so extremely frustrated at this point that he was about to up and leave if he had not seen Winnie having so much fun.

Jacob held Winnie close to him as they waltzed. His right hand on her lower back and his left holding her hand. Winnie stayed poised during the waltz, but as soon as the song was over and a slower piece began, she rested her head on Jacob's chest. She could hear how fast his heart was beating. He was nervous, over her. She squeezed his hand to reassure him that everything was fine and he rubbed her back in return.

"Everything is fine Jacob", she whispered to him.

He moved his hand that was on her back to the side of her head and pulled her into his chest. He only held her there for a second before putting his hand back where it was. It was his way of saying thank you. Her voice calmed him in a way that no one else's ever had.

They danced for a couple more songs and then they decided it would be best to leave before the sun began to rise. Samuel again gave up on dancing with Winnie. He did not want to interrupt her and Jacob as she looked like she was having such a nice time and he would feel awful if he ruined that fun for her. There were going to be plenty more balls this season. Unless she falls in love with the prince.

***

When they all arrived back home, Jacob darted to his room, changed faster than you could say ball, and passed out in his bed. Samuel helped escort Winnie up to her room and lit some candles so she could see.

"Samuel, could you help me with my dress please? I believe one of the buttons got smashed when I was dancing with the prince."

Samuel walked over to her and started unbuttoning her dress. Was this going to happen every time there was a ball? Did she just want him to touch her? He reached the last buttons which were near her hips and his hands felt so gentle against her skin. He left his hands there for a minute before he turned Winnie to face him. Their faces were so close that their noses were practically touching.

"I wanted to dance with you tonight Winnifred", he said.

She looked into his eyes as she cupped his cheeks with her hands, "I am truly sorry Samuel. After dancing with the prince and your brother I was so tired, I simply needed to come home and rest."

He wrapped his arms around her waist and inched his face closer to hers, "there is always next time, right?"

Winnie's breathing hitched as she could feel him getting closer, "always for you Samuel."

She kissed his cheek and pulled away from him, "goodnight Winnifred. You looked absolutely lovely tonight. I wish there were more words to describe how you looked, but I was truly speechless."

Samuel turned around and left Winnifred's room. Winnie stood still in her room for minutes. She was breathless from her interaction with Samuel and there was a fire burning in her stomach. She felt hot. She had never been that close to a man ever. Especially not one that she was not planning on marrying. She had never felt what she was feeling toward Samuel. She just wanted to feel him forever. His touch. How his skin felt against hers. It wasn't just physical attraction either. Samuel was kind and understand and helpful.

When Samuel got into his room and closed his door, he too felt that burning sensation. He was over not making a move. Winnifred Eaton was the most exquisite woman he had ever met. They way she looked at him left him breathless. The words she said to him were well thought out and he never wanted to stop listening. Her kiss still lingered on his cheek. How he wished for more. Samuel wanted to know ever part of her body, but especially her lips.

Both Samuel and Winnie went to sleep with each other on their minds and a long day of horse races ahead of them. No one quite knew why watching horse races was a part of the courting season, but it had been since the sport was invented just the century prior. The women dressed in the most extravagant, yet casual dresses with the largest hats and men dressed, well, like men usually do.

***

When Winnie woke up the next morning, she found her clothes laid out on the dresser next to her bed. She quickly got prepared for the day and headed downstairs to greet the boys. They were wearing contrasting green and red suits with the cutest bowties she had ever seen.

"Well don't you two look absolutely adorable!" Winnie proclaimed.

Jacob laughed and Samuel blushed at her comment, "thank you Winnie. You look lovely." Jacob said.

The boys again helped escort Winnie out to the carriage and they made their way to the race track. The three of them had never attended this event so it was going to be a big surprise as to what it entailed. As they entered the building, there were people dressed in the most exquisite colors and had the most beautiful hats. Winnie honestly had never felt so underdressed, even if she had what felt like the world's largest hat on.

The three of them meandered around the area until Winnie found the prince and broke off from the group. A woman ended up walking up to Jacob and asked him if they could speak. Jacob had always thought that Winnie was beautiful, but honestly, he had never seen anyone quite like this woman. The two of them talked for the entire duration of the event. Even when Winnie stopped to chat with Jacob, he never took his eyes off of this woman.

This left Samuel to himself. Again. Not only was Winnifred busy, but so was his brother. He sat by the area with the drinks the whole time and even took his bowtie off. He felt like an idiot. Was Winnie just using him? Was she using both of them? About halfway through the event, when the actual horse races started, Winnie left the prince and sat with Samuel.

"Good afternoon Samuel! Have you spoken with your brother recently? He looks very happy with that woman. I believe her name is Ida."

Samuel rolled his eyes at Winnie and scoffed, "Winnifred, are you using us?"

"Are you drunk?" Winnie asked, "I would never do such a thing Samuel!"

Samuel chuckled to himself, "well then why can you not keep your hands off of me when we are at home, but you act like I do not exist when we are in public?"

Winnie's face grew as red as the roses she was sitting next to, "Samuel. I cannot believe you would say that."

"Why can you not believe it? Is it because it is true?"

Winnie stood up and looked down at Samuel, "I have so many feelings for you that I cannot even express right now, but I was doing this to protect you and your brother."

Samuel stood up and stared directly into Winnie's soul, "we are not children, we do not need to be protected. I think I am in love with you Winnifred and if you do not feel the same, I must know."

Winnie moved the two of them into a separate room so no one could hear this conversation any further.

"Do you love me, or do you just love the thought of me Samuel? Tell me how you truly feel, in here," Winnie said as she put her hand on Samuel's heart.

He grabbed her hand and held it with both of his, "you make my heart pound out of my chest to the point where I can hear it ringing in my ears. Every time I see you, I lose my breath and I can never find the right words to say. When you put your gentle hands on my face last night, I wanted to kiss you... I still do... You make me nervous Winnifred Eaton, but in the best way humanly possible. I love you."

Winnie inched closer to Samuel and hugged him. She did not know how to respond. She had only known Samuel for a couple weeks now, but she felt the same.

"Samuel. That was the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me. Nothing I could say could match that and I am sorry that I cannot speak my feelings. But I love you too. You mean the world to me and I did not want to confess anything just so I would not hurt your brother, but I believe he has found someone as well."

Winnie smiled at Samuel and they walked out of the room together. She was stopped by one of the prince's guards and he insisted that Winnifred speak with the prince privately. They went into a fancy dining hall and they were the only people except for the guards.

"Dearest Winnifred. These past several days have been absolutely lovely with you and I would love for you to join me for dinner tonight in my estate."

Winnie smiled ever so slightly, "thank you your highness, but I am not sure I would like to continue this relationship with you."

The prince aggressively grabbed Winnie by both arms, "m'lady, I am afraid you do not have a choice in the matter. I say what goes in this relationship and I know that works differently for you and those gremlins you call friends, but not here. The carriage will arrive at the Kiszka home in approximately two hours, I will see you then."

He ended the conversation by slapping Winnie across the cheek and leaving without her, leaving her alone in the dining hall. When she finally mustered the courage to leave, the only people left in the area were Jacob and Samuel. Winnie saw their faces and burst into tears. Neither of the boys knew what happened in the room, but they just pulled her into a hug. She sobbed uncontrollably into Samuel's shoulder and both of the boys looked at each other concerned.

Jacob ended the hug, "Winnifred what happened? Did he end the relationship?"

Winnie could not breathe nor speak. She was too frightened to say anything. She headed towards the entrance and the boys followed suit. Neither Jacob or Samuel wanted to say anything as they did not want Winnie to cry more, but they honestly did not know what to do.

"Win, why are you upset," Samuel asked as he helped her in the carriage.

"We are extremely worried for you, please, just say something," Jacob said.

Winnie sniffled, "the prince has asked me to come dine tonight and I was just so happy, I burst into tears!"

Samuel moved the hair out of her face and behind her ears, "is that it?"

She nodded her head and looked down at her hands. How could she tell her best friend and the man she truly loves that the prince slapped her? Would they even believe her? When they arrived back home, Winnie ran to her room, locked the door and immediately began changing for the night. The time seemed to fly as she got ready because it felt like two minutes had gone by when Jacob called her downstairs.

Winnie sprinted down the stairs, gave both boys a quick hug and ran out to the carriage. She entered timidly, afraid that the prince would be in there but thankfully it was just a guard. The entire ride to the prince's estate was silent. Winnie thought she would be too loud breathing. She was simply frightened to make any moves. The guard stared at her, but more specifically, the bruise that was forming on her cheek from the prince slapping her.

The closer they got, the more anxious Winnie got. Why was the prince torturing her? What would he gain from this, other than a wife that would loathe him? What was it about Winnie that he wanted that no other woman of the court could give him?

When they finally pulled into the front gate and Winnie saw the huge estate, she honestly felt like she could puke. When the guards escorted her out of the carriage and through the front door, Winnie was already trying to find an escape plan. The entire estate was a maze to even look through, let alone walk through the entire building for a place to escape. They finally reached the large dining room and Winnie was not sitting across the table from the prince, but the seat directly adjacent to his. She knew she was trapped.

She honestly did not remember most of the night. She tried to eat and be civil with the prince, but the second he said something poorly about her and especially about the Kiszkas, Winnie knew she was screwed. She tried talking back to him and yelling at him and all she remembered of that night was him hurting her again. This time much worse than the first. By the time Winnie woke up, she was back in the Kiszka home and standing over her and fanning her were Jacob and Samuel, both clearly in distress.

"Oh thank God you are awake," Samuel said as he gently hugged Winnie.

Jacob just stood and smiled at them, but he could help but think of the matter at hand, "Winnie, what happened to you?"

"T-The prince. He h-h-hit me ea-earlier because I did not want to be with him. He refused to let m-me go", Winnie began to cry.

Samuel sat down and rubbed her back, "Winnie, why did you not tell us?"

Winnie was having trouble breathing, "I-I was afraid of what h-he would do."

"If I could kill him, I would," Samuel said.

"Brother, there is no need to be so rash."

Samuel scoffed, "I am not being rash! This man is harming Winnie, do you not care about her? He had no right to do this."

"Samuel... I am not trying to start anything", Jacob stated.

"So you are on his side then? Do you like to hurt women too Jacob?"

Samuel was about to spring up to get on his brothers level, but Winnie held her arm out to stop him, "Samuel, please. I cannot deal with you both fighting right now. My head aches and my body hurts, please."

Samuel sat back down and wrapped one of his arms around Winnie's shoulder, "I am sorry. We should not stress you any longer."

Jacob sat down on the edge of the bed, "Winnifred, I am not on his side. I just need to know why he did this."

"He hurt me because I did not want to be with him any longer."

"What did you say exactly?" He asked.

Winnie sighed, "he asked me to have dinner at his estate and I said that I wished to not continue the relationship any further. He gripped my arms so tightly, I think there are hand bruises on them."

"What made you change your mind? You seemed so perfectly happy today and yesterday."

Winnie and Samuel did not know how to tell Jacob. Samuel simply moved his hand towards Winnie's and squeezed her hand tightly. Neither of them wanted to say a word. All they wanted was for one second of peace. Jacob looked down at their hands, how Winnie's was shaking, but Samuel was keeping it steady. How his thumb stroked the top of her hand and she looked so calm from him just being there.

"I always thought that you two would be a beautiful pair," Jacob said with a smile on his face.

Winnie closed her eyes and a tear ran down her cheek, but she still had a smile on her face. All she wanted was for Jacob to be okay with this. With her and Samuel.

"Winnie, if you were worried about what I would think of you and Samuel, there was no need for you to be worried. I am not upset and I love you very much, but not in that way. You are like a little sister to me and I am glad that you found each other. The thing I am worried about is the prince."

Winnie sighed and opened her eyes, "thank you Jacob."

"I will ask you more questions about him another time, but it is late, and you need to rest", Jacob pressed a kiss to her forehead and left Winnie's room.

Winnie rested her head on Samuel's chest and looked up at him through her eyelashes. He smiled down at her and rested his head on top of hers. They both felt at ease in each others arms. They brought safety and love to one another and it felt as if their hearts were melding as one.

"Samuel, I know I did not say much to you earlier after you poured your heart out to me and I think it is my turn."

Samuel smiled, "you do not have to tell me, I know."

Winnie paused for a second before speaking. "I love the way your eyes sparkle in the night time. How I can spot out your smile from all the way across a room. You give me this burning sensation in my entire body every time you look at me. Your hands are always cold, but you are gentle and it gives me goosebumps. You are so kind and caring for your brother and I and it truly shows your love for us. I trust you with my entire life. I know I have not known you long, but I love you Samuel Kiszka. More than my words could ever say."

Samuel leaned in to kiss Winnie, but before anything could happen, Jacob stormed in.

"I am so sorry, but another letter has just arrived from Joshua."

Winnie and Samuel both sat up and moved to the edge of the bed to read the letter with Jacob. Neither Jacob nor Samuel could read the letter out loud, so Winnie did.

"It reads: Dearest brothers, I will be arriving home in a months time. I am tired of hiding. You both need to know the truth. I love you so very much and I cannot wait to see your smiling faces soon. I cannot wait to hear what has gone on in my absence. You both mean the world to me. - Joshua."

Both brothers sat on Winnie's bed, absolutely speechless. Joshua was finally coming home. Their family was about to be whole again, plus one very lovely lady that both Jacob and Samuel had grown to love in their short time of knowing her. All of the possibilities were endless with Joshua coming home. They could not wait to tidy his room and throw him a coming home party (when he was ready of course). They could not wait for the next series of tomorrows to come till they could finally see their eldest brother's loving face.

#gvf #gvf fic #dreams in gold #fanfic #greta van fleet #jake kiszka #josh kiszka #sam kiszka

4 notes · View notes