Read Online Princess Ces'alena by Mercedes Keyes - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mercedes Keyes
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love my son! He is a part of me…just as I am a part of you. Not you, or this sick world and all its hatred, will make me turn my back on him. It is not within me to do so, and again, I stress — I will not! That is all I have to say!”
Morris took his seat at the head of the table, leaning one elbow on the edge as he ran his hand through his hair, letting his forehead rest in his palm. He turned his head to look at the strong willed man that was his son. As much as he hated to admit it…the fact was, once his son made up his mind on something, it was permanently made up. Nothing would deter his decision.
Morris could argue to the end with him, but in the end…he knew he’d eventually give in, even with this. Having to face that right here…right now, it was his turn to make the best of it. To wring out of it what he wanted. If he was going to claim the boy, he would do it under his terms.
Now that Morris knew the extent he was attached to the boy, he would use that knowledge to his advantage. “Okay Manny…you’ve had your say. Now I want mine, have a seat.” Morris patiently waited for his instructions to be followed. After Manny reluctantly did so, Morris began. “I see you’ve made up your mind, I’ve decided not to stand in your way.”
Manny’s eyes widened in shock, but then narrowed suspiciously. “What are you up to Morris Webster?!”
“Come now, I’ve agreed to allow you your way, but-…”
“Ah yes! The but…knew it was coming. You had me worried for a moment there Morris.” Manny quipped in expectation. Morris smiled wryly. “As I was saying son, I’m allowing you your way…but under one condition, and a favor. You follow through, and there will be no problems from me. Will you abide?”
“It all depends ol’man. Let’s hear it.”
“I assure you…it’s quite fair. Since you plan to claim him, all I ask is that you do so secretly; through Charles of course. Ceś alena, yourself, Charles and I are the only ones to know. That way you get to claim the boy, and no added gossip — will you agree?”
Manny hesitated, sad to say…he didn’t trust his own father when it came to Lena and his son. But the condition was harmless, so finally he gave a slow reluctant nod. Morris again cracked a sly smile. He was up to something; Manny knew this…but what? He knew his father could be a top rank shyster if he chose to be. “And now, the favor…let’s have it.”
“W-e-e-ell,” Morris drawled the word, “…son, maybe it’s not exactly a favor, maybe more of a condition. This condition you may be a tad reluctant to agree on. So to help you make your decision in a positive way, my way…I’m forced to this end.” Morris sobered completely; his expression serious…Manny braced himself. Morris leaned toward his son with piercing eyes, “I will remove you from the holding title of this land…I will strip you of all self support…and …I will sell Ceś alena and the boy so far out of your reach, it would take two lifetimes to find them, if - you don’t agree to my last request!”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“You willing to gamble their lives to see?”
“Why! Why are you doing this?!”
“To make sure you follow through on what I ask! It is as simple as that.” Morris waited, his expression stern. Manny sat staring and brewing…not saying another word. So many scenario’s going through his mind. Everything he had came from his father and this plantation. His father had every means and right to do as he’d stated. There was no way he could endanger Lena and his son to the unknown…he couldn’t lose them now.
Whatever his father asked of him, at least they would be there where he knew them to be safe. “On one condition, you must promise me…that they will never be sold from here! No harm will ever befall them! Webster Fields will always be their home! You give your word on that…and I will do this favor you ask!”
“Done! You have my word on
Morris took his seat at the head of the table, leaning one elbow on the edge as he ran his hand through his hair, letting his forehead rest in his palm. He turned his head to look at the strong willed man that was his son. As much as he hated to admit it…the fact was, once his son made up his mind on something, it was permanently made up. Nothing would deter his decision.
Morris could argue to the end with him, but in the end…he knew he’d eventually give in, even with this. Having to face that right here…right now, it was his turn to make the best of it. To wring out of it what he wanted. If he was going to claim the boy, he would do it under his terms.
Now that Morris knew the extent he was attached to the boy, he would use that knowledge to his advantage. “Okay Manny…you’ve had your say. Now I want mine, have a seat.” Morris patiently waited for his instructions to be followed. After Manny reluctantly did so, Morris began. “I see you’ve made up your mind, I’ve decided not to stand in your way.”
Manny’s eyes widened in shock, but then narrowed suspiciously. “What are you up to Morris Webster?!”
“Come now, I’ve agreed to allow you your way, but-…”
“Ah yes! The but…knew it was coming. You had me worried for a moment there Morris.” Manny quipped in expectation. Morris smiled wryly. “As I was saying son, I’m allowing you your way…but under one condition, and a favor. You follow through, and there will be no problems from me. Will you abide?”
“It all depends ol’man. Let’s hear it.”
“I assure you…it’s quite fair. Since you plan to claim him, all I ask is that you do so secretly; through Charles of course. Ceś alena, yourself, Charles and I are the only ones to know. That way you get to claim the boy, and no added gossip — will you agree?”
Manny hesitated, sad to say…he didn’t trust his own father when it came to Lena and his son. But the condition was harmless, so finally he gave a slow reluctant nod. Morris again cracked a sly smile. He was up to something; Manny knew this…but what? He knew his father could be a top rank shyster if he chose to be. “And now, the favor…let’s have it.”
“W-e-e-ell,” Morris drawled the word, “…son, maybe it’s not exactly a favor, maybe more of a condition. This condition you may be a tad reluctant to agree on. So to help you make your decision in a positive way, my way…I’m forced to this end.” Morris sobered completely; his expression serious…Manny braced himself. Morris leaned toward his son with piercing eyes, “I will remove you from the holding title of this land…I will strip you of all self support…and …I will sell Ceś alena and the boy so far out of your reach, it would take two lifetimes to find them, if - you don’t agree to my last request!”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“You willing to gamble their lives to see?”
“Why! Why are you doing this?!”
“To make sure you follow through on what I ask! It is as simple as that.” Morris waited, his expression stern. Manny sat staring and brewing…not saying another word. So many scenario’s going through his mind. Everything he had came from his father and this plantation. His father had every means and right to do as he’d stated. There was no way he could endanger Lena and his son to the unknown…he couldn’t lose them now.
Whatever his father asked of him, at least they would be there where he knew them to be safe. “On one condition, you must promise me…that they will never be sold from here! No harm will ever befall them! Webster Fields will always be their home! You give your word on that…and I will do this favor you ask!”
“Done! You have my word on
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