Emerald's Rogue (Part 1)

The Rogue and The Jewel

Chapter One

Alexander and Lily Whitington stood in their library with their long-time friends, Jacob and Isabel Hawkington.

"It will be a great match. Our children will be the start of a new era for our families." Jacob stated proudly.

"Aye, they will. And all will profit from it in some form or another." Alex said with pride.

At that moment Rogue Hawkington, their only son, entered the library. For a young man of only nineteen years he was already six foot and two inches tall, well built and very mature for his age, most of the time.

He was dressed in all black with the family emblem emblazed on his wide chest. It was a great gryphon reared on its hind legs with a rose wrapped around its fore claw and the letters R.H. over his heart.

He had dark auburn hair that was shoulder length. Today he had it loose about his shoulders instead of pulled back with a leather cord. His ebony black eyes quickly scanned the room as he walked over to the desk. He was very much like a hawk; he missed very little and was alert to all around him.

He bowed to the Lady Whitington, who was the Countess of Whitington, then to his mother and kissed her hand. He gave a curt nod to his father and Lord Whitington, the Earl of Hawkington and next in line to become the Duke and High Magistrate of the town of Whitington, which his family had founded at the beginning of the New World.

"Rogue, you have grown greatly since last I saw you two years ago." Lily said smiling up at him.

"I have been training overseas m’lady. One must grow to survive." He smiled back, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

"Father, why have you summoned me here away from my training and studies? You have always told me how important they are." He stated firmly.

"Yes I have, but I also said that your duty to your family was even more important than all other things. I’ll get right to the point Rogue. When you were six years old we decided that you and Emerald Whitington would one day wed and join our two families and everything they posses. We’ll today you two shall sign the betrothal papers and tomorrow we will have the ceremony. Then we will give you two a few days to spend together before you return to your training and she truly begins hers."

A muscle in Rogue’s jaw twitched. He straightened, seeming to grow taller. His ebony black eyes narrowed then he nodded, not trusting himself to speak just yet. Right now he could have hit his father, if he didn’t respect him and his loyalty to his family and honor so much.

It was then that there was a small knock on the door, and then it opened. A young girl barely five feet tall entered. Her golden red hair was pulled back with a plum colored ribbon that matched her gown and slippers. Her jade eyes went straight to her father’s. He nodded slightly and she entered closing the door.

She walked up to her mother with quick yet dainty steps, then curtsied to her and Lady Hawkington. Then she turned and curtsied to her father and Lord Hawkington.

Rogue had watched her the entire time and felt disgusted that his father was forcing him to take this woman-child as wife. He had never planned to marry. He wanted to live his life as knight-errant, traveling and seeing what the world had to offer.

"Emerald, this is Rogue Hawkington.