Brooklyn, Baby | Spot Conlon ²

Chp. 5: Eyes Lie

Eric bends on his knee, and pulls a small box out of his dress suit pocket.

"Of being my beloved wife?" 

Kendall's face displayed pure shock. On the inside, she was semi-surprised and semi-not. Aunt Anne had hinted at marriage for her over the course of a couple months. 

"I would be honored," Kendall said, allowing him to slip the ring onto her finger. 

"Shall we announce the occasion?" He says after kissing her. 

The couple walked into the room, all eyes on them. This must've been planned, she thought. Aunt Anne cleared her throat, tapping her spoon to her champagne glass. 

"The guest of honor, more importantly, my niece, is betrothed! Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Eric Buckley, and Miss Kendall Sullivan," 

The room erupted into cheers and applause, the couple beaming in the spotlight of attention. Kendall caught Francis' eye, who was barely clapping. 

Once the music started up again and more champagne was poured, she noticed him disappear into the gardens. 

"Excuse me," Kendall curtsied to the group she was mingling with, and fast walked to follow him. 

"Francis," She called after him. After being ignored, she tried again. 

Finally, as he was storming into the maze of hedges in the garden, she grabbed his shoulder, and spun him around. 

"Jack! What is the matter?!" 

"I'm trying to think, Kendall! This," He huffs out a breath. "This is not right," 

"What isn't right?" 

"This is not how it is meant to be! You, you are not meant to be with him, with Eric. You are meant for--" 

"When are you all going to get it?" She snapped. "When will you understand that he is dead. He is not here anymore, Jack! I've come to terms with it, now you must as well." 

"Kenny--" 

"Kendall, my name is Kendall. I am engaged to Eric Buckley, and I live with the Vanderbilts. Our old life, brother, is over. I do not wish to speak of it anymore. Dwelling on the past is unhealthy, do you understand? Continuing to think of him is foolish. He is gone." 

Francis looked at his sister, and he couldn't recognize her. Under the makeup and the expensive dress, maybe Kendall is under there. But, behind her eyes, she was unreadable. He could not detect the old Kenny he knew for so many years. Maybe that was her goal. 

"Kendall, I am not telling you to dwell on him," He said, barely able to see her in the darkness of the night. "You cannot possibly ask yourself to completely forget the love you shared--" 

"I do not know if it was love we shared," 

"What--what ever do you mean?" He rose an eyebrow. 

"Our differences, our quarrels, they were more numerous than our happy moments. Maybe, I think, maybe we just wanted each other for the adventures." 

"No, Kendall. You cannot rewrite your feelings about then. You shared a true love with him, and you cannot deny it." He tried. 

"We didn't know what love was, Francis." She said with a hard face. "How could we love each other if we lacked knowledge of what the very thought even is?!" 

"You may doubt it, sister." He says, shaking his head. "But, I do not. I could see it. As your brother, I know you. I could see it in your eyes, when you looked at him. I did not used to like it, not one bit. But when I saw how happy he made you, my feelings were wavered. Kenny, I do not see the same look when you look at Eric,"

"Then you have been deceived," She stated, emotionless. 

"The eyes never lie," 

"This time they must have." She said, and he was beyond shocked. He could not believe his sister's attitude. "Now, if you will excuse me, an engagement is being celebrated." 

He watched her gracefully walk back to the building, not a trace of sadness in her. No matter anymore, he could not tell where her heart was. 

Kendall returned to mingling with friends of the Buckley's, talk of weddings and children, conversations she would much rather not be in. 

Finally, people started to leave the party. Drunken and laughing, mostly. Uncle William was extremely pleased with the success. The engagement, Kendall's job offer, it was all a dream come true. 

"I think it is time we get home," Aunt Anne looked at Anthony, who was half-drunk. 

"Agreed," Francis said. 

"Where has Christian gone?" 

"He took the coach home with Sebastian an hour ago, darling. We must get going," Uncle William replied. 

"Miss Kendall tell us everything about your engagement!" Laurel squealed in their carriage. 

"Yes, please!" 

"Girls, I'm rather exhausted, how about tomorrow over tea and pound cake?" 

"Aw," 

"Aww," 

Upon returning to the estate, the help were carrying bags to the entrance. 

"My lady, I'm afraid I have some news," Eric says to Kendall, who was on her way to her chamber. 

"Yes?" 

"We are departing tomorrow morning to further review business back in Easley," 

"I shall write to you," 

"And I shall see you soon," He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Good night, darling." 

He left her in the Grand Hall, alone. She stood there, looking out the large windows, for who knows how long. She was interrupted by an exchange of voices. 

"Thank you," It was Aunt Anne. "I shall deliver it to her," 

She then heard the clack of heels on the marble get louder. 

"Kendall, darling, a letter has been addressed to you." 

She looked at the dirty envelope. 

Austin Turner
20 Cherry Lane
​​​​​​​Santa Fe, New Mexico

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what's in the letter??? 

srry for short update, more interesting things to come soon 

ALSO YOU'LL NOTICE I CHANGED THE TITLE FOR REASONS that I can't say yet, but it'll come up later ;)