Part 23
If one were to judge Amanda sole by her looks the final score would be positive in everyone´s book-a well manner courtesan is socially acceptable if a bit troublesome for the ladies who want to keep their husbands and lovers- yet, no one seems to make a profound evaluation on her character which works well in her favour. Amanda manages to put food in her plate, way before seducing Dr Rory, thanks to more than her good looks and coverage.
“So, let me get this straight” the leader of the gang- located in a tavern where Amanda shouldn´t ever be seen- asked once Amanda Rory(a mere formality and a mere lie won´t hurt anyone) explain her dire situation to the local gentlemen who ruins the local tavern. “You want us to pretend to have a beef with this Count Darkholme-whatever his name is- and wants to use our name to scare his fiance and ruin the wedding. Do I get this right?” he asked befuddlement at her plan and Amanda wasn´t expecting an immediate yes.
“Yes, I know this is rather extreme. And I know I´m asking a lot, but, I thought it would be rather fitting for your reputation to once you all want to take down Nightcrawler” and now she puts her hand on her lips as if realizing she speaks too much. Now the gang is looking interested.
“Nightcrawler? The son of a bitch killed our leader!” the now leader speaks with a grievance in his tone. “Are you saying this Count Darkholme is Nightcrawler?” and now Amanda is doing her role with perfection.
“I´m saying he has a strange connection with Nightcrawler and this woman, Ariel aka Kitty Pryde...is also connected to Nightcrawler in some way, now, giving a scare on this lady won´t be too bad...” Amanda trails off and some of the members are muttering agreements and disagreements, again, it shouldn´t be too easy. So, she offers payment to them.
That sure seal the deal. And Amanda sure is happy to do her part, well, she can even hear Betsy screaming how she was deviant from the plan, but, Amanda likes to believe she´s improving the plan.
Meanwhile, Betsy gulps as she is looking at her older brother´s eyes. As Jaime Braddock is not joking around and is a man who rarely would joke at Betsy´s expenses. “Marriage? Jaime...I told you...I want” and Jaime raises his hand to stop her.
“I know all about your crush on a man who couldn´t even stand ...yet, acts all coy and kind with another, you can see who I pick in this scenario” Jaime explains and now Betsy is letting her anger raise.
“Oh, you can marry me off. You? remain single forever? Still waiting for your special someone?”
“The difference here, Betsy, is that I´m not consorting myself with women like Amanda Szardos to make a person who barely knows my name like me” Jaime responds coolly. “Now, tell me honestly, wouldn´t be that terrible be married to Doug Ramsey?”
Betsy refuses to speak, instead, she takes the sword located in her handmade boots and points at her brother. “I pity you, Jaime, I do. You´re a very cold person and never once love anyone...I´m saying right here and now...I´ll not be forced to marriage neither will Doug. Good day, brother”
And at Ariel´s residence, Amanda has no problem in putting a nice mark so the gang could find her easily. This wedding will not happen and now count Darkholme will have no choice but to marry Amanda. If people were to judge Amanda solely by her looks no one would think much -aside from her good looks- and this helps a lot as Amanda is putting a nice and magical mark on Ariel´s residence and soon...no more Ariel.
“I shall be Mrs Darkholme. Not you!”