Part One : The Weekend at Balmoral Manor

ate himself but mostly he remembered that his father married off all of his brothers and sisters there.

The Weekend At Balmoral Manor 

Lord Andrew Charles sends Karissa the invitation to spend the weekend with him out at Balmoral Manor and when Madame hands her the invitation Karissa takes it and she opens it up and she reads it “ Lord Andrew Charles has asked me to spend the weekend with him out at Balmoral Manor.” 

Madame looks at Karissa and she says, “ Mademoiselle Karissa , Lord Andrew Charles is a charmer and we both know what he has on his mind.” 

“I do indeed, but can he measure up?” Karissa asks.

Madame laughs and says “ He is a Howard and his grandfather sired a son out of wedlock but he adored his youngest son, Lord Robert John Howard, who lives in the outskirts of Bedford Territory.” 

“It is Lord Richard William Carey who took Lord  Robert Howard under his wing as he was his first cousin once removed.” Madame states, “Lord Robert lives the quiet life of a country squire..”

“I do believe that Lord Richard Edward Senior and Lord Edwin William Howard were both close to Lord Robert Howard,”Madame declares.

“Lord Robert Howard was born in 2230 and in 2248 he married Lady Louisa Augusta Bourbon and together they had Lord William Charles Howard in 2250, and a daughter, Lady Louisa Henrietta Howard in 2256.” Madame tells her.

“Lord Robert and Lord Charles Andrew Howard III are the same age as is Lord Robert Frederick Carey who was born in 2230 as well.” Madame states.

“It was Lord George Carey that gave Lord Robert Howard his country manor of Beauclerc Manor in Bedford Territory in 2248.” Madame tells her.

Are you going to accept his invitation?” Madame asks.

“I don’ t know, but I think it might be quite fun.” Karissa says with a laugh.

Karissa decided to accept Lord Andrew Charles' invitation to spend the weekend with him out at Balmoral Manor. 

When Lord Andrew Charles reaches her answer he is on cloud nine and he rushes to tell his father and mother “She has accepted my weekend offer.” 

“Now listen, my boy. Take this weekend slow and easy.” Lord Charles Andrew JR tells his son.

“I will father, but with luck and prayer, you may just receive your first grandchild,  but do you mind if the first one is  a granddaughter?” Lord Andrew Charles states.

“Lord Andrew Charles. My father was not a finicky man and he didn’t care what his first great-grandchild was and he stated it as long as the child came from one of his grandsons through his oldest son.” Lord Charles Andrew Howard JR states.

“My father was not perfect and he had many faults but he didn’t care all he wanted was a great-grandchild.” Lord Charles Andrew Howard JR tells his youngest son.

“I am giving Karissa my mother’s suite at Balmoral Manor.” Lord Andrew Charles tells his father.

“I do believe your mother left her wardrobe full of beautiful and never worn dresses at Balmoral Manor.” Lord Charles Andrew JR tells his son, “ I do believe Mademoiselle Karissa and your mother wore the size and styles.” 

“Dad. How do I please a young woman like Karissa ?” Lord Andew Charles asks.

“My dear son.  Remember that making love and sex are not the same thing. “ Lord Charles Andrew JR states “ You must please her and satisfy her .” 

“Avalanche is everything along with romance, candlelight, incense, roses, the food as well and music to set the mood.” Lord Charles Andrew JR tells his son.

“You should order some French champagne, chocolate covered cherries and strawberries, red roses, caviar, cheese, crackers for an appetizer, and then decide on the menu.” Lord Charles Andrew JR states.

“Talk about literature, music, and art.” Lord Charles Andrew JR states.

“Play some romantic music with jasmine and rose incense in the background and dim the lights.” Lord Charles Andrew JR states.

“Make sure the dinner is light and satisfying along with every other meal.” Lord Charles Andrew JR tells him.

“Don’t rush it on the first night and be totally respectful of her and move slowly.” Lord Charles Andrew JR states.

“You will know when the time is right and take her into your arms and kiss her and see how she responds.” Lord Charles Andrew JR states.

“Use all of your Howard charm and be yourself.” Lord Charles Andrew Howad JR tells him.

“Did my mother ever complain when you made love to her?” Lord Andrew Charles asks.

“I am afraid your mother and I never made love as we only had sex with each other every four and half years to procreate.” Lord Charles Andrew JR tells his son.

“Don’t let that happen to you, Lord Andrew Charles I employ you;.”Lord Andrew Charles tells his son.

Lord Andrew Charles has everything to make his weekend with Karissa a success and with a prayer the first grandchild will be on her way and with the child if it is a daughter the promise of marriage.

Lord Andrew Charles travels out to Madame’s Boarding House to pick up Karissa in the Howard carriage that will take them to Balmoral Manor.

Karissa is waiting for him to arrive with Madame  Valois and they are standing outside of the manor when the carriage drives up.

Lord Charles Andrew Howard climbs out of his carriage, he walks up to Madame and Karissa and he bows “ I am here for you, Karissa .” 

“I am ready, Lord Andrew Charles.” Karissa tells him and he takes her overnight bag and he carries it to his carriage and he helps Karissa to climb into the carriage and “We will return Madame.” 

The carriage starts to drive away and down the driveway of Madame’s Boarding House and it travels to Balmoral.

The people start to line the streets to see The Howard carriage drive by and Karissa says “ The people seem to love you.” 

“They are my father’s people.” Lord Andrew Charles explains, “They love him and he has earned the title the Good Duke of Norfolk Territory, whereas my great-great-grandfather earned the name of Lord Patrick William Howard, The Beloved Duke of Norfolk Territory.” Lord Andrew Charles explains.

Karissa listens to Lord Andrew Charles talk and she is quiet.

“I have planned a wonderful weekend for us.” Lord Andrew Charles tells Karissa .

Karissa just looks at Lord Andrew Charles and she is silent and finally the carriage pulls up at Balmoral Manor.

Lord Andrew Charles climbs out first and he helps Karissa to climb out and he takes her into his arms and he tells her  “You have made me very happy.” 

“I am happy to know that I have made you happy.” Karissa tells him.

“I have given you my mother’s suite.” Lord Andew Charles tells her.

Lord Andrew Charles is met by Mr. Johnson and he bows “ Lord Howard. We weren’t expecting you.”  

“It is an unscheduled visit and this is Karissa .” Lord Andrew Charles tells him.

Lord Andrew Charles shows Karissa her suite and he walks in with her and says “ This suite used to belong to my mother before my father moved to Norfolk Estate.”  

“The bathroom is well stocked with anything you need, and in the wardrobe are some brand new dresses that my mother brought, but her wardrobe changed when they moved to Norfolk Estate.” Lord Andrew Charles tells Karissa.

“Why didn’t your mother take her dresses with her?” Karissa asks

“When my father and mother became Duke and Duchess. Their wardrobe changed and my father brought them a brand new wardrobe.” Lord Andrew Charles tells her.

Karissa walks over to the wardrobe and she opens it up and she looks at the dresses and they were just like her own wardrobe and she says, “ Your mother had very good taste in dresses.” 

“My mother was the daughter of The Duke of Lennox Territory.” Lord Andrew Charles tells her.

“She was born in the highlands of Lennox Territory.” Lord Andrew Charles states, “My maternal grandfather, Lord Matthew Stuart is a direct descendant of King Charles II and his mistress, Louise de Kéroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth and if I am not correct there son, Lord Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond and Duke of Lennox and his son, Lord Charles Lennox 2nd Duke of Lennox and Richmond.” Lord Andrew Charles tells her.

“My mother told me that my maternal grandfather can trace his family roots back to Princess Marjorie de Bruce who married a man named Stuart and their son became King Robert II of Scotland and King James II of Scotland married the daughter of Lord John Beaufort who was the great-granddaughter of King Edward III of England.” Lord Andrew Charles states.

“They are a terribly proud family.” Lord Andrew Charles tells her, “but I don’t know my maternal first cousins, Lord Alexander Charles Stuart and his sister, Lady Alexandra Charlotte Stuart.” 

“I am more familiar with my father’s side of the family.” Lord Andrew Charles admits. “My paternal great-grandfather had three sons and a daughter as did my grandfather.” 

“I am familiar with Lord Frederick William Howard who is my first cousin twice removed, as he is my father’s first cousin, and I am familiar with Lord David William Beck who is my first cousin once removed, Lord Thomas William Howard who is my first cousin twice removed, Lord Richard William Carey who is my first cousin twice removed, and of course Lord Richard Edward Howard II, and he is my first cousin.” Lord Andrew Charles states.

“You come from a very big family.” Karissa confesses, “ I know only Lord Richard William Carey and now you besides Lt Kevin Thomas Riley.” 

“I know my first cousin, Lord Richard William Carey, happens to like you.” Lord Andrew Charles tells her.

“I like him too as a friend just like I like Kevin.” Karissa explains. “You are another story. You are a royal pain up my ass.” 

“Oh come on now Karissa . Don’t you find me a little charming? “ Lord Andrew Charles asks her.

“I find you as charming as a new kind of virus, “ Karissa tells him.

“You know Karissa , I fell in love with you on the first day I saw you. I told my father that if I couldn’t marry you I would remain a bachelor and he had to look elsewhere for his first grandchild.” Lord Andrew Charles tells her.

“Together we could make a difference on Star Base 12 and Norfolk Territory but we need to give my father his heiress.” Lord Andrew Charles tells her.

“How do you suppose to have this first child since you are not asexual?” Karissa asks.

“I was hoping that we would have the first grandchild and make my father happy and we would become the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk Territory.” Lord Andrew Charles tells her.

“Listen here, Lord Andrew Charles. The only way I am going to marry you is if the child is a daughter.” Karissa tells him.

“How do you think you will get that daughter without me, Kariss?” Lord Andrew Charles asks.

“I will find me the right man and make love to him and that will be the end of it.:” Karissa explains.

“I want no part of your Dukedom, aristocracy, title or money.” Karissa tells him.

It is your albatross around your neck and one day it will hang you.” Karissa tells Lord Andrew Charles.

“I know that you think that being a Duke is what you want but maybe you will come to the realization it isn’t so grand.” Karissa tells him.

Lord Andrew Charles looks at Karissa “I am just like King George VI and I won’t give up until you agree to marry me.” 

“I do believe Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons refused him three times before she agreed to marry him.” Karissa tells him.

“Lady Elizabeth was a commoner and she married into royalty.” Lord Andrew Charles states.

“Royalty and the aristocracy are two different things. You are either born into it or marry into it just like the aristocracy. I believe her father was an Earl.” Karissa tells him.

“She had her misgivings about it too.” Karissa tells him.

“No one knows if she was truly happy after the death of her husband in 1953 but she outlived him by 50 years and died at the age of 101.” Karissa tells him.

“I believe her great-great-grandson, King George VII was King of England in 2153 on the fateful May 1 day in 2153.” Karissa tells him.

“My father told me when my great-great-grandfather left England it was King William V of England and Queen Catherine and only their three children survived by the Grace of Odin.” Lord Andrew Charles tells her.

“You see where men have got us, Lord Andrew Charles. First The Crusades, The War of Roses, The Hundred Year War, Cinema War, The War of 1912, The Spanish and American War, The Great War, World War II, The Korea War, The Vietnam War, and this last damn world war III that still lingers today.”  Karissa states “Look what the Abrahamic religions have done as well.” 

“I am afraid this won’t be the last war we see as The Final Battle will be against Good and Evil and Odin will prevail and bring back the old religion that was replaced with Christianity by Emperor Constantine.” Karissa tells him.

“Emperor Constantine was persuaded to turn his back on the ancient ways.” Karissa and he accommodated the Christianity.” Karissa tells him.

“You have to admire Murad IV when he threw that priest over the tower in Turkey when the Priest tried to convert Murad into a Christian and he was a Sunni Islam.” Karissa tells him.

“How dare Christianity try to convert everyone that believes differently than they do and judge anyone who believes differently or lives a different life-style such as B-Sexual, Gay, Lesbain, Transgender, or Pan-Gender or who isn’t not a heterosexual.” Karissa tells him.

“The last time I checked they were human and they bled red blood.” Karissa tells him.

“Islam is not perfect but at least it views The Virgin Mary with some great personage.” Karissa tells Lord Andrew Charles.

“Again, Muhammad was a prophet like Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and others before them. “ Karissa tells him.

“God has many different names throughout history and they are Elohim, Yahhew, and Jehovah and Allah.” Karissa tells him.

“The Israelite found the Elohim is not approachable and but later on when he became Yahweh they could approach him and later on when he became Jehovah he was totally approachable.”  Karissa tells him.

“Still Jehovah placed conditions on his people and some were impossible to follow like Adultery, Stealing and lying.” Karissa tells him.

“These Abrahamic Religions have no respect for women.” Karissa states.

“I am not a half person and I will not walk behind any man.” Karissa tells him.

“My children are no man’s chattel and neither am I simply because you donate the damn sperm.” Karissa tells Lord Andrew Charles.

“I won’t have any children marry against their will.” Karissa  states.

Lord Andrew Charles looks at Karissa and he smiles “ I won’t stop you from doing what you love to do and our children will not be on the marriage market I promise.”

“I hear you but how do I know what kind of lover you will be?” Karissa asks.

“Tell me Lord Andrew Charles. How many lovers have you had before me? ‘ Karissa asks.

“I will tell you, I haven’t had too many before you.” Lord Andrew Charles admits.

“I have had a few one night stands but I have been very careful with them.” Lord Andrew Charles tells her.

“I see, Lord Andrew Charles.” Karissa tells him “ I don’t plan to become a one night stand with you.” 

“You will not be a one night stand because I love you.” Lord Andrew Charles tells her.

Karissa  just looks at Lord Andrew Charles and she tells him “ It has been a long journey and I am tired and I need a bath and to change my clothes.” and with that Lord Andrew Charles bows and he leaves Karissa to take her bath.

Lord Andrew Charles heads back to his suite and he looks out the window of Balmoral Manor and he decides to let Karissa rest for the first night and just ask her to have dinner with him.

They have the entire weekend together.