As the butlers finally collected the last of our desert plates,everyone rose from their seats to chat away the night with one another. Sir La-Flu and Sir Ashton have not returned yet I started to worry that Sir La-Flu could have harmed the young man. I carefully made my way through the large crowd trying not to gain attention as I sneaked away. I ran through th long corridor until my eyes caught a wondering figure outside in our garden. No that mustn't be them?
I went to our back doors and down the path into the cool chilly night. Walking toward the object of my curiosity. I stood at the bottom of the gazebo steps not knowing who exactly who was before me. The moonlight shone on this tall figure dressed in black; I took a fearful step back. "Lady Lawrence how are you?" Sir Ashton Lanning turned toward me, the only thing I could see was his light blue eyes and his crisp white shirt. I gasped in horror as my body warned me to run back to the safe fortress of the Lawrence house. "Wait my Lady, I didn't mean to frighten you." He was suddenly by my side grasping my arms to face him. "I'm sorry. Will you ever forgive me?"
His eyes drew me in I couldn't resist the urge to touch him. Sir Ashton laid my head on his left shoulder. "There, there my princess you don't have to be afraid of me." He wrapped his long arms around my slender waist pulling me in the breath his scent of roses and...blood? I was terrified to be near this man. My mind is telling me to run and never look back until I reach my room while my body told me he was the one, the one who would save me from Tom La-Flu. "Why are you out here alone? Someone could easily swipe you way into the night." His right hand caressed my right cheek as I stayed resting on his shoulder. "Here I'll take you back to the house."
I wanted to protest against his offer but he had already lifted me into his arms. "No need to worry, you're as light as a feather." He laughed at his own joke; I simply grinned unable to hold in my happiness. Wrapping my short arms around his neck so I wouldn't fall, "Thank you for helping me..." I say to Sir Ashton. He stopped in his tracks and kissed my cheek. "No worries angel. I'm keep you safe." I turned to face him just as his blues eyes glowed a bright red as if it were flashing the color but returned to his normal blue hue. I blinked in astonishment as he continued to walk down the pathway back to the Lawrence house.
"Here we are Lady Lawrence's resting quarters." Sir Ashton set me down at my door. "Sleep well my angel." I stood at my door watching his retreating back just like earlier that night. Why do I feel the need to thank him again? Why do I feel this way for a man I barely know. "Wait Sir Ashton!" He stops to face me and smiled as I sprint over to him. " You can just call me Ashton. No need to be formal; by the way I didn't catch your name, my Lady?" I stop before him trying my best to regain my breath. "Abigail, Abigail Lawrence." He reached for my left hand. "I never knew your name was so beautiful. May I call you Lady Abie?" I nodded my head. "Of course, Ashton..."
Ashton walked me back to my door. "I was wondering..." My ear perked up when I heard his voice tickled my petite ears, "...are you doing anything tomorrow around noon?" I turn my body in full attention to him. "I don't know if my studies will be done by then." His happy expression fell from his face. "Oh I see..." then his spirit seemed to glow once more, "How about I come by at noon anyway and wait for you?" I couldn't respond any other way other than to hug him tightly. He laughed at my childlike reaction. "If thats a yes then I'll be waiting Lady Abie." I looked up at him and placed my index finger on his pink lips, "No just Abie will do and I promise to meet you tomorrow even if it kills me..."
He caressed my cheek once more, "Please don't die before I can see you again." he stated before turning to leave me alone; glancing back occasionally to smile or either wave goodbye. I stood there until I couldn't see him anymore. Walking back to my door I was greeted by my mother who didn't look to happy. "Where exactly have you been?You left Sir Tom La-Flu waiting for you in the dining room!" She grabbed my arm and yanked me into my pitch back room throwing me on my knees next to my bed. "I forbid you to leave this house unless Maria accompanies you, understand Lady La-Flu?" she stated while lighting the candles. I didn't speak my mother always got like this when I didn't do what I was told. "And as for Sir Ashton Lanning you are not to be near such a man while engaged. That man has no money to his name! The Lanning estate is worthless to use Lawrence's. That is why your marrying Tom La-Flu maybe then you'll understand that you're the gateway to their riches..." Thats all she cared about money, power, and worshiping the men who had it; I stayed on my knees as she pulled the strings on my gown and ripped it from me. My note from Ashton fell out but I grabbed before she noticed the creamy colored paper. "What a pity? Wasting such a gown of beauty on someone like you. Without your name you'd be penny-less, just like your great-grandmother!" She removed my girdle and threw my night-dress on my head.
"Get that mess of your face, blow out 'em candles, and go to bed you little piglet." She slammed my door, then and only then did I rise to my feet. Pulling the gown over my now disrupted hair causing the flower to fall out. Something was odd about the flower surely it was white but now it was blood-red! He must've switched it when I was laying on his shoulder; I smiled to myself as I placed the rose in my blue vase among the other white roses. I blew out all the candles except for the one by my desk. Sitting down in the chair I opened the note.
Lady Lawrence,
Even though we've just met I feel like I know you. Please I know your engaged but that doesn't mean our friendship can not flourish. Also I'd love for you to just call me Ashton.
Ashton Lanning
Reaching for my journal I pinned the note on today's entry:
May 26, XX45
I sense there's something in the wind, that feels like tragedy's at hand. And though I'd like to stand by him can't shake this feeling that I have. The worst is just around the bend...
I closed my journal and placed my pen down. As I looked out to the moon, I smiled. "Goodnight, my dear Ashton." I blew out the candle and climbed into my white satin covers and fell asleep dreaming of Ashton's soft hand still on my cheek.
The next morning I rose to the blue jays chirping away outside the balcony's glass doors. I laid in the bed still feeling the warmth of Ashton's hand on my cheek and around my body. I signed in bliss but as soon as it came it left just as fast; a harsh knock on the door. "Abigail Lawrence get up this minute! Your going to late for date with Sir Tom La-Flu!" I shot up so fast my eyes couldn't tell if I had two vanity mirrors or one. A date? What happened to Maria waking me? What about my lessons? Oh no what about Ashton? If we're gone all day he'll be wasting his time by coming to the estate.
My mother burst through the door. "What did I tell you, Abigail? Get up! We haven't got all day to keep Sir La-Flu waiting on your slow business..." she walked over to my closet and pulled out a green bare shouldered sun dress, "...now hurry, hurry! Wear this my darling you'll look delicious to 'em!" My mother then left me to change slamming the door to let me know she means business. I sign in displeasure as I get up and dress myself. I pull my hair up in a bun leaving out my sideburn pieces and place a tuck comb of a dove on my right side. I look over to my jewelry box and find my heart-shaped sapphire necklace on the silver chain. I walk to my balcony doors and open them. Leaning over the railing I gaze down at our garden seeing the previous night unravel before my eyes. Closing my eyes to hang on to the moment as the gently wind hit my 'undressed' face. My eyes flew open as I left my spot in harmony with the world to continue writing in my journal.
I sit down in my chair and open my journal raising my pen to write.
May 26, XX45
Last night I felt at peace with the world. I feel that I've started to fall for a man a that is not my betrothed. I feel that I should worry but I do not want to, is that strange? That I love one but betrothed to another?
I looked up at the blood-red rose and smiled to myself. "Lady Lawrence, your mother your presence at once." I turned around in my chair to see Maria; glad to see a familiar face. I rose from my seat and followed Maria down the spiral staircase to met both my mother and Sir Tom La-Flu's eyes on me. As I came down the last few steps, "My Lady Lawrence do you want to be molested by me? Wearing such a dress with your neck out and about." Mother giggled at his joke while I for one took it rather seriously. Could he be anymore wrong..., wait take it back yes he can. "Come let us go before the sun sets on this warm sunny day. Maria see to it that Ramon is taken care of while we're out." Maria nodded her reply to my mother as she opened door for us.
"Well?" Tom La-Flu gestured to his left arm. I walked past him and out the door to our awaited ride at the end of my drive. "Don't mind her..." I heard my mother say, "...she had too much to eat last night and didn't get in till late." I will not let this ruin my plans with Ashton we promised each other that we'd meet at noon on the Lawrence estate.
A/N: Hey guys I'll so glad you took a interest in my story I promise I'll make it more juicy and what not later on. Right now I'm on break and I'm trying to get as much done before school starts back cause once it does it might be weeks before the next chapter with sports, work, schoolwork, and clubs getting in the way. What I really wanted to say is I DO NOT OWN SALLY'S SONG, there I said it, bye-bye! :P