Chapter 4

Three days past, and in those three days, Blair had regained her energy but had seen very little of Serena which was odd. Never, had Blair spent so many days without hearing from her best friend, but then again it was something that she assumed she would have to get used to. As a married woman, she hardly thought that she would be able to spend much time shopping and doing what single ladies did. No, her life would consist of managing the household and soon after any children that would come from said marriage. As she walked down the stairs she did not see that Dorota was readying her coat and that her mother was for her at the bottom of the stairs. "Mother, are you going out today," asked Blair all innocently. "Yes dear, as are you. Seeing as to how your fiancée has not appeared in the last three days it is in your best interest to venture out in the cold and pay him a visit at his work," answered Mrs. Waldorf quite smugly. "He probably just avoided me since I was sick, I would not read too much into him not coming. Plus, I was not feeling well and it was only yesterday that I felt strong enough to leave my room," replied Blair as she sneakily walked into the living room. "Well regardless of whether or not you were feeling well it is his duty to verify that you are well, and if the horse does not come to the water trough then the trough must come to it." "Mother!" little to say, Blair was in shock, "did you just compare me to a trough." "Pft, it is a silly old saying, what matters is that Nathaniel does not forget his obligations, especially those towards you. So off you go, and remember deary to bundle up, we do not want you to get sick. Oh and before I forget, invite Nate and his mother to dinner why don't you we need to schedule the wedding date, preferably as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I have an appointment with one of your father's lawyer friends a Mr. Cyrus Rose," and with that said Mrs. Eleanor Waldorf left the house. As Dorota approached Blair with her coat, gloves, and hat Blair stood still looking absolutely livid. "Can you believe her, my own mother wants me to venture in the cold to look for Nate at his work place. He will think that I am one of those females who need to be informed of every single detail their partner is doing." As Dorota assessed Blair's distress, she decided that honesty was always the best choice in dealing with her charge. "Miss Blair, but you are one of those females who like to control everything," replied the polish maid in her heavy accent. "Yes, I know that Dorota, but I don't want Nate to know that quite yet; perhaps after the wedding. Then I will be his pestering wife, and not the pestering girlfriend," answered Blair with a glare to her maid. Dorota just rolled her eyes, although honesty was always the best choice it was sometimes not the easiest to deal with, "Man should know who he dealing with," whispered Dorota under her breath. "What was that Dorota," asked Blair. "I say too cold outside for you to go out in, you will get sick." Blair knew the maid was lying but said nothing regarding the incident; instead she put on her gloves, scarf, and coat, and exited her home with Dorota trailing behind.

As Blair walked the familiar streets of Baltimore, she decided that a little detour would not hurt, especially considering that she had been cooped up in her house for three days. She went to the ribbon store, then to the apothecary to see if any new fragrances were in stock, and finally to a little café shop around the corner of the street that had the most decadent little pastries and macaroons imaginable. As she took a seat, she sent Dorota out to the candle shop, remembering that she needed more candles in her room, and while she awaited the return of her maid, she spotted two unlikely people together. At first, she thought it was a mirage, but when she looked again, she saw Serena and Nate walking across the street from her laughing. Not only were they laughing but they were holding hands and as they past an older woman selling flowers, Nate stopped by and bought a single rose and gave it to Serena after having caressed her cheek with it. The couple soon entered a store that sold masks and other accessories, but what got Blair up and running was an elderly lady who said, "Ah, young love, those two make a beautiful couple don't you think deary. But don't you worry you too will one day find a dashing young fellow like that and you'll be oblivious to the world around you." All Blair wanted to say was, "I have found that man, don't you see it is him Nate," but instead she got up and ran away.

Forgotten were her pastries and tea, forgotten were her plans for an afternoon stroll with Nate, Forgotten was Dorota with her purchases, all Blair could do was walk as fast as she could to her favorite place. Blair walked, until she reached the docks, and as she stared at the sea all she could think of was Nate and Serena, Serena and Nate. Little did she know she had attracted the attention of some ruffians who were looking for some fun. It was not until she was surrounded that Blair truly realized the predicament she was in and with the little courage she had left she addressed the group, "You just leave me alone you hear, I will scream and only then will you truly be sorry you messed with me." A tall skinny man looked up at and laughed, he pointed to a shorter skinnier man who had a bald head, and to a scruffier looking fellow who was missing two front teeth when he smiled. "What do you think Morty, should we be scared that little Miss pretty is going to scream?" asked the man who had laughed. "Well I don't know Frank, what do you think Tony should we quiver with fear and scram?" asked the short man. It as the scruffy man named Tony, that gave Blair the chills, since we was well built, tall, and had a violent look, "I prefer to hear them scream, it makes me excited to fell their fear. I say we have our little fun first don't cha think boys." At that moment all three men attacked her but Blair was ready, she stepped on the one who was called Morty, scrached and kicked the one named Frank, but met her match with Tony. No one saw the man who approached the commotion, and by the time they did a well built young man held Tony in a chock hold with a pistol pointed at his head. "If I were you I would leave the young lady alone, and leave before I repaint the dock with your miserable piece of brain," said the young gentleman. Tony still indignant replied, "What, you think we can't overtake you. There are three of us and only one of you." The man only smirked and answered, "True, but by the time they reach me, I would have already killed you and only I know what I have hidden behind my coat. So do you two want to gamble," asked the man to both Morty and Frank. "Sorry boss, meant no disrespect to the lady, see ya' later Tony," and as they left Tony said, "Thinking better of it, I think it best I get goin' too." "Good choice, now leave." And with that, Blair found herself alone with her savior.

She looked at him and saw dark brown hair, strong jaw, dark eyes, and a smirking smile; it was said mouth that brought Blair back to reality, realizing that the man had asked her something. "Are you alright, I think you were drooling a bit there," said the man. Blair gave a befuddled look and said, "I was not drooling, I was in shock over what had occurred, which by the way what do you have behind your coat?" "Right, well just so you know I do have that effect on the female population, and as for the latter question I do not have anything. You could say I guessed they would take the bait and leave." Blair only rolled her eyes, "cocky much," the man only laughed which infuriated Blair more and as she began walking, the man began to follow. "You know I like spirited women like you, always ready with a witty answer." Blair stopped in her tracks and looked at her savior who was aggravating her more by the minute, "Listen here mister…" The man just smiled and said, "Henry Prince, at your service," "Mr. Prince, I would like to thank you for helping me today, although you not only gambled my life but yours as well in a game of wits. But as you can see I am perfectly well and able to go home, and as such I bid you good day." Henry just laughed, "You know it is common courtesy to offer your name after being introduced to someone, and as for the gambling I had a hunch I just had to take." Blair glared and if stares could kill, well Henry would be dead. Breathing in deeply and holding her tongue, Blair said, "You know Mr. Prince you are right, but seeing as how we have not been properly introduced, it would not be proper to give you my name, let alone continue this conversation, so again good day." "You know walking alone unescorted in these areas is also improper. And before you start a soliloquy, I can take a hint when I am not wanted. So I offer my driver's services, Arthur can take you anywhere you wish." Blair was unsure of what to say and while she muddled through her thoughts and figured out a way to say no, she was stopped by him saying, "Please say yes, if not it would be my obligation to escort you all the way home and continue to pester you as to why a girl like you would be in a place like this. So do us both a favor and accept my offer." Henry took Blair's hand and a jolt of electricity flowed through her and she knew that he felt it too since his eyes seemed shocked and in awe of such a small thing. Holding her hand he guided her to his coach and helped her inside; and before he left he pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "Until we met again ma chérie." Henry closed the door and gave Arthur instructions to take the young lady home, and as the carriage began to move Blair could not stop herself from looking back and seeing Henry smirk back at her. Her reverie was broken when Arthur asked were to, and she gave him the location of a place she never thought she would visit but deemed it necessary due to her circumstances.