The Heart Knows.
Chapter 4
After what seemed an entire lifetime, I reached the third year in the Queen's House. I was nearly counting down the days until our fourth and final year. Each year had brought the oldest class placement with their matches and us one year closer to the end of our time here. The daily softening sessions were reduced to once a week. Having sufficiently learned three different instruments, countless musical ballads and the art of pouring tea and serving, we were granted two major reprieves. The first was no longer being chained to our bedposts at night. The golden necklace remained around each of our necks, but it was no longer used to guarantee our whereabouts. I was pleased with that development. The second was opportunities for supervised trips outside of the House. This was a much anticipated freedom for all of us.
Until this year, I had only spent limited time outside. We were allowed three laps around the courtyard twice a week for 'fresh air' but not if it was overly sunny or raining. Even those outings were still worked into a lesson as we were instructed on the proper posture and pacing for a courtly stroll; neither too fast, nor too slow. Back straight and head held up. Our pace was measured to keep up with a man's, but careful not to overtake the lead. Everything was focused on our eventual matches. I chose instead to focus on the beautiful changing foliage of the different seasons.
Much to our mutual delight, our entire class of twelve girls was taken on our first outside trip together. Our first foray was into the landscaped courtyards surrounding the palace. The Courtyard as it was called, was a short distance from the Queen's House and apparently deemed an acceptable destination for ladies of class. Of course, nothing so 'low class' as the marketplace would have been allowed. Although I was dying to see other people, to smell the fruits and feel the wares of a marketplace, I was still extremely excited about the trip planned that day.
A lot of effort went into our appearances for a simple stroll through the garden. We were each dressed in fine gowns and carefully applied jewelry, makeup and hairdos. It took hours to prepare us all for our trip. We each had to meet the strict standards of Jane's appraising eye. I put up with it all with incredible patience as it would be my first trip outside the Queen's House since I had been brought there two years ago. I didn't want to mess up and be forced to stay home.
The Courtyard turned out to be much more of a social event than I had expected. I was surprised when Jane herself led us on our walk, but it all made sense when I saw what awaited us. It seemed many nobles turned out for their 'air' and to socialize at the Courtyard. We walked in our carefully instructed fashion and I noticed that we were being paid a lot of attention. The men strolling about, usually with a lady or two in escort on their arms, were quite open about their attention toward us. The ladies were more sly about their attentions, but certainly no less interested. I realized belatedly this was a walking advertisement of the King's latest acquisitions. Even without the golden collars and the fancy dresses, it was fairly obvious who we were with Jane leading us by the nose across the yard. It made me want to break out of line and scream, just to ruin the show. The thought of Jacob kept me in line as I tried to maintain my temper.
Throughout our walk, several of the gentlemen came to greet Jane with a kiss on her hand. She laughed coyly with them while they lauded her accomplishments all the while stealing glances at us.
Although our first trip was an exercise in anger control, we were given leave to go on supervised trips into the city proper. Alice, Rosalie and I took advantage of these trips as often as possible. We were given scrip and encouraged to shop within the city. Although the scrip was meant for us to buy accessories, clothes, perfumes and useless trinkets, I was able to sneak in a few books. In addition, we were given almost complete freedom to visit the grounds around the Queen's House including the Courtyard near the palace.
Alice often commented that shopping was the only upside about life at the Queen's House and Rosalie was just as game. I, on the other hand, was much more content with a book and a quiet place to read. I spent many wonderful afternoons pouring over a book while Alice and Rosalie continued their shopping trips. On one of my private excursions to the Courtyard, I found a grassy clearing that was far enough of the beaten path to afford me privacy. I spent quite a few summer afternoons there. Alice and Rosalie, bless their hearts, had even gone so far as to make purchases on my behalf so it wouldn't be suspected that I was spending my free time on the unacceptable pursuit of reading. They not-so-secretly enjoyed shopping for me anyway and then forcing their ridiculous purchases on me. It worked for each of us in our own ways.
One sunny afternoon with Rose and Alice away shopping in the city and Jacob off with a friend who worked in the stables, I was enjoying a new book I was hoping to finish.
I was startled from my reading when I big, furry animal tackled me flat on my back. I screamed in surprise and tried to push it off of me. It was no use. The beast was huge and enthusiastic. It proceeded to lick my face and drool all over me while I tried to squirm free and pushed against its oversized body.
I was rescued by a sharp whistle, which immediately captured its attention. It released me and loped off toward the noise. Assured that I was no longer in danger of attack, I took the opportunity to assess my physical state. The dress would need to be cleaned of drool and some grass stains, but hopefully I could sneak back and do that myself avoiding unnecessary questions. Everything else seemed to be in order. I looked around for my book which had gone flying out of my hands during the attack.
I found my lost book in the hands of a man now standing in front of me. He was a giant shadow, backlit by the sun glowing brightly behind him. The beastly dog sat at his feet, tail wagging happily and tongue lolling out of the side of its mouth. I gave it a glare for good measure. The man was currently inspecting my book. His complete lack of regard for my discomfort irked me immediately.
"Do you mind?" I raised my hand for the book. I felt no compunction to be civil to the beast's owner. I had just been attacked and he hadn't even bothered to apologize.
"The Modern Prometheus?" He looked at me and even though I couldn't see him clearly, I could just hear his mocking tone. I'm not sure what my face betrayed, but he lowered himself to one knee and without the sun directly behind him, I could now see his face. I knew he was mocking me, but I was too caught up in looking at him to respond immediately. He was an incredibly handsome man. He wore simple but well tailored clothing designed for outdoor activity. His clothes were nice, but the body underneath was perfection. His lean frame was tall but muscular. He seemed giant from my position on the ground, but I assumed, even were I standing he would still be quite a bit taller than me. His face was chiseled and perfectly proportioned, yet soft. Had I been forced to pick an emotion to describe his features, I would have said he had a kind face.
His hair was in complete disarray as if he had just ran his hands through it or rolled around in the grass with his dog. Perhaps he had been doing just that, but it still looked right on him. The mess of hair was a light brown color, reflecting golden red hues in the suns light. His eyes completed the whole package with a shocking intensity. They nearly glowed they were so bright and green. I had never seen anything so lovely.
His obvious beauty only irked me further. Just because he was beautiful didn't give him the right to be rude and then criticize my reading. I felt the need to say as much, keeping the commentary on his looks to myself of course.
"Your beast of dog attacked me, after which you offer no assistance, nor apology; you abscond with my property and have the gall to mock my choice in reading? I hardly think you justified to offer your opinion after such a display of uncivilized behavior, sir." I huffed as I rose to my feet. I again extended my hand for the book.
He was staring at me with shock written all over his face. His eyes scanned me quickly, probably assessing the now filthy dress. I thought I imagined his eyes lingering on the golden collar I wore around my neck, but I couldn't be certain. He stood gracefully as his face smoothed and his lips stretched into a crooked grin. As I suspected, he was quite a bit taller than me. As I had to look up into his face, I was annoyingly torn between anger and attraction. I either wanted to smack it right off his perfect face or maybe I wanted to kiss it off, I wasn't sure.
"My apologies. I have behaved most uncouthly, my lady." He handed the book back to me with that adorably smug, crooked smile beaming. I suspected he knew the effect it had on the opposite sex, and had to resist the urge to lose my anger. He was clearly mocking me and I was furious with myself for letting him get to me. I snatched the book back with a harrumph and turned to leave. "Wait! Where are you going?" He caught up with me in two quick strides, with his dog trailing behind us. I gave it a wary look while I continued to try and outpace him. It was no use trying to outpace him as he long strides matched my every step easily.
I turned to face him and the witty remark I wanted to make stuck in my throat. I opened my mouth, by no sound came out. He was just so darn pretty. The sun was shining through his hair, highlighting the coppery, red tones. His skin seemed to glow with a healthy tan, but not so much as to suggest a life spent in labor out of doors. His eyes were doing that hypnotizing thing again. Their color reminded me of luscious grass on a summer day. His eyes crinkled around the edges and although he wasn't laughing out loud, I knew he was laughing at me on the inside. I forced myself to look away from those captivating eyes and regain coherent thought.
"I'm going elsewhere as you seem intent on ruining my afternoon with your boorish behavior. I have limited time to myself and I mean to spend it alone." I told all this to his shoulder. His broad, strong shoulder.
"Am I bothering you?" He sounded amused.
I shifted my focus to his forehead. I didn't want him to think I was afraid of looking at him. I just had to avoid those stupid, beautiful green eyes. His forehead would do. "I would never be so uncouth as to imply such a thing." There, let's see if he got that insult. Part of me hoped he was a stupid as he was beautiful so I could write him off and be done with it. My eyes drifted from his forehead to his tousled, bronzed hair. I had the sudden urge to run my fingers through it. Damn, not a safe place to look. I needed another spot. Before I could pick one, he spoke again and my eyes drifted to his.
"I'm afraid Leo and I seem to have given you the wrong impression. I assure you we're not so bad. Right Boy?" he reached down to pat the dog's head affectionately.
So that was The Beast's name. I snorted, which in hindsight was not very lady-like. "Lion. How appropriate." I gave the beast another stink-eye.
He looked at me in surprise. Obviously he didn't expect me to know that. I raised my eyebrows, daring him to say it out loud. He had assumed my ignorance and if he knew what was good for him he wouldn't admit to it aloud.
Instead, he continued to scratch Leo behind the ears causing his tail to go into double time. It was actually kind of cute, if you could get past the slobbering. The man certainly seemed fond of the beastly dog. I could feel myself being drawn into wanting to know more about him, but I knew that would be unwise. I couldn't afford to have any personal interests that could be used against me. I shook my head to clear it of thoughts of a life where I could make my own choices. That life was not for me anymore. Not after how they were already using Jacob.
"I'm sorry, I have to go. If you will excuse me." I turned and left as quickly as I could, hopefully to never see Leo's master again.
AN: This is my introduction of you know who -Review, review. Let me know what you think!
