Chapter 9:

Maria's Pov.

I sat on the edge of my bed in my hotel room. After me and Robin had met back up with Grace and Emily, the day had started to drag. Grace decided it was time to go home a little earlier as she was feeling tired.

Robin's Pov.

I sat on the couch in my room, head in hands. The day had gone slow. What was with Grace and refusing to admit that I didn't like her?

"I am so very sorry Maria, but I'm afraid I have to leave. I'm just so tired. I hope we manage to see each other again before you leave." She looked at me and smiled. I turned away and looked at Maria. I did something I didn't dare think I'd do. I was just so angry that Grace was blind to my dislike for her.

I leant down, kissed Maria softly on the cheek and said "I think it's time we left too princess. My father won't want us to be late for dinner." She glanced up at me confused. I held her gaze. She smiled to herself and looked away. My eyes remained on her face, unmovable. Then Grace spoke and my eyes were suddenly looked towards her like daggers.

"Robin, I don't think Maria appreciates that sort of stuff." Her voice was irritated. Maria frowned at her.

"Grace!" Emily said, confused by her friends behaviour.

Maria lost it. "That's it Grace! I thought you were my friend. You have no say in mine and Robin's relationship. He's my best friend. Best friends care for each other. Look after each other. But what would you know? I don't wish to meet up with you again anytime soon. Goodbye." She grabbed my hand and walked away. I followed her without hesitating.

I heard someone running to us from behind. I turned round ready to shout at them, thinking it was Grace. But seeing Emily's face stopped me in my tracks.

"Oh my god, Maria I'm so sorry about Grace. I don't know what's wrong with her. I knew she liked Robin." She looked up at me as my face turned down in disgust. "But I didn't think she was ready to sabotage your relationship. I know your best friends and everything. But she had no right to be jealous." Her words were fast and you could tell by her breathing pattern that she was out of breath. She wouldn't last two days in Moonacre forest I thought to myself smugly.

Maria's Pov.

Robin had kissed me on the cheek. He'd never done anything like that before. It must have been an act to put Grace off of him. It can't have been anything else. I was not lucky enough for Robin to want me. I'd never had that great a luck. But I was still confused by my feelings. I certainly loved him. He was my best friend. But did I love him like that? If I did, I wouldn't act upon it. I couldn't, he was my closest friend and I didn't want to risk losing him.

I laid down on my bed, the day had tired me out. As soon as my head hit the pillow I fell into a deep sleep. I dreamt I was back at Moonacre, running through the woods with Robin at my side. Suddenly though, he stopped. I turned my body around to look at him. His eyes locked my gaze intensely. I walked towards him, both of us in silence. I stopped when I was halfway to him. He raised his eyebrow and started walking towards me now. He leant me against a tree and smiled at me, showing his beautifully white teeth. I looked up in his eyes as he leant closer in.

"Princess" He whispered, before closing the gap between us. His lips pressed against mine.

I sat straight up, beads of sweat on my forehead. I looked around and remembered where I was. The dream was strange. I had never dreamt anything that intense before. I decided to face it tomorrow when I would see Robin. I couldn't wait to get through the next two days, then I would be back in Moonacre. And everything would be back to normal. Well almost everything, how could i expect myself to be the same around Robin as I had been before my dream?

I'd have to try. For our friendship. I wasn't going to let some silly dream destroy what me and Robin had, love, trust. It never had before meant anything more than friends. Yet now, I feared it may mean something more to me. But I knew it was impossible for him to return those feelings.

Robin's Pov.

The wind outside my hotel window was loud. It was going to be a sleepless night. The wind and thoughts of Maria and today's events, which stayed stuck in my mind, were going to keep me awake as long as they wished.

Maria's reaction when I kissed her on the cheek. It was strange. I'd never seen her eyes look so confused of loved. I knew she only wanted to be my best friend, that was all she would ever want. Maria was beautiful; she could have any man she wished. A rich man, who could buy her all the dresses, books, horses she wanted. What had I to offer her? Love? It was good enough for me. But I wasn't sure if it would be for Maria. She had grown up in London. A city where if you were born in a rich family, you married someone from a rich family. Maria was from a rich family. My family were not poor, but we weren't the rich city folk Maria was used to. Surely she would scoff at the thought of me and her. It hurt me to think that I could never truly have my Maria. She was my world now, and she would never know. I couldn't hurt her; memories of our first few weeks wounded me. How could I have been so mean? I shoved her, I lead her to jumping off one of the castle walls, I'd tried kidnapping her. But this was all my father's doing. Him and his long gone hatred towards the Merryweathers had made it nearly impossible for me to feel anything but what he felt for them at the time. She was my best friend. Could I really risk ruining it? What if it ended badly? But then again, what if it didn't? I couldn't bear to lose her. My only option was to love her and protect her as much as a best friend can.


(A/N) This was a quick update. I hope you guys are pleased with me.

Fanficfreak2000, I just love your ideas. I did try to include the whole of your idea but I realised that with the allotted amount of chapters I wanted them to be in London for was nearly up. So I used half of your idea instead. I still hope it pleased everyone.

The next chapter may not be for a couple of days, I will try to get it up as soon as I can.

Thank you everyone that have read this story!

Rebindenoir:)