Chapter Twenty-One: The Rescue

I wore an old dress, one I could barely fit, for I had grown two inches taller in the last couple of years. Ethel had made a point to show what a waste she thought it would be to spend money on a new dress for me. I was gathering things to go to the market where I could buy fabric and things to make a new gown for myself. For this one, obviously, didn't suit me and I was tired of Ethel's excuses.

I was pulling the door open just as a knock sounded upon it. I stood back, startled as I saw Thomas look as surprised as I. He stopped himself from falling forward and before he could say anything, I blurted, "I was just on my way out."

"Obviously! I was just on my way to see you," Thomas laughed.

I placed my basket on the floor. "Would you like to go riding?"

"Yes, I would." A smile found its way to his lips.

We raced through the pasture on our stallions laughing and smiling into the wind. When Meta and Phineas had grown tired, Thomas and I let them loose to feed on the clovers and relax as we found our way to the top of a hill and lay in the long grass as we talked.

We spoke about Thomas's journey and his family and then he asked about me.

"What about you, what have you been doing since the end of finishing school, in addition to riding and training with your bow and arrows?"

I sat up and leaned back on my elbows. I didn't want to lie to him anymore than I had too. Though, I couldn't tell him about being a servant so as an alternative and my last resort, I replied, "I've been mending and sewing gowns. I fix Ethel and her daughters' dresses when they are torn or worn out. That's what I was going to do before you came; leaving to buying sewing supplies."

"I'm sorry I've kept you from your work. I could walk you there now if you like."

"It's quite all right. I'll get them tomorrow. Besides," I grinned, "Today was fun."

When Thomas departed later, he told me he'd come again in two days to visit again. It became a routine. On the second day after he left, Thomas would stop by and we'd practice shooting arrows, riding, and the like. It was the happiest days of my life since I'd been made a servant. But it all ended too soon.

On Sunday, the woman from town called to check on me and she stayed for tea. That evening my step family arrived, sleepy and exhausted from the day's ride. I made sure they were all tucked in and sleeping soundly before I went to bed.

Ethel didn't say anything about the manor being in shambles, for the truth was it was even cleaner than it had been before she left. With all my extra time, apart from the days when I was with Thomas, I had been able to clean up after myself and tidy what had been left undone.

It became a problem though, our rendezvous'. I didn't want Ethel to see Thomas or him notice me attend to them like their servant, that as I was. But if Ethel or one of her daughters were to see him, the truth would come out. Thomas would be told about my lies.

So, I made sure that each time he'd come, I'd be ready. A few months back, I had managed to rescue two dresses Fiona had thrown away. Since then, I had patched them up and these were the gowns I wore on the days he'd visit, which, after my step family came back from their journey, was twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays Ethel, Hazel and Fiona would go to Adriel to buy dresses and jewelry and other things they didn't need, although they insisted that they did. Thursdays they depleted attending nobility revelries and so on.

Thomas and I spent a year meeting in clandestine. Although, it was only a secret for me to keep, therefore my step family wouldn't know about Thomas and I. Those months were wonderful. It was just like it used to be. We stargazed, rode horses, trained together, and his skill was improving greatly. It was such a joy to be with Thomas. I loved every minute of it.

In January, the year I would be turning nineteen, Ethel got sick. Some days her fever was so awful, that even in the parlor, I could hear her during one of her nasty coughing fits. Presently, the day was Wednesday so I had clothed in my normal servant's garb and was running here and there, seeing that Ethel was comfortable and her needs were met.

Hazel was in the parlor practicing playing the harp and Fiona was passing through the great hall, going somewhere, probably out. She had made a habit of leaving the manor and she refused to say the true reason, only that she was going into town.

There came a knock on the door just then. I wandered over to the door where I was sure the herbalist was waiting outside. I had ordered some herbs a day ago to calm Ethel's fever and cough.

I opened the door just a crack and discovered that the man on the other side of the door was Thomas. My eyes grew wide.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded to know, suddenly very aware of my clothes and appearance.

"Well," Thomas laughed. "I came to visit you."

I brushed a strand of hair from my face and bit my lip. "Uh...now is not the best time. I'll see you later though, but not today."

"Who's there?" Fiona asked walking to my side.

I looked back at my stepsister helplessly. "It's just..."

"Oh," she said as she pulled the door open wider, spying Thomas passed my shoulder. "I see. Well Eva, Mother probably needs you. Boil some water and dampen her forehead. It'll do her some good."

Thomas gave me an odd look, his brow creased.

I bit my lip again and looked weakly at Fiona. Help me, I begged with my eyes. She didn't seem to understand and for a split second, I thought she was considering telling her mother. But then, by a miracle, she said, "Go tell Gretchen to boil water and then go back to reading that book of yours. Gretchen and Lily can take care of Mother."

I nodded and turned back to Thomas. "I have to go. Goodbye."

"Bye," he said as I closed the front door.

I sighed deeply. Fiona looked at me gingerly. "You owe me," she said.

I smiled at her. "Yes, and thank you."

She never asked me why Thomas had turned up at our door. I didn't go out of my way to explain it either. But mercifully, Fiona said nothing about it to her mother or sister.

A Note From Me: Hello! Thank you for reading and reviewing! I really appreciate the support! Here's another chapter to further the story along.