Chapter 25: Cheeky Cats and Stolen Hats

One Week Later…

"Maria," Loveday called as she knocked on my little bedroom door. We had arrived back at Merryweather Manor six days ago, greeted by Marmaduke with a massive feast to welcome us home. Wrolfe had even been excited to see us. The second I was out of the carriage, he had tackled me in a loving embrace. My eyes fluttered open and I looked over at my door.

"Come in," I called out groggily, sitting up with a yawn. The door opened immediately and Loveday entered the room, smiling when she saw me.

"Why on earth are you still in bed, silly?" she said, grabbing the blankets that rested over me and pulling them away. I groaned inwardly, but allowed her to pull me out of bed. "I assume you slept well then?" she asked with a giggle. I smiled sheepishly and nodded as she began to brush through my tangled mess of hair.

"Yes thank you," I replied. I caught sight of a bit of movement from outside my window and turned my head to get a closer look. Coming down the dusty road was a little black carriage, atop it a chubby bald man and a colorful waistcoat. My grin widened when I recognized the familiar face of Digweed. I jumped up from my position in front of the mirror and ran out of the room.

"Maria, wait!" Loveday called from behind me, but I ignored her, bounding down the stairs and through the halls. I made it down the steps and through the sitting area and hopped down the staircase of the foyer, bursting through the main doors of the Manor. I beamed at the carriage as it came to a stop before me and Digweed hopped down from his stand.

"Ah, Miss Ma-"

His greeting was cut off as I leaped into his arms, wrapping my arms around him. He let out a low grunt at the unexpected contact, and patted my back awkwardly. I snickered and pulled away, earning a funny smile from the man. He nodded once and opened the door of the carriage to allow my dear tutor to exit the buggy. The second she was on the ground before me, I threw my arms around her neck and hugged her tight.

"I missed you so much," I told her excitedly. She returned the hug and when I pulled away, gave me an absolutely horrified look.

"Maria Merryweather," she exclaimed, looking me up and down. "Where are your clothes!" she cried, her face turning an amusing shade of red. I giggled and looked down: I was still in my nightdress and robe, barefoot.

Three Hours Later…

"Come on, Pumpkin," I called to the little orange cat that was sprawled out on my bed. The cat had been Uncle Benjamin's gift to me. He had found the young animal in London and decided that I would've adored having the animal around. Wrolfe, however, detested the cat the second he laid eyes on it. The orange animal looked up at me lazily, tilting its head in question. I smiled and clicked my tongue. "Come now, we're going for a walk."

The cat immediately stood and leapt off my bed, following me as I exited my room, now fully dressed in a pale blue dress that complimented my complexion well. I led the cat out of the manor and we entered the forest, heading off to meet Robin. I bit my lip anxiously. I hadn't seen Robin since I had returned to Merryweather Manor, and I had missed him dearly.

Pumpkin followed me through the trees, chasing away butterflies and occasionally stopping the sniff at a flower or two. I smiled at the young animal as we reached the clearing that Robin he brought me to so many weeks ago. The cat trotted ahead of me and pounced on an unsuspecting bird, who just barely escaped the wild kitten. Pumpkin however did not give up, and chased the bird until it was completely out of reach. I snickered and sat in the grass, watching the cat run around aimlessly.

My mind trailed back to a week ago, the day Marjorie tried to kill Robin and in turn, lost her own life. Marcus and Coeur De Noir had wanted to just leave her body there, on the ground, unburied. Loveday and I, though, had insisted we bury her. I felt great pity for the Girl. It went without question that she wasn't completely in control of her thoughts. She wasn't fully aware of what she was doing. So Sir De Noir order his guards to bury her in the clearing in which she died-

My thoughts were cut off as a warm body collided with my chest. I snapped back into reality and looked down, only to find Pumpkin mercilessly attacking the ribbon that rested around my neck. I burst into a fit of laughter and the little orange kitten looked up at me. I ran my hand over his back, still giggling.

"What are you laughing at?" a curious voice asked from behind me. My head whipped around to the source of the voice: Robin. He stood there, leaning against a large tree, watching me. I smiled up at him, trying to ignore the bruise on his cheek, the cut on his lower lip. He smiled back and joined me, sitting next to me. "Where did you get that beast?" he asked, eyeing the cat.

"Uncle Benjamin got him in London," I explained, patting the cat lightly. Pumpkin stared up at Robin curiously. Robin held out his hand to pet the animal and it swiped at him. I giggled as Robin whipped his hand away quickly, scowling at the cat. Pumpkin hopped off my lap and trotted off to play.

"That cheeky little beast," Robin scoffed. I rolled my eyes at him and he smirked at me. Smirked back, I took the hat from atop his head and stood quickly, placing it on my head. "What was that for?"

"I forgot mine at home," I explained, backing away as he stood up.

"I stand corrected," he admitted. "You're cheekier than that cat of yours." I giggled as he reached to reclaim his hat from me, dodging him quickly and running off. His footsteps pounded over the grass as he chased after me. It didn't take long for him to catch up, his arms snaking around my waist and pulling me to him. I turned to face him, still laughing. He smiled down at me, making no move to take back his hat.

"And what are you going to do now, Bird Boy?" I asked playfully, smiling up at him.

"Well, I'm still contemplating what the consequences should be for stealing a man's hat," he mused with a smirk. My breathing hitched as he leaned in closer, his lips less than an inch from mine. "But for now I'll settle with kissing you."

(A/N) Sorry it took so long! D:

Was SOOOOO uninspired, it was tragic...

Oh well, at least i finished! (Hate it when people don't finish what they start)

Thank you so much for staying with me throughout my story.

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Cheers (:

~ICanHearThemToo~

~*~THE END~*~