AN: William feels on top of the world, but danger is coming closer.
The Choice: Chapter 7
In the late afternoon spike managed to get out of bed. He planned on stopping at the Baddington House, to hear how Vincent was doing. The butler came to inform him about an early visitor.
"It was before noon and you were still asleep, Master William. The boy had a message from Lord and Lady Baddington."
The butler handed over the message and returned to his tasks. Spike read the message and smiled. It was a kind invitation to William Ashton, the saviour of their daughter. It was for the same evening and he didn't have much time to get ready. He loved being alive!
*** He knocked on the door and the butler of the family announced him as Sir William Ashton. Lord and Lady Baddington were kind people and very interested to see who was their daughters saviour.
"We are so grateful, William. I don't want to think about what that awful man would have done to Laura."
"It was nothing, my lady, I' m sure every man would have done the same thing."
He smiled at Laura and he wondered if just maybe she felt a little more than gratitude towards him. The diner was less formal than was common with most aristocratic families and later that night Lauras parents allowed the young couple to be alone, assured of the fact that William was well- mannered.
"I'm so glad you could come. I hope my parents didn't bore you too much."
"Oh no, not at all. Your father has some interesting ideas. I don't want this to sound insulting, but it's nice to talk to a man for a change when you're surrounded by women at home."
"I can understand that."
"How is Vincent?"
"As you said. He woke up with a splitting headache but a few hours later he felt a bit better. The doctor ordered him to stay in bed for a week but he didn't like that one bit."
"I can imagine."
They talked for hours and it seemed like they were old friends. When the evening came to an end, Spike became serious.
"Laura, I know this isn't proper because we've just met. . . Would you like to go to the opera with me tomorrow?"
"I'd love to, William."
She laid a hand on his arm.
"I know this is. . . I like you, William. I can talk to you. You're not one of those noblemen who considers his wife as a trophy and tells her to shut up."
He was a little taken aback by her confession.
"I. . . I like you too." He stammered.
They walked to the door. He took her face in his hands and kissed her lightly on the mouth.
"Until tomorrow."
They both smiled and Spike left, happier than he ever imagined he could be. For the first time the memories of his old life didn't pop up in his mind. He truly was a free man.
*** The next morning he got hugs from his mother and Janey, telling him how proud they were. At first he didn't understand, but the headlines in the newspaper said enough. He was an official London hero. When he walked on the streets strangers greeted him and people who never bothered to speak with him were suddenly interested enough to have a chat. He basked in the attention, unaware of the danger lurking in the background.
His carriage halted at Baddington House for the opera and Lauras mother chaperoned the couple. That didn't stand in their way of having a lovely evening.
"It was a wonderful opera, William. You have an excellent taste."
"Thank you, Mrs. Baddington."
She waved her hand and let the young couple walk in front of her. She was glad for the choice her daughter had made. William Ashton was not only a brave and kind man, but he would inherit fortunes in a few years.
The Choice: Chapter 7
In the late afternoon spike managed to get out of bed. He planned on stopping at the Baddington House, to hear how Vincent was doing. The butler came to inform him about an early visitor.
"It was before noon and you were still asleep, Master William. The boy had a message from Lord and Lady Baddington."
The butler handed over the message and returned to his tasks. Spike read the message and smiled. It was a kind invitation to William Ashton, the saviour of their daughter. It was for the same evening and he didn't have much time to get ready. He loved being alive!
*** He knocked on the door and the butler of the family announced him as Sir William Ashton. Lord and Lady Baddington were kind people and very interested to see who was their daughters saviour.
"We are so grateful, William. I don't want to think about what that awful man would have done to Laura."
"It was nothing, my lady, I' m sure every man would have done the same thing."
He smiled at Laura and he wondered if just maybe she felt a little more than gratitude towards him. The diner was less formal than was common with most aristocratic families and later that night Lauras parents allowed the young couple to be alone, assured of the fact that William was well- mannered.
"I'm so glad you could come. I hope my parents didn't bore you too much."
"Oh no, not at all. Your father has some interesting ideas. I don't want this to sound insulting, but it's nice to talk to a man for a change when you're surrounded by women at home."
"I can understand that."
"How is Vincent?"
"As you said. He woke up with a splitting headache but a few hours later he felt a bit better. The doctor ordered him to stay in bed for a week but he didn't like that one bit."
"I can imagine."
They talked for hours and it seemed like they were old friends. When the evening came to an end, Spike became serious.
"Laura, I know this isn't proper because we've just met. . . Would you like to go to the opera with me tomorrow?"
"I'd love to, William."
She laid a hand on his arm.
"I know this is. . . I like you, William. I can talk to you. You're not one of those noblemen who considers his wife as a trophy and tells her to shut up."
He was a little taken aback by her confession.
"I. . . I like you too." He stammered.
They walked to the door. He took her face in his hands and kissed her lightly on the mouth.
"Until tomorrow."
They both smiled and Spike left, happier than he ever imagined he could be. For the first time the memories of his old life didn't pop up in his mind. He truly was a free man.
*** The next morning he got hugs from his mother and Janey, telling him how proud they were. At first he didn't understand, but the headlines in the newspaper said enough. He was an official London hero. When he walked on the streets strangers greeted him and people who never bothered to speak with him were suddenly interested enough to have a chat. He basked in the attention, unaware of the danger lurking in the background.
His carriage halted at Baddington House for the opera and Lauras mother chaperoned the couple. That didn't stand in their way of having a lovely evening.
"It was a wonderful opera, William. You have an excellent taste."
"Thank you, Mrs. Baddington."
She waved her hand and let the young couple walk in front of her. She was glad for the choice her daughter had made. William Ashton was not only a brave and kind man, but he would inherit fortunes in a few years.