I LOVE YOU REVIEWERS!!! Crazayladay, on-fire-for-Christ, Dragonfirechick, and hippi all get lollipops!!
More Romance in the next chapter. I think I have only a couple more chapters to this story. Yup, so get reading!
On to Chapter 10!
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I tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position. But all I could think about was Thomas. Was I in love with him? I didn't know! I certainly liked him, but was it love?
Finally I drifted off into an uneasy sleep, exhausted from my busy day. I woke only a few hours later to the sounds of pots and pans busy in the kitchen.
I turned over and looked out my window, blinking in the sudden light. It was long after sunrise, perhaps ten o'clock. Mother had let me sleep in.
I reluctantly rose and went to my wardrobe. I didn't want to go downstairs and face Mother's sly smile.
After laying out a pretty green work dress, I leaned out my window, letting the late morning air soothe my mind. Just as I was turning to go get dressed, I heard a horse arriving in the front yard.
I couldn't see who it was, for the angle I was at wasn't right. I shrugged. Just another guest.
I slowly began dressing, dragging out the time I had. Just as I was slipping into my gown, Mother called to me.
"Areida! Thomas is here!"
I froze. A few seconds later I came to my senses enough to call back. "I'll be right down!"
My fingers fumbled as I tried to button my dress at top speed. I grabbed my brush, puling it three or four times through my hair. I sighed. There was no time to braid it now. I'd just have to leave it down.
I took a deep breath, calming myself. After all, it was just Thomas.
Silently, I opened my door and peered downstairs. I could just see Thomas, dressed in his riding clothes, smiling and talking pleasantly with Mother. I smiled as he brushed back a lock of his dark that always seemed to be in his face.
I watched a few seconds more, then started down the stairs. Thomas looked up as I entered. He smiled brightly. Mother quickly excused herself with a smile to check on he food.
"Good morning," he said.
"Good morning, Thomas," I answered, grinning. "How are your parents?"
"Very good, I would say," Thomas said, trying not to look too happy, but failing miserably. "They wouldn't stop smiling the whole time they prepared for their honeymoon."
"Who's looking after the estate while their gone?" I asked, brushing back my hair.
"Mum Albia left a trustworthy servant in charge. They should be gone only a week or so."
I nodded towards the kitchen. "Are you hungry? I'm afraid I haven't eaten yet."
He grinned playfully. "I never can resist your mother's cooking."
After a delicious meal of scones and milk, we begged Mother for permission to go riding.
"Alright," she agreed, after pretending to think about it. "As long as you take along the rest of these scones to eat. And be sure to be back before dusk."
"Will do," Thomas replied, saluting her.
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"Do you want to go west of town today?" Thomas asked as we trotted down our lane. "We've never gone over there before."
"Sure," I said. "I know a spot we can eat the rest of these scones."
He grinned. "Lead the way!"
We laughed and talked about the wedding. Thomas gave me detailed descriptions of the maidens he'd had to dance with.
"I couldn't believe how frivolous they were! All they seemed to talk about were their dresses and their hair." He glanced at me. "You were the only one I could talk to."
I could feel a blush coming on, but I pushed it away. "I felt the same way. It's no wonder why you're not close friends with any of the men I danced with, after seeing how arrogant most of them were."
Thomas grinned. "What, you didn't like any of them?"
I rolled my eyes. "Please. Do they think I care how well his waistcoat matches his boots?"
He laughed. "I didn't think so."
We arrived at our destination, a clearing in a small wood. After securing our horses and seating ourselves, we proceeded to consume the rest of the scones.
I was still confused of my feeling towards Thomas, but being with him had helped push these thoughts back for the moment.
We laid back in the grass, not speaking at first, but soon chatting quietly. We laughed at the antics of a small squirrel above us, trying to reach an especially large acorn hanging just out of reach.
"Couldn't he just get one of the smaller ones?" I asked giggling as the acorn swung yet again from the squirrel's grasp.
Thomas laughed. "Nah. He wants to bring the biggest, sweetest acorn home for his wife."
"If he can carry it that far," I said, chuckling as I turned to face Thomas.
Unexpectedly, I realized that he wasn't watching the squirrel. His bright blue eyes were staring straight into mine. I was suddenly aware that our faces were only a few inches apart.
Thomas leaned in. I closed my eyes.
Then, quite abruptly, a large acorn crashed into the ground to the right. We jumped apart, blushing furiously.
I quickly climbed to my feet and began gathering our things. "I'd better get home."
Thomas nodded, thankfully not commenting on the fact that Mother had said to be back at dusk, and it was only a little after noon.
The ride back was quiet, both of us unwilling to speak about what almost happened. When we arrived at the inn, Thomas bid me farewell, promising to come see me in few days.
I immediately led Sunrise into our stables. After removing the saddle and blanket I led her into her stall. After patting her head one last time, I made my way into the inn.
"Areida?" Mother called out as soon as I opened the door. "Is that you?"
She appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. "Oh, good. I just wanted to let you know you had a visitor."
"Who was it?" I asked curiously.
"A young man, James, I believe was his name, from one of the lesser noble families in Amonta."
I removed my cloak and hung it up, trying to hide my surprise. A nobleman come to see me? I didn't know any nobles besides Thomas and his family.
I turned back to Mother. "What did you say his name was again?"
"James."
Now I remembered. He had been one of the first I'd danced with at the reception. His father was a fairly wealthy Duke with a good reputation. James himself, however, was quite arrogant and vain. He'd asked me to dance a second time, but I'd politely declined.
Mother had a strange look in her eyes. Then to my surprise, tears filled her eyes and she took me into her arms.
"You're not my little girl anymore," she said letting me go and wiping away her tears. "Not yet sixteen, and already has suitors. Though I'm sure I know which one you prefer."
I stammered. "I-I don't..."
Mother smiled. "Now go change, then help me out in the garden."
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The next day, I was on my home from purchasing some supplies in our town market when I saw an ornate carriage coming down the road behind me. I immediately moved to the side of the road to let it pass.
To my amazement, the coach slowed and stopped in front of me. The door was opened and a young man stepped out, richly dressed in silk and fur. I recognized him instantly. It was James, the young noble man that Mother said had come to see me.
He bowed. "Good afternoon, Lady Areida."
I curtsied with difficulty, since I had a large basket full of supplies. "Good afternoon, Sir James."
He beamed. "Ah, you remember me. I of course recognized your beauty from far off."
I gave a confused smile. Did he think he could flatter me into liking him?
James bowed again. "May I offer you a ride to your home? I was on my way to see you."
To see me?' I echoed in my mind as he helped me into the coach. As we started off, James began talking.
"So how do you like this carriage? I picked it out myself, as well as the horses. I've always thought I was a good judge of horses. Father agrees. I can always get him to see my way. Now Mother-"
My mind drifted off. I couldn't help it. He was just so boring.
Finally we arrived at the inn. I could tell James was hoping I would invite him to stay, but I just wanted him to leave.
"Thank you for the ride," I said politely, curtsying.
James frowned. "The pleasure was all mine."
He lingered a moment longer, them bowed and left. I waited until he was out of sight, then went into the inn.
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There's chap. 10! (If you are reading this, it means you are not reviewing)
More Romance in the next chapter. I think I have only a couple more chapters to this story. Yup, so get reading!
On to Chapter 10!
------------------------------------
I tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position. But all I could think about was Thomas. Was I in love with him? I didn't know! I certainly liked him, but was it love?
Finally I drifted off into an uneasy sleep, exhausted from my busy day. I woke only a few hours later to the sounds of pots and pans busy in the kitchen.
I turned over and looked out my window, blinking in the sudden light. It was long after sunrise, perhaps ten o'clock. Mother had let me sleep in.
I reluctantly rose and went to my wardrobe. I didn't want to go downstairs and face Mother's sly smile.
After laying out a pretty green work dress, I leaned out my window, letting the late morning air soothe my mind. Just as I was turning to go get dressed, I heard a horse arriving in the front yard.
I couldn't see who it was, for the angle I was at wasn't right. I shrugged. Just another guest.
I slowly began dressing, dragging out the time I had. Just as I was slipping into my gown, Mother called to me.
"Areida! Thomas is here!"
I froze. A few seconds later I came to my senses enough to call back. "I'll be right down!"
My fingers fumbled as I tried to button my dress at top speed. I grabbed my brush, puling it three or four times through my hair. I sighed. There was no time to braid it now. I'd just have to leave it down.
I took a deep breath, calming myself. After all, it was just Thomas.
Silently, I opened my door and peered downstairs. I could just see Thomas, dressed in his riding clothes, smiling and talking pleasantly with Mother. I smiled as he brushed back a lock of his dark that always seemed to be in his face.
I watched a few seconds more, then started down the stairs. Thomas looked up as I entered. He smiled brightly. Mother quickly excused herself with a smile to check on he food.
"Good morning," he said.
"Good morning, Thomas," I answered, grinning. "How are your parents?"
"Very good, I would say," Thomas said, trying not to look too happy, but failing miserably. "They wouldn't stop smiling the whole time they prepared for their honeymoon."
"Who's looking after the estate while their gone?" I asked, brushing back my hair.
"Mum Albia left a trustworthy servant in charge. They should be gone only a week or so."
I nodded towards the kitchen. "Are you hungry? I'm afraid I haven't eaten yet."
He grinned playfully. "I never can resist your mother's cooking."
After a delicious meal of scones and milk, we begged Mother for permission to go riding.
"Alright," she agreed, after pretending to think about it. "As long as you take along the rest of these scones to eat. And be sure to be back before dusk."
"Will do," Thomas replied, saluting her.
------------------------------------
"Do you want to go west of town today?" Thomas asked as we trotted down our lane. "We've never gone over there before."
"Sure," I said. "I know a spot we can eat the rest of these scones."
He grinned. "Lead the way!"
We laughed and talked about the wedding. Thomas gave me detailed descriptions of the maidens he'd had to dance with.
"I couldn't believe how frivolous they were! All they seemed to talk about were their dresses and their hair." He glanced at me. "You were the only one I could talk to."
I could feel a blush coming on, but I pushed it away. "I felt the same way. It's no wonder why you're not close friends with any of the men I danced with, after seeing how arrogant most of them were."
Thomas grinned. "What, you didn't like any of them?"
I rolled my eyes. "Please. Do they think I care how well his waistcoat matches his boots?"
He laughed. "I didn't think so."
We arrived at our destination, a clearing in a small wood. After securing our horses and seating ourselves, we proceeded to consume the rest of the scones.
I was still confused of my feeling towards Thomas, but being with him had helped push these thoughts back for the moment.
We laid back in the grass, not speaking at first, but soon chatting quietly. We laughed at the antics of a small squirrel above us, trying to reach an especially large acorn hanging just out of reach.
"Couldn't he just get one of the smaller ones?" I asked giggling as the acorn swung yet again from the squirrel's grasp.
Thomas laughed. "Nah. He wants to bring the biggest, sweetest acorn home for his wife."
"If he can carry it that far," I said, chuckling as I turned to face Thomas.
Unexpectedly, I realized that he wasn't watching the squirrel. His bright blue eyes were staring straight into mine. I was suddenly aware that our faces were only a few inches apart.
Thomas leaned in. I closed my eyes.
Then, quite abruptly, a large acorn crashed into the ground to the right. We jumped apart, blushing furiously.
I quickly climbed to my feet and began gathering our things. "I'd better get home."
Thomas nodded, thankfully not commenting on the fact that Mother had said to be back at dusk, and it was only a little after noon.
The ride back was quiet, both of us unwilling to speak about what almost happened. When we arrived at the inn, Thomas bid me farewell, promising to come see me in few days.
I immediately led Sunrise into our stables. After removing the saddle and blanket I led her into her stall. After patting her head one last time, I made my way into the inn.
"Areida?" Mother called out as soon as I opened the door. "Is that you?"
She appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. "Oh, good. I just wanted to let you know you had a visitor."
"Who was it?" I asked curiously.
"A young man, James, I believe was his name, from one of the lesser noble families in Amonta."
I removed my cloak and hung it up, trying to hide my surprise. A nobleman come to see me? I didn't know any nobles besides Thomas and his family.
I turned back to Mother. "What did you say his name was again?"
"James."
Now I remembered. He had been one of the first I'd danced with at the reception. His father was a fairly wealthy Duke with a good reputation. James himself, however, was quite arrogant and vain. He'd asked me to dance a second time, but I'd politely declined.
Mother had a strange look in her eyes. Then to my surprise, tears filled her eyes and she took me into her arms.
"You're not my little girl anymore," she said letting me go and wiping away her tears. "Not yet sixteen, and already has suitors. Though I'm sure I know which one you prefer."
I stammered. "I-I don't..."
Mother smiled. "Now go change, then help me out in the garden."
------------------------------------
The next day, I was on my home from purchasing some supplies in our town market when I saw an ornate carriage coming down the road behind me. I immediately moved to the side of the road to let it pass.
To my amazement, the coach slowed and stopped in front of me. The door was opened and a young man stepped out, richly dressed in silk and fur. I recognized him instantly. It was James, the young noble man that Mother said had come to see me.
He bowed. "Good afternoon, Lady Areida."
I curtsied with difficulty, since I had a large basket full of supplies. "Good afternoon, Sir James."
He beamed. "Ah, you remember me. I of course recognized your beauty from far off."
I gave a confused smile. Did he think he could flatter me into liking him?
James bowed again. "May I offer you a ride to your home? I was on my way to see you."
To see me?' I echoed in my mind as he helped me into the coach. As we started off, James began talking.
"So how do you like this carriage? I picked it out myself, as well as the horses. I've always thought I was a good judge of horses. Father agrees. I can always get him to see my way. Now Mother-"
My mind drifted off. I couldn't help it. He was just so boring.
Finally we arrived at the inn. I could tell James was hoping I would invite him to stay, but I just wanted him to leave.
"Thank you for the ride," I said politely, curtsying.
James frowned. "The pleasure was all mine."
He lingered a moment longer, them bowed and left. I waited until he was out of sight, then went into the inn.
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There's chap. 10! (If you are reading this, it means you are not reviewing)
