Thank you reviewers! I love you all! Lollipops for summersprite, hippi, Not Yet 13, mirkwoodmage, Tamaran Girl, dragonfirechick, on-fire-for-Christ, CrazayLaday, and Beth! (Pick your favorite flavor lollipop) Keep reviewing and I'll keep writing!
I've decided to just finish this up and then write a sequel. I have a bad habit of starting stories, then never finishing them. So this story will be finished in the next chapter after this, or the one after that.
The sequel will be about Areida's daughter. I'll tell you more about it at the end of the next chapter, which might be the last one
On to Chapter Eleven!
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During the next few days, I was more confused than I'd ever been in my life. James became a regular visitor to the inn. He would arrive shortly after breakfast and stay right up until dinner, oftentimes inviting himself to eat with us.
Even more baffling than James' behavior was Thomas's. Three days after James met me on the road, he and I were sitting in the parlor. He was talking about his two hound dogs, Fluffy and Biter. After stifling a laugh about their names I zoned out, concentrating on the napkin I was embroidering.
Just before lunch, James stopped talking. I cleared my head of dreamy thoughts and looked up to see why.
Mother had appeared in the doorway. She smiled nervously, glancing at James, who was staring at something behind Mother I couldn't see.
Mother stepped inside the room and moved to the side, allowing someone behind her into the room as well. To my great relief, Thomas entered the room, a smile on his face.
I jumped to my feet, still holding the napkin I was sewing. "Thomas!"
He grinned at me. "Hello, Areida." His gaze shifted to James. His smile froze.
"Hello," James said coolly. "Have I met you?"
Thomas glanced at me, then turned back to James. "No, I don't believe so. My name is Thomas of Kadia. And you are?"
"James, son of the Duke of Northington." He didn't even bother getting to his feet.
Mother left the room, glancing over her shoulder to give me a sympathetic smile.
Thomas turned to me. "I just wanted to see if you were busy today. But I can see you have a visitor so I won't keep you."
He glanced at James.
I looked into his eyes, silently pleading with him to stay and not leave me here alone with the most arrogant man in the world. Thomas only gave a sad smile.
"It was nice to meet you," he said to James.
"The pleasure was all mine," James said, looking anything but pleased.
Thomas bowed slightly to me. "Good day, Areida." He started towards the door.
"Wait!" I said, almost desperately. Why did he have to leave so soon? "Let me walk you to your horse."
James scoffed. "You brought a horse?" He, of course, had ridden in a coach.
Thomas stiffened slightly, but otherwise did not show he had heard James. He turned and walked out of the room. I followed, glancing back at James. He was cleaning his fingernails. I shook my head.
Thomas stayed quiet until we had closed the parlor door behind us. He then faced me.
"I'm sorry I didn't come by sooner. I had to go out of town for... an errand. I only just got back yesterday."
I noticed his face grow pink at the mention of his errand. I decided to not ask what it was.
"Oh." I felt stupid for not saying more.
We went to the front door and stepped outside. I gathered my courage and looked up at him. "You really don't have to go. I'm sure James wouldn't mind if you stayed."
Thomas frowned. "It's alright. I have some... some....stuff to do back at the estate." He looked at a spot somewhere over my right shoulder. By the way he didn't meet my eyes I could tell he was lying.
"Right," I said dryly. "Some stuff."
He grinned sheepishly. "Well, you know what I mean."
I sighed. Why wouldn't he stay?
Thomas cleared his throat. "Well, I should be going now. Have a good time with James."
I opened my mouth to comment on his choice of words, but changed my mind. "Well, " I said reluctantly. "Please come by again."
"I will," he said, glancing at the inn, where we could both hear James giving rather exaggerated coughs. He smiled at me one more time, then left the porch. He mounted his horse with practiced ease, gave one last wave, then left the yard.
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After lunch the next day, James dragged me out to the garden for a walk. As soon as we were out of sight of the inn, he took my hand and led me to a spot beneath the cherry trees.
I stared at him. He'd never gone so long without speaking.
"Areida, I've been thinking. We're friends right?"
"Uh..."
He ignored me. "Mother's been talking about me getting married. I am eighteen, after all. When I saw you at the wedding ball, I knew you were the one for me. That's why I've been coming to see you. Will you marry me, Areida?"
I gaped at him. "What?"
"Will you marry me?"
My breathing came in short breaths. What was he talking about? We'd only known each other for less than a week!
I stared at him for a moment, then down at my hands, which he had clasped in his. "Well, I don't know, James," I said finally, still not meeting his eyes. "You might be old enough, but I'm not even sixteen yet. And my family needs me at the inn."
I was still in shock. James was asking me to marry him! I didn't even know him!
He shushed my blabbering. "Age doesn't matter. And for your family needing you, I've already spoken to them. Your parents are making enough now to hire a full time maid to help out."
This was too much. James had spoken to my parents about marriage, and they hadn't even told me!
"When did you ask them?" I asked, anger beginning to show in my voice.
He didn't even notice I was feeling less than pleased with this new development. "Last night after supper, when you went to help that girl get dressed."
James didn't even know that that girl' was my sister, Ettime. I couldn't help but to compare him to Thomas. Thomas knew everyone in my family and often played games with Ettime and Isti.
James finally noticed the bewildered look on my face. "I'm sorry if this was too sudden. Just think about it. I'll be back soon to hear your answer."
And with that, he patted my hand, got to his feet, and left the garden without a second glance.
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For the rest of the day I was lost in a stupor of thought. Why would a nobleman like James want to marry a middleclass girl like me? Did I want to marry him?
That night, as I stared out at the moonlit night, I finally came to a conclusion. I did not want to marry James. But how would I tell him?
I just needed more time to think. But how could I think with James always around?
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I winced as the stairs gave a loud creak. I paused, listening for sounds of movement in the early morning air. There was nothing. My family and the inn's guests were still fast asleep. I started down the stairs again.
At last I reached the kitchen. Silently opening the door I slipped into the room. I made my way to the cupboard and removed a small loaf of bread, some cheese, and a couple of apples. Placing these in my satchel, I left the inn, locking the door behind me.
The first lights of dawn were barely peaking over the distant mountains as I entered the stable. I smiled. No one would be awake for another hour. Then they would find the note I'd left on my bed, telling them I'd gone riding for the day.
After saddling Sunrise, I led her out into the yard. I was just about to mount her when someone called me from behind.
I whirled around. It was my father, slipping on a coat to ward against the morning chill.
"Where are you going, Areida?" he asked, rubbing his arms for warmth.
"Riding."
"This early?"
I grinned sheepishly. "I just need some time to think."
He nodded. "All right. Just one thing."
"What's that?"
He frowned slightly. "Don't let that James boy pressure you into anything you don't want to do."
I smiled. "I won't"
"Promise?"
"Promise."
We smiled at each other. Suddenly, I ran to him and threw my arms around him. He held me for a few moments, then kissed my cheek and let me go.
"Now go do some thinking."
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I rode for at least three hours before going to the same clearing where Thomas and I had shared lunch nearly a week before. The sun was fully risen by this time and my stomach was growling with hunger.
I settled down on a small patch of grass and spread out my meal. I ate it quickly, and now had the whole day to do nothing.
But just right now I didn't want to think. I secured Sunrise to a nearby tree, then started walking on foot. I knew there was a spring around here somewhere. I wanted to listen to the water tumbling over the stones. I had always found that soothing.
I stood on a small knoll overlooking the sleepy stream. Sunlight filtered through the trees, making the world around me strange and unreal.
I stood there for a moment, my eyes closed, just listening to the sounds around me.
A twig cracked behind me. I spun around to face Thomas walking towards me through the undergrowth.
My surprise must have shown on my face, because he stopped.
"I'm sorry," he said apologetically. "I didn't mean to startle you."
He came and stood next to me. My heart beat a little faster.
"It's alright," I said, trying to clear my thoughts. Thomas' sudden appearance had sent my head spinning.
"So, where's James?" he ask, trying to act unconcerned.
I stared at my feet. "Uh...I don't know," I whispered.
"What was that?" he asked.
I looked up. "I don't know."
"Oh," he said lamely.
"So what are you doing out here?" I asked, brushing a lock of my dark hair out of my eyes.
"Nothing, really. I was just riding and ended up here. And you?"
I looked away. "I needed time to think."
"What about?"
I hesitated. Should I tell him? Why not, he was Thomas, after all. "Well, the reason James has been visiting me a lot is that his mother has decided he should get married. And he thinks I'm the one."
Thomas stared at me. "You mean..."
"He asked me to marry him yesterday," I confirmed.
He looked hard at the ground for a few moments, then looked up, a wry smile on his face. "I expected as much."
Now I was the one staring. "You expected it?"
He shrugged. "Why else would he be seeing you so often? Besides the obvious reasons."
"What reasons?" I challenged.
He blushed. "Well, besides the fact that you are the most beautiful girl I've ever met, you happen to be smart, talented, a wonderful rider, I could go on forever."
I was gaping at him. "I'm not all that."
"Yes, you are. You just won't admit it."
We sat there for a few minutes. I was still trying to digest what he'd told me.
"What did you tell James?" Thomas asked suddenly.
"What?" I said, caught off guard.
"When he asked you to marry him?"
"Oh, that," I said. "Well, it certainly wasn't yes."
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Good."
"Why is it good?" I asked suspiciously.
Thomas didn't answer.
I looked up. He was staring at the stream, a strange look on his face.
"Thomas? What is it?"
Finally, he looked up, his eyes boring into mine
At last, hesitantly, Thomas leaned forward and kissed me softly. I closed my eyes and kissed him back. He pulled back a moment later, his face just an inch from mine.
I looked up at him, a huge smile beginning to form on my face. He took me into his arms, holding me tightly.
"I love you, Areida," he whispered. He let me go, stepped back, fumbled in his pocket for a moment, then brought a beautiful ring with a tiny diamond mounted on it.
I gasped as he took my hand and stood facing me.
"Areida, will you marry me?"
I stood dumbfounded for a split second. Then a grin leaped onto my face.
"Yes!" I said, throwing my arms around his neck. He kissed me again, then slipped the ring on my finger. Tears fell from my eyes as I felt it on finger.
"I love you, Thomas," I whispered as he again took me into his arms.
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YAY!! THEY FINALLY KISSED!! I hope this makes you guys all happy. It sure made me happy!
Now go Review!!
I've decided to just finish this up and then write a sequel. I have a bad habit of starting stories, then never finishing them. So this story will be finished in the next chapter after this, or the one after that.
The sequel will be about Areida's daughter. I'll tell you more about it at the end of the next chapter, which might be the last one
On to Chapter Eleven!
--------------------------------------
During the next few days, I was more confused than I'd ever been in my life. James became a regular visitor to the inn. He would arrive shortly after breakfast and stay right up until dinner, oftentimes inviting himself to eat with us.
Even more baffling than James' behavior was Thomas's. Three days after James met me on the road, he and I were sitting in the parlor. He was talking about his two hound dogs, Fluffy and Biter. After stifling a laugh about their names I zoned out, concentrating on the napkin I was embroidering.
Just before lunch, James stopped talking. I cleared my head of dreamy thoughts and looked up to see why.
Mother had appeared in the doorway. She smiled nervously, glancing at James, who was staring at something behind Mother I couldn't see.
Mother stepped inside the room and moved to the side, allowing someone behind her into the room as well. To my great relief, Thomas entered the room, a smile on his face.
I jumped to my feet, still holding the napkin I was sewing. "Thomas!"
He grinned at me. "Hello, Areida." His gaze shifted to James. His smile froze.
"Hello," James said coolly. "Have I met you?"
Thomas glanced at me, then turned back to James. "No, I don't believe so. My name is Thomas of Kadia. And you are?"
"James, son of the Duke of Northington." He didn't even bother getting to his feet.
Mother left the room, glancing over her shoulder to give me a sympathetic smile.
Thomas turned to me. "I just wanted to see if you were busy today. But I can see you have a visitor so I won't keep you."
He glanced at James.
I looked into his eyes, silently pleading with him to stay and not leave me here alone with the most arrogant man in the world. Thomas only gave a sad smile.
"It was nice to meet you," he said to James.
"The pleasure was all mine," James said, looking anything but pleased.
Thomas bowed slightly to me. "Good day, Areida." He started towards the door.
"Wait!" I said, almost desperately. Why did he have to leave so soon? "Let me walk you to your horse."
James scoffed. "You brought a horse?" He, of course, had ridden in a coach.
Thomas stiffened slightly, but otherwise did not show he had heard James. He turned and walked out of the room. I followed, glancing back at James. He was cleaning his fingernails. I shook my head.
Thomas stayed quiet until we had closed the parlor door behind us. He then faced me.
"I'm sorry I didn't come by sooner. I had to go out of town for... an errand. I only just got back yesterday."
I noticed his face grow pink at the mention of his errand. I decided to not ask what it was.
"Oh." I felt stupid for not saying more.
We went to the front door and stepped outside. I gathered my courage and looked up at him. "You really don't have to go. I'm sure James wouldn't mind if you stayed."
Thomas frowned. "It's alright. I have some... some....stuff to do back at the estate." He looked at a spot somewhere over my right shoulder. By the way he didn't meet my eyes I could tell he was lying.
"Right," I said dryly. "Some stuff."
He grinned sheepishly. "Well, you know what I mean."
I sighed. Why wouldn't he stay?
Thomas cleared his throat. "Well, I should be going now. Have a good time with James."
I opened my mouth to comment on his choice of words, but changed my mind. "Well, " I said reluctantly. "Please come by again."
"I will," he said, glancing at the inn, where we could both hear James giving rather exaggerated coughs. He smiled at me one more time, then left the porch. He mounted his horse with practiced ease, gave one last wave, then left the yard.
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After lunch the next day, James dragged me out to the garden for a walk. As soon as we were out of sight of the inn, he took my hand and led me to a spot beneath the cherry trees.
I stared at him. He'd never gone so long without speaking.
"Areida, I've been thinking. We're friends right?"
"Uh..."
He ignored me. "Mother's been talking about me getting married. I am eighteen, after all. When I saw you at the wedding ball, I knew you were the one for me. That's why I've been coming to see you. Will you marry me, Areida?"
I gaped at him. "What?"
"Will you marry me?"
My breathing came in short breaths. What was he talking about? We'd only known each other for less than a week!
I stared at him for a moment, then down at my hands, which he had clasped in his. "Well, I don't know, James," I said finally, still not meeting his eyes. "You might be old enough, but I'm not even sixteen yet. And my family needs me at the inn."
I was still in shock. James was asking me to marry him! I didn't even know him!
He shushed my blabbering. "Age doesn't matter. And for your family needing you, I've already spoken to them. Your parents are making enough now to hire a full time maid to help out."
This was too much. James had spoken to my parents about marriage, and they hadn't even told me!
"When did you ask them?" I asked, anger beginning to show in my voice.
He didn't even notice I was feeling less than pleased with this new development. "Last night after supper, when you went to help that girl get dressed."
James didn't even know that that girl' was my sister, Ettime. I couldn't help but to compare him to Thomas. Thomas knew everyone in my family and often played games with Ettime and Isti.
James finally noticed the bewildered look on my face. "I'm sorry if this was too sudden. Just think about it. I'll be back soon to hear your answer."
And with that, he patted my hand, got to his feet, and left the garden without a second glance.
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For the rest of the day I was lost in a stupor of thought. Why would a nobleman like James want to marry a middleclass girl like me? Did I want to marry him?
That night, as I stared out at the moonlit night, I finally came to a conclusion. I did not want to marry James. But how would I tell him?
I just needed more time to think. But how could I think with James always around?
--------------------------------------
I winced as the stairs gave a loud creak. I paused, listening for sounds of movement in the early morning air. There was nothing. My family and the inn's guests were still fast asleep. I started down the stairs again.
At last I reached the kitchen. Silently opening the door I slipped into the room. I made my way to the cupboard and removed a small loaf of bread, some cheese, and a couple of apples. Placing these in my satchel, I left the inn, locking the door behind me.
The first lights of dawn were barely peaking over the distant mountains as I entered the stable. I smiled. No one would be awake for another hour. Then they would find the note I'd left on my bed, telling them I'd gone riding for the day.
After saddling Sunrise, I led her out into the yard. I was just about to mount her when someone called me from behind.
I whirled around. It was my father, slipping on a coat to ward against the morning chill.
"Where are you going, Areida?" he asked, rubbing his arms for warmth.
"Riding."
"This early?"
I grinned sheepishly. "I just need some time to think."
He nodded. "All right. Just one thing."
"What's that?"
He frowned slightly. "Don't let that James boy pressure you into anything you don't want to do."
I smiled. "I won't"
"Promise?"
"Promise."
We smiled at each other. Suddenly, I ran to him and threw my arms around him. He held me for a few moments, then kissed my cheek and let me go.
"Now go do some thinking."
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I rode for at least three hours before going to the same clearing where Thomas and I had shared lunch nearly a week before. The sun was fully risen by this time and my stomach was growling with hunger.
I settled down on a small patch of grass and spread out my meal. I ate it quickly, and now had the whole day to do nothing.
But just right now I didn't want to think. I secured Sunrise to a nearby tree, then started walking on foot. I knew there was a spring around here somewhere. I wanted to listen to the water tumbling over the stones. I had always found that soothing.
I stood on a small knoll overlooking the sleepy stream. Sunlight filtered through the trees, making the world around me strange and unreal.
I stood there for a moment, my eyes closed, just listening to the sounds around me.
A twig cracked behind me. I spun around to face Thomas walking towards me through the undergrowth.
My surprise must have shown on my face, because he stopped.
"I'm sorry," he said apologetically. "I didn't mean to startle you."
He came and stood next to me. My heart beat a little faster.
"It's alright," I said, trying to clear my thoughts. Thomas' sudden appearance had sent my head spinning.
"So, where's James?" he ask, trying to act unconcerned.
I stared at my feet. "Uh...I don't know," I whispered.
"What was that?" he asked.
I looked up. "I don't know."
"Oh," he said lamely.
"So what are you doing out here?" I asked, brushing a lock of my dark hair out of my eyes.
"Nothing, really. I was just riding and ended up here. And you?"
I looked away. "I needed time to think."
"What about?"
I hesitated. Should I tell him? Why not, he was Thomas, after all. "Well, the reason James has been visiting me a lot is that his mother has decided he should get married. And he thinks I'm the one."
Thomas stared at me. "You mean..."
"He asked me to marry him yesterday," I confirmed.
He looked hard at the ground for a few moments, then looked up, a wry smile on his face. "I expected as much."
Now I was the one staring. "You expected it?"
He shrugged. "Why else would he be seeing you so often? Besides the obvious reasons."
"What reasons?" I challenged.
He blushed. "Well, besides the fact that you are the most beautiful girl I've ever met, you happen to be smart, talented, a wonderful rider, I could go on forever."
I was gaping at him. "I'm not all that."
"Yes, you are. You just won't admit it."
We sat there for a few minutes. I was still trying to digest what he'd told me.
"What did you tell James?" Thomas asked suddenly.
"What?" I said, caught off guard.
"When he asked you to marry him?"
"Oh, that," I said. "Well, it certainly wasn't yes."
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Good."
"Why is it good?" I asked suspiciously.
Thomas didn't answer.
I looked up. He was staring at the stream, a strange look on his face.
"Thomas? What is it?"
Finally, he looked up, his eyes boring into mine
At last, hesitantly, Thomas leaned forward and kissed me softly. I closed my eyes and kissed him back. He pulled back a moment later, his face just an inch from mine.
I looked up at him, a huge smile beginning to form on my face. He took me into his arms, holding me tightly.
"I love you, Areida," he whispered. He let me go, stepped back, fumbled in his pocket for a moment, then brought a beautiful ring with a tiny diamond mounted on it.
I gasped as he took my hand and stood facing me.
"Areida, will you marry me?"
I stood dumbfounded for a split second. Then a grin leaped onto my face.
"Yes!" I said, throwing my arms around his neck. He kissed me again, then slipped the ring on my finger. Tears fell from my eyes as I felt it on finger.
"I love you, Thomas," I whispered as he again took me into his arms.
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YAY!! THEY FINALLY KISSED!! I hope this makes you guys all happy. It sure made me happy!
Now go Review!!
