Things not to do when you're at a 19th century dinner table:
1) Complement the woman sitting next to you on her pregnancy–when she is in fact un-married and has never touched a man in her life. Yeah right.
2) Call the gentleman sitting next to you a dude when he greets you with a flower. Not good.
3) Choke on an anchovy when you realise the guy that just asked your name is in fact your boyfriend in another life. And doesn't remember you.
Did I mention the choking on an anchovy part? I guess I did, but whatever. After seeing Jesse earlier on, I'd thought that that was what Madam Zara meant about the proving our love thing. I'd have to choose to stay with him in his life. And I thought that he was just ignoring me so that it didn't seem suspicious. Boy was I wrong. The guy had full on amnesia of ever meeting me before. Let alone getting his tongue in my mouth.
It was in fact so depressing that I had to retire to my room early. Which is where I had continued to sit for the rest of the evening. Why did these things keep on happening to me?
"Are you ok?" I looked up to find Kathleen staring down at me with concern. She obviously thought I was some kind of freak for leaving the table so early. That made two of us.
"Yeah. I just had a bit of a headache. I thought I'd see if I could get rid of it up here." I lied coolly. I didn't expect her to read much into that. I mean, you can't stop a headache right? They don't exactly have any miracle cure for it in this era. She'd just have to deal with the fact I wasn't going to sit and be gawked at any more.
"Tis a shame." She told me with a sigh. I looked at her, slightly raising one brow. Was it lady like to look confused?
"What?" I asked her rudely. She shot me an amazed look from across my bed, where she'd promptly flopped down.
"My mother would scold me if she ever heard me using such language." She whispered in astonishment. I immediately felt my cheeks heat up. I really should learn to think before I speak.
"Um, I meant I beg your pardon? My father owns a ranch in Oregon. I don't see him that much so I tend to pick up the local lingo." I informed her quickly. I was digging my own grave though. I'd told her too much already.
"Oh, your father lives in Oregon? I shall tell my mother and she will send out a messenger for him to collect you." She said brightly. I opened and closed my mouth a few times in shock. God, she was too sharp for her own good.
"Um, yeah about that. My dad won't be there at the moment. He's away on business in England. Very important business. He won't be back for at least five weeks."
Fast thinking. She looked slightly sceptical, but accepted the story all the same. She turned to face me with a troubled expression on her face.
"You mean your father?" she asked, sounding confused.
"Um, yes. Didn't I just say that?" I replied. She shook her head so that her blonde ringlets swayed.
"No. You said he was your 'dad'. I have never heard any 'cept peasants use that word."
I could see the suspicion in her eyes. I could feel panic bubble up inside me. If I couldn't convince her I was of noble birth then her family would no doubt chuck me out faster than you could say 'Time Warp'. Then what would I do? I knew nobody here. Let alone how to act. Hadn't I just proven that to myself?
"Like I said before. My father is often away. I tend to pick up the lingo from our servants."
Okay so I was making up a huge lie. As long as I could keep it up I'd be fine. I hoped.
"Oh. Well that is fine then. I was worried for a moment there. I almost considered you a rogue!" she exclaimed in relief. I smiled at her softly, well aware that the smile was strained.
"What was it that you were going to tell me?" she looked at me in confusion, obviously having forgotten all about it.
"You told me that it was a shame I'd left so early." I explained hurriedly. Her eyes brightened as she sat up and took my hands in her own.
"Oh isn't he wonderful! I couldn't have pictured a perfect match for you myself!" she told me happily. Thinking she meant Jesse I blushed slightly.
"Well, I agree he's nice. I barely know him though. I wouldn't want to……."
"Nonsense!" she told me in excitement, "What is there to know? Charles simply adored you. And I am not the only woman around here that would consider him an extremely good catch."
I felt my eyes bugging out as I pulled my hands back slightly. What the hell was she going on about? Some of it must have shown on my face as she exasperated:
"The gentleman that presented you with the rose at the beginning of the meal. He seems quite taken with you. He even inquired as to your age." She chirped away happily. I however was beyond confused.
"What has his asking about my age got to do with him liking me?" I asked. She stared at me like I was an idiot for a moment.
"He wanted to know if you were of legal age to wed silly." She told me as if I were a moron.
I felt as if the floor dropped from beneath me. I stared blankly at her happy face as I tried to process some of what she had just said.
"But he's only just met me. Why would he want to know something like that? He might not even like me."
"What's not to like?" she told me firmly, "you're intelligent, mysterious, interesting and very bonnie. Why on earth wouldn't he show an interest in you?"
"Because he doesn't even know me. And what do you mean I'm mysterious?" I asked feeling worried. Was it really that obvious that I didn't belong here? At least I knew what 'bonnie' meant. I'd read the description of Maria De Silva next to the picture Doc had got for me. 'Bonnie' was 19th century slang for beautiful. Well I could argue that one out later.
"I mean that you aren't from around these parts. It is obvious to every one that meets you. You are very unconventional in your manner. Many would dismiss it as rudeness. But to us at the ranch it is plain to see that you are truly trying to fit in with our ways. That is always good to see. A lady that has the ability to adjust. It is very rare in the higher class."
I was in shock. At least my bad manners weren't being watched too closely. They all just thought I was some spoilt rich kid that had been left to become an impolite little brat. Great. I should fit in perfect with them.
"Yes, well I think I'm going to sleep for a while now. The headache you know." I told her stiffly. She smiled at me warmly before standing up and brushing herself down primly. I smiled in return.
"I hope you feel better upon the 'morrow. We shall leave at two, so be sure you are ready in plenty of time."
"Why? What's happening tomorrow?" I asked dazedly. She turned and smiled as she backed out of the door.
"Charles and Hector are joining us for a stroll in Beach-Wood forest. Be sure to wear your best bonnet. Charles will be looking out for you." and with that she left.
It wasn't till about five minutes later when I was slipping under my duvet that I realised what she had said. Hector was coming.
Oh great. So now I have a boyfriend that doesn't remember me and a future fiancé. Just what I always wanted. Not.
A/N: A HUGE thank you to all my reviewers! I love you all!
The cool thing is that if i get another review i'll reach my first ever hundred! Out of all my fics. hehe. That'd be very cool!
I hope you enjoyed this chappy! Now all you have to do is push the little blue button at the bottom of the screen. Pretty please?
Invisible smurfs up for grabs again for any reviewers. hehe. Gotta love the little blue men!
