Little note before this chapter begins. I will be a tad slower with posting for a bit but will be getting chapters out when I can. I am getting a puppy tomorrow and we need to get her potty trained quickly. Thanks!
Chapter 13: Fatal Mistakes
I walk into Lola's room, wanting to ask her if she knows where Francis is. I turn around to see Kenna at my heels. "Where is Kenna?" I ask. A servant comes up behind us, Kenna's eyes grow wide. "I saw her earlier m'lady. She had her riding gear on but wouldn't say where she was goin'." the servant says. I look at Kenna, who looks frantic. "Oh my god."
"What is it?" I ask. She starts walking out, telling me to follow her. I do as she says. "She is pregnant Mary. She went to end the pregnancy. I told her about how a servant I know ent there, I did not think she would go through with it!" she says. We start running. "Meet me at the stables! I'll get Bash he can get us through the Blood Wood." I say. I rush quickly down the halls and find him talking to some guards. "Bash! Quickly!" I say. He chases after me but I don't have a chance to explain. We get to the stables, Kenna ready with horses. Kenna tells him where the shack is. "I know where that is. My mother paid a visit there once," he says. I can see the death of his mother still pains him when he speaks of her.
Bash and I ride out, going through the woods as fast as we can. If there are any suspicious people or chanting, I do not hear it. I keep with my husband as we rush through the wood. Finally, we reach a clearing, the shack in the distance. I start screaming for Lola as we ride as fast as we can. When we get closer I tell Bash: "Wait outside. I don't want her to feel embarrassed or ashamed." I say. I stop my horse and hop off. I quickly enter the shack. "Lola!" I yell. A woman with monstrous tools stands in front of her. "She's fine m'lady we have not yet begun," she says. Lola sits up, clinging onto the blanket. "Please leave us," I say. The woman grabs her things and leaves. I keep my hand on Lola's. "Please come home with me, this can kill you," I say.
"No please, I can't I have to do this. If you knew the whole story-" she says.
"It doesn't matter how it happened. You are pregnant and I understand. It is not the end of the world unless you make it so. Please, let me help you." I say. She starts crying, hiding her face behind her hair. I brush her black curly locks out of her face. "Oh, if you only knew," she says. Then it clicks. "When Francis returned from Paris, you were at his side," I say. She looks away, tears coming out. "Is that Francis's child? My ex's child?" I ask. She nods, saying yes a few times and bursting into tears. I take a deep breath and give her a hug. "Lola, it is alright. Francis and I were split, we did not get back together I chose Bash. But I could have- that doesn't matter. This can complicate the line of succession." I say.
"I know that. That is why I also must do this. It complicates Bash's legitimacy. I don't love him. I never did it was one time," she says. I know of Francis's infidelities. Especially when he had Olivia. "Come, we must get you back home," I say.
Later
Bash and I walk away from Lola and the horses for a moment, giving her some space. "What will happen to her?" Bash asks. I start thinking. There are a few suitors at court right now. Lord Castleroy and Lord Julien. Both are matches for Greer, but maybe Greer will know if Julien knows any suitors. Or maybe she would be willing to let Lola marry him. I could never ask her that, but it is something she would do. "She must marry before the baby comes of course," I say.
"She will stay with us, no questions asked. We will take care of her." Bash says. I smile, he pulls me into his arms, kissing me passionately. "Soon we will have our own little family to care for, but we will care for her. I swear it," he says. And this is why I love him so deeply. He cares for people. He loves me and those I love and is willing to help those he barely knows. "I love you, Mary," he says. I smile, kissing him again. "I love you Bash."
