Well well well, I am back!! My apologies for the last chapter, it isn't loverly, but meh, I assume your reading this on you own accord, so enjoy. Your lovely advice is a big help. Ya'll just want the best for me, so thanks. This is about 4 days later. There is going to be a revalation of ole' beasty-boy, but not yet, ye impatients!
Henry comes for a visit, as kindly, Mr. Arlington hasn't. We have tea in the parlor. Mother Jane cannot shut up about "my splendid match", only stopping for snatches of breath. I am on the verge of giggles. Mother Jane with a spoon in hand flapping it her arms like beheaded chicken red in the face with trying to multi task. Thinking and talking! My my!
Henry's jaw is tight and he merely nods. Heavens knows why, silly boy, he perhaps needs some air...
"Mother Jane?" I question 'May we please go for a ride?'
"Well, alright, as you have been much a hermit lately." She says eyeing Henry. Blushing, I grab Henry's wrist, and we make a dash for the stables. We arrive there panting. He is grinning like an idiot, so I make to start saddling up a horse.
"I can do that!" He says, eagerly grabbing the saddle, and making his way towards Daisy, that dastardly little chit of a ladies riding horse.
I put up my hand to stop him. "No! I would much rather Gallager.' I say grinning. Gallager is hot blooded steed, black as night with a temper hotter than hell.
He blinks, than smirks at me. "I should have known Lila." waiting for him to finish, then scooting away from him, before he can assist me atop Gallager, I hop up, daring him to a race. "Ladies don't race!' He taunts. "Nay, I dare say not, but they don't sit astride, either', I say, motioning to my "elegant" posture.
He unties his mare, and we are off at a trot. I lead to a somewhat secluded path, then motion for Henry to slow down. I let Gallager amble on. "We need to talk." I say.
"Oh? I agree. You shoot" He says, nonchalantly motioning towards me.
"I have to get away from him. That Mr. Arlington. I don't know what it is, but he, he- well he just isn't right. You know? There is something wrong about him. I have no idea what, but there it is. I hate to say it, I don't want to misuse you but, I have had the horrid, or perhaps brilliant plan, of you and I forming, well, just a.. an egagement, you see a contract one of course, not truly to follow, just to act out, and kill off Arlington from the plot." I say in a rush, stopping with a meek smile.
He stares quizzically at me for a moment, then as simply as could be he looks at me, seemingly penetrating past my eyes and into my brain , and says 'Alright I'll do it. I trust you Lila. Just be careful'. Glancing down, he grabs my hand for the slightest moment, then drops it like a hot potato.
We ride on in silence for perhaps a few minutes, swimming in our bewilderment.
"Now for my turn." He states. 'Mari just sent word of her confinement, beginning in a week or so, and is begging for you to come to her aid, as she cannot abide of Tom currently' he says, rolling his eyes. "We could spread word of our "secret" engagement and be in Marllow in a week. Now how about that?" He asks.
"Splendid old boy!" I say, pecking him on the cheek, and turning Gallager around, motioning back for Henry to follow.
"Where are we going?' says a surprised Henry.
"Past the Arlington estate of course, just to get Mr. Arlington a'thinkin" I say, tapping on my head. We race there a swirling cloud of dust. I snort and blink, trying to clear it from my air and sight. Henry points like a school child, laughing so hard he is now snorting. "Not so funny is it now Mr. Malloy? Hmm?"
"No,no!" He says coughing
"Thats what I thought!" I say smugly giving Gallager a little kick to speed him up. Henry catches up squinting looking forward and frowning.
"Lila!" I hear. Oh no!
"He pops at the best times." I mutter scowling, then hiding it with a devious grin.
I slow down now to give Arlington a proper greeting. 'Why have you met Henry Malloy? My bea- I mean friend. Yes my dearest friend' I say like a idiotic little chit, mustering the most adoring glance I can give Henry.
"No you didn't mention that Lilli." He smirks, thinking he, in using my pet name, has won me over from Henry.
Before I say anything Henry says "Thats our Lila, Jeffs, quite the loose cannon, eh?" He says, winking at him!
"Well we-we better be going.. I suppose" I am blushing beet red by now, I dig my heels into Gallager, only seeing a glimpse of Mr. Arlington with a darker than night look on his face.
Once we are well out of view I burst in uncontrollable laughter, mumbling "Jeffs! And Loose cannon!" when I can stop for a moment.
He raises an eye brow giving me a wry look. "Not of course that the loose cannon bit was true..."
"Well of course not!" I say wagging my finger at him.
"Good heavens' I say. "I must get home! I still have to convince the Mummy Dearest there to let me go to Marllow! I had better start now of course. It will take all of a week at least!"
Waving over my shoulder to Henry, I gallop back towards home, shooing off the stable boys, and tending to Gallager myself, giving the little demon some oats, and racing into the house. "MOTHER JANE!! I screech then freeze. Note to self, don't screech like Jane. I stumble on, going too quickly, and head butting Mother Jane.
I rush into speaking before she can box my ears in. "Dearest Mother Jane! Mari, you know Henrys sister? Well she has invited me to Marllow for a little bit, and it would be good experience you know, and she is so lonely, and she is such good influence. Perhaps she shall rub some sense into me, eh? I wink cheekily for good effect, and look expectantly at her.
"Well Lila..." she begins..
Unlikely Rose..
A/N: Well a mini cliffy never harmed anybody did it now? Please review! Easy on the criticism, its fantastic and all, but I'm getting easily discouraged. Naughty me I know..