Chapter Fourteen ~ Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
I woke up the next morning, still dazed. At first I didn't recognise where I was then I remembered that we had stayed the night in De Noir castle. Last night's event hit me.
Robin had kissed me.
But how did I know I wasn't just dreaming again? I had dreamt of kissing him before, this may be the same situation.
But it seemed so real.
It had to be a dream. Why on earth would Robin kiss me? Maria Merryweather. Just a simple girl. Nothing special.
A tiny knock on the door startled me. I sat up. Was it him?
"Miss Maria?" A timid voice asked. Jude.
"Come in." I called. The door opened and Jude appeared in the doorway. She walked in and shut the door behind her. Skipping, she came over to the side of my bed.
"I'm sorry to wake you, Miss Maria." She said. "Master Robin told me you had stayed the night so I came to say good morning." I smiled at her.
"I was awake already." I reassured her. "Is everyone up?" She nodded.
"Everyone is down at breakfast." I had slept in. "Master Robin said not to bother you." She paused and grinned. "But I never listen to Master Robin very often." I laughed. My door opened again and Jude's mother came in.
"Jude." She sighed. "You were told to leave her be." She took her daughter's hand.
"It's fine, Mrs Harper. I needed to wake up anyway."
"Would you like help getting ready?"
"I'll be okay thank you." She nodded and began to pull her daughter from my room.
"Well, Lady Loveday has laid out a dress for you to wear." She nodded towards a red gown hung over the back of the chair.
"Thank you, Mrs Harper." I smiled.
"I'll come find you later, Miss Maria." Jude called.
"I'd like that." I replied. She grinned widely. Mrs Harper rolled her eyes and the pair of them left, leaving me to get up and ready.
I walked down the gloomy corridors of De Noir castle. My mind wandering a little too much. I was getting too caught up in all these dreams I was having. I couldn't talk to Loveday about this new dream, not after last time.
But it seemed so real.
I mustn't have been concentrating very well as I walked straight into someone. "I'm sorry." I muttered.
"That's fine, Maria." It was Mr Gomez. "How are you this morning anyway?"
"I'm okay thank you." I smiled.
"You're first night in De Noir castle, I take it?" He asked, smiling. His smile reminded me too much of Robin's. I nodded. "You'll get used to it, I assure you." I laughed slightly.
"You say that like I'll be around often." I muttered. He raised an eyebrow.
"I would assume you would be." He replied. "Especially due to current events, which I'm sure you know about?"
"Yeah I do." I nodded. He smiled.
"Well, I think I must be getting off." He sighed. "Things to do." I nodded.
"I'll see you around." With that we parted, and I headed off towards the great hall.
When I entered, everyone was already eating. I sat down in one of the few vacant chairs and everyone greeted me with 'good mornings'.
Thankfully, when I sat down, I saw Robin was not around the table. If he had been, I may have fell apart with embarrassment as last night's 'dream' was still fresh in my mind.
"The rain has passed." Mr Cunningham stated with a mouth full of food. I saw Mrs Heliotrope shudder slightly at the chewed up mush within his teeth was visible as he spoke.
"Yes, it looks like you will have no problems on your journey home." Mr De Noir said, more gracefully than the previous speaker. He smiled at his daughter.
"Thank you for you hospitality, Father." She began. "Though I do believe we are over doing our welcome." Mr De Noir snorted and shook his head.
"Don't be ridiculous, dear Daughter." He said. "You are welcome to spend the month here if you wish."
"Though that's a tempting offer," Uncle laughed. "Marmaduke and Wrolfe can't be trusted with the house for many days longer. They will have turned the place upside down." Mr De Noir laughed aswell.
"I can imagine." He nodded.
"Where's Robin?" I blurted out unintentionally. Mr De Noir and Loveday glanced at each other.
"He's out in the forest, I believe." Robin's father said finally. I froze.
"He's already gone?" I asked. Mr De Noir looked slightly confused. "He's already hunting for the creature?" Everyone looked positively shell-shocked.
"How do you…?"
"Robin told me last night." I cut Mr De Noir off. He recovered quickly and gave me a small smile.
"Well, I suppose that would make things easier." He nodded. "Yes Robin is tracking today."
"But it's dangerous!" I cried.
"My son will be fine, Maria." He said. "I assure you."
"You can assure his safety?" His eyes burned into me. I could tell my questions were starting to annoy him.
"He knows what he's doing, Maria." He said finally. "He is a big boy now." I glared at him.
"Come now, Maria." Mrs Heliotrope's timid voice spoke suddenly. "Eat up, we need to get going soon." I glanced at her and back at Robin's father. I then began to shovel food into my mouth in an irritable fashion.
I was aware of Mr De Noir's eyes still watching me. And I knew he wasn't happy.
Digweed brought the carriage out front of De Noir castle. The ground was still wet from last night's weather and puddles were dotted everywhere.
I stood by the carriage, waiting. My eyes were watching the forest. I couldn't leave now. Not when I knew Robin could be in danger. I glanced around for Loveday. She was walking towards the carriage with Mrs Heliotrope. I ran towards them.
"Loveday!" I said. "Can I talk to you for a moment?" Mrs Heliotrope smiled and left us be.
"What is it, my dear?" She asked, concerned.
"I don't want to leave." She smiled knowingly.
"It's because of Robin, isn't it?" She asked. I nodded.
"I can't leave now. Not until I know he's okay." I replied. Loveday nodded.
"I understand, I would feel the same if it was your uncle." She sighed and glanced around. "I'll tell Benjamin we wish to spend a few more days here."
"Wait. We?" I asked.
"Well, I can't very well leave you alone!" I grinned at her. "I'll go tell your Uncle now."
"Will your father mind?" I asked warily, remembering breakfast and Mr De Noir's irritation towards me.
"Of course not. You heard him, we could stay for a month if we wished." She paused. "Don't get any ideas!" She grinned at me then headed off towards Uncle. I watched her go.
That was so easy.
Uncle said it was fine for us to stay a little longer, though Mrs Heliotrope was a little wary. She argued that I would be missing out on vital lessons. Loveday found an argument for this and said Mr Gomez would be more than happy to teach me if we stayed longer than expected. After some hesitation she gave in. I could tell she didn't like it, but Loveday cheered her up by saying this would give her more time to spend with her husband. It did brighten her mood and she got on the carriage with a large smile on her face.
It was arranged that Loveday would go back with them to collect some clothes for us then return later that evening. I would be alone at De Noir castle for the day. Loveday seemed a little anxious to leave me, but I reassured her it would be fine and that I'd go find Jude and spend the day with her.
So it was all decided and the carriage trudged away without me. I stood watching it go until it vanished from view. I suddenly felt lost.
"I think you may have missed your ride." A voice said from behind me. I turned around and saw Henry walking towards me.
"Loveday and I are staying a little longer." I explained. He glanced around.
"Where's Loveday then?"
"She's gone home to get our things." He nodded and smiled.
"Well it's a pleasure that you will be staying here a little longer." I felt obliged to smile back.
"I think this place is growing on me." I glanced behind me up at the enormous castle. It seemed to grow bigger as I stared at it. It looked so intimidating on the outside.
"Do you have any plans for this fine day?" Henry asked me suddenly. I remembered telling Loveday I would find Jude some point today. Though I had no idea where to look for the little girl.
"No I don't." I replied finally. His smile seemed to grow.
"Perhaps you'd like to accompany me on a walk around the grounds?" He asked politely, extending an arm for me to take. I stared down at it, slightly wary. "You don't have it if you don't want to." He reassured me. Maybe my first impressions of him were wrong. He seemed quite sweet and polite at the moment. Robin was gone for the day so there was no reason not to accompany him. I smiled up at.
"I'd love to." I took his arm and he grinned.
We then set off around the grounds, arm in arm.
The walk wasn't as bad as I assumed it would be. Henry continued to be polite and friendly as we wandered aimlessly. Showing an interest in what I was saying, much like he had done at dinner last night.
The ground was still moist from the previous rainy night, but surprisingly it was quite warm. The sky was brightening up and the sun was shining upon us and was joined by a beautiful crystal blue sky.
We were stood on the wall surrounding the De Noir grounds, looking out across the forest.
Robin was out there somewhere. He could be in danger. He could even be dead. I didn't want to think about it.
But I couldn't help myself.
Images of Robin's mangled, ripped body flashed in my head. Blood drenching his leather clothes and making a pool around him. His eyes open wide, never seeing again.
I was nearly sick.
"Are you okay?" A voice knocked me back to reality and I looked up at Henry. He was staring down at me, his face confused. I nodded.
"I'm just worried about Robin." I admitted, turning back to the forest.
"My cousin will be fine." Henry said. "It's just some rogue beast. Cousin Robin's fought worse." I glanced up at him. He too was staring out at the forest, his forehead creased as he seemed in deep thought.
"Like what?" I inquired. His lips turned up in amusement.
"You're quite fond of my cousin, aren't you?" He asked. I frowned as he turned to look at me.
"He's my friend." I told him. He nodded, obviously not convinced. "What's it to you anyway?"
"He's my cousin."
"And you just said, he can look after himself." I raised an eyebrow at him.
"That is true." He nodded. "But enough of Cousin Robin, tell me more about yourself."
The day carried on like that. Henry and I shared stories of our childhood and exchanged information about each other. It was a pleasant day.
When we returned back to the grounds, Loveday arrived with our things. Henry offered to help carry our luggage up, Loveday agreeing instantly as she said she was 'too tired'. The three of us headed up to the Children's Wing and Henry gave Loveday her luggage.
"Thank you, Henry." Loveday said. "I suppose I'll see you at dinner?"
"Yes, Cousin." He nodded. Loveday smiled and disappeared into her room to unpack. Henry carried my bags into my room and put them on the bed. He groaned and stretched his arms. "What do you have in there? Bodies?" I giggled at that. The sound made me feel sick. I was too giddy when I should be worrying about Robin's welfare.
I felt guilty for some reason.
"Thank you Henry for today." I began. "But if you excuse me, I'd like to unpack and rest before dinner this evening." Henry nodded and left, telling me we should carry on our day's conversations later on. Once Henry had gone, I proceeded to unpack in a hurried fashion.
I wanted to see Robin.
I was unpacked in no time and I practically ran down the castle, looking for the Bird-boy. There was no sign of him or his friends.
"Mr Gomez, is Robin back yet?" I asked Robin's tutor when I found him wandering the corridors.
"I do not think so, Maria." Mr Gomez sighed, his face tense. "I have a right mind to give that boy a slap though. I told him we had lessons today after he had finished parading around." He grumbled something then continued. "If you see him, tell him to come find me and remind him of our plans, please." I laughed slightly.
"I will do." We parted and I carried on until I was out in the grounds. I found my way until I was just outside the gates of the De Noir castle grounds, stood by a lone tree. I leant back against it and watched the tree line, waiting for the group of boys to appear.
I didn't know what I was going to do when Robin did appear. He would probably tell me off for worrying over nothing.
What did the boy expect when he went gallivanting after some mysterious, apparently dangerous creature?
Last night's 'events' were still firm in my mind. I was still confused whether I had been dreaming or not. I knew it was highly likely that I was, it seemed too real for me to of dreamed up.
Though why would Robin want to kiss me?
I shouldn't pity myself. It's unhealthy and pathetic.
A hand touching my arm caused me to jump slightly. I spun around to face the source of the touch, ready to shout or attack. Jude stood next to me.
"Sorry to scare you, Miss Maria." She smiled up at me. Under her arm was a basket full of, what looked like to be, rags and clothes.
"Not to worry, Jude." I assured her. "I was miles away."
"Are you waiting for Master Robin?" She asked. I nodded. "I am too. He promised my brother and I he'd play with us today." I laughed slightly.
"Apparently he's promised Mr Gomez that he'd go back for lessons today." Jude frowned at this.
"Has he promised you anything, Miss Maria?" That he would look after himself.
"No, Jude." I sighed. "I was just worried about him." I sat down on the floor at the root of the tree. After a short while Jude sat down with me.
"I saw you with Master Henry before." She spoke softly. I glanced down at her. She was picking at a daisy she had just picked from the grass. "Is he a nice man?" I shrugged.
"I don't really know him, if I'm honest." I replied. "He seemed alright today."
"How long will they be staying for?"
"Robin has told me they do not know yet." Jude frowned in thought.
"I don't like Mr Cunningham that much." She admitted. "He isn't very nice." I laughed breathlessly then turned back towards the forest. No change.
"He doesn't seem like a nice man, no." I agreed.
"My brother's scared of him." Jude said suddenly. "But my brother's just a pathetic little worm." I had heard Jude and Robin talk about Jude's brother, but I had never seen him. I didn't even know his name or how old he was. I opened my mouth to ask her, though Jude spoke suddenly. "How long are you staying here for, Miss Maria?" She asked.
"I'm not sure yet." I replied. "Loveday and I have not decided." She smiled up at me.
"I think you should move here and live with us, Miss Maria." I laughed at this.
"I have a home remember, Jude." I replied, grinning.
"I like it when you're around though."
"Thank you Jude." I said. "I like being here too." Jude continued shooting questions at me, most random and had no particular importance. Though I didn't mind.
It kept myself from worrying too much.
(A/N) Okay, I know I told you that updates won't be as frequent but I finished this chapter earlier for you all and couldn't help myself and put it up. :)
And I apologise if you think Robin and Maria's relationship moving 'too slowly'. That's just how it's going at the moment. I did warn you this story would be long!
Probably the longest and oddest chapter name so far. But I thought it was appropriate! :D
Please Review, I'd love to know what you all think of the story or the recent chapter.
-jemlou-