24. The Spring Festival
While Erik held Roselynn I could see him soften up, it was almost as if he had a heart. However, I knew better than to allow myself to fall for that. He may be a father now but he's still the same Erik that broke my heart. I couldn't focus on him now anyways, Clara needed me to help her prepare for the guests that were arriving tomorrow. Rooms needed to be dusted and aired out, bread needed to be backed and the children need to be minded. With the arrival of the Spring Festival came a time of rebirth, many came from miles around to feel the cool air from the moor.
"Thinking hard dear?" Clara's voice interrupted my thoughts. Gently I smiled and shook my head.
"I'm just thinking about tomorrow. Sammy asked me to go with him again, but I think I'll just stay and help you." Clara gave me a look and made a disproving noise.
"You're only young once, let the poor boy take you out. He's been reeling for you since the moment you landed in this little town." She chuckled.
"Oh he has not! Were just friends, besides his parents would never let us be with one another. I'm an unwed woman with a child." He would be better off without me anyways.
"His parents are wonderful people; they'd be ignorant not to love you. Besides Sammy is a good man I'm sure he would love to raise Roselynn on his own." I smiled at the thought. I'd be lying if I hadn't wondered what it would be like if Sammy raised Roselynn. Would I be happy with him? Before I could say anything Clara spoke again, this time her face was uneasy.
"Claudine? Do you know the strange man that arrived here yesterday?" She looked towards the stairwell almost expecting to see him round the corner at any given minute.
"Yes, that would be Roselynn's father." I blew a strand curl out of my face.
"That's her father? Oh honey no wonder why you got pregnant!" She exclaimed and chuckled lightly.
"Clara!" My face went red.
"What, if I weren't married with six children and an infant… What I'm trying to say is that hes handsome Claude!" She covered her face and giggled.
"He's not that handsome." I rolled my eyes.
"Who's not that handsome?" Almost on cue Delphine pranced her uppity self into the bakery.
"No one of your concern Delphine, it's a private matter discussed between Clara and myself." Her eyebrow slightly twitched.
"Now, Now Claudie it's not nice to keep secrets you know." Her slick smile made me want to vomit.
"Delphine, can I interest you in some blueberry scones perhaps? How's your mother?" I gave a grateful nod to Clara for trying to defuse the situation.
"No actually I'm meeting someone here." Her smirk sent a shiver down my spine.
I looked behind me and low and behold there was Erik standing there. I eyed him and for a brief moment I felt the familiar sensation of my heart breaking.
"Are you ready to go Miss O'Connor?" His voice was shaky and nervous. I knew that Delphine had somehow pressured him into a date. However, that didn't leave me any less angry. I couldn't believe he would go out with her! None the less this was certainly out of character for him, he usually stayed out the way of anyone he passed.
"Of course, and please call me Delphine, Erik." She said he name with such slyness as she took his arm and looked at me.
"I really wish we could stay, but I've promised Erik here I'd give him a tour of the town and moor." With that being said they strolled on out of the bakery and onto the street.
"What a geebag, really." Clara turned towards me and saw the apparent horror on my face.
"Dear, what's the matter?" She put her hand on my arm and look at me.
"That man… he always has to flaunt something in front of me." I looked down towards the ground and began to climb up the stairs.
"Claudine." Clara's soft voice tried to sway me to stay.
"I think I hear Roselynn; I should check on her." I sauntered up the steps, the thing was I wasn't heartbroken over the fact that he was out with Delphine. I was more upset that he wasn't going to at least fight to be a part of our lives. A little part of me I guess believed that he had the intention of actually wanting to be a family. I can't trust him. Not again.
Erik's P.O.V
"This is the shop that my father bought when a family couldn't afford the lease any longer." Delphine had been carrying on for nearly an hour about all the shops her family owned. In truth I could have cared less, the only thing that really occupied my mind right now was my daughter.
"Are you going to the spring festival tomorrow?" I turned and looked at her.
"Oh I don't think so. I don't do well in large crowds." She hooked her arm through mine and pouted.
"Oh but it'll be so much fun! You should be my date; I won't take no for an answer." She smiled as I reluctantly grinned.
"Whatever would please you Mademoiselle." We were out for another hour or so before she decided to release me from her bonds. I walked back to the inn and paused for a moment. One of the windows leading upstairs was open. I could see Claudine holding our daughter, she looked so happy with her. Smiling I walked into the bakery, past the wrestling boys, and up the stairs. I knocked at the door and I heard Claudine grant me entry.
"Oh, you're home." As soon as she saw me her tone changed.
"How's Roselynn?" I walked over to her and peered down at the tiny little baby.
"She's fine." Claudine walked over towards the wooden crib and she laid Roselynn down.
"So are you going to the festival tomorrow?" She began to pick up non-existent items, she would look around for something that would seemingly have a spot and move it.
"Yes I am." Her answer was quick and short.
"Great, we could maybe go together then." I tried not to sound too hopeful but in truth I was dying to spend time alone with her.
"Sorry, I'm going with someone else. Aunt Giry has already agreed to watch Roselynn for me while I'm out." My eyebrow twitched.
"With whom are you going to go with?"
"I'm going with Sammy, he asked me and I said yes." She looked me square in the eye.
"Is this because I went out with Delphine for a stroll?" My voice lowered.
"What you do is of little concern to me." She turned on her heel and left the room. I tried to follow her but she stormed off into her own, slamming it behind her.
Claude's P.O.V
The day started off fairly eventful, with so many guests in the inn there was hardly a quiet minute. But the time came where everyone retreated to their own rooms in order to prepare for the festival. I walked to my room and pulled out a long blue dress, it's sleeves were long and slightly poofy. It was paired with a brown corset that stopped at the waist, it was one of my favorite dresses. Clara had taught me how to make it when I first arrived in Ireland. Throwing on the dress I then put on my best pair of boots. They, like the corset were brown as well, they even had a slight heel. I decided to put my hair up into a high ponytail, there was no doubt in my mind that there was going to be a lot of dancing. I tied a white ribbon into a bow, I figured that it would look nice. The last piece of my outfit was the locket, I smiled as I held in my hand. Things were so different now. I had my own daughter that I could pass this on to.
"Claudine! Sammy's here!" Clara rushed into my room and looked at me.
"Well look at you, all dressed up and looking beautiful." She gushed and walked over to me.
"You have fun dear, I'm sure we'll see each other there. Thomas and I need to close up shop before we leave though." She started to push me towards the door.
"Don't make that poor boy wait any longer." I smiled at her and started down the stairs. When I reached the bottom I saw not only Sammy but Erik as well. I decided it was probably best that I ignore Erik and just move on.
"You look beautiful Claude." Sammy blushed and held out a bouquet of flowers. Smiling I took them and thanked him Out of the corner of my eye I could see Erik watching us. Honestly it felt good to make him jealous.
"We should get going." Sammy nodded and we headed out for the festival.
Once we arrived to the festival grounds we could see that the entire population of the town had turned out for it. Not only that but there were quite a few groups of people whom were from other towns.
"Let's dance!" Sammy grabbed my hand and led me to the dance floor. It was a blur of laughter and colors from there. Until a slow playing melody started to play did I realize how close Sammy was to me. Sammy held his hand out to me, I smiled and took his hand I'm sure my face was blushing a deep red. My heart was racing and I couldn't help but let my head rest on his shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye though I could see a dark figure looming in the furthest corner of the dance floor.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Sammy's voice brought me back to him.
"Very much, thank you for asking me here." I smiled.
"No problem." He grinned and stopped dancing.
"Look, Claudine I know that I could never replace Roselynns father. But I know that I could be a good father to her and an even better husband to you." I slowly took a step away from him.
"Sammy?" The way he was talking was sweet but I wasn't sure how I felt about it.
"I don't have a lot of money but I can offer you a home, love and security. Claude… what I'm trying to say is that I love you." He rubbed the back of his head and started to dig into his pocket. He took out a small silver ring, it wasn't much to look at but it was beautiful none the less.
"It's not much now but I promise you that I'll buy you a better one someday." He smiled shyly as he handed it to me. I took it and looked at it.
"Can I think about it?" Sammy's smiled faltered slightly as he nodded.
"Take all the time you need Claude." He was about to hug me but a strong arm pulled me away from him.
"We need to talk." A Erik's voice boomed as he dragged me away from Sammy.
Alright guys! So this story is coming to an end soon, as we start to say good-bye to this story we can look forward to the sequel of this story! I've already started to brainstorm about how this story is going to play out. Besides that, I want you guys to review and tell me how you think this is going to end I may put a poll up. Love you guys! Don't forget to review and leave any questions or feedback you may have.
-Kara